Thought for the day

-
Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But, conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because one's conscience tells one that it is right. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

O Lal Meri Pat - Dama Dam Mast Qalandar

-
This has been one of my favorite nos. I have been humming this for years now. It has been a hot favorite with all singers, notably qawwals and these days the reality show contestants. Some of the known names who have lent their voice to this - Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, Madam Noor Jehan, Wadali Brothers, Reshma, Sabri Brothers, Jagjit Singh, Runa Laila, Lata Mangeshkar, bands like Junoon and this list endlessly goes on. Many college bands have attempted this giving a rock flavour. That, one song could be so popular amongst so many, I wondered, what this song is all about, what's its true meaning. This and last week I spent looking for all the versions and answers to my questions. What a fascinating and satisfying journey it has been. This song is in the honor of Sufi mystic 'Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar'. Every word of his name has a meaning - he was known as Hazrat ( prophet of GOD ), Lal ( he wore red robes or mothers fondly call their kids as Lal ), Shahb...
Read more

Kismet, Muqaddar, Luck, Destiny, Fate, Taqdeer

-
Image
Life is a very interesting experience. It has been like a never-before-designed roller-coaster with the sharpest bends and falls, unmatched acceleration, resulting in extreme fear and excitement. Maybe it’s the newest extreme sport in the current recession era. This one is about my own career and life. I was looking to move on from my current job, having worked a good nine years, as the place developed a sinking atmosphere, aimless and without any challenges and excitement. I felt as if I was losing my sharpness by the day, which was unacceptable to me. The only problem was that with the entire economy in tatters, nothing meaningful was coming by.  I worked on a two-pronged strategy; one – reaching out to my relationships and consultants and two – reaching out to almighty invoking him to set my destiny on the right path. I felt as if AR Rehman wrote this beautiful composition for me.  Marrammat Muqqaddar Ki Kar De Maula   Arziyaan Saari Main Chehre Pe Likh Ke Laaya Hoon ...
Read more

The Barabar Caves: India's Oldest Rock-Cut Architectural Marvel

-
Image
One of my most memorable visits has been to Barabar Caves. Therefore this one is also a photo blog.  Nestled in the rugged hills of Bihar's Jehanabad district ( India ) lies one of India's most remarkable yet underappreciated ancient wonders - the Barabar Caves. As the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating back to the Mauryan period (321-185 BCE), this architectural marvel offers an extraordinary window into ancient India's technological sophistication and spiritual diversity. India has many rock-cut caves or structures, such as Ajanta, Ellora, Badami, Varaha, Elephanta, Kanheri, and many many more, but this one is the oldest!! The caves were commissioned during the reign of Emperor Ashoka and his successors, as evidenced by inscriptions found within. As I walked on the same steps that Emperor Ashoka took, and probably sat and prayed where he may have done,  I felt deeply connected to my past to the grand history of India. That feeling deserves a separate post. W...
Read more