Friday, October 27, 2006

WORTH READING 27 Oct 2006

21 Rules of Life

1. Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your
happiness or misery.

2. Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and
talent.

3. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

5. Be forgiving of yourself and others.

6. Be generous.

7. Have a grateful heart.

8. Persistence, persistence, persistence.

9. Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.

10. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

11. Commit yourself to constant improvement.

12. Commit yourself to quality.

13. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or
prestige, but on relationship with people you love and respect.

14. Be loyal.

15. Be honest.

16. Be a self-starter.

17. Be decisive even it it means you'll sometimes be wrong.

18. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your
life.

19. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll
regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.

20. Take good care of those you love.

21. Don't do anything that wouldn't make your Mom proud.

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Tuesday, October 17, 2006

WORTH READING 18 Oct 2006

Enjoy Where You Are

There is nothing which is intrinsically enjoyable. What one person
enjoys, another person will despise. Enjoyment comes from your attitude
toward a particular situation, not the situation itself.

Too many people search in vain for enjoyable activities, enjoyable
relationships, enjoyable environments, enjoyable entertainment. A much
more successful strategy would be to stop searching and start enjoying.

The enjoyment is not in the activity. The enjoyment is in you. Wherever
you are, whatever you're doing, find a way to enjoy it. Sure, it's great
when you aspire to bigger and better things. But don't fool yourself
into thinking that they'll come pre-packaged with their own enjoyment.
That is up to you.

Perhaps you didn't choose to be where you are, and it's great that
you're committed to getting somewhere else. Yet while you're here,
accept it and enjoy it. Enjoying where you are right now will take you a
long way toward wherever else you wish to go.

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Monday, October 16, 2006

WORTH READING 17 Oct 2006

The Story of Gandhi

There was a boy. His name was Mohan. He was studying in a school at
Rajkot. He was not bright at studies, but was very fond of reading.

Once he read the story of Shravana. Shravana used to carry his old and
blind parents in two baskets slung on a bamboo yoke. Mohan was deeply
touched by his devotion to his old parents. He resolved to be like
Shravana and serve his parents.

Once Mohan saw a play depicting the life of King Harishchandra, who lost
his kingdom and suffered much for truth. Mohan was so deeply moved by
this play that he was in tears. He decided never to swerve from the path
of truth and be ever truthful and honest like Harishchandra.

In his childhood the young Gandhi was very timid. He feared to step in
darkness, even in his own house. He feared ghosts and thieves and
snakes. Rambha was a maid servant in his house. Once she said to Mohan:
`Why are you so much fearful? Remember Rama! Rama will always protect
you. Fear never encounters him who remembers Rama.'

Mohan was deeply impressed by these words. He took to reciting the name
of Rama. His faith in Rama increased as he grew up. He remembered God
and dedicated all his work to him. When he died his last words were `He
Rama!'

Mohan's father, Karamchand Gandhi, was popularly known as Kaba Gandhi.
In early years, he was the Diwan of Porbandar, and after that he became
the Diwan of Rajkot. During his stay in Rajkot, his Parsee and Muslim
friends often visited his house and discussed the good in their
religions. Young Mohan, who quite often sat by father's side, heard
these discussions. These debates created in him a real love for all
religions.

Once the Inspector of schools came to visit his school. He wanted to
test the boys, so he dictated a few English words to the boys. Mohan
could not spell one of the words correctly. His teacher prompted him to
copy that word from his neighbour's slate, but Mohan didn't. He did not
like to cheat anybody, come what may. The result was that all the
students except Mohan, spelt all the words correctly. The teacher
scolded Mohan after the class and Mohan felt wounded. But deep inside
him he knew that what he had done was right.

Mohan's full name is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He was born in
Porbandar, on the sea-coast of Saurashtra, on October 2, 1869. He did
many great things when he grew up. Throughout the world he is now known
as Mahatma Gandhi. He led us Indians to the non-violent fight for
freedom and finally lay down his life for our sake. He ranks among the
greatest teachers of all time like Buddha and Christ. He is the Father
of our Nation. Every year, his birthday is celebrated throughout the
world.

In those days, India was under the British rule. Once a boy told Mohan:
`Do you know why the British are so strong and why they can rule over
us? It is because they eat meat. If we become meat-eaters, like them, we
will be able to drive them out.'

Mohan was convinced by this argument. But everybody in Mohan's house was
strictly vegetarian, so he tried meat-eating outside. He did not
disclose this secret to anybody, yet he was averse to telling a lie and
deceiving the parents, so finally he decided not to touch meat again.

Mohan was taken to smoking also. For this he had to steal money and to
incur debt. When the debt increased, he stole a piece of gold from one
of the gold-bracelets that his brother wore and paid off the debt.

But soon after that, his heart was filled with remorse. He resolved
never to steal again. He wrote down a confession of his crime on a piece
of paper and put it in the hands of his father who was then sick.

The father read the letter and without uttering a word, tore up the
paper with a deep sigh.

Mohan was deeply grieved. Tears rolled down his cheeks. He saw the power
of truth. From that day, telling the truth became a passion with him. He
loved his father more and more. He massaged his legs and served him in
all possible ways.

But his father did not live long. He died when Mohan was only sixteen.

After passing his Matriculation examination, Gandhiji joined a college
for further study, but his eldest brother decided to send him to England
to become a barrister.

Now, Mother Putlibai asked Mohan to take a vow not to eat meat, not to
drink and not to live an immoral life, Gandhiji took this vow, and
boarded a steamer for England.

He arrived in London in October, 1888. At first, he had to face numerous
handicaps. He almost starved until he found a good vegetarian
restaurant. He learned Latin and French too, and finally passed his law
examination. Now he was a barrister.

Then he returned to India. He was anxious to meet his mother and tell
her that he had kept his vows in England. But as soon as he landed in
Bombay, he heard that his mother had passed away only a few weeks ago!
It was a terrible shock, yet he restrained himself.

Now Gandhiji started practice as a lawyer in Rajkot. After some time, an
offer came to him to go to South Africa as a legal adviser to an Indian
firm owned by a Gujarati Muslim businessman there. Gandhiji accepted the
offer and in May 1893, he went to Natal in South Africa.

In South Africa, Indians were ill-treated and disgraced. They were
called `Coolies'. Very soon Gandhiji too had his share of this
experience. He was travelling in a train to Pretoria, in a first class
compartment. On the way, a European passenger entered the compartment
and found Gandhiji in it. He complained to the station master: `Take
this coolie out and put him in a lower class!'. Gandhiji raised an
objection that he had a first class ticket, but nobody heard him. A
policeman pushed him out with his bag and baggage. The train left.
Gandhiji spent the night shivering in cold, but he did not touch his
luggage.

This incident changed the whole course of his life. He decided to fight
all such injustices with the weapon of Truth. Later on, he named this
weapon Satyagraha.

More trouble was still in store for him. Next morning, he went to
Charlestown by train. He had now to travel by a stage-coach to
Johannesburg, but he was not allowed to sit inside the coach with white
passengers. To avoid confrontation Gandhiji sat outside on the coach-box
behind the coachman. After some time the conductor asked him to sit on a
dirty sack on the step below. Gandhiji refused. The conductor began to
pull him down and give him blows upon blows. Some of the passengers now
came to his rescue and Gandhiji was allowed to sit where he was.

These experiences inspired him to do something to end these sufferings
of Indians. He called a meeting of the Indians in Pretoria and told them
to form a league. This was his first public speech. It caused a new
awakening among Indians.

Gandhiji settled out of court the case for which he had gone to South
Africa. This enhanced his reputation. He had helped many to settle their
disputes out of court.

After his stay for three years in South Africa, Gandhiji returned to
India in 1896. In India, he made speeches about the plight of Indians in
South Africa. He then set sail for South Africa, with his wife Kasturbai
and two sons. In the meanwhile, the newspaper reports of his speeches in
India had reached South Africa in a distorted form. From it, the whites
thought that Gandhi had abused them in India, and they were furious.

As soon as Gandhiji landed at the port of Durban, a mob of angry whites
threw stones and bricks and rotten eggs at him. They tore off his turban
and beat him and kicked him until he was almost unconscious.

At that time, the wife of the Superintendent of Police happened to pass
by. She ran to his rescue and opened her parasol to protect him, holding
it between him and the crowd. She led Gandhiji to a safe place.

The South African Government wanted to punish the wrong-doers, but
Gandhiji refused to file a complaint. This had a very good effect on the
whites.

In 1906, the Transvaal Government issued an order that all Indians -
men, women and children should register themselves with Government by
giving their full finger-prints and get their permits. He who fails to
do so, will be fined, imprisoned or deported from the country.

Gandhiji declared: `This is an insult to the Indian community. We must
fight this `Black Act' in a non-violent way. The Government might use
force, arrest us, send us to jail, and prosecute us, but we must face
all this without resistance.' He called this `Satyagraha'
.

Indians gathered in large numbers and took an oath in the name of God,
not to register themselves. They showed wonderful unity. Hundreds of
Indians were arrested, but they didn't put up any defence in courts and
went to jail. Gandhiji, too, was imprisoned. At last Government made a
compromise with Gandhiji and gave a promise in writing to repeal the
Black Act if the Indians registered themselves voluntarily.

All the prisoners were released. Most of the Indians supported Gandhiji,
but a few rose against. They accused him of being a coward. A Pathan
named Mir Alam was one of them. When Gandhiji set out for registration,
Mir Alam hit him with a heavy stick. Gandhiji was knocked down
unconscious. When he recovered he found himself in the house of an
unknown Englishman. The first thing he did was to inquire about Mir Alam
and forgive him saying, `I don't want to prosecute him.' Then he called
the registration officer, gave him his finger-prints and got himself
duly registered.

Thus Gandhiji fulfilled his part of the agreement at the risk of life,
but Government went back from its promise and refused to repeal the
Black Act.

The Government of South Africa had imposed a heavy poll-tax on Indians.
Gandhiji wanted to get all these injustices removed. So again he started
the satyagraha movement. A big bonfire was lit and more than two
thousand permits were burnt in it. Those who called Gandhiji a coward
now greeted him as a real hero.

Gandhiji and many of his colleagues were imprisoned several times in
course of this struggle. Gandhiji gave up his practice as a lawyer and
devoted all his time in the service of the great cause that he had taken
up. He renounced his European dress and put on the simple clothes of a
poor Indian labourer. He walked barefoot. He took only one meal a day.

In jail, Gandhiji did hard labour for nine hours a day cheerfully. He
never complained about any hardships. He suffered terrible pain of boils
in hands, yet did not budge from the work given him. He was made to
carry luggages, and was taken to court handcuffed.

Meanwhile, the court in South Africa declared all Hindu, Muslim and
Parsee marriages illegal and the Government supported the court.
Kasturba could not brook this insult of Indian womanhood. She asked
Gandhiji to enlist her name as the first woman satyagrahi. Women under
her leadership broke the law and courted arrest. Kasturba was also
arrested and jailed.

Nobody was allowed to cross the border of the Transvaal without permits.
Gandhiji led a march of 6000 Indians, men, women and children without
anything except a blanket.

Gandhiji said: `We are fighting for justice, we will not harm anyone.'

It was a wonderful scene. The whole world watched it with interest.

Gandhiji was arrested. The satyagrahis were beaten and flogged
mercilessly. Yet, the struggle did not stop.

At last the Indians won. The Black Act was repealed. Indian marriages
were recognised as lawful. The poll-tax was abolished and all other
demands were accepted.

The jail life had badly affected the health of Kasturba. She was
completely bed-ridden when she came out. She was now under the care of a
doctor in his hospital. The doctor advised Gandhiji to give her
meat-syrup, otherwise, he warned, she would die. But Gandhiji refused.
Kasturba also was against taking any such thing. The doctor got angry.
He said: `Quit this place if you don't want to follow my advice.'
Gandhiji left at once the hospital with Kasturba.

Once, during this illness, Gandhiji asked Kasturba to give up the use of
salt and pulses in food. Kasturba was not inclined to accept the
suggestion. She said: `Give up salt and pulses? Even you won't like to
give that up!'

At once Gandhiji took a vow: `Well, I won't take salt and pulses for a
year.'

Now Kasturba was full of remorse. (She wept and said: `Please you don't
take a vow. I agree to give up salt and pulses.')

But Gandhiji was firm in what he had said. He carried out his word not
for one year but for full ten years.

Soon after that, Kasturba regained her health and was alright.

Gandhiji spent nearly 21 years in South Africa. He returned to India in
1915.

Then he set up an Ashram in Ahmedabad on the banks of river Sabarmati.
He named it Satyagraha Ashram. He did all sorts of manual work in the
Ashram with his co-workers. He would sweep the floor, work in the
kitchen, clean the utensils and grind corn also. Once a pleader came to
him and asked for some work to do. Gandhiji was in the kitchen at that
time. He said: `Yes, here is some work for you. Please clean these food
grains'. The pleader stood puzzled. For the first time he met a leader
to whom all kind of work was sacred.

Gandhiji became a common topic of talks when the pleaders met in their
clubs.

One of these pleaders was very bitter in his remarks. But shortly a
miracle happened. The moment this pleader saw how bold and fearless
Gandhiji was, he left his practice and jumped into the struggle under
Gandhiji's leadership. He soon became the foremost disciple of Gandhiji.
He was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

It was the year 1916. Gandhiji was invited to participate in the
foundation ceremony of the Banaras Hindu University at Kashi. It was a
gorgeous show. Even the Viceroy had come from Delhi to attend it. A
number of Indian Maharajas, bedecked in costly jewellery were present.
Much was said about the poverty of India and the uplift of the poor.

Gandhiji was clad in his simple Kathiawadi dress. He made here his first
great political speech in India. He spoke in English. The first words
came out like a bomb-shell: `It is a matter of shame that I am compelled
to address my countrymen in a language that is foreign to me."

Soon another bomb-shell: `You speak about the poverty of India and make
an exhibition of jewellery. There is no salvation for India unless you
strip yourselves of this jewellery and hold it in trust for your
countrymen.'

Still another bomb-shell: `The country will be free not through the
pleaders and the rich, but through the peasants. If we are afraid of
God, we won't ever fear the Princes and the Maharajas, or the Viceroy or
King George himself.'

And the last bomb shell: `If I find it necessary for the salvation of
India that the English should be driven out, I would not hesitate to
declare that they would have to go and I would be prepared to die in
defence of that belief.'

His speech was like a powerful current of fresh air. It instilled new
life in the paralyzed limbs of India. The people said: `Here at last is
a man who can help us.'

Gandhiji admitted the so-called `untouchables' into the Ashram. He
adopted a Harijan girl named Lakshmi as his daughter. This upset the
orthodox Hindus. They went red with rage and stopped helping the Ashram.
Gandhiji decided to close down the Ashram for want of money. At the last
moment an unknown gentleman came to the Ashram and gave him Rs. 13000/-
in cash. The Ashram was saved.

In Bihar, the cultivators were forced by European planters to grow
indigo. They were treated unjustly and not paid properly. They requested
Gandhiji to help them. Gandhiji went to Champaran to study the
grievances of the peasants. This was in the year 1917.

The European District Magistrate ordered Gandhiji to leave the district.
Gandhiji refused to obey. He was summoned to the court. The magistrate
said: `If you leave the district, the case against you will be
withdrawn.' But Gandhiji refused to oblige.

The court-room was packed. A large crowd was outside shouting slogans.
On Gandhiji's advice the crowd dispersed peacefully.

Gandhiji pleaded guilty and said: `You can send me to jail'. However the
case was postponed.

This was the first instance of satyagraha in India. The whole country
experienced a pleasant shock.

At last the case was withdrawn by the Government. Gandhiji was allowed
to stay in the district. He visited villages, recorded statements of
peasants and proved their sufferings. The battle was won.

A new wave of hopes swept over the country. For the first time the
people knew that the so-called invincible British government can be
challenged successfully.

Gandhiji travelled all over India. He saw the terrible poverty of the
people.

At one place, seeing the dirty clothes of women, he asked Kasturba to
advise them to be clean.

When Kasturba approached those women, one of them led her to her hut and
said: `See, I have no other clothes. I have put on the only piece of
cloth I have! How am I to wash it?'

When Gandhiji heard this tale from Kasturba, he was terribly moved. He
was pained at heart, for he felt strongly for his poor countrymen.
Though he was always simple in his dress, he decided to be simpler
still. He gave up wearing a cap, a shirt and a dhoti too! Henceforth he
wore only a lion-cloth. How could he wear so many clothes, when his
countrymen couldn't get the bare minimum to protect their modesty?

Thousands of labourers worked in the textile mills of Ahmedabad. They
demanded higher wages. They pledged their full confidence in Gandhiji
and went on strike under his guidance.

Days passed. The mill-owners were adamant. Starvation faced the
strikers. Gandhiji feared the workers would break their pledge, so he
went on fast. His fast moved the mill-owners. In three days a settlement
was reached between the mill-owners and the mill-workers.

Gandhiji considered it his duty to help the British. He had helped them
in times of difficulties in South Africa and in recognition of those
services, medals were awarded to him. During the first world war too,
Gandhiji offered to help the Government and started a recruiting
campaign. He worked so hard that he became very ill. He himself felt at
times that he was dying. He ate nothing. He took no medicine, He refused
to take even milk. Years earlier, he had vowed not to drink milk because
cows were ill treated. At last, on Kasturba's persuasion Gandhiji agreed
to take goat's milk henceforth.

The war was over. Germany was defeated. The British won. Gandhiji hoped
that the Government would now proceed towards granting Self-Rule to
India. But the Government did the reverse. It proposed to make a law to
suppress the Indians. Gandhiji was still not well. From his sick-bed he
declared: `This is unjust. We ought to offer Satyagraha.'

He went to Madras. There in a dream he got an idea of an All-India
strike. The date was fixed April 6, 1919. The people were asked to fast
and pray and stop work that day.

That was the first great awakening of India. The strike was a great
success everywhere. Not a shop was open. Not a wheel turned in any
factory. Gandhiji was in Bombay that day. Thousands of people bathed in
the sea and moved in procession along the streets of Bombay under his
leadership shouting slogans: `Vande Mataram' and `Allah-O-Akbar!
' The Government had prescribed a book `Hind Swaraj' written by Gandhiji
and prohibited its sale, but today, the book was freely sold in the
streets. Thus the people got the first taste of civil disobedience.

The next day, Gandhiji started for Punjab. On the way, he was arrested,
sent back to Bombay and then set free. The news of his arrest infuriated
the people. Violence broke out in Ahmedabad. Gandhiji came to Ahmedabad.
He called a public meeting in the Ashram, rebuked the people for their
violence and said that he would fast for three days as a penance.

But the situation in the Punjab was very critical. A big public meeting
was held in the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. Thousands of men, women
and children were present. Suddenly a military officer came there with
his soldiers. He blocked the only exit and, without giving warning
ordered to open fire on the unarmed crowd. There was no way of escape.
The soldiers fired till the ammunition lasted. Hundreds were killed and
wounded in this cruel massacre.

Then followed a reign of terror. The people were made to crawl on all
fours. They were stripped naked and were flogged. Gandhiji was deeply
moved by the sufferings of the people in the Punjab. He went there. The
people flocked to see him.

Now Gandhiji announced a programme of Non-co-operation and Civil
Disobedience movement to win Swaraj within a year. `Don't co-operate
with Government!' He said: `Don't serve the Government in any capacity.
Quit Government services, return the titles and the honours given by the
Government! Boycott its law courts! Don't buy any foreign goods. Leave
Government schools and colleges and refuse to pay any taxes.'

There were meetings and processions and strikes. Students deserted
schools and colleges and jumped wholeheartedly into the struggle. New
schools and colleges sprang up having a national and humanitarian
outlook. Huge bonfires were organised to burn foreign cloth. Lawyers
gave up their practice and local panchs became local courts.

The British Government sought to pacify the Indians. They sent here
their Prince of Wales. But the Prince was boycotted in city after city.
He was greeted with empty streets. Not a shop was open. Government was
furious. Leaders were arrested everywhere.

Everything was ready to start Satyagraha from the Bardoli Taluka in
Surat District. There was unexpected excitement in the air. Meetings and
processions were the order of the day everywhere. But an unhappy
incident occurred in Chauri Chaura a village in U. P. On being harassed
by the police, the demonstrators there became violent, and some
policemen were burned to death. Gandhiji was very upset. He knew that
the people were still not prepared to follow the non-violent way. So he
withdrew the struggle of satyagraha and went on fast for five days as a
penance.

Now the Government showed courage to arrest him on charge of sedition.
The trial opened in Ahmedabad in the court of an English Judge. As
Gandhiji entered the court, everyone rose. Gandhiji stated that he was a
peasant and a weaver by profession. He accepted that he had preached
against Government and said that what was guilt in the eyes of the
Government was Dharma in his eyes. He asked for the severest punishment.

He was sentenced to six years imprisonment. He was removed to Yeravda
Central Prison in Poona. This was in the year 1922.

Two years after this, Gandhiji fell ill in jail, so the Government
released him. Gandhiji saw that the people were in despair and there was
deep-rooted mutual distrust in Hindus and Muslims. Communal riots broke
out on flimsy excuses. He went on fast for 21 days in Delhi, to bring
out Hindu-Muslim unity. This was to be an act of penance, so he remained
absorbed in prayer night and day.

He left politics for the time being. He traveled extensively all over
India and preached communal unity, the removal of untouchability, and
village-uplift through home-industries.

The British Government had, by the time realized that something will
have to be done to pacify the feelings of India. Yet they were not
really willing to part with power and were only marking time one way or
the other. They appointed a committee called `Simon Commission' to visit
India and recommend political reforms. No Indian was appointed a member
on that Commission, so Gandhiji said: `This is absurd. We must boycott
it.'

When the Commission arrived in Bombay, a general strike was observed all
over India. Wherever it went, it was greeted with black flags and shouts
of `Simon, go back!'

The Commission could achieve nothing.

The same year, the peasants of Bardoli resorted to Satyagraha and
non-payment of taxes in protest against the illegal increase of land
revenue. Vallabhbhai Patel led the movement. The Government tried to
terrorize the people, but failed. At last a settlement was reached. The
demand of the people was accepted.

This raised confidence in the Satyagraha method of Gandhiji. The Sardar
of Bardoli now emerged as the Sardar of India.

Gandhiji gave an ultimatum to the Government to declare their real
intentions about giving Swaraj to India, within 12 months. No reply. At
last the Congress, under the Presidentship of Jawaharlal Nehru declared
in Lahore, at midnight on December 31, 1929 that full independence was
India's goal and hoisted the flag of independent India.

The day of January 26, 1930 was celebrated as Independence day
throughout the country. Pledges were taken not to relax until full
independence was won. Since then January 26 is now celebrated as
Republic day in our country.

The whole country was excited.

The Government had levied a tax on salt and kept the monopoly of
manufacturing it. Since salt was a necessity for all, the tax fell most
heavily on the poor. Gandhiji asked the Government to remove the salt
tax, but they refused to do so. Gandhiji wrote another letter to the
Viceroy and said: `On the eleventh of this month I shall proceed to
break the salt law. It is open to you to arrest me. I hope, there will
be tens of thousands ready to take up the work after me.'

No reply. On March 12, at 6.30 in the morning, Gandhiji started on foot
from his Ashram at Ahmedabad, with a band of volunteers, on a march to
break the salt-law. His steps were firm. His look was peaceful and
fearless. He declared not to return to the Ashram until freedom was won.

The whole world watched with wonder and curiosity Hundreds and thousands
of people joined the march on the way. At last, after 24 days, the march
ended 241 miles away, on April 5 at Dandi a village on the sea-coast
near Surat.

Gandhiji spent that night in prayer. In the morning, he went to the
sea-shore and bathed in the sea, then he bent down and picked up a lump
of salt left on the shore by the sea and broke the salt-law.

This was a signal for his countrymen to break the salt-law and start
civil disobedience movement.

There was great excitement everywhere. The air was rent with shouts of
Inquilab Zindabad! and Mahatma Gandhi ki Jai!

From Dandi, Gandhiji issued an appeal to the world in just a few simple
words: `I want world sympathy in this battle of right against might.

Again Gandhiji informed the Viceroy of his intention to raid the
Government Salt Depot at Dharasana. Now the Government arrested
Gandhiji, but others carried out the plan. A batch of Satyagrahis
advanced towards the salt depot. The police rushed at them and rained
blow after blow on them mercilessly with iron-shod lathis. Not one of
the Satyagrahis raised even an arm to stop the blows. They fell down,
some with broken skulls, some with broken arms or legs. When one batch
had been knocked down, another took its place. On the first day two died
and 320 were injured. The representatives from all over the world had
come there to witness the great event. They praised the spirit of
courage and dedication of the Satyagrahis.

All over the country, even in distant villages, men and women came out
in processions, held meetings, observed hartals and manufactured salt
without paying any tax. The Government brutally beat the demonstrators,
even resorted to firing. Yet the struggle didn't stop. More than a
hundred thousand Satyagrahis were imprisoned. The jails were so full to
overflowing that barbed wire jails were created in the open.

The British Government had called a Round Table Conference in London to
draft a future constitution for India, but they couldn't move on without
Gandhiji, so they released him from jail. The Viceroy talked with him in
terms of equality and entered into treaty with him. This treaty is known
as Gandhi-Irwin Pact. It was a great victory of Satyagraha. Now Gandhiji
suspended the movement and the Government released all the political
prisoners. Then Gandhiji went to England as an honored guest of the
British Government to attend the Round Table Conference with Pandit
Madan Mohan Malaviya and Sarojini Naidu.

In London, Gandhiji stayed in the locality of the poor people. He mixed
freely with the poor. Even in the cold climate of England, he wore only
a wrap, sandals without socks and no coat. When the British king invited
him in his palace, he went there in his usual dress, and sat with the
king and queen. Someone asked him if he was dressed well enough for such
a meeting, he replied with a smile, `The king had on enough for both of
us.'

Even in England, he never swerved from his vow to work on a spinning
wheel everyday. He sat at the wheel even when it was midnight and he was
completely exhausted.

Gandhiji remained in England for 84 days, but nothing was accomplished
in the conference. The British Government had no real intention to part
with power. So they played up the differences between the Hindus and the
Muslims. This only served to increase the communal tension in India. In
the end, Gandhiji said in plain words: `You tell me that I am to be the
master in may own house, but you keep the key of the safe and station a
sentry at the door.'

The children of England loved Gandhiji. They gave him many toys for poor
children in India. These toys were the only thing Gandhiji took with him
to India when he left London. Gandhiji loved children so much.

When Gandhiji returned to India he saw that in his absence, the
Government had violated the provisions of the treaty, and let loose a
reign of terror. Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru were in jail. Gandhiji
informed the Viceroy that he would resume Satyagraha. But before he
could start the movement, he was arrested and imprisoned in the Yeravda
Jail. The movement at once gathered momentum. Thousands were arrested.

In the meanwhile, the Government announced a plan to separate Harijans
from the Hindus by creating separate electorates for them. This meant
the untouchables would ever remain untouchables and would not be
absorbed in society. Gandhiji saw the game the British were playing. He
said: `I will resist this with my life.' He announced a fast into death.

Gandhiji started the fast on September 20, 1932 in jail. His condition
became serious on the third day. Leaders met in the jail. At last on the
fifth day of the fast, a pact was signed with Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the
most powerful leader of the untouchables. The Government accepted it and
the epic fast was at last over.

Now Gandhiji formed an organisation called the Harijan Sevak Sangh,
devoted entirely to the service of Harijans, but the response was poor.
He was anxious. Suddenly on May 7, 1933, at midnight, he heard a voice
telling, `Begin a fast for 21 days!' Gandhiji started the fast the very
next day. This time the Government released him immediately.

The fast completed without any incident. It had a wonderful effect on
caste-bound Hindus. Schools and temples were thrown open for the
Harijans. Age-old bonds of religious and social superstitions broke.

Gandhiji established his new Ashram in a village called Sevagram, near
Wardha. It took up the cause of village uplift and home-industries. He
founded `Go-Seva Sangh' to improve the condition of cows. He introduced
manual labour in education and advocated total prohibition for the whole
country.

One day, a patient suffering from leprosy came to the ashram. Gandhiji
welcomed him, personally waited on him and served him with love and
care. He would wash his wounds and bandage. He would cut jokes with him
and thus try to make his sufferings tolerable.

Gandhiji valued the service of his patients above all else. He regularly
looked after his patients. Once the Viceroy had called him for some
discussions. As soon as the conversation was over, he said: `May I take
leave now? My patients are waiting!'

Really Gandhiji was a perfect embodiment of love and service.

Gandhiji was moving in the country like a whirlwind. Huge crowds
gathered everywhere. He spoke about Hindu-Muslim unity, Harijan uplift,
rural industries and prohibition.

He, then, visited the North-West Frontier Province - the land of valiant
Pathans. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was their leader. He was a staunch
follower of Gandhiji and known as `Frontier Gandhi'. He believed in
complete non-violence and had organized a peace army called the `Red
Shirts.'

Fearing some disturbance, he had set up some armed guards near and about
he camp of Gandhiji, When Gandhiji knew this, he at once issued
instructions to remove them. 'God is my guard.' He said.

This made a deep impression on the mind of the brave Pathans. They said,
'Here, at last, is a man who has complete faith in God!'

Gandhiji toured the whole area and delivered there his message of Truth
and Non-violence.

At that time in India, there were many princely states. The rulers of
these states, backed by the British Government ruled autocratically. The
ruler of Rajkot had entered into a certain agreement with Sardar Patel
and then backed out. This gave rise to an agitation in Rajkot. Kasturba
hailed from Rajkot, so she went there to take part in it. She was at
once arrested. Now the movement gained momentum. Gandhiji was not
keeping well at the time, yet he went to Rajkot and tried to persuade
the ruler to honour the agreement, but the ruler refused. So Gandhiji
went on fast unto death. His condition became serious. At last the
Viceroy interfered. A new agreement was reached and Gandhiji ended his
fast.

But the ruler broke his promise. Not only that, he sent men to break
Gandhiji's prayer meetings. However, Gandhiji's fearlessness and
patience turned these hooligans into friends. That evening Gandhiji
returned to his place with his hands on the shoulders of these
gangsters.

In 1939 a war broke out between England and Germany. It turned into a
second world war. Britain declared India to be at war on their side.

Gandhiji was against taking part in war, yet the Congress decided to
help the Government, if the country was made free. But the Government
was totally indifferent towards India's aspirations. So Gandhiji
organized Individual Civil Disobedience against the Government. Sri
Vinoba Bhave was the first to launch this Satyagraha. Others followed
and within a short time, thirty thousand Satyagrahis were in jail. Still
Gandhiji was free.

In 1940, Gandhiji and Kasturba paid a visit to the Shantiniketan Ashram
of Rabindranath Tagore, the great poet. They were received with great
love and devotion. The poet himself offered him `malachandan' and said:
`Gandhi Maharaj, you belong to us because you belong to the whole
world.'

Gandhiji said: `Gurudev, I have come here to seek your blessings.'

At the time of departure, next day, the poet put a sealed letter in
Gandhiji's hands. Gandhiji read it on the way. In it the poet wrote that
he put the whole Vishwabharati institution in Gandhiji's hands. Gandhiji
sent a reply that he accepted it.

The poet was now free from his anxieties about Vishwabharati.

After independence, the Government of India under instructions from
Gandhiji, accepted the responsibility of Vishwabharati.

The world war was no more confined to the West. Japan had jumped in, on
Germany's side and swept through Malaya and Burma and might even invade
India. Winston Churchill was then the Prime Minister of Britain. He
hated Gandhiji and ridiculed him as a `half-naked Fakir'. He had
announced that he was not there to liquidate the British Empire by
making India free. Yet the war forced him to seek some settlement with
India. He sent one of his Cabinet Minister Sir Stafford Cripps to India
for negotiations.

Cripps met Gandhiji and showed him his plan. Gandhiji saw through the
game. He told him straightway: `If this is what you have to offer, catch
the first plane homeward!'

Nobody liked Cripps plan, so he returned.

Now Gandhiji was convinced that the British won't leave unless they were
kicked out of the country. He drafted a resolution which is known as
`Quit India Resolution'. The Congress Committee met in Bombay, on August
8, 1942, under the Presidentship of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. It passed
this resolution and declared that the British rule in India must end at
once.

The same day, Gandhiji, addressing a mammoth public meeting said: `I
have pledged the Congress and the Congress has pledged herself that she
will do or die.'

The Government arrested Gandhiji and other leaders overnight before they
could start a mass struggle on non-violent lines. The people were left
leaderless. They took up the `Do or Die' mantra. Even those who had no
faith in non-violence joined them. There was a great outburst of
violence everywhere. The Government let loose a reign of terror. Guns
were freely used. The demonstrators were savagely and mercilessly beaten
and flogged to create an atmosphere of fear.

In four months, the police opened fire 470 times and the military 68
times. Over 60000 persons were arrested.

Gandhiji was kept in the Aga Khan Palace at Poona, with Kasturba and
Mahadev Bhai Desai, his secretary. After a few days, Mahadev Bhai died
of a heart attack. Gandhiji was full of sorrow. He said: `This sacrifice
will hasten the day of India's deliverance.
'

The Government blamed Gandhiji for the widespread violence in the
country. They didn't see their own doings and responsibility in it. They
said, `Gandhiji had invited violence.' Gandhiji wrote to the Viceroy
about this untruth, but he got no reply. At last he began a 21-day fast
`as an appeal to God' on February 18, 1943. On the seventh day,
Gandhiji's health took a serious turn. The doctors feared that he might
die. Many prominent Englishmen appealed to the Government in England to
release Gandhiji and save his life, but Churchill bluntly said:`No.'

It was a great ordeal, but Gandhiji survived the fast.

After some time, Kasturba fell ill. Twice she had a heart attack. At
last, keeping her head in the lap of Gandhiji she breathed her last at
the age of 75 on February 22, 1944. She married Gandhiji when she was
thirteen. Gandhiji too was of the same age and was still a student in
High school. Sixty two years of their married life now came to an end.
She was cremated in the compound of Aga Khan's Palace. Her Samadhi
stands there today along with that of Mahadevbhai.

Kasturba had courted jail several times. She presented an ideal of
Indian womanhood.

A few weeks later, Gandhiji was seriously ill. Now the Government
released him. On May 6, 1944, ended his last imprisonment. On the whole,
Gandhiji spent in jail 249 days in South Africa and 2089 days in India.

As soon as he recovered, Gandhiji started his work. All through his life
he had worked for Hindu-Muslim unity, yet the same question harassed him
still. The Muslim League was the most powerful organisation of the
Muslims and Mr. Jinnah was its President. Like Gandhiji, he was also a
Gujarati, so Gandhiji wrote him a letter in Gujarati addressing him as
`Brother Jinnah' and signing the letter as `your brother Gandhi'. In the
letter he said: `Let us meet wherever you wish. Do not regard me as an
enemy of Islam or of Indian Muslims. I have always been a servant and
friend to you and mankind. Do not disappoint me.'

Thus Gandhiji took the initiative to come to a compromise with Mr.
Jinnah. Mr. Jinnah asked Gandhiji to first accept that the Congress
represented only the Hindus and the League was the sole representative
of the Muslims. Gandhiji pointed out that the fact was otherwise. The
Congress represented the whole country. A holy Muslim like Maulana Abul
Kalam Azad was its President.

Mr. Jinnah further insisted that the Muslims formed a separate nation
and as such there should be a separate Muslim state called `Pakistan'
cut out of the existing India.

At the end of the second world war Britain went to polls. Defeating Mr.
Churchill's party, the labour party came to power and Mr. Atlee became
the Prime Minister. He announced to withdraw the British Rule from India
and sent in March 1946 a Cabinet Mission to India to study the
situation.

At the first opportunity, the Mission contacted Gandhiji, who was
staying at the time in the Bhangi Colony of Delhi.

Once a foreign correspondent asked him: `What would you do if you were
made a dictator of India for one day?' Gandhiji replied: `I would not
accept it in the first place, but if I did become a dictator for one
day, I would spend that day in cleaning the hovels of the Harijans in
Delhi!' This shows how deep were Gandhiji's feelings for Harijans.

The Cabinet Minister tried to arrive at a solution of the Hindu-Muslim
problem. The Congress was willing to adjust, but Mr. Jinnah was adamant.
He insisted on the partition of the country.

Now the Viceroy announced the formation of an Interim National
Government to replace his Executive Council. But the league refused to
join it. So the Viceroy formed the Interim Government on September 2,
1946 with himself as the President and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as the
Vice-President.

In protest, the Muslim League had observed a Direct Action Day in
August. They called it Jihad. Riots broke out on that day in Calcutta.
More than 5000 persons were killed and more than 15000 were injured.
This caused a dangerous reaction. After two three months, the Hindus
went mad in Calcutta. Then there were widespread communal rioting by
Muslims in Noakhali with murder, arson, looting, forced conversions,
forced marriages and abduction. There were similar riots in Bihar.
Thousands of Muslims were killed and many more thousands were injured.
Thus the hatred entered the countryside. It seemed as if the whole
country was on the verge of a civil war.

Gandhiji left all work and went to Noakhali. He walked from village to
village and house to house carrying his message of peace. The atmosphere
of Noakhali was simply poisonous. The Muslims looked upon him with
suspicion and distrust. But Gandhiji was fearless. He said: `I would
rather die at the hands of an assassin than return from Bengal
defeated.'

Amtus Salam was a Muslim lady. She was a staunch follower of Gandhiji.
Gandhiji had posted her in a village of Noakhali to strive for peace in
the area, but she found the Muslims not cooperative enough. So she went
on fast. When Gandhiji went to that village, it was the twenty-fifth day
of her fast. The Muslims of the village welcomed Gandhiji and requested
him to persuade her to give up her fast. They promised to keep peace and
signed a pledge to that effect. Gandhiji accepted their word and warned
them that if they failed to keep their pledge, he himself will go on
fast. At last Amtus Salam broke her fast by taking orange-juice at
Gandhiji's hands. Things were altogether different in that area after
that.

Manuben attended to Gandhiji's needs in this march. One day, she
suddenly remembered a Dhun she had heard sung in a Vaishnav Temple in
Porbandar and she sang it:

"Ishwar Allah Tere nam! Sabko Sanmati de Bhagwan!" [Thy name is Ishwar
and Allah. May you grant right understanding to all!]

Gandhiji liked this Dhun (tune) very much. He said to Manuben that it
was a sign of God's Power that she was spontaneously inspired to sing
that Dhun that day. This Dhun was daily sung thereafter during their
pilgrimage. Today it is sung all over India.

Once Gandhiji had an attack of giddiness. His hand and feet became cold.
He was wet with perspiration. Manuben wrote a letter to call a doctor,
but before she could send it, Gandhiji opened his eyes and said: 'Don't
inform anybody about this. Rama alone is my true doctor. He will keep me
alive so long as he wants to take work from me. I have been put to test
today. If Rama is really firm in my heart I shall not die of illness.'

Manuben tore up the slip.

Gandhiji walked bare-footed in 56 villages in Bengal and covered
distance of 116 miles. He had the zeal to learn the Bengali language. He
said, he was in love with the huts of Bengal. He used to see the Muslims
in their homes and as far as possible stayed with them in their houses.

Once a Muslim brought to him a small twig of a tree and said: `See,
Bapuji, this twig has two leaves and both of them are of a different
type!' Gandhiji smile and said: `That's the play of God. It is the same
with the Hindus and the Muslims. They are the leaves of the same twig.
They share a common destiny.'

Everybody was pleased to hear this.

Gandhiji's feet often bled and had to be bandaged, but the march won't
stop. Sometimes he was so weak and exhausted that he had to be carried
in a chair slung over a pole and borne on the shoulders of volunteers.
On Mondays, he observed silence and gave his message in writing mostly
in these words: `Let us pray to God to purify the hearts of both the
Hindus and the Muslims.'

From Noakhali Gandhiji went to Bihar. He had seen the atrocities
committed by the Muslims in Noakhali and now saw the doings of the
Hindus in Bihar. Men, women and children were brutally done to death.
Several villages were completely destroyed. Gandhiji moved with a heavy
heart. He poured his heart in prayer meetings everyday.

Like an oasis in a desert, he came across certain inspiring incidents of
self sacrifice and courage. He paid glowing tributes to the brave men
and women.

In one village, a Hindu mob set a Muslim's house on fire. Suddenly a
Rajput girl appeared on the scene. She persuaded the mob to disperse,
but in vain. At last she threatened to jump into the burning house. Now
the mob retreated. The Muslim lives and property were saved.

Another instance of how Gandhiji's words had stirred up the hearts of
the people. Once Gandhiji was returning from his morning walk when a
blind Hindu beggar touched his feet and laid some small coins at his
feet. He said: `Bapu, this is all I have got by begging. Please use this
for the relief of the Muslim sufferers.' Gandhiji's heart was filled
with joy. He accepted the money and said: `This donation of four annas
(25 paisa) is worth more to me than four crores of rupees. For this poor
man has given me all he had.' He affectionately patted the blind man on
the back and told him to give up begging. He assured him that he will be
provided with some work for his living.

The leaders in villages presented purses to Gandhiji and gave him
letters signed by them stating therein: `We are extremely sorry for what
has happened. We assure you that such a thing will never happen again.
We will hence forth regard the Muslims as our blood brothers. We beg
your and God's pardon for our great sin.'

The Muslim League had first refused to join the Interim National
Government. Later on they joined it, but did not co-operate in the work.
In March 1947, Lord Mountbatten became the Viceroy. He announced that he
had come to India to end the British rule. He invited Gandhiji, so
Gandhiji went to Delhi from Bihar to see him. Now Swaraj was knocking at
the door and the situation in the country was so dangerous that
Jawaharlalji, Sardar Patel and other leaders saw no way out but to
accept the demand of the Muslim League for division of the country.
Nehruji said to Gandhiji that unity was impossible and they had to
accept the creation of Pakistan.

Gandhiji asked: `Is there no way out? No hope of a united India?'
Nehruji's voice was heavy with sadness. He said: `No, Bapuji, otherwise
there will never be peace.'

On 3-6-1947, The British Government announced the division of India.
Though Gandhiji had not given his consent to it, he advised the country
to accept it.

On August 15, 1947, the struggle for independence was over. The British
rule in India came to an end after nearly 200 years, and two sovereign
states, India and Pakistan appeared on the map. Nehruji became the first
Prime Minister of India and Sardar Patel the Deputy Prime Minister. The
whole country celebrated the day. There were singing and dancing
processions and parades everywhere. Free India's Tricolour flag
fluttered proudly on the historical Red Fort in Delhi and the National
Anthem was sung in chorus:

JANA GANA MANA
ADHINAYAK JAY HE,
BHARAT BHAGYA VIDHATA!

But where was Gandhiji in the midst of all these festivities? Was he in
Delhi? No, he was in Calcutta striving for communal peace. Riots had
again broken out there and he was in the midst of that fire. He stayed
in a poor area in a poor hut and did his bed on the ground. He moved
from street to street and house to house. There was no end to his
suffering. At last he went on fast. This had a desired effect on the
minds of the people. Now the leaders of both communities assured him
that they would control the people. Gandhiji accepted that assurance and
broke the fast.

The Hindus, the Sikhs and the others found their lives unsafe in
Pakistan. There was no end to their miseries. Their houses were looted,
women were abducted; there were forced marriages and forced conversions.
Thousands of men, women and children were killed. Millions of people
left Pakistan on their way to India as refugees leaving behind all their
possessions. Thousands died on the way out of starvation, disease and
massacre. An equal number of the Muslims were fleeing into Pakistan from
India on foot.

Riots broke out in Delhi. Gandhiji saw that the Muslims in Delhi were
inhumanly treated. He decided to fast unto death. He poured out his
heart in the prayer-meetings: `This makes me hang my head in shame. Oh
God, give me strength!'

He commenced his fast on January 13, 1948. The fast at the age of 78!
There was deep gloom all over the country. The whole world watched.
Finally, on the sixth day, a pact was signed assuring peace between the
two communities, and Gandhiji broke his fast.

But some fanatic Hindus did not like this. They thought that Gandhiji
was unjustly favoring the Muslims. One of these people threw a bomb at
Gandhiji in his prayer meeting at Birla House, on January 20. The bomb
missed the target and exploded on a garden-wall which was soon in ruins.
Gandhiji was not the least disturbed. He continued his prayer-meeting as
if nothing had happened. Somebody told him:`Bapuji, a bomb exploded!'

`Really?' said Gandhiji, `perhaps some poor fanatic threw it. Let no one
look down on him!

"Death is our true friend. It is our ignorance that makes us suffer."
From Gandhiji's last letter dated 30-1-48

Ten days after this, Gandhiji was coming to his prayer-meeting at five
in the evening on 30-1-1948. Suddenly a young man pretending to seek his
blessings made a small bow, raised a pistol and shot at him thrice in
quick succession. All the bullets hit him. Gandhiji fell uttering Rama!
Rama! He was dead.

The whole world experienced a big shock at the death of Gandhiji. The
whole world mourned his death, paid him glowing tributes and hailed him
as one who will never die.

The dead body of Gandhiji was taken out in a five mile long funeral
procession to the banks of the Yamuna and was cremated there. This place
is known as Rajghat. There stands the Samadhi of Gandhiji. From all over
the world, people come here to pay homage to Gandhiji. The ashes of
Gandhiji's body were thrown in all the sacred rivers in India. Thousands
of memorials are erected all over the country. Seldom there will be any
town without having a road named after Gandhiji. But the message which
Gandhiji wished to give to the world is ill-conveyed by these numerous
memorials, because Gandhiji himself said: `My life is my message!' Let
us always keep this in mind.

Nehruji broadcast to the country, his voice choked with emotion: `The
light has gone out and there is darkness everywhere. Our beloved leader,
Bapu as we called him, the father of the Nation, is no more. The light
has gone out, I said, and yet I was wrong. For the light that shone in
this country was no ordinary light. That light will illumine this
country for many more years, and a thousand years later that light will
still be seen in this country, and the world will see it and it will
give solace to innumerable hearts.'

Albert Einstein, one of the world's greatest scientists paid a tribute
to Gandhiji in these words: `Generations to come, it may be, will scarce
believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this
earth.'

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Sunday, October 15, 2006

WORTH READING 16 Oct 2006

A Man Was Complaining

Oh Lord, please have mercy on me, I work so hard, mean time my wife
stays at home, I would give anything if you would grant me one wish
"switch me into my wife" she's got it easy at home I want to teach her a
lesson of how tough a man's life is.

As God was listening he felt sorry for this soul and granted his wish.
Next morning the "new woman" wakes up at dawn, makes lunch boxes,
prepares breakfast, wakes up the kids for school, puts a load of clothes
in the washer, takes the meat out of the freezer, drives the kids to
school, on his way back stop at the gas station, cashes a heck, pays the
electricity and phone bills, picks up some clothes from the cleaners,
goes through the carwash, drops the overdue movies off @ blockbuster,
and quickly goes to the market.

It was 1: 00 o'clock already, he made the beds, took the clothes out of
the washer and put another load in, he vacuumed the house, mopped up the
Kool-Aid, cleaned the bathrooms, made the beds, made some rice, and went
to pick up the kids from school & had an argument with the kids on the
way home.

As soon as he got home he gave the kids a snack, washed the dirty
dishes, he folded the clothes he had washed. He helped the kids with
their homework, listened to the TV while he ironed some clothes,
prepared dinner, washed the dinner dishes, gave the kids a bath, cleaned
their rooms, and put them to sleep.

At 9:00 o'clock he was so tired and he went to bed. Of course there was
some more duties and somehow he managed to get them done and finally
fell asleep.

The next morning he prays to God once again:
Oh Lord, what was I thinking when I asked you to grant my wish, I can't
take it anymore. I beg you please switch me back to myself, please oh
please.

Then he heard God's voice speaking to him, saying:
Dear son of course I'll switch you back into yourself but there's one
minor detail, you will have to wait 9 months because last night you got
pregnant.

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Monday, October 09, 2006

WORTH READING 10 Oct 2006

Great Lessons Of Life

Smile well and often, it makes people wonder what you've been up to.

Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a
nightmare.

Progress always involves risk. You can't steal second with your foot on
first.

Never let your memories be greater than your dreams.

Every success is built on the ability to do better than good enough.

What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.

Sometimes people don't hear you until you scream...

A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

The most difficult thing for people to say in 25 words or less is
good-bye.

Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.

Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for
others?

I use not only the brains I have, but all I can borrow.

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of
enthusiasm.

When you're through changing, you're through.

Don't compromise yourself. You're all you've got.

The person who would like to make his dreams come true must stay awake.

A strong, positive attitude will create more miracles than any wonder
drug.

There is only one way to get anybody to do anything... That is by making
the other person want to do it.

Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first
and the lesson afterward.

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WORTH READING 9 Oct 2006

WINNER v/s LOSER

Winners have dreams;
Losers have schemes.

Winners see the grains;
Losers see the pain.

Winners see the potential;
Losers see the past.

Winners make it happen;
Losers let it happen.

Winners see possibilities;
Losers see problems.

Winners makes commitments;
Losers makes promises.

Winners are a part of the team;
Losers are apart from the team.

Winner always has a programme;
Loser always has an excuse.

Winner says "Let me do it for you";
Loser says "That is not my job".

Winners say "I must do something";
Losers say "Something must be done".

Winner is always a part of the answer;
Loser is always a part of the problem.

Winner sees an answer for every problem;
Loser sees a problem for every answer.

Winners believe in win/win;
Loser believe for them to win, someone has to lose.

Winner says "It may be difficult but it is possible";
Loser says "It may be possible but it is too difficult".

Winner makes a mistake. he says "I was wrong";
Loser makes a mistake, he says "It wasn't my fault".

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JOKE OF THE DAY
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As wise men say, a joke a day keeps the doctor away. So step into the
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Wishing you a laugh riot.

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Tuesday, October 03, 2006

WORTH READING 3 Oct 2006

Our Expectations

A turtle family went on a picnic. The turtles, being naturally slow
about things, took seven years to prepare for their outings. Finally the
Turtle family left home looking for a suitable place. During the second
year of their journey they found it. For about six months they cleaned
up the area, unpacked the picnic basket, and completed the arrangements.

Then they discovered they had forgotten the salt. A picnic without salt
would be a disaster, they all agreed. After a lengthy discussion, the
youngest turtle was chosen to retrieve the salt from home. Although he
was the fastest of the slow moving turtles, the little turtle whined,
cried, and wobbled in his shell.

He agreed to go on one condition: that no one would eat until he
returned. The family consented and the little turtle left. Three years
passed and the little turtle had not returned. Five years, Six years...
Then in the seventh year of his absence, the oldest turtle could no
longer contain his hunger. He announced that he was going to eat and
began to unwrap a sandwich. At that point the little turtle suddenly
popped out from behind a tree shouting, "SEE I knew you wouldn't wait.
Now I am not going to go get the salt."

Lesson Learned:
Some of us waste our time waiting for people to live up to our
expectations. We are so concerned about what others are doing that we
don't do anything ourselves.

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JOKE OF THE DAY
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As wise men say, a joke a day keeps the doctor away. So step into the
health zone by sharing a hearty laugh. A variety of jokes that are
ludicrous and trivial, witty and wacky, spontaneous and sportive.
Wishing you a laugh riot.

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18++
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Indulge your dirty mind with some outright hilarious adult jokes. They
could be expletive or subtle but they are definitely rated - XXX.
Statutory Warning - 18++ may be injurious if your mommy sees it,
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