Happy Independence Day

I always get very excited on significant days related to Nation. When you see huge national flag being unfurled, it’s impossible not get lump in your throat with pride as patriotic emotions sweep across the country.

This blog is not about our country but with regard to people who still haven’t tasted political freedom in their lives. We never realize how priceless are our freedoms that we enjoy without any limited and freedoms that we take granted. 

A casual look in newspapers international section, we can understand how many nations such as Iraq, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan etc struggle for life and existence. Peace for them seems to have become elusive and utopian as absolute chaos is the order of the day.

H.H.DALAI LAMA

Forget far off lands in Middle East, let us look at our own neighbourhood: China. I remember some Chinese citizen saying how he couldn’t contact someone online coz of Great Fire-wall of china, and how impossible for them to criticize their ruling class and strict censorship in society. Anyways, these stories are hear say and read from different sources. I dont want to talk about authoritarian chinese govts as this blog is not about politics. This blog is of common people in uncommon situations

I happen to get 1^st hand information from Tibetan refugees in India. By some unknown reason, since childhood I had great affinity towards Tibetan culture and esp esoteric sciences of lamas and Mahayana Buddhism . Blame it on Lobsang rampa books which I have devoured in tons and tons that fired my imagination. Moreover Tibet’s topography is just mind blowing (google those images dudes). 

Last  week I happen to meet a 3 year old tiny tot in Tamilnadu . believe me, She had the most beautiful eyes on this planet. In due conversation with her mom, I was surprised to know that she fled Tibet at age of 16. At age of 16, she along with dozen Tibetans fled and undertook arduous and most dangerous trip of their life time across snowy Himalayan mountain ranges. 

prayer room

I asked, in what sanity, would one risk life and limb just settle in India? Her reply was simple “Meet H.H.Dalai Lama” 

i do understand abut Dalai lama .H.H.Dalai lama is magnet of human hearts. It’s impossible not to be charmed by his infectious smile. but still..i was skeptical.

She had to trek in nights and hide in caves or under snow in mornings. Chinese soldiers and Frost bite are constant dangers.  If detected by Chinese, they will shoot with no compassion and impunity. It’s quite normal for refugees to get hand or leg amputated when struck by frost bite. But once they come into territory of India, 
they believe that all these dangers are worth encountering.

Loveliest Eyes

Once escaped to India, they have to forget their families back home as their families in Tibet will have to face wrath of Chinese if known they are still in contact. But their families gladly take this discomfit with belief that their children in land where H H Dalai lama is living. They know they get better life in India than in their own land

India is one of the or maybe the last bastion where Tibetan culture is still preserved in its original form, as she was saying, that back home, Chinese are ravaging Tibet culture, changing demographics, crushing dissent . In Chinese Tibet, its treason and unforgivable crime to carry even stamp size photo of Dalai Lama. 

I countered saying, aren’t Chinese also giving high speed trains and bringing hi tech development into Tibet which they lacked?

Namgyal, another young Tibetan who was born in India to original 1^st generation refugees simply countered 

“Then why did 100+ monks burn themselves to death in Tibet in last one year”

Praveen, you are born in free country and enjoy unlimited freedoms; hence you just don’t kno;w the value of basic freedoms. Thousands of Tibetans flee Tibet to come to India. Parents of children as young as 10-12 are sent to escape to India with full knowledge that they would never again see their children and they might even fall prey to Chinese bullets or nature’s fury in Himalayas. Why? So that they can be free in India. 

It doesn’t matter how beautifully golden the cage is , even if cage is made by rubies and diamonds, still it’s a cage. Its man s basic urge to remain free.”

Well, that explains things. Google about Tibet and its struggle buddies (www.tibet.net). One cannot help feeling proud about our great nation which has given home and hope of freedom to lakhs of Tibetan refugees in their adopted land (India). Tibetans in India have their own Govt-in-Exile, schools, flag, taxes, administration etc.we can proudly say that there is another country within our country (albeit invisible and unrecognised)

Happy Independence Day, my dear friends. …let us respect the sacrifices our freedom fighters undergone to give free life which we now enjoy, while dozens of nations and its citizens still crave for basic democracy 

Importantly, Thanks for your time for reading and sharing my thoughts on this blog

League of Extra Ordinary Gentlemen-2 : MY MARTIAL ARTS MASTER

MY MARTIAL ARTS MASTER …!!!

“I give up…!!!”….i muttered as I gasped for my breath

 Words were unnecessary. Already I was down with head dug into my chest covering my head with hands on the cement floor. Deep fear assaulted every cell of my body. I was drenched in sweat and shame and hopelessly frightened.

A minute ago I courageously faced my Master in full contact kumite sparring. It was impossible to breach his defenses. I blended Speed and Power to every trick in world of martial arts. But no avail!! . He parried all my kicks and punches and finally jabbed me in my tummy very softly.

Yeah. Softly !. Jabbed softly and lifted me into air in one single fluid motion with clenched fist. 6ft- 75 kgs-Bantam weight level silver medalist-praveen sagar thrown royally one metre away. All my self confidence and royal ego gone down the drain

What was I expecting? Was I dreaming beating this man? This man who is one of the champions of Japan. Trained under disciple who himself was trained under Mas Oyama-worlds strongest martial artist. Mas Oyama who fought 400+ fighters. My own master had to fight 100 tough fighters to get his black belt. At 60^th fighter, his leg broke, he had to fight with broken leg at next 40 fighters (google if u don’t belive it) These men belonged to old school of kyokinshai karate. 

 http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/12/05/stories/2002120500610400.htm

A man who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in his every action 

                             --Samurai maxim

Its not martial arts I was been taught. I was taught lessons which will not be taught in colleges.  Our class would begin at 5.20 am. Actually it was at 5.15 am. After we complained that its very cold in 5.15 am, my master gave us permission to come at 5.20 am. Now I know what you are thinking. Just 5 minutes?. Believe me friends, for him even 1 minute is worth gold. Japanese are known for punctuality and time sense. My association with him for 5 years made me see it in action. I never believed that anyone can maintain time in India, esp moving in notorious Hyderabad’s traffic. But he was always on dot. When he says, 9.20 am. Its 9.20.  not 9.19 or 9.21.  Now that’s Ripley’s believe it or not.

Leaders Lead…!!!

Before class begins, we had to clean the floor. It’s the practice which should be emulated in India where boss do nothing as subordinates slog sweat out. In class, dirtiest job will be done by Master. Small things like sweeping, wiping floor is done by us. New comer just watches or does smaller work. But menial job like wiping some dog shit is work of big boss. No wonder , as subordinates grew in ranks, they wont feel ashamed of work and juniors as well are motivated by such boss

Iam not going to teach you my art. Iam going to share it with you –Bruce lee

There was nothing he taught which he himself will not do with us. No ivory tower approach. He was in 50s , 100+ kgs ( its 120, now he reduced), yet he moved like light. There was no jealousy on other styles which is a malaise every martial arts school undergoes. He never said, he is best.  On other way, he always encouraged us to learn best from everywhere .I was exposed to three different martial arts schools earlier. What we used to do there in 2 hrs, here we used to do in ½ hour. Total time optimization.

I can defeat you physically with or without a reason but I can only defeat your mind with a reason--- jim lau

We students were not allowed to participate in local competitions. He always used to say that he was only teaching us discipline and fitness exercises. When all other martial artists believed in more pomp and show. My teacher was extremely low profile. There were no fees. No new student survived more than 7 classes. Not that he is strict in karate. He is mercilessly strict with time. Even one minute wastage was unpardonable. Commitment is 100%. Come rain, shine, sickness..he will keep his word and time.

In his 10 year, Indian sojourn, only 5 people were awarded belt. Its character, discipline, which are more important parameters for belt than how good you are at karate. For Master, there are no favourites. He genuinely loved everyone equally.

To win 100 victories is not highest skill. To subdue the nermy without fighting is highest skill—Sun Tzu

He is quite clear. Violence is unjustified in any form or manifestation.

 There was a new guy who once asked what he should do if people attacked him and what’s the point in learning karate ?

.

People were shocked at the answer.

He calmly and confidently said. “Run…just run away….karate I teach is to able to escape, push the attacker and run away very very fast from scene of violence. Karate is to bring peace out of you”. He always insisted to be good in studies and take his classes when we have free time.

Hmm..We never understood. But its true. After reading “Zen in Martial arts by Joe hyams” I grasped the wisdom. Strongest person never fights. Strongest and wisest are 1^st to forgive. Its only the weak who has point to prove. People like my masters are super strong and they know it. Hence they don’t mind apologizing if his apology can avert nasty incidents. They are centered with no ego.

(This concept is more to be experienced than understood logically. If u understood it , I take it that ur quite advanced spiritually and wise)

I stopped all kinds of martial arts 10 years ago. My karate dress, gloves and

nan-chuk lie in some forgotten corner. Certificate in Japanese is pride among my other documents. I am totally contented, satisfied and absolutely no regrets. Though my hands and legs have forgotten lessons in karate , his lessons on life were nevertheless drilled into my bone memory which will leave only with death of this body. We are no longer in contact but nevertheless every march 20, on my birthday, I know for sure I will have an elaborate mail of pearls of birthday wishes and wisdom vignettes in my inbox.

 Coming back to moments when I was beaten by him..

Well., I was not ashamed that I was beaten. But I was ashamed that I got frightened. Next,for 7 days, I trained till the point when I faced him again….history repeated….but with mild changes in script. I stood my ground. Though I was beaten, I was able to penetrate his defenses, was able to “touch” him with my fist….believe me..no one was able to do it…its kinda personal record for me.

RANDOM MUSINGS...!!!!

Dedicated 2 Rajoe n Jacko. Have to keep both very happy coz Rajoe owes me money and Jacko is my future money lender!!

Random Musings

 

Just bored with life. So randomly jotted whatever came on my minds screen. Some copied, some original, some developed and improvised, some stupid, some provoking, some ugly, some taunting, some will hate me and some will love me, some God knows what dey will do….who knows, who cares…I lost my sanity even before I entered slave-depot aka school.

 

“When Gandhi exhorted “ Quit India” in 1942,,my grandpa misunderstood and went on to become India’s 1^st NRI.”

 

“I wonder whys man’s best friend is dog & diamonds r women best friends. Now we know who is greedy”

 

“ Why are men so loyal to their barber? We seldom change our barbers”

 

“Why do “Home” ministers aka wives buy tons of crockery that always lies in show case and seldom if not, never use them in next 100 years?”

 

“Man can have 6 pack backed by 10 dan black belt , trained black cat commando and well versed in all weapons from AK-47 to Bazooka to bofor howitzer to predator drone…yet when his gf/wife weeps…those few drops of tears would wash out all the weapons along with mans will to fight”

“ Woman hate when man expects dowry but woman always want guy who is rich cum handsome cum intelligent cum guy who can be good husband cum driver cum plumber cum joker cum genie who can fulfill every wish of hers to marry them”

 

“How come we never hear any alcohol company getting bankrupt?”

 

“Why do we divide India into north and south but never east and west? Do we Indians have any idea about North eastern states?”

 

“Greatest inventions from mans perspective: TV remote

From women’s point of view: hands free phone”

 

“Why word “foreign” depict only western nations in our mind generally and America in particular when even Nepal, Bangladesh etc are foreign countries?”

“Why does man want sexy gf but homely wife?”

 

“Why do aliens visit only USA, and why those flying saucers hover only over amerika and crop circles are found in developed countries?”

“We laugh when Rajinikant does some crazy stunt in films (like shivaji) but clap when Tom cruise does the same bizarre in       MI-3? when it comes to hypocrisy , no one can beat u and me”

 

“Happy man is a norm and Happy woman is a myth. “What man wants?” was never written and “what woman wants” can still fill all libraries of world. Now u know what I mean when I say that happy woman is myth?”

 

“How many are aware that India doesn’t have a “National” language..next time when some north-hindi-blabbering demands you to speak hindi…direct him to me..i will destroy his arguments in less time den he reads this line.”

 

“IIT’s are elite. IIM are world class. How many nobel prize winners for science and tech are from IIT? and how many CEO s for fortune 500 companies are from IIM and how many top 10 MNC were started by IIM wallas?”

 

“Pakis greatest loss after partition: Kashmir . Indias loss ?...all beautiful women..( guys did u ever see pakis gals?..just awesome)..All?..no ..one is very much reading this blog…hee”

 

Now I stop. My boredom ceased. I guess urs started. Mission accomplished.