Nature's fury!

Recently someone in US had predicted an end of life as we know it. Luckily for us all he was wrong! Funnily enough he simply changed dates to 5 months later. I might have said "Budddha sathiya gaya hai" (the old man is bonkers) except that he has built a multi-million dollar empire based on this fear.

World didn't end but a lot of cities have been brought to their knees. Devastating earthquakes, tornadoes and thunderstorms taking life and property alike without mercy. Some cities like Joplin have been almost wiped out. The worst part is that it's not over yet. More thunderstorms and tornadoes are on their way!

We can only pray to God for kindness and help for the victims. Those who have survived may have triumphed death but not destruction. They have a long struggle ahead of them. Picking up mercilessly scattered pieces of their lives. Moving on. Rebuilding. Coping with loss of loved ones. How does one do all this and have a happy life ahead? Don't know!

For US and the world, these whiplashes are doing more than destroying lives. Nature is slowly but surely bringing the already slow-grinding economy to its knees. Monetarily the devastation has had huge impact on insurance, healthcare and small, private businesses. US definitely needs to redefine its policies and focus inwards. Let other countries sort out their problems on their own for a change.

It doesn't make sense that a super nation has to go build houses and schools for people who don't want their help while people in its own backyard are struggling to go through life. Even now, extremists in the war-torn countries are probably happy that there is devastation in US. I read a comment somewhere that US is being punished by God for killing innocents in Mid-East. Wonder why God would target only one western country for the act of many.

No the reason for this destruction is not God's anger. Rather Nature's fury! Why is Nature angry? Simply because in an attempt to modernise, industralise or monetise, man has attempted to subvert and control nature. Building dams, cutting off natural plant and animal habitats, trying to straighten rivers, and a recent term I learnt "weaponise weather" are all culprits either singly or collectively.

You can't tame Nature and expect not to be whiplashed. Nature isn't a lion that man can control its wild nature and make it jump hoops.

A documentary showed how building unnecessary dams has nearly wiped out salmon population. And we know that because we eat salmon. Those creatures which aren't a part of our food chain may have been wiped out without our knowledge. And now millions are being spent trying to increase their population and blowing out some dams.

It's like cutting off your legs and trying to learn how to run. Maybe we should stop and look back. As a nation, and as a league of nations. Else what legacy are we leaving for our kids?

Mother’s weekend!

It really pays to have a growing up child and an enthusiastic husband. The duo made this Mothers’ Day really special for me this entire weekend!

While I was growing up Mothers’ Day wasn’t celebrated. At least not as vigorously as it is now. Don’t know if it even existed back then….BTW back then isn’t waaaay back then, just so you know

On Friday, my husband flew in from TN and right at 12 midnight Saturday, Aditi and he put a small candle on a chocolate cupcake and brought it out singing a robust “Happy Mothers’ Day” to the tunes of Happy Birthday!

Saturday morning, slept in late. Partly because Aditi decided to crash in with us and I was therefore unable to sleep. Our queen bed was too small to encompass the revolving daughter. Finally at 4 am gave in and slept on the sofa..I was woken up to the tune of Happy Mothers Day once again and to my great pleasure Aditi n Bish had made breakfast and tea. Steaming hot idlis with baingan chutney! Deliciousso!

Lunch was Thai at an especially good Thai restaurant. Some shopping. Back home to rest. In the evening we had the best time of all. A new boardwalk has been built connecting two beaches..its about one and half mile walk. We went for a walk and Aditi took her bike along. Enjoying the scenic views and the beautiful sunset and the calm waters.

Back home Aditi and Bish got out another cupcake, a banana-walnut one this time complete with candle and a song. We topped up the evening with a re-watch of Karate kid. Am a fan of Jaden Smith & his father. The only father-son duo to have captured my heart.

And that was it! Or so I thought!

Sunday morning again got breakfast and tea! Lunch, Anda curry made by my fabulous chef husband! Alas in the evening there were no more cupcakes and so Aditi decided to improvise. She took out a bowl of halwa, warmed it in the microwave. She stuck two pretzel sticks in place of candles and sang out Happy Mothers’ Day!

How can anything compare to this kind of weekend. No resort, holiday or gift can match this. It makes all those early morning maddening rush a cupcake walk! All those irritating habits a distant memory!

Maybe that’s why such commemorative days have gained in popularity. Want to celebrate anything? Simply make it a day and announce a special date! Earth Day, Daughters’ Day, Valentines! How about a Volunteers’ Day?

Wish I could have done something special for my mother. Aditi has already gotten a chance to show her mom how much she loves her and I really bless her from the bottom of my heart. And hope my heart is deep!

Mission Accomplished!

What an explosive start to May! 1st May 2011 11.45 pm the President of United States announces that US special force killed Osama Bin Laden (OSL) the most wanted terrorist in this generation’s memory.

As news trickled in of this fantastic achievement, couldn’t help feeling a rush and would have screamed “yahoooo” had it not been mid-night and the neighbours + family asleep. Felt a rush of adrenalin and jubilation. I am not American nor did I have any connection even tenuous or indirect to 9/11 victims.

But on 9/11, I was shocked to the core at the utter foolishness and depravity of some men who did not think it wrong to kill honest men and women going about their jobs and lives. In name of what? Wasn’t God! Certainly no principle or value…What principle would be worth 3000 lives?

I was skeptical when former President Bush attacked Iraq. Somehow it felt like a ploy to control Saddam’s oil reserves or some such ulterior motive rather than revenge for being attacked. Also after so many years no one really thought Osama would be caught and brought to justice..Whenever any footage of OBL was shown, the background was always mountainous rubble and caves. Coupling that with reports of war in Afghanistan between Taliban and US forces somehow took the focus away from OBL.

Even the Americans seemed to want an end to the never-ending war against an elusive figure of darkness. Dealing with their own problems of recession, unemployment, rising health costs became paramount to the the average American.

When Barack Obama was elected President, he cut an impressive figure. A man promising change and hope. 3 years down he lost a lot of support as conditions worsened. People not only questioned his leadership, some even clamoured to question the very legitimacy of his citizenship.

This man last week effectively shut the ‘birthers’ by showing his birth certificate and making a point of demolishing the chief vocalist albeit all in fun and humor. Even then he knew he was sitting on potentially the biggest Ace card a US president has ever held. And he calmly went about his business. What a fantastic political master stroke from a young politician who was a small community leader 3 years ago. He made history the first time by virtue of his skin colour but now he has earned a high post in history through his focussed leadership.

Obama was right in focusing on capturing the figure-head of a dreaded organisation. He showed foresight in not allowing bombing of the mansion. I would rather have a thinking man as the head of the most powerful country than a brash aggressive man reacting to every nudge. Obama has cemented his position as of now and his achievement will force his critics to back off. So by capturing OBL, President Obama has accomplished a lot for his country’s morale and ego! And for his own future!

Has the terrorist network been weakened to the point of demolition or will it prove to mimic the 10-headed Ravana? What is unfortunate that OBL’s organisation has grown and broken into numerous branches. Some may step up to the plate.

What is positive that some of these branches were operating in countries which themselves are going through a “Born Again” revolution. The people in some of these countries want better lives for themselves and are revolting against oppressive regimes. All power to them and hopefully the people power will finish the tail end of OBL’s creation.

Mission Impossible???