Quotable Quotes

"So while Indian statesmen drew up elaborate plans for the country's development and welfare, Bapu's (Gandhiji's) quiet voice was content to preach his moral code: that right means must be employed to attain right ends, that nothing great or good can be built on a soiled foundation."

--With Pride and Prejudice by Nayantara Sahgal

"The intellect has little to do on the road to discovery. There comes a leap in consciousness, call it intuition or what you will, and the solution comes to you and you don't know how or why."
-- Albert Einstein

"Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content."
--Pearls of Wisdom from Helen Keller

The Harry/Ginny love connection

Calling all Harry Potter fans (more like fanatics).

I saw an entry in Nandini's blog about this essay, and well jobless that I am in office these days (only during the day...somehow all the work seems to come in AFTER 5.30pm :S)I thought I should give it a shot.Anyways, I think its worth a read and definitely something to discuss about.

About the article itself,it is about the way the character of Ginny Weasley is being built up and the Harry/Ginny love life which according to the author is far deeper than what most people might think it is right now.

I was actually surprised, at first, that people take the time off to analyse books like Harry Potter the way they would do to the characters of, say Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet. But I guess it comes as 'no big deal' because Harry Potter is probably THE most widely read series by both children and adults.Yet,somehow, the importance given to character review and analysis of what was supposed to be a children's book, is rather intriguing.

Anyways,do take the time to read the article and let me know you opinions :)

"Breaking All The Rules: the Literary Significance of Ginny's Love Life "
by Red Monster
http://www.sugarquill.net/index.php?action=gringotts&st=hglove

Patents bill for generic medicine

News Flash:Indian parliament passes patents bill amid criticism

I saw this quick news flash on channel news asia this morning about the Patents bill that was passed, which prohibits domestic firms from copying low-cost generic versions of patented drugs.

I read the complete article in the Channel News Asia site, but I am not sure if i understood (or agreed) with what was happening. However, since my knowledge of current affairs is quite pathetic I was just wondering, if anyone might be willing to share their opinion (and enlightten me) on this issue?

New beginnings

"A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new,when an age ends and when the soul of a nation,long supressed finds utterance."
--Jawaharlal Nehru, Tryst With Destiny (Speech delivered in the Constituent Assembly,New Delhi 14th August 1947, on the eve of the attainment of Independence)

I am sure each and every one of us has at some point felt like "This is a new beginning for me". I know I have been through that. At that time,I would feel as if hundreds of thoughts are just rushing around in my head and I wouldnt be able to focus on anything.I wouldnt know if I should be happy for the chance of a new beginning, to leave behind my past and start afresh or feel scared about venturing into a new world,one that holds a lot of uncertainties.Its those times when I have felt that an invisible (sometimes visible also)hand would take mine and guide me to 'safety' till I am able to move forward on my own.

New beginnings are always there in our lives, every day is new. Make a fresh start daily then you will never have to fear times of despair or when there is a major change in your life.I guess I am gettin too philosophical here.But well, being the ultimate optimist in life, I guess I look forward to my next new beginning.

Mayada--The Story of a woman's struggle

I picked up this book called 'Mayada' from a friend of mine.It seemed like a biography of a woman who had been through Sadam's totrue jail.On the cover was the face of a lady covered nose down by a black veil.But the eyes held so much grief in them, that I was curious to find out more.It was a painful experience.As I went into the story, I felt I was sharing this woman's pain,grievances, especially when I closed the book because I could not read another word, and I would see those eyes.

While reading the book and after, I reflected so much on my life. I should be so thankful that I can only but try to imagine what sort of a life these women in Iraq or Africa would be leading,for I would never really be able to feel it.I have never had (and wouldnt want to either) have any such trauma in my life, where I have to endure physical and pyschological torture, and all this because some paranoid leader and his sadistic (and abs jobless) followers want to find some excuse to put people in jail and get a certain pleasure from their pain.

Her first step

The first few words into blogging seemsa little wierd, like entering a strange terrain filled with thick tall trees (frequent bloggers) which overshadow you easily. But as you slowly push them aside and try to walk inbetween them, you soon realise its not very difficult and maybe not scary either.