all creatures great and small

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.

bridging the cultural divide

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.

australia-the yellow continent

solidarity

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

winston churchill-bulldog

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

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.

the khalsa-the pure

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.

re-emergence of the axis

The world seems to be heading for another confrontation not unlike the earlier two wars. An axis led by the US appears to be emerging.The American policy today is 'if you are not with us you are against us'.Any country which dares to take an independent line is immediately isolated and punitive measures like sanctions,suspension of assistance,ruthless aggression and the likes imposed. Most of the European countries seem to have reconciled themselves to a pax-americana world.Even the world-wide media has joined hands with this evil nexus which if left unchecked can usher in a barbaric age beyond imagination.
America today is the most repressed society in the world.People's civil liberties have been drastically curtailed in the name of patriotism and national pride. The Judiciary has been completely taken over by reactionary elements. The Constitution has been reduced to a scrap of paper.
It is clearly time for a re-alignment of forces to check this growing menace to world peace and prosperity.

sufism

Sufism is an offshoot of Islam and the Vedas and originated in India during the medieval times. Its basic tenets are simplicity,compassion,tolerance,equality,non violence and universal brotherhood. There are no rigid codes of conduct in Sufism and is a continuosly evolving faith.
The best known teacher of Sufism in India is Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti,the spiritual guru of Emperor Akbar,the legendary Moghul ruler. His shrine in Ajmer attracts people from all over the world.
Sufism took roots in Kashmir and was popular amongst all sections of society for a long time.

no vehicles day

To check global warming and the environmental issues related to it,it is now time that people should not use any motorised vehicle at least once a week. Such an initiative by all right minded people could reduce carbon emissions tremendously as well as enable people to spend time leisurely with family and friends walking on the streets or just sitting in a public place.
Day by day it is becoming increasingly difficult to walk or jog in the open and one has to necessarily drive to some suitable place to exercise. Children are the worst sufferers as they are increasingly being confined indoors and forced to watch soap operas on TV. Playing in the open is an essential part of growing up in any child'

s life.
Everywhere one sees shops and eating places on the streets and even parking is becoming increasingly difficult in cities. Regular walking and exercising has tremendous health benefits also.

uniqueness

The entire universe is based on the principle of uniqueness.No particle is alike.Even the tiniest particle of dust has its own identity.Each moment is different from the previous one.The universe is  continuosly changing and evolving.Only the human animal has become static and rigid and is trying to impose its artificial notions on existence.
There is no such thing as a mass,everything is energy.If one can tap into this eternal principle,one can become anything one chooses.
Food,sleep,dress,home,entertainment,education and conversation should be totally individualised.It should be possible for a person to select his own language,his own music,culture,own diet,own dress and own profession based on his own nature.In today's synthetic world,the individual has become the slave instead of being the master.He is compelled to adapt himself to the lowest possible tastes.Only robots are mass produced not humans.
Every individual owes it to himself to be a genius that he is destined to be!

the oppressed have become the oppressors

The old gods know how to re-incarnate themselves.Sri Aurobindo.The Israelis seem to have forgotten that their forefathers suffered terribly under the Nazi regime.Do they want a repeat of the past?
It is high time the UN security Council quickly takes effective steps to counter Israel and put an end to this unprovoked aggression. If effective steps are not taken quickly and the powers that be just sit twiddling their thumbs,it could easily escalate into a global conflict.

the kingdom is of the child

The worst casualties in today's strife torn world are the children.Almost 5 million children below the age of 5 die every year due to malnutrition in India alone. Child trafficing,sexual abuse,prostitution,child labour,juvenile delinquency and violence against children is on the rise globally.In Syria,Iraq,Afghanistan,Ghaza and Africa,the maximum victims have been children.Children are no longer the priority in today's world.
The child is the future.Child health,education and a loving and caring atmosphere are the indicators of a civilized society.Unfortunately even the women are forgetting their responsibility to the family in pursuit of personal ambitions. The Mother is the most important factor in a child's proper growth.
Universal and compulsory education should be the topmost priority on every civilized nation's agenda.Very little space is given in the Media to child related issues.People are more interested in politics,religious issues and economic development.
Amongst tribals and other aboriginal cultures,the children are the responsibility of the entire community.It is imperative that remedial measures are taken quickly to provide a secure future for the child.

be the change you want to see in the world

A dark concealed hostility is lodged
In the human depths, in the hidden heart of Time
That claims the right to change and mar God's work.
A secret enmity ambushes the world's march;
It leaves a mark on thought and speech and act:
It stamps stain and defect on all things done;
Till it is slain peace is forbidden on earth. Savitri

The Avatars and Messiahs have come and gone but has remained unchanged marred by violence,plunder,lust and arson.Science has only succeeded in making people more greedy and crude.Religion is more a matter of letter than spirit.Culture,arts,poetry and education have become commodities in the market place.Everybody is living a life of quite desperation but refuse to change themselves.We are not willing to learn the lessons of history.
There are wonderful opportunities right now for things to change for the better provided everybody is willing to go through the transformational agni.There are no soft options left any long

er and the choice is between armaggedon and bringing the heavens down on earth.

Is idealism dead?

The world today seems to be indifferent to ideals and has respect only for the practical man.The corporate bosses,the politicians and Rambo like figures are the present day role models.The poet,artist,philosopher or teacher have no status in society.He has to run from pillar to post to survive.
In the present age,when power and utility are the Godheads of humanity does truth have a chance?There is a growing disillusionment within society as a result of increasing joblessness,income disparities,divorces,juvenile delinquency,increasing crime,terrorism and gender violence but people are hesitant to challenge the status quo and are living lives of quite desperation.
An age which is devoid of ideals,such as the present times,can only produce inconsequential results.The need of the hour is for forward seeing minds to unite and force the world to change.They must be able to see through the facade and go straight to the ideals which have been present from times immemorial.

the importance of language

Words are weapons,use them carefully.Ancient saying.The ancients were extremely careful in the use of words because they were aware of the confusion and chaos that can result by use of inappropriate language.Precision,clarity,simplicity,awareness and resonance are extremely important in any language.
A language has to evolve with the times.There is no need to stick to outmoded forms.By using words from different languages, we can attain a greater depth and maturity.It can also help to reduce linguistic chauvinism and bring about integration.
India with its cultural and linguistic diversity can show the way to creating an international language.People here have no difficulty in communicating with one another irrespective of the region they are from just by a look or a touch.
The superiority of any culture depends on being gentle,soft and polite.The Media has a very important role to play in bringing about harmony and peace in the world.Television and radio can have tremendous impact on the psyche of the people.Tastes today have become cheap and vulgar in no small measure due to the influence of the Media.TRP ratings have become the sole criteria in selection of programmes.Civilized and cultured people are avoided by everybody.
Teachers in kindergarden schools have a tremendous responsibility to society because the first few years are very important in shaping a person's outlook.

John Denver-The mystic singer

"The Dawn is breaking,the taxi is waiting,I am ready to go............" Such authenticity,simplicity and sweetness,that was John Denver.One of the greatest singers of all times,he could send you into raptures of ecstacy with his voice.Every song that he sang was sheer magic.He was the soul of America and sang of freedom,love,compassion and brotherhood.
Denver is immortal and his spirit inspires people all over the world to stay committed to the truth.His words spring from the Divinity latent in every person.Words are inadequate to describe his genius.

Janis Joplin – Leaving On A Jetplane Lyrics

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
I'm standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breaking, it's early morn'
The taxi's waiting, he's blowing his horn,
Already I'm so lonesome I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leaving on a jetplane,
I don't know when I'll be back again,
Oh babe, I hate to go

There are so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around

But, tell you now, they don't mean a thing
Every place I go, I'll think of you
Every song I sing, I'll sing for you
When I come back I'll wear your weddingring

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leaving on a jetplane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

Now the time has come to leave you
One more time, let me kiss you
Close your eyes and I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone,
About the times that I wont have to say:

Oh kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leaving on a jetplane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

But I'm leaving on a jetplane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

But I'm leaving on a jetplane
Leaving on a jetplane
Leaving on a jetplane
Leaving on a jetplane

Society today

Society today is more fragmented and alienated than ever before.The Social fabric everywhere is under tremendous threat.People are getting more agressive and violent day by day.People are forgetting the art of conversation.Everyone seems to be in a hurry to get somewhere without reaching anywhere.Mobiles and laptops have taken away the joie the vivre of life.On the streets we see vehicles designed like tanks and battleships threatening everybody.The houses are are like mausoleums and emit a putrid stench.Walking has become a relic of the past.People are so preoccupied that they hardly acknowledge one another or smile at each other.
It is important that people realize that the purpose of life is not material comforts but learning to be better human beings.Simple things like wishing each other in the mornings can bring cheer to everybody.Words like please,thankyou and sorry can change the complexion of a society within a short span.Playing soft music in public places can calm jittery nerves and reduce BP,cholestrol and diabetes and increase longevity.Opening flower shops in cities adds a touch of aesthetics and beauty in day to day life.

Democracy in peril

All over the world people seem to be loosing the will to defend democratic values.The Western powers for all their rhetoric are in fact supporting fundamentalist and fascist regimes.America,Europe,the entire middle east,parts of Africa,China and parts of S.Asia are already under the control of extremist forces.Unless drastic steps are taken by the Free world to counter these forces,it might spell the end of the highest values of this civilization.
The Media which was supposed to be one of the pillars of democracy has become a slave in the hands of vested interests.Journalists have become hacks and are ready to sell their souls for a few dimes.Even the Judiciary,like in the US,seems to have been taken over by reactionary elements.In India though the Judiciary is still trying its best to safeguard democratic values,it is also loosing ground because of non-cooperation by the state governments.
It is time for freedom loving forces all over the world to join hands and unitedly take on these extremist forces and be ready to fight to the finish.

The end of the commercial age

Therefore in a commercial age with its ideal, vulgar and barbarous, of success, vitalistic satisfaction, productiveness and possession the soul of man may linger a while for certain gains and experiences, but cannot permanently rest. If it persisted too long, Life would become clogged and perish of its own plethora or burst in its straining to a gross expansion. Like the too massive Titan it will collapse by its own mass, mole ruit sua. Human Cycle.Sri Aurobindo
It is now obvious that the present times are a period of transition from the economic dominance to a more complex but highly interconnected pattern of society.People all over the world are increasingly getting disillusioned with the exploitative model of development which has prevailed for the past 4 centuries and are seeking alternative ways of ensuring the good of the maximum number of people.
The Vaishya or the merchant class owes its domination to science and industrialism.In this Information age,as people are realizing that they are being manipulated and cheated,they are insisting on transparency and accountability.All over the world, the law and order agencies are taking strict action against economic offenders.
The new world order which is gradually emerging from the ruins of the past is increasingly being based on mutual understanding,cooperation,tolerance and goodwill.