Sunday, 16 August 2015
Why I am an atheist !!
It is a matter of debate whether my lack of belief in the
existence of an Omnipresent, Omniscient (अंतर्यामी) God is due to my arrogant pride
and vanity (दिखावा). It never occurred to me that sometime in the future I would
be involved in polemics (तर्कपूर्ण लेखन) of this kind. As a result of some discussions
with my friends, (if my claim to friendship is not uncalled for) I have realized that after having known me for a little time only, some of them
have reached a kind of hasty conclusion about me that my atheism is my
foolishness and that it is the outcome of my vanity.
I do not boast of being above these human follies (मूर्खता). I am, after all, a human being and nothing more. And no one can claim to be more than that. I have a weakness in my personality, for pride is one of the human traits that I do possess. I am known as a boaster among my friends. Some have always been complaining that I am bossy and I force others to accept my opinion. Yes, it is true to some extent. I do not deny this charge.
As far as the contemptible (घृणित), obsolete (अप्रचलित), rotten (सड़ा हुआ) values of our society are concerned, I am an extreme sceptic (अविश्वासी) and I am proud of my ideas, my thoughts. It cannot be called empty pride. Pride, or you may use the word, vanity, both are an exaggerated assessment of one’s personality. Is my atheism because of unnecessary pride, or have I ceased believing in God after thinking long and deep on the matter? I wish to put my ideas before you.
As far as the first question is concerned, I think I have made it clear that I did not turn atheist because of vanity, coz turning atheist out of pride or vanity hold no grounds. Only my readers, not I, can decide whether my arguments carry weight. I am a realistic man. I want to overpower this tendency in me with the help of Reason. I am not always successful in such attempts. But it is man’s duty to try and make efforts.
Now we come to the second question: if it is not vanity, there ought to be some sound reason for rejection of age-old belief in God. I think that any man who has some reasoning power always tries to understand the life and people around him with the help of this faculty.
I do not boast of being above these human follies (मूर्खता). I am, after all, a human being and nothing more. And no one can claim to be more than that. I have a weakness in my personality, for pride is one of the human traits that I do possess. I am known as a boaster among my friends. Some have always been complaining that I am bossy and I force others to accept my opinion. Yes, it is true to some extent. I do not deny this charge.
As far as the contemptible (घृणित), obsolete (अप्रचलित), rotten (सड़ा हुआ) values of our society are concerned, I am an extreme sceptic (अविश्वासी) and I am proud of my ideas, my thoughts. It cannot be called empty pride. Pride, or you may use the word, vanity, both are an exaggerated assessment of one’s personality. Is my atheism because of unnecessary pride, or have I ceased believing in God after thinking long and deep on the matter? I wish to put my ideas before you.
As far as the first question is concerned, I think I have made it clear that I did not turn atheist because of vanity, coz turning atheist out of pride or vanity hold no grounds. Only my readers, not I, can decide whether my arguments carry weight. I am a realistic man. I want to overpower this tendency in me with the help of Reason. I am not always successful in such attempts. But it is man’s duty to try and make efforts.
Now we come to the second question: if it is not vanity, there ought to be some sound reason for rejection of age-old belief in God. I think that any man who has some reasoning power always tries to understand the life and people around him with the help of this faculty.
Where concrete proofs are lacking, philosophy creeps in. Our ancestors had the leisure to solve the mysteries of the world, its past, its present and its future, its whys and its wherefores, but having been terribly short of direct proofs, every one of them tried to solve the problem in his own way. And to convince masses to accept what they believe, they took help of philosophy. Hence we find wide differences in the fundamentals of various religious creeds (धर्म मत/स्वीकृत मत).
Like, my mother has hardly any reasonable argument for any of my queries related to religion or faith. All our arguments ends with her rattled response - "Don't question God, else he'll be upset." Really? Is God so fragile (नाज़ुक) ?
Even the most learned person I've met fails to reason the ongoing beliefs. To state some-
1 - "We should wash our feet after urinating."
Why?
Why did our ancestors made any such rule. Lets look at the reasoning. Reason
was - Due to improper sanitation facilities, legs used to get wet by the urine
while urinating. With the invent of modern sanitation facilities, the reason no
longer exists. But, the ritual persists. And we are following it without
understanding the need.
2 - "Woman should not perform daily activities, can't enter the kitchen while in mensuration."
Now why such a rule was imposed? Is it because woman was
considered dirty during this period? Not at all. Our ancestors were not that
inhumane !! Actually, due to improper facilities for woman in ancient times,
they were bound to go into the fields during mensuration to perform the needs
of the period. Since it was so tiring period for woman, they were exhausted to
come back to homes and repeat all these up and forth for 3-4 days. Hence, in the wake of their
comfort, wise men of the rule-makers of those times, made a rule for woman to stay
in the fields for those 3-4 days and no need to travel to and fro to their
homes to avoid tiredness. In the process, they are automatically freed to daily
household chores. Now, with the advent of proper home facilities for woman, the
requirement to continue with the need of abstaining woman from household chores no longer exists. But, again, requirement vanishes, ritual haven't.
Societies, without understanding the real need to such a ritual, interpreted it
wrong and made it a rule and expect woman to abstain from certain activities during mensuration.
3 - "We should touch the feet of our elders"
I asked this question to my mother, again, now since she had understood that I am a rebellious (विद्रोही) kid and will not go away without some proper reasonable answer. After various unreasonable attempts, she answered something which I can't out-rightly discard. "This is to see if your body is flexible enough to bend and touch the ground." Hmm. Good one. But then why are we asked to touch the feet of tens/hundreds of elders in a marriage or a party. Doesn't touching one's feet ensures that we are still flexible. Reason Discarded.
She tried again. This time she brought science into the game. "Everything that is in motion, produces energy. Hence, we touch the feet to get some energy from others." Well tried. But, does that mean that in the wake of this argument, elder who is bedridden is disqualified from this 'self made' respect giving act?
'Respect' and 'Regard' are two different things, which is often used interchangeably. But they are, different. Regard is more of 'rule based' and Respect is more of 'feeling based'. We are bound to regard our elders, our seniors et al (और अन्य) to maintain a societal decorum (सामाजिक मर्यादा). But respect comes for choosen few, whom we get inspired from, whose success path we intend to follow, who teaches us some valuable lessons of life, whose principles and behaviour we try to imitate, et al. They may be your parents, your teacher, a writer or anyone irrespective of his/her age.
When I say a person should be respected only based on what he achieves, what he says and what he does, that includes parents as well. But 'Parents', by default, qualifies the 'Respect' criteria, as per our societal norms, which I disagree. Now, some of my emotional friends may condemn me for this thought, but I stand by my opinion. Even parents can fall under the either category of Regard or Respect.
And now coming back to the ritual of touching feet, I feel, 'touch the feet' whom we regard and 'talk at length' to whom we respect. Coz, "talking an hour with a genius is worth more than reading book for a month."
4 - "Don't touch anything by foot, its considered dis-respectful"
Then why do we touch mother Earth by feet. Doesn't she deserve our respect?
Touching someone's feet is respectful, and touching someone by foot is dis-respectful -- What a classic hypocroisy (दोगलापन) !!
5. "In our Indian culture, its recommended to eat by hand"
Why? Does food taste better when eaten by hand? Maybe? Some may strongly put this point forward. But was it the reason it was recommended by our fore-fathers. No !! When we eat by hand, we are bound to wash our hands. And when we wash our hands, out of reflex, we tend to gargle our mouth. And gargling mouth after every meal is very much required to avoid tooth-decay. Whereas, if we eat by cutlery, we miss the opportunity to gargle as washing hands after meal is on discretion of the individual then. Make sense !! Right? But are we following this ritual due to the reason for which this recommendation was made?
All these, and many more questions were always there, but since our parents haven't asked their parents and elders about the reasoning of why to do what they are asked to do out of Acquiescence (बिना विरोध के स्वीकार करना), have left our queries unanswered and left us in darkness.
It is necessary for every person who stands for progress to criticize every tenet (सिद्धान्त) of old beliefs. Item by item he has to challenge the efficacy (प्रभाविता) of old faith. He has to analyze and understand all the details. If after rigorous reasoning, one is led to believe in any theory of philosophy, his faith is appreciated. His reasoning may be mistaken and even fallacious (भ्रम में डालने वाला). But there is chance that he will be corrected because Reason is the guiding principle of his life. But belief, I should say 'blind belief' is disastrous. It deprives a man of his understanding power and makes him reactionary.
If faith cannot withstand the onslaught of reason, it collapses.
My friends, it is not my vanity; it is my mode of thinking that has made me an atheist. I don’t think that by strengthening my belief in God and by offering prayers to Him every day, I can bring improvement in my situation, nor can I further deteriorate it.
Spider, one of the most maverick (अपरंपरागत) species I consider, gives genuinty to my maverick thoughts. Why do spiders build their own web to walk even when there are man-made walls, racks and many more ladders that he can use to cross the bridge. Is it because he has this, undying spirit to look and feel different by discarding man-made walls? No, I guess. Its just that, by its make, its not comfortable to walk on any thing other than his own web. Its just compatibility issue !! Non-compatibility of my thoughts & my way of life with the prevalent ways and norms of society is my compatibility issue.
Pray, don’t say it is His law. If He is bound by any law, He is not Omnipotent (सर्व शक्ति मान).
Let us see how steadfast (कट्टर) I am. One of my friends asked me to pray. When informed of my atheism, he said, “When your last days come, you will begin to believe.” I said, “No, dear sir, Never shall it happen. I consider it to be an act of degradation and demoralisation. For such petty selfish motives, I shall never pray.” Reader and friends, is it vanity? If it is, I stand for it.
The Shekhar
-- inspired by the writings of Bhagat Singh (an atheist), APJ Abdul Kalam (an atheist), Marx (an atheist), Lenin (an atheist) on similar topic !!
Saturday, 21 February 2015
"Freedom to choose" - BANNED !!
Consider you go to a shopping mall and go to the soap section and you find soaps from only 'one' brand on sale. You have no other option to choose from because 'some people' think that since you live in India, this is the only soap you should be using. All other brands will make your skin peel. So they have banned all other soaps. Can you live with it ?? Is that justified that someone else should decide what option you should choose - by banning all other options ??
Same goes with entertainment. We all were once fans of SRK for whatever he used to do onscreen. Then few audiences changed their taste of entertainment and couldn't derive the same pleasure from the open arms of SRK as earlier and started finding pleasure in the likes of Irrfan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Now, all of these artists can co-exist and keep producing their stuff, and serve their respective audiences. This is how audiences as a whole - gets diversification in the offerings to fulfill their entertainment needs.
Now, SRK for movies (in India) is what Kapil Sharma is for stand-up comedy (in India) and what Chetan Bhagat is for books (in India). They have their own audiences to serve. And, they are doing it perfectly.
Now imagine, its imposed on your face that every friday only SRK's movie will be released and book-stalls willl only sell Chetan Bhagat's book and you are bound to laugh only on Kapil Sharma's jokes. All other artists are banned because you live in India and you are not allowed to get exposed to any other stuff. Entertain yourself with what these 3 gentlemen are serving to you.
Why?
Because all other artists are not following traditional guidelines, producing taboo stuff and by watching them you will learn the cuss words, which we assume you are not at all exposed to till now, and you never use them in your day-to-day life. So, every other stuff - "Banned" !!
Now, majority of the population will not be bothered by this ban as they were anyways busy watching "Comedy nights with Kapil Sharma" and are pretty much getting all that they want from a comedy show.
But what about the rights of others who want options in entertainment. What about the rights of the artists who want to innovate and provide unconventional stuff by pushing the envelope in any field ?
When you set a boundary for the entire society to live in a certain limits with pre-defined options, you are actually hampering the growth of the society overall. As well as you are killing an innovative idea in the mind of the artist itself fearing what would be its consequences if he pens it down. He would be banned ! He would be FIR'd ! What more ? He would be killed ? Hail Democracy !!
It should be audience's discretion to watch or not-to-watch certain content based on their known allergies. Even if its on TV, you have an option to change the channel if you don't like it. Forget about Internet where it requires an instrument, an internet connection and most importantly a will to click on a certain stuff. Don't click if you don't wanna watch it. Don't have an internet connection if you are okay with television laid stuff. Nobody is pushing you for anything.
Its like you go to a restaurant and gets pissed off by them serving fish to the customers just because you are a vegetarian. On top of that, you force the restaurant owner to stop serving the fish to others as well because you are allergic to fishes. Wow !! Man, you have option to step out of the restaurant and eat somewhere where it suits your needs and likes. Its as simple as that !!
Finally, I think the people who are against the AIB video and worked so hard to pull it down are no better than the terrorists who attacked Charlie Hebdo. Freedom of speech is fundamentally violated in both the cases.
#NoCountryForFunnyMen
#AIBKnockout
Friday, 31 December 2010
Resolution 2010 : 6 Pack Abs
“When you want something very genuinely, the whole world conspires for you to achieve it.” When I first heared this proverb, I didn’t really understood the context of it.
Off Lately, I realized and inculcated the customized version of it, which says “ When u want something very genuinely, you meet those people who helps you in the conspiracy to achieve it.”
I too am an emboldened victim of one such conspiracy where I wanted something very badly and I met someone who showed the right way to achieve the same.
Fitness (Six Pack abs, to be very specific) was what I was craving for very badly.
People like me (Marwaris), who have malicious sweet tooth - in their genes, huge bellies - their pride, Samosa – their National Food, aspiring for Six Pack Abs is like swimming against the tide and to achieve Greatness.
But when the going gets tough, the Tough get going. And to achieve Greatness, we must dream, as well as Act.
When acted, I realized that - Earnestness for Target, Energy to achieve it and Perseverance to continue till I get it, I possess all these mantras for success. But the “Right way” to achieve it was one important ingredient that was missing and holding me to achieve the target.
It was March 2009 when I went to London for few months.
In terms of Fitness, i have always found two categories of men in this world. One, who buy new trousers with the increase in their waistline. Another, who inspite of changing their trouser, put effort to keep their waistline intact and fit into their old trousers forever.
Prafulla Rawal (a.k.a. Diva’s Dad), whom i met in London and got highly inspired by his thoughts (about everything, not just fitness) and his inquisitiveness for information, is the one who belongs to the latter group, along with me.
He is the one who helped me into the conspiracy of Fitness. He introduced me to the real and huge world of Fitness. He gave me some very vital lessons on fitness and many more avenues of life.
Krishna Bhagavatula, another burly personality i admire, whom i met in Bangalore, taught me some very vital lessons of exercising.
If you perform an exercise in an incorrect posture, you might grow and develop muscle, but that will be very prone to injury.
Educational Institution is the place where you "Go and Learn". Whereas, Fitness Gym is the place where you should "Learn and Go".
My Resolution for Year 2010 was to attain 6 Pack Abs.
Albeit, i have not achieved the target in entirety, but i am glad, i got the feel of that rugged abs, which enthused me to attain that insanity.
The intent of this post is to pay tribute to my two mentors - Prafulla and Krishna, without education and guidance of whom i would not had been able to attain - not the 6 pack abs, but the right path to the insanity, which i am determined to follow religiously in the coming years, because Fitness is not something which we achieve, its something which we live with forever.
To end up the story, let me resolute for the New Year 2011.
6 Pack abs is the fad of the past. I now aspire for 8 pack abs in 2011.
Resolution 2011 - 8 Pack Abs.
----The Shekhar
31st Dec 2010
Off Lately, I realized and inculcated the customized version of it, which says “ When u want something very genuinely, you meet those people who helps you in the conspiracy to achieve it.”
I too am an emboldened victim of one such conspiracy where I wanted something very badly and I met someone who showed the right way to achieve the same.
Fitness (Six Pack abs, to be very specific) was what I was craving for very badly.
People like me (Marwaris), who have malicious sweet tooth - in their genes, huge bellies - their pride, Samosa – their National Food, aspiring for Six Pack Abs is like swimming against the tide and to achieve Greatness.
But when the going gets tough, the Tough get going. And to achieve Greatness, we must dream, as well as Act.
When acted, I realized that - Earnestness for Target, Energy to achieve it and Perseverance to continue till I get it, I possess all these mantras for success. But the “Right way” to achieve it was one important ingredient that was missing and holding me to achieve the target.
It was March 2009 when I went to London for few months.
In terms of Fitness, i have always found two categories of men in this world. One, who buy new trousers with the increase in their waistline. Another, who inspite of changing their trouser, put effort to keep their waistline intact and fit into their old trousers forever.
Prafulla Rawal (a.k.a. Diva’s Dad), whom i met in London and got highly inspired by his thoughts (about everything, not just fitness) and his inquisitiveness for information, is the one who belongs to the latter group, along with me.
He is the one who helped me into the conspiracy of Fitness. He introduced me to the real and huge world of Fitness. He gave me some very vital lessons on fitness and many more avenues of life.
Krishna Bhagavatula, another burly personality i admire, whom i met in Bangalore, taught me some very vital lessons of exercising.
If you perform an exercise in an incorrect posture, you might grow and develop muscle, but that will be very prone to injury.
Educational Institution is the place where you "Go and Learn". Whereas, Fitness Gym is the place where you should "Learn and Go".
My Resolution for Year 2010 was to attain 6 Pack Abs.
Albeit, i have not achieved the target in entirety, but i am glad, i got the feel of that rugged abs, which enthused me to attain that insanity.
The intent of this post is to pay tribute to my two mentors - Prafulla and Krishna, without education and guidance of whom i would not had been able to attain - not the 6 pack abs, but the right path to the insanity, which i am determined to follow religiously in the coming years, because Fitness is not something which we achieve, its something which we live with forever.
To end up the story, let me resolute for the New Year 2011.
6 Pack abs is the fad of the past. I now aspire for 8 pack abs in 2011.
Resolution 2011 - 8 Pack Abs.
----The Shekhar
31st Dec 2010
Monday, 19 April 2010
RUDY
Toddler Rudy said his dad that he'll join Nostre Dame, Irish football team, and will dress up one day, and will become a football star. His dad giggled and considered it a passing fad in a kid's infant mind. Rudy was the younger son of a total of 5 siblings. Frank being the eldest, followed by Johny, two sisters and finally, Rudy. It was Pete, his childhood friend, the only one in the entire world of this toddler, who takes him and his passion seriously. They grew up together. Rudy being the youngest one in the family, had always been taken for granted. In addition to that, his dream of becoming a football star, made him worthless in the eyes of his family members, including his father, who wanted Rudy to join his factory and be worthfull like his brothers. No one ever takes Rudy's passion seriously, in addition to that Rudy's bad grades aggravated people's beliefs, that he is worthless and will go nowhere.
Rudy's father was a big fan of Nostre Dame and was a dream of Rudy to once get dressed and play for Nostre Dame and prove his mettle. "It’s the dreams that makes life tolerable." It was only his friend Pete, who had faith in Rudy's dream. Pete was more than a brother to Rudy. But, In a drastic accident in the factory, Pete became the victim of the blast that happened and he died. That incident left Rudy aghast. He decided to leave his family, his girlfriend, his home, place and decided to make his dream, on which Pete was having undoubted faith, to come into true. He went to Nostre Dame, an institution for aspiring footballers. It was not an easy task for Rudy to get an admission in Nostre Dame. In the world, where people manipualtes their thoughts, and speak what people wants to listen, Rudy speaks what he believed in and his speech is filled with earnest dedication and promise. Rudy live his dreams.
In Nostre Dame, Rudy met the priest, who gave him an opprotunity to get good grades in sibling High school "Holy Cross" and on the basis of his good grades, he'll get him admitted in Nostre Dame. Rudy discovered that he is suffering from Dyslexia, so it was not that easy for him to get top grades. Still, he worked very hard, but he faced disappointment in each passing semester. "Prayers are what we do in our time. The Answers comes in God's tym." Priest tried to motivate Rudy so that he can keep going and work hard to attain good grades.
Unsuccessfully, he was unable to attain the desired grades. His opportunity to get the support from the priest dimmed. "I'll work very hard, i'll not let you down." Rudy gave a last attempt to convince the priest. "You know, in the years of preisthood, i've discoverd two things. One, God exists. And two, I am not God." Priest made his point. Without a good grade, nothing was in his hands and so helpless. But still, priest saw a dedication and Promise in Rudy's words. The next letter from Nostre Dame that Rudy recieved was an astonishment for him. It says he got an opportunity to be a student of the elite institution. Rudy was delirious. He had proved his mettle by getting admission in Nostre Dame. He went to his father. His father proudly announced his achievement in the factory speaker. Rudy was proud of himself for making his father proud.
When a man achieve a milestone, he is faced with another milestone to achieve and prove his mettle again. Celebrations of getting into Nostre Dame was not even over, when Rudy realised that in order to attain his real dream i.e. to get dressed up for Nostre Dame football team, he have to compete with other contemporaries at the instuitution, among whom the final team will be decided. Rudy was not athlete structured. He was a puny among his contemporaries. The only thing he possessed was energetic posture, enthusiastic gesture and passion. More than that, he had an earnestness towards his dream. His contemporaries as well as all other people he come in contact with, fell in love with his earnestness.
"My father want me to once see me dressed up for Nostre Dame. This will be the best gift i can give to my father." Rudy beseeched in front of coach. "Is it only for your father." Coach enqired. "No. Since childhood, i've grown up hearing people say what i can do and what i can't do. I dont want to listen to them anymore." Somehow, by the love and faith that Rudy had grown in the fellow team members and the coach himself, Rudy got an opportunity to once get dressed for Nostre Dame.
The day arrived for Rudy to live his dream in reality. He convinced his entire family to visit Nostre Dame to catch the glimpse of his first game from the stadium."This is the most beautiful thing these eyes has ever seen." Rudy's dad said when he enetered Nostre Dame stadium, glimpse of which he had caught only on TV since years.
Game started. Nostre Dame and the opponent team equalled the score and few minutes of the game was left. Till yet Rudy didnt got an opportunity to enter the field as coach was not having so confidence in him to send him in such a situation of the game, being first match for Rudy. Few team members huddled up, started shouting "Rudy", "Rudy". Soon, the entire team started shouting his name. His parents sitting in the crowd could not believed their ears, that the entire team, the entire crowd was asking the coach in unison, to let Rudy come to the field at such a crucial phase of the match. Rudy had become a lucky charm for the team and the team members and soon of the crowd. Finally, Rudy get into the field. Nostre Dame won the match. Albeit, Rudy's contribution was not that significant, but still the incredible love he had developed in everyone, the faith of everyone in his presence, won the match. That was first and the last time in the history of Notre Dame Football that a player is carried off the field.
----The Shekhar
Rudy's father was a big fan of Nostre Dame and was a dream of Rudy to once get dressed and play for Nostre Dame and prove his mettle. "It’s the dreams that makes life tolerable." It was only his friend Pete, who had faith in Rudy's dream. Pete was more than a brother to Rudy. But, In a drastic accident in the factory, Pete became the victim of the blast that happened and he died. That incident left Rudy aghast. He decided to leave his family, his girlfriend, his home, place and decided to make his dream, on which Pete was having undoubted faith, to come into true. He went to Nostre Dame, an institution for aspiring footballers. It was not an easy task for Rudy to get an admission in Nostre Dame. In the world, where people manipualtes their thoughts, and speak what people wants to listen, Rudy speaks what he believed in and his speech is filled with earnest dedication and promise. Rudy live his dreams.
In Nostre Dame, Rudy met the priest, who gave him an opprotunity to get good grades in sibling High school "Holy Cross" and on the basis of his good grades, he'll get him admitted in Nostre Dame. Rudy discovered that he is suffering from Dyslexia, so it was not that easy for him to get top grades. Still, he worked very hard, but he faced disappointment in each passing semester. "Prayers are what we do in our time. The Answers comes in God's tym." Priest tried to motivate Rudy so that he can keep going and work hard to attain good grades.
Unsuccessfully, he was unable to attain the desired grades. His opportunity to get the support from the priest dimmed. "I'll work very hard, i'll not let you down." Rudy gave a last attempt to convince the priest. "You know, in the years of preisthood, i've discoverd two things. One, God exists. And two, I am not God." Priest made his point. Without a good grade, nothing was in his hands and so helpless. But still, priest saw a dedication and Promise in Rudy's words. The next letter from Nostre Dame that Rudy recieved was an astonishment for him. It says he got an opportunity to be a student of the elite institution. Rudy was delirious. He had proved his mettle by getting admission in Nostre Dame. He went to his father. His father proudly announced his achievement in the factory speaker. Rudy was proud of himself for making his father proud.
When a man achieve a milestone, he is faced with another milestone to achieve and prove his mettle again. Celebrations of getting into Nostre Dame was not even over, when Rudy realised that in order to attain his real dream i.e. to get dressed up for Nostre Dame football team, he have to compete with other contemporaries at the instuitution, among whom the final team will be decided. Rudy was not athlete structured. He was a puny among his contemporaries. The only thing he possessed was energetic posture, enthusiastic gesture and passion. More than that, he had an earnestness towards his dream. His contemporaries as well as all other people he come in contact with, fell in love with his earnestness.
"My father want me to once see me dressed up for Nostre Dame. This will be the best gift i can give to my father." Rudy beseeched in front of coach. "Is it only for your father." Coach enqired. "No. Since childhood, i've grown up hearing people say what i can do and what i can't do. I dont want to listen to them anymore." Somehow, by the love and faith that Rudy had grown in the fellow team members and the coach himself, Rudy got an opportunity to once get dressed for Nostre Dame.
The day arrived for Rudy to live his dream in reality. He convinced his entire family to visit Nostre Dame to catch the glimpse of his first game from the stadium."This is the most beautiful thing these eyes has ever seen." Rudy's dad said when he enetered Nostre Dame stadium, glimpse of which he had caught only on TV since years.
Game started. Nostre Dame and the opponent team equalled the score and few minutes of the game was left. Till yet Rudy didnt got an opportunity to enter the field as coach was not having so confidence in him to send him in such a situation of the game, being first match for Rudy. Few team members huddled up, started shouting "Rudy", "Rudy". Soon, the entire team started shouting his name. His parents sitting in the crowd could not believed their ears, that the entire team, the entire crowd was asking the coach in unison, to let Rudy come to the field at such a crucial phase of the match. Rudy had become a lucky charm for the team and the team members and soon of the crowd. Finally, Rudy get into the field. Nostre Dame won the match. Albeit, Rudy's contribution was not that significant, but still the incredible love he had developed in everyone, the faith of everyone in his presence, won the match. That was first and the last time in the history of Notre Dame Football that a player is carried off the field.
----The Shekhar
NEVER BACK DOWN
Watching a good movie is an experience that always leave you with few insightful thoughts to wrestle with, as its a tendency to relate ourselves with the story, situations and experiences of the movie. I try to make every experience, education. So, coming up with my first blog on the movie "Never back Down", which inspires me in many ways, for many things.
The movie starts with a game of a Football. jake was in the white team competing against the black (color of the costume) team. Jake was continuously putting down one of the player of the rival team. Initially it seems that things are cool but, once, as a part of the game, Jake dropped the rival once again. This time the other player said something about his father in frustration. Jake turned around and in anger started confronting him. The referees where trying to stop the players of Jake’s team, but that let few other Black team players surrounded Jake. Jake was left with no option but to confront with 5 of them together. Few excellent stunts from Jake and all 5 of them were on the grounds. Few minutes later, fellow team players were all with Jake and there was a chaos between both the teams.
“One man shoots and the whole world watches.” This is the main theme of the movie. One man from the spectators shoots all this and the whole world watched it on Internet, You tube, cell phones etc. Jake was famous.
Jakes mom was not so happy with his stunts and his anger. She had grown grouchy after death of her husband. Jake and his younger brother get shifted to another place as his younger brother got some scholarship for lawn tennis and was aspiring to be a tennis star. Jake accompanied him and joined the high school in the same city.
Jake met Baha the very first day and started liking her. Baha invited him in a party. Jake couldn’t refused as he was bound by her charm. He reached there with Max, one of Jake’s mate, he met on the first day of the high school and get friends with. There they met with McCarthy who is the hero of the high school. He is the star wrestler and have won many championships. He is the kingpin of the college and use to bully, but surely was the cynosure of all eyes. After a few confabulations, he revealed that the whole high school have seen his vdo of fight in the football game and according to them it was awesome. First they insisted Jake to fight, but Jake was not interested.
“If u want to be the best u hav to take out the best.
” Said McCarthy. Means if Jake want to be the best in the high school, he have to defeat the best i.e. McCarthy.
“I don’t want to be the best.” Said Jake.
“Then why are u here” asked McCarthy.
Jake looked at Baha, McCarthy gave a smirk and went towards Baha and kissed her.
Jake was set up. Baha set him up as his boyfriend McCarthy wanted to fight him and defeat him to prove that he is the best. Baha wasn’t able to make eye contact to Jake as she was ashamed. Max was completely unaware about the whole set up thing. Jake was disgusted. He tried to go, but was stopped by other bully friends of McCarthy.
“It means the whole internet stuff was fake” teased McCarthy.
“Even the story of ur old man who hit into the tree inebriated and u kept ur ass in the adjacent seat and did nothing” he continued.
Clearly McCarthy was trying to stimulate Jake and he got the nerve. Jake was infuriated. McCarthy got what he wanted, fight.
Fight begins. Jake was just a gifted one but never brawls and McCarthy was the champion of the brawls. Undoubtedly, McCarthy broke Jake into pieces, physically as well as mentally.
Next day, Max visited Jake with an invitation to join a gym “365 Combat Club” which teaches Marshal Arts operated by its originator Jean Roqua.
According to Max, Jake can achieve what he or many others cant - Greatness, as Jake was undoubtedly gifted.
But, Jake was not interested for the proposal.
“Nobody can get their ass beat lyk that and not care.” Max tried to persuade.
“I can” replied Jake.
Max left disappointed.
Next day Jake visited the gym. Max was astonished to see Jake there. He introduced him to the coach “The Jean Roqua”.
Jean Roqua, as per the procedure, asked Jake to join the beginner class with Max but Jake insisted to join the Advanced class. Jake justified that he is a quick learner and will be fit into the class. He impressed Roqua and joined the Advanced class. The only instruction Jean Roqua stressed upon was “No fight outside the gym.”
“If u wanna learn something, first u have to empty ur glass.” You will always meet few people in ur life who are more excellent than u. Inspite of feeling jealous or inspite of feeling inferior, we shud learn from them. We shud keep our window open to learn.
Jake did mistake here, he was too conceited to learn. He did improved and learned skills but was not able to achieve the excellence due to his attitude.
He was constantly harmed by Jean Roqua’s instructions to improve. At one instance, Roqua tried to explain Jake that “Its ur responsibility to control the outcome.” Something flash backed into Jake’s mind, he ill-mouthed with Roqua and left the gym infuriated. On the way, he had a self initiated a confrontation with few tough guys and crushed them in a stunt which Max took vdo of and again Jake was a star as “One man shoots and the whole world sees.”
McCarthy was infuriated by the popularity of Jake. As Jake had improved and have not achieved excellence, McCarthy again bullied on him and showed Jake his place i.e. Good but not the Best. McCarthy was still the Best.
Jake resumed the gym the next day, trying to assume as if nothing happened. While Jean Roqua was highly infuriated by Jake’s fight. His clear instructions was “No fight outside the Gym.” Roqua discarded him and forbid Jake’s entry into the Gym.
Jake’s mother too was pissed off as Jake’s younger brother was trying to emulate Jake and got hurt in a fight. According to his mother it was all Jake’s fault. “He wants to be lyk U. U r setting an example for him.”
Jake was out of the gym, his mother forbid him to fight. Jake couldn’t do what he really wanted to do, training.
“NEVER BACK DOWN” as the name itself suggests, Jake didn’t gave up. He looked an opportunity to meet Jean Roqua outside the gym. He spied on him and got an opportunity in a Supermarket when Roqua was out of the gym for groceries.
“I lied to you the very first day. I had all intentions to fight outside the gym.” Jake started.
“Is this ur apology?” Roqua was confused.
“I lied coz I wanted to pound this guy who pounded on me. This guy has got the perfect life, perfect car, perfect girlfriend. I lied because I am pissed off. I am angry all the time. My dad was inebriated and he insisted to drive, and I let him. He went off the road and hit a tree. I made it, he couldn’t. I put my mom down, my brother down. We are into fight all the time. I don’t want to be angry ne more. And I m not only when I am in the gym, training with you.” Jake tried to convince Jean Roqua.
After a silence Jean Roqua picked up his bag and said “See u in the gym tomorrow at 6”.
Jake was touched that he made it in convincing Roqua.
He shouted “Thank You.”
“You wont be tomorrow.” Roqua replied.
From the next day Jake’s training starts. This was the most inspiring part of the movie when Jake gets trained. How he achieved excellence was commendable.
Now Jake had everything. Perfect training, perfect trainer ‘Roqua, perfect girlfriend ‘Baha, perfect friend ‘Max, perfect mother, perfect brother. Now he didn’t wanted to fight.
Jake came close to Roqua and came to know why Roqua was strictly against "Fighting outside the gym." He lost his brother in a confrontation of his brother with a bully guy in a local bar. He shot his brother and he could not do anything. He lost his brother and the trust of his father, as he was unable to "Control the outcome". Since then, he started sulking and restricted his life inside the gym.
McCarthy was infuriated by the word on the street that Jake wud hav kicked his ass if is in the tournament.
McCarthy wanted Jake to be in the tournament. So he picked up Max to his place and beat him up inhumanly.
Jake wanted revenge, so he decided to participate in the tournament and have a confrontation with McCarthy. But Roqua tried to stop Jake.
“You fight outside, and never come back to the gym. I forgive you once, but will not forgive you again.” Roqua shouted.
“I am fighting now so as to not fight again.” Jake tried to convince.
“Just let it go.” Roqua said.
“I did it. I let go my father to drive, I didn’t even tried to stop him. I cant do it again. Ur brother died, u let go ur father, and started sulking here.” Jake said.
“You know nothing Jake. I wake up every morning in this gym, wash my face and look into the mirror, disgusted. You know the last time I heard my father, he said – “That nite I lost both my son.”
“Everyone has his fight. I have to fight so that I need not fight again. You have to fight for his forgiveness. Letting go is also a consequence.” Jake said.
After a silence, Roqua said – “Whatever happens, try to control the outcome.”
Jake got the confidence required. He went and after few excellent stunts, he crushed McCarthy.
----The Shekhar
The movie starts with a game of a Football. jake was in the white team competing against the black (color of the costume) team. Jake was continuously putting down one of the player of the rival team. Initially it seems that things are cool but, once, as a part of the game, Jake dropped the rival once again. This time the other player said something about his father in frustration. Jake turned around and in anger started confronting him. The referees where trying to stop the players of Jake’s team, but that let few other Black team players surrounded Jake. Jake was left with no option but to confront with 5 of them together. Few excellent stunts from Jake and all 5 of them were on the grounds. Few minutes later, fellow team players were all with Jake and there was a chaos between both the teams.
“One man shoots and the whole world watches.” This is the main theme of the movie. One man from the spectators shoots all this and the whole world watched it on Internet, You tube, cell phones etc. Jake was famous.
Jakes mom was not so happy with his stunts and his anger. She had grown grouchy after death of her husband. Jake and his younger brother get shifted to another place as his younger brother got some scholarship for lawn tennis and was aspiring to be a tennis star. Jake accompanied him and joined the high school in the same city.
Jake met Baha the very first day and started liking her. Baha invited him in a party. Jake couldn’t refused as he was bound by her charm. He reached there with Max, one of Jake’s mate, he met on the first day of the high school and get friends with. There they met with McCarthy who is the hero of the high school. He is the star wrestler and have won many championships. He is the kingpin of the college and use to bully, but surely was the cynosure of all eyes. After a few confabulations, he revealed that the whole high school have seen his vdo of fight in the football game and according to them it was awesome. First they insisted Jake to fight, but Jake was not interested.
“If u want to be the best u hav to take out the best.
” Said McCarthy. Means if Jake want to be the best in the high school, he have to defeat the best i.e. McCarthy.
“I don’t want to be the best.” Said Jake.
“Then why are u here” asked McCarthy.
Jake looked at Baha, McCarthy gave a smirk and went towards Baha and kissed her.
Jake was set up. Baha set him up as his boyfriend McCarthy wanted to fight him and defeat him to prove that he is the best. Baha wasn’t able to make eye contact to Jake as she was ashamed. Max was completely unaware about the whole set up thing. Jake was disgusted. He tried to go, but was stopped by other bully friends of McCarthy.
“It means the whole internet stuff was fake” teased McCarthy.
“Even the story of ur old man who hit into the tree inebriated and u kept ur ass in the adjacent seat and did nothing” he continued.
Clearly McCarthy was trying to stimulate Jake and he got the nerve. Jake was infuriated. McCarthy got what he wanted, fight.
Fight begins. Jake was just a gifted one but never brawls and McCarthy was the champion of the brawls. Undoubtedly, McCarthy broke Jake into pieces, physically as well as mentally.
Next day, Max visited Jake with an invitation to join a gym “365 Combat Club” which teaches Marshal Arts operated by its originator Jean Roqua.
According to Max, Jake can achieve what he or many others cant - Greatness, as Jake was undoubtedly gifted.
But, Jake was not interested for the proposal.
“Nobody can get their ass beat lyk that and not care.” Max tried to persuade.
“I can” replied Jake.
Max left disappointed.
Next day Jake visited the gym. Max was astonished to see Jake there. He introduced him to the coach “The Jean Roqua”.
Jean Roqua, as per the procedure, asked Jake to join the beginner class with Max but Jake insisted to join the Advanced class. Jake justified that he is a quick learner and will be fit into the class. He impressed Roqua and joined the Advanced class. The only instruction Jean Roqua stressed upon was “No fight outside the gym.”
“If u wanna learn something, first u have to empty ur glass.” You will always meet few people in ur life who are more excellent than u. Inspite of feeling jealous or inspite of feeling inferior, we shud learn from them. We shud keep our window open to learn.
Jake did mistake here, he was too conceited to learn. He did improved and learned skills but was not able to achieve the excellence due to his attitude.
He was constantly harmed by Jean Roqua’s instructions to improve. At one instance, Roqua tried to explain Jake that “Its ur responsibility to control the outcome.” Something flash backed into Jake’s mind, he ill-mouthed with Roqua and left the gym infuriated. On the way, he had a self initiated a confrontation with few tough guys and crushed them in a stunt which Max took vdo of and again Jake was a star as “One man shoots and the whole world sees.”
McCarthy was infuriated by the popularity of Jake. As Jake had improved and have not achieved excellence, McCarthy again bullied on him and showed Jake his place i.e. Good but not the Best. McCarthy was still the Best.
Jake resumed the gym the next day, trying to assume as if nothing happened. While Jean Roqua was highly infuriated by Jake’s fight. His clear instructions was “No fight outside the Gym.” Roqua discarded him and forbid Jake’s entry into the Gym.
Jake’s mother too was pissed off as Jake’s younger brother was trying to emulate Jake and got hurt in a fight. According to his mother it was all Jake’s fault. “He wants to be lyk U. U r setting an example for him.”
Jake was out of the gym, his mother forbid him to fight. Jake couldn’t do what he really wanted to do, training.
“NEVER BACK DOWN” as the name itself suggests, Jake didn’t gave up. He looked an opportunity to meet Jean Roqua outside the gym. He spied on him and got an opportunity in a Supermarket when Roqua was out of the gym for groceries.
“I lied to you the very first day. I had all intentions to fight outside the gym.” Jake started.
“Is this ur apology?” Roqua was confused.
“I lied coz I wanted to pound this guy who pounded on me. This guy has got the perfect life, perfect car, perfect girlfriend. I lied because I am pissed off. I am angry all the time. My dad was inebriated and he insisted to drive, and I let him. He went off the road and hit a tree. I made it, he couldn’t. I put my mom down, my brother down. We are into fight all the time. I don’t want to be angry ne more. And I m not only when I am in the gym, training with you.” Jake tried to convince Jean Roqua.
After a silence Jean Roqua picked up his bag and said “See u in the gym tomorrow at 6”.
Jake was touched that he made it in convincing Roqua.
He shouted “Thank You.”
“You wont be tomorrow.” Roqua replied.
From the next day Jake’s training starts. This was the most inspiring part of the movie when Jake gets trained. How he achieved excellence was commendable.
Now Jake had everything. Perfect training, perfect trainer ‘Roqua, perfect girlfriend ‘Baha, perfect friend ‘Max, perfect mother, perfect brother. Now he didn’t wanted to fight.
Jake came close to Roqua and came to know why Roqua was strictly against "Fighting outside the gym." He lost his brother in a confrontation of his brother with a bully guy in a local bar. He shot his brother and he could not do anything. He lost his brother and the trust of his father, as he was unable to "Control the outcome". Since then, he started sulking and restricted his life inside the gym.
McCarthy was infuriated by the word on the street that Jake wud hav kicked his ass if is in the tournament.
McCarthy wanted Jake to be in the tournament. So he picked up Max to his place and beat him up inhumanly.
Jake wanted revenge, so he decided to participate in the tournament and have a confrontation with McCarthy. But Roqua tried to stop Jake.
“You fight outside, and never come back to the gym. I forgive you once, but will not forgive you again.” Roqua shouted.
“I am fighting now so as to not fight again.” Jake tried to convince.
“Just let it go.” Roqua said.
“I did it. I let go my father to drive, I didn’t even tried to stop him. I cant do it again. Ur brother died, u let go ur father, and started sulking here.” Jake said.
“You know nothing Jake. I wake up every morning in this gym, wash my face and look into the mirror, disgusted. You know the last time I heard my father, he said – “That nite I lost both my son.”
“Everyone has his fight. I have to fight so that I need not fight again. You have to fight for his forgiveness. Letting go is also a consequence.” Jake said.
After a silence, Roqua said – “Whatever happens, try to control the outcome.”
Jake got the confidence required. He went and after few excellent stunts, he crushed McCarthy.
----The Shekhar
Brain Vs Mind !!
What’s the difference between Brain and Mind?
Whats the difference between Car and Driving?
Whats the difference between Pen and Writing?
Whats the difference between Brain and Thinking?
Answers to all the three above questions are same. But whats the relation between Car and Fuel? Whats the relation between Pen and ink? Same is the relation between Brain and Mind.
Pen is useless without ink and Car is of no use without Fuel. Similarly Brain is useless without mind. “Mind is the fuel of Brain.” Ink helps the Pen to write, fuel helps the car to go places and similarly mind helps the brain to understand.
Car is what manufacturer builds and fuel is what we insert in order to get the car working. Similarly, Brain is the organ constructed by someone who created us, but mind is what we instill in our brain since childhood until we stop learning. Brain with the help of mind do all the thinking.
If there is an Open Skull Surgery, one can point that “This is Brain” an Organ. But nowhere is mind in our body exists. It virtually exists inside the brain which makes the brain function, and provides it inputs to create outputs.
Everyone had got the organ called Brain constructed at the same factory with absolutely no difference. What differs is mind, and its mind that makes human beings different. All the brains on Earth sees the same insurgency among the humans, same input goes into every brain, but output is not same from all the brains, coz the inputs reacts with the mind inside the brain which is different in each and every human being and so the outputs to the same input differs. Else all women on Earth would be Mother Teresa and all Muslims Osama Bin Laden.
----The Shekhar
Whats the difference between Car and Driving?
Whats the difference between Pen and Writing?
Whats the difference between Brain and Thinking?
Answers to all the three above questions are same. But whats the relation between Car and Fuel? Whats the relation between Pen and ink? Same is the relation between Brain and Mind.
Pen is useless without ink and Car is of no use without Fuel. Similarly Brain is useless without mind. “Mind is the fuel of Brain.” Ink helps the Pen to write, fuel helps the car to go places and similarly mind helps the brain to understand.
Car is what manufacturer builds and fuel is what we insert in order to get the car working. Similarly, Brain is the organ constructed by someone who created us, but mind is what we instill in our brain since childhood until we stop learning. Brain with the help of mind do all the thinking.
If there is an Open Skull Surgery, one can point that “This is Brain” an Organ. But nowhere is mind in our body exists. It virtually exists inside the brain which makes the brain function, and provides it inputs to create outputs.
Everyone had got the organ called Brain constructed at the same factory with absolutely no difference. What differs is mind, and its mind that makes human beings different. All the brains on Earth sees the same insurgency among the humans, same input goes into every brain, but output is not same from all the brains, coz the inputs reacts with the mind inside the brain which is different in each and every human being and so the outputs to the same input differs. Else all women on Earth would be Mother Teresa and all Muslims Osama Bin Laden.
----The Shekhar
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