A small story from Mahabharata (Karna Parva: Section 41)






 




There lived a wealthy and rich person, who had many sons and was kind to all creatures. At their place, there was a crow that lived on the refuse of the dishes. Later those children always fed the crow with meat, curds, milk, sugared milk with rice,  honey, and butter and the crow became arrogant and came to disregard all birds that were equal to him or even superior.

Once they visited a lake along with the crow, and there they a group of swans enjoying environment. With their little knowledge children said to crow "O ranger of the skies, you are superior to all winged creatures, and none can beat you in beauty or strength". Proud crow went to the swans and and told "Let's compete in flight". Those beautiful and strong swans laughed at crow and asked "We reside in the great lake Manasa, fly around whole earth, to great heights, how can you compete with us"?

The boastful crow in return repeatedly finding faults at swans persisted for the competition and told how he can fly with 100 different styles (Rising up, swooping down, whirling around, coursing straight, proceeding gently, advancing steadily, performing the diverse courses up and receding back etc). With consensus one swan agreed for the competition.

Then the swan and crow rose into the sky, challenging each other. Capable of going everywhere at will, the swan proceeded in one kind of motion, while the crow coursed in a hundred different kinds. All the other crows and children were cheering loud for the acts of the crow. The swans also laughed in mockery, uttering many remarks disagreeable (to the crows). Hearing this, the crow with much more energy, and now poking the swan continuously while flying with styles. Then both crow and swan rose to further heights. Swan flew westwards with great speed towards the ocean. Then fear entered the heart of the crow who became almost senseless at not seeing any island or trees whereon to perch when tired. Swan, flying far ahead of crow, suddenly looked back, and waited for the crow to come. Crow, exceedingly tired, looked at swan for help and pleaded "O swan, I seek my protection, placing my life-breaths at your hands. Oh, take me to the shores of the ocean with the wings and beak".

The crow, very much fatigued, suddenly fell down. Beholding him fallen upon the waters of the ocean with a kind heart, the swan, rescued the crow and then addressed him with good words, "compete with knowing your limitations, strengths and weaknesses".

Effect of movies on Society

I know there were many speculations about this and everyone has talked about it but recently I read about a film director's 20 years daughter falling in love and wanted to stay away from parents....I keep thinking...why don't the people in such a influential field think about the circumstances of their work on the society and their own family. Few years back one superstar's daughter went away from home and married her boy-friend but 3 yrs later returned back her family. Ofcourse, it doesn't depend on parents occupation but these people from movie industry need to understand that whatever they show in their movies does effect their families and also society. Showing respect to parents, relationships, culture and traditions are not part of the industry now-a-days, the fashion is cracking jokes on teachers, insulting parents, wrong relations. Love is showed as attraction towards each other in kids who don't even know the meaning of love. If a person doesn't understand love of parents who gave birth and taken all the trouble to bring them up how can he/she respect the person who is entering your life recently. Sharing your emotions, talking about your life to someone is not love its friendship. There is a thin line between them which is very difficult to understand but essential.
Most of the movies show only the colorful part of the relations but not the reality.

Found a interesting article in Hindu recently detailing with the same issue....

Abused, not amused - The Hindu

Uchita Salaha - Short Story

There was a deep well with lots of frogs. Once it was the season of drought and most of the frogs were out of the well to go to to near by river. But one small frog was unable to come out. All the frog which came out were giving all possible advices to come out but the little frog was not able to come out. All the frogs outside were jumping here and there to show the little one how to come out, criticizing it that its so stubborn and foolish not to understand this small thing. Then one frog was demonstrating the same but accidentally jumped into the well again. Then it was also not able to come out itself. Same thing happened to all the remaining frogs. Expect one which was silently seeing all the drama. Then that frog slowly came down by the stairs jumping each step slowly and took the small frog in the same way.

Moral: If you are in a situation you will have many people to tell u want u did wrong and also what they would do if they were in your place but only true friend or well-wisher will guide u properly to come out of the mess.

KFC in Shilparamam

After 2 years, I have been to Hitech city on 30th August 2011 to meet some friends. I was happy to see the developed City but a bit embarrassed to see KFC in campus of Shilparamam, which is supposed to represent the state's culture in true form. I agree that Hyderabad in fact India is a mix culture and need to include in our society to explore them but it doesn't mean to include them in our cultural representations.
I am not against western culture or exploring their food habits, but mixing it with our culture.