On being a vet
- "I love writing about my job because I loved it, and it was a particularly interesting one when I was a young man. It was like holidays with pay to me."[
- "Years ago, farmers were uneducated and eccentric and said funny things, and we ourselves were comparatively uneducated. We had no antibiotics, few drugs. A lot of time was spent pouring things down cows' throats. The whole thing added up to a lot of laughs. There's more science now, but not so many laughs."[
James Herriot was a vet who practiced in a small village in England. He was passionately fond of animals and drew immense satisfaction in treating them.Whenever he got a call from any farmer about an animal in distress he would immediately drive down and try to relieve the animal of his distress.
His narratives give an idyllic picture of life in the countryside.They gave a deep insight into the symbiotic relationship between humans and animals.The rural farmers were very fond of Herriot and shared their experiences with him.He in turn would spend time chatting with them about his experiences in treating animals. Cats,dogs,cows,pigs and all other farm animals are the subject of his stories.His writings are almost spiritual in nature and are a must read for anyone who loves animals.
Cultural differences between people are the primary cause of frictions and tensions and lead to avoidable conflicts and discords.Cultural chauvinism is a legacy of our animal ancestry for whom survival was the primary need.Every animal was rooted to his own native territory and was wary of any intrusion by an outsider.The presence of an outsider immediately invited a hostile impulse and led to either the eviction or the death of the alien.
This aboriginal instinct is still prevalent in mankind and till it lasts it will be impossible to ensure a harmonious and peaceful world.Science and technology have only made matters worse by making our instincts and emotions extremely mechanical.Majority of humans today are functioning like programmed robots.
It is extremely essential that feelings of empathy,sensitivity,tolerance,goodwill,openness and sincerity are nurtured and kept alive in the world.
Interaction between people from all over the world is imperative to reduce the cultural divide between people.Youth hostels and budget accomodation should be available everywhere to enable the youth to visit different parts of the world.Airlines should offer special packages for the youth to visit other countries.There should be cultural exchange programmes on a regular basis and children should be encouraged to participate.The Internet has made it possible to learn any language quickly and at a minimal cost.
If a conscious effort is made at all levels to minimize cultural differences it will help to ensure a more harmonious and peaceful life for everybody.
Solidarity is the secret of success in any endeavour.When a billion hearts and minds work in pursuit of a common objective,the mightiest empires will crumble in dust!
Team spirit,cooperation and cohesiveness are the secret of the rise of any civilization or culture.Debate,discussion and exchange of views among all the stake-holders is the key to a lasting consensus.
The Social Media has given undreamt of power to the ordinary people to interact and exchange views and opinions.A silent revolution is taking place across the globe and every individual is becoming conscious of his responsibilities and role in the making of a new world.It will be impossible for the present power-structures to resist this tsunami.
'You can fool all the people for some time and some people for all the times but you cannot fool all the people for all the times'.Abraham Lincoln
Churchill epitomised the finest qualities of the British culture-character,discipline,humour,values,determination and grace under pressure! His finest hour was at the time of the nazi invasion of Europe.He had been consistently warning England about the nazi menace but his pleas had fallen on deaf ears.After he became Prime Minister,his request to France for Anglo-French unity was also rejected by the French which led to the nazi occupation of France and subsequent decline of France.Under his strong leadership the British armed forces were able to turn the tide of the war and inflict a crushing defeat on the nazis.
Churchill had the Napoleonic spark and had visualised a world based on freedom,democracy,diverse cultures and prosperity for all. He was a strong opponent of all forms of totalatarianism and humbug.
Today the world is desperately in need of men like Churchill!
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent nations bound by shared values and traditions. One of the common features amongst the member states of the Commonwealth is the English culture and traditions.Unfortunately in more ways than one this has been a drag on the evolution of the Commonwealth as a positive force in world affairs.
Every country is unique and has its own cultural and social ethos. Any attempt to force a uniform pattern of governance is bound to be counter-productive.It is essential that each nation develop institutions which are in keeping with its unique identity while retaining vales of democracy,individual dignity,freedom of expression,equality and tolerance.
To enable the Commonwealth to realize its full potential,it is absolutely essential that a multi-dimensional and multi-cultural approach be adopted to tackle the serious problems of poverty,hunger,illiteracy,terrorism,gender-violence,corruption
and anarchy prevailing in the member states.
Wahe Guru da khalsa,wahe Guru di fateh.Victory to the warriors of the divine!
The Sikhs along with the Marathas were the two communities who have traditionally fought against foreign domination right from their inception.Whenever there has been a threat to the unity and integrity of India,Maharashtra and Punjab rose to the occasion and confronted the aggressor head on without caring for the consequences. Guru Gobind Singh,Shivaji,Bhagat Singh and Rajguru were leaders of their times.
The Sikhs are perhaps the only community in post-independence India who stubbornly refused to compromise on matters of faith and culture and were viciously persecuted by the powers that be. They preferred to leave India and settle abroad rather than compromise.
The Khalsa principles are purity,simplicity,equality,charity,strong social bonding,righteousness,hard work and unflinching faith in the Divine.There is no distinction between men and women and both are regarded as complementary to each other.A lot of emphasis is laid on Shabad or Kirtan which are an essential part of the Sikh faith.In every Gurudwara there is a langar or free kitchen.The Guru Granth Sahab is the holy book of the Sikhs and contains the teachings of all the Sikh Gurus.
The Sikhs are world citizens in the true sense of the word and have enriched every culture.
