Blog@GraceJunction

The prosperous state of Gujarat has an ambassador now. A brand ambassador who will become the face of the state henceforth. It is none other than “Big B”, Amitabh Bachchan, and ever since he came to the state a few days ago for photo and video shoots at different locales of this state, every move of his has been reported by the media, including what he blogs and tweets about his experience everyday!

Mr. Bachchan too has been creatively churning out impromptu slogans and jingles. Actually, some of his observations are quite insightful. Posted on one of his blogs: “What a magnificent country we own. And it is only when you visit these places yourself do you realise that it’s not just the greatness of the domain that makes this land so wonderful and blessed, it is the man on the street, the commoner that gives this nation its strength and its glory!” I say, “Awesome insight”! (more…)

This blog would be best understood if you can read it once you’ve read my last blog – “What drove him to the grave?”.
I was in Australia with one of my best friends, discussing with him and his daughter who was shattered by the suicidal death of one of her friends. She wanted to share a few questions with me, for which she was seeking answers very desperately. One of her main concern was, whether she would be able to meet her friend or talk to him any more? What exists beyond death? Would she ever have a chance to meet her friend? (more…)

Reading as a habit or interest is waning in popularity. However, if you go to a place like Crossword, suddenly you feel that it is not so. That place buzzes with activity and with people and you get inclined to tell yourself, “Well, people still do read”. But the percentage of readers has certainly taken a beating in the last few years. The city libraries are a mute witness to this. They present a gloomy picture of the gradual depletion of voracious readers who used to flock the libraries every evening. Apart from a few elderly people and a handful of students, the libraries wear a deserted look most of the time. (more…)

Every morning I approach the news papers with the fear of getting de-sensitized. Today for instance, The Times of India, Ahmedabad Edition carried news about an act of unnatural proportions – Man having sex with a calf! The matter was brought in to light due to the animal protection activists you may read the entire article here.

Thank God, there are at least some people in the society (People for Animal) who think that there is something called as evil / wrong and the matter was brought to light. A voiceless animal found some one who could fight for its cause; unfortunately our big mouthed society has none! (more…)

LIFE LESSONS

A little boy was overheard talking to himself as he strutted through the backyard, wearing his baseball cap and toting a ball and bat. “I’m the greatest hitter in the world,” he announced. Then, he tossed the ball into the air, swung at it, and missed. “Strike One!” he yelled.

Undaunted, he picked up the ball and said again, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!” He tossed the ball into the air. When it came down he swung again and missed. “Strike Two!” he cried out.

The boy then paused a moment to examine his bat and ball carefully. He spit on his hands and rubbed them together. He straightened his cap and said once more, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!” Again he tossed the ball up in the air and swung at it. He missed. “Strike Three!”

“Wow!” he exclaimed… “I’m the greatest pitcher in the world!!” (more…)

“Life-On your Terms”. This is the quote I came across on the cover page of an investment review magazine of one of the biggest banks in the country; for some reasons I’ll keep it unnamed.

The magazine is a research magazine which shows the past performance of all the investment products available in the market. In short the magazine is giving us data to analyze and understand where to put our money so that we can make more money and when we have more money we can live our “Life on our Terms”.

But can we really live “life on our terms”?

If i see it from the material perspective may be “yes”. You see people around us taking control of their life: deciding what to eat, drink, when to drink and with whom to live, what brand, and even pre marital, post marital relations et cetera. These are components that people consider when defining “life on their terms”, doing what they want and when they want without strings and without any moral standards. (more…)

In my office, my colleagues always find me reading during break time and sometimes even during the day. I am known in my office as a good reader. Sometimes I have good deliberations with my colleagues on reading, and some of them appreciate my habit.

A few days back, when we were discussing on one of the books, one of my colleagues who liked my reading habit, expressed that she herself was not interested much in reading. She would read only when she had to do some documentation at the office. That was her normal reading. She then proceeded to advise me to be practical than being just a reader. (more…)