Blog@GraceJunction

The pictures of half burnt bodies, torched houses, damaged churches in Orissa, is bound to send horrifying chills in anyone irrespective of what religion we follow. These acts makes one question, are we living in the most modern of centuries? Or are we in some savage land, where there are no morals, no humanity, no law and order. Eventually all our beliefs result in acts, we ultimately are transformed to the likeness of what we believe as truth, be it Jihad, Religious terrorism or any kind of evil. Clearly evident from the convictions and faith of the religious groups that participated in the recent riots, one can easily trace the roots of these actions/riots to the beliefs and faith of the people in the act – beliefs which state that there exists no absolutes, every one can be true in their own terms, ultimately there is nothing called reality and its all an illusion. (more…)

I wasn’t so scared and afraid earlier during the day as I was now, driving down nervously, with my senses on peak alert, searching everywhere for any signs of rioters and trouble makers. We sneaked thru the streets very close to my house, and I could see all around my house burning cars and trucks, stone strewn streets, shattered glass. I choked, my tongue stuck on the roof, trying very hard to gulp my spit as my mind began to recreate the images of what transpired during the day, when my wife made a distress call. Sobbing uncontrollably and tearful, she was scared and terrorized, while locking her self up in the confines of our house.

I had never attended a call like this before and those moments seem permanently etched in my memory. I was at the factory up on a giant machine, explaining it all to a foreign customer whom I had picked up at the airport early in the morning. While I left home it was all ok, the air was a bit tense but as I drove further from my house I did sense the turmoil in the air. I drove past people, up in small mobs and saw shattered windshields and glass all over the streets. I just reminded myself of God’s love and protection on our lives and confidently drove past all of it, seemingly ignoring it all. (more…)

I am unable to hide and contain the giggles, smiles and laughter that swell up within me as I ponder on my memories, as I remember during my childhood days, visits to Balvatika (A Children’s Garden). The best thing about Balvatika was a room full of mirrors, which shows you distorted images of yourself. Its funny to look at a short you, tall and lean you, a fat you, a crooked you; the room rings constantly with laughter, fun and surprises. No matter how good looking and in-shape you are, the mirror just reflects the way it is designed – a laughable you. Now it is ok as long as it is all for fun and laughter, however it could be really shocking, if it happens in real life.

Recently I had been browsing thru the works of a few popular new-age and self help authors. Prolific authors, who are being treated almost with a demi-god status and people take their words as the ultimate dictum on life. (more…)