New York Times on Indian Elections !

It is truly the greatest show on Earth, an ode to a diverse and democratic ethos, where 700 million + of humanity vote, providing their small part in directing their ancient civilization into the future. It is no less impressive when done in a neighborhood which includes de-stabilizing and violent Pakistan, China, and Burma.

Its challenges are immense, more so probably than anywhere else, particularly in development and fending off terrorism -- but considering these challenges and its neighbors, it is even more astounding that the most diverse nation on Earth, with hundreds of languages, all religions and cultures, is not only surviving, but thriving.

The nation where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism were born, which is the second largest Muslim nation on Earth; where Christianity has existed for 2000 years; where the oldest Jewish synagogues and Jewish communities have resided since the Romans burnt their 2nd temple; where the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile reside; where the Zoroastrians from Persia have thrived since being thrown out of their ancient homeland; where Armenians and Syrians and many others have to come live; where the Paris-based OECD said was the largest economy on Earth for 1500 of the last 2000 years, including the 2nd largest, only 200 years ago; where 3 Muslim Presidents have been elected, where a Sikh is Prime Minister and the head of the ruling party a Catholic Italian woman, where the President is also a woman, succeeding a Muslim President who as a rocket scientist is a hero in the nation; where a booming economy is lifting 40 million out of poverty each year and is expected to have the majority of its population in the middle class already, equal to the entire US population, by 2025; where its optimism and vibrancy is manifested in its movies, arts, economic growth, and voting, despite all the incredible challenges and hardships; where all the great powers are vying for influence, as it itself finds its place in the world.

Where all of this is happening, is India, and as greater than 1/10th of humanity gets ready to vote, it is an inspiration to all the World.

Mysterious element called life ....

Sorry friends, for being so delayed in posting the 'next' blog. You see, I remain more than the word busy actually means, that I get no time even for the simplest chores of having a dinner and getting a 6-hr sleep. Well, that is life for me at this moment. And I have no grudges about it.

 

So, that is the obvious reason, I had to put my 'to-do' blogs in a pending state. But, today I find myself stealing some quick moments amidst my tragic condition to visit this page and post yet another title.

 

Nothing great as usual, at this moment, life for me is no dinner, no sleep, dreams about codes and failing test cases, no IPL, no EPL, no music, no friends, no chats, no readings, no blog postings, no 'Friends' or 'How I Met Your Mother' and not even reading inbox mails.

 

But let me tell you guys, being in a screwed up state has its own magic feeling in itself. The feeling that you have when you have 'pulled' yourself beyond your limits and when you have fallen to the deepest place possible and available is an awesome feeling. You know for sure, that nothing worse than this can ever happen, you cannot fall any further beyond this. You cannot bruise yourself more than this. And this is reaching to the pinnacle from where you see everything clearly and when you have the confidence that everything possible thing has been stretched to its maximum. It can't go beyond this. I feel the same way these days.

 

With lots of interesting things happening in around me, I am unable to see this world as most of you guys see it. IPL having its major turnarounds (with Mumbai Indians on a winning streak, yeah MI is my favorite team, being a Mumbaite this is a quite obvious thing), EPL is as awesome as it could get, Steve Balmer visiting Microsoft and snaps with him, parents out of town which leaves my home empty to have fun and many more things. But it is like you have the football in front of you and goal post ahead of you, but you can't kick the ball because of bruised knee.

 

But, life goes on. I believe life has everything in store for you. Joy, sorrow, happiness, heartbreaks, companionships, loneliness, friends. But the worst tornado arrives when you get all the undesirable things together.

 

Life is the most amazing and the biggest mystery ever created by God. At times, it is just so simple. And at times, it can break your brain nerve and freeze your WBC's. Cheers to the mysterious element called life :-)