Targets for 2013

New year resolutions and targets needn't be posted in January. I kick started the year with a few actionable items and hope to follow them in the rest of my life.

1. 15 mins exercise
Being a sportsman, fitness and exercise was never a issue. But I did reasonably well in 2013, so far. Auroville Marathon ensured i prepare myself and remain injury free.

2. Be on time; Punctual
Be it office meetings or meeting friends, i desperately want to be on time and avoid those stern looks. Also the fact that i'm using someone else's time.

3. Stop Watching Tv
Too much noise and glitz, nothing informative, thought provoking or inspiring comes on Tv. And most of the interesting interviews or news items are online in Youtube channels. A 3 hr film is played for 4.5 hrs with news and ads. Highlights of a cricket match or ESPN Sportscenter is a good way to keep myself updated.

4. Write a Small note at the EOD
I wanted to log certain actions i do this year, milestones achieved and interesting characters i met. I've never had the habit of writing diaries. Just wanted to keep track of where i was at the year beginning, and how much I've changed by year end.

5. More Thank You and Congrats; Less Sorry.
What is there in saying Sorry and Thank you, you don't lose anything. (Frankly i don't have anything; that's a different issue). It takes some courage to ask sorry or even to appreciate people.

6. Read Books
As a matter of fact, i've read more books in these 5 months of 2013 than in my entire life span. I'm finding it interesting. Nevertheless good.

7. Meet Deadlines; Not fall in my own eyes
This year I plan to set realistic deadlines and improve my productivity. Not meeting a deadline or your commitment is like falling in your own eyes and i hate it.

List is exhaustive. I'll keep adding as and when i follow something. What's wrong in writing about good things :)

Opportunity in difficulties

Story of Aisha Chaudhary, a 15-year-old girl who was diagnosed with an incurable immune deficiency disorder at the age of six months, following which she underwent bone marrow transplant. 

In her incredibly simple and touching way, Aisha took us through her early days when she was wheelchair ridden and destined to inhale oxygen with the help of a tube clipped to her nose. Her story drew thunderous applause and a standing ovation as she told us about the 5 lessons she has learnt during this phase; 

1. 'Believe in miracles'

2. 'Live in the moment'

3. 'Opportunity in difficulties'

4. 'Dare to dream'

5. 'Pets are the best medicines'

(Courtesy: INK conference Jaipur)

Crocodile Tears

The outcry over the US resolution on SriLanka in Tamil Nadu is a typical example of the famous Prisoner’s dilemma in Game theory. Every stakeholder in the game tries to make the best use of the situation and maximize his points.

Reduced to a mere 20+ seats in TN and stung by the ghosts of 2G Scam, DMK and Mu.ka thatha (grand father) found this as a perfect opportunity to keep themselves in the limelight. Mu.Ka wanted to position himself as the Don Corleone of the Tamils around the world, but he's just a Karunas in Endhiran (Robot). When the war was in full swing in 2009, ironically, DMK was busy fire fighting the 2G scam and was preparing for TN assembly elections. Its leaders including T.R.Balu, Kani went to Srilanka, met Rajapaksa and appreciated him for finding a solution to the never ending saga. On the other end of spectrum, poor JJ has been playing this game because all her enemies are playing it. If someone finds Vijaykant in some Tasmac shop, tell him he’s the leader of opposition.

Then there’s this huge political clout of Vaiko, Nedumaran and others who openly support LTTE, a terrorist organization. They praise Prabhakaran who in the past has used innocent Tamils as human shield against the SL army. The atrocities done by LTTE to SL Tamils are conveniently forgotten by the pro-LTTE outfits in TN.

This resolution and the inclusion of words like ‘Genocide’ and other euphemisms are farce and mere eyewash. The resolution was passed in UNHRC, but nothing has happened since then. These resolutions are big brother's way of bullying smaller nations. Weren't there any war crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan? But no one dares big brother.

The Students protest has made the political parties to plunge into action. I’m worried none of the students protested against absence of basic Civic amenities or for koodankulam issues. Student protests should not be fixed on one particular resolution, but on overall development of Tamilnadu and its people. People need to understand that Anti-LTTE doesn't necessarily mean Anti-Tamil (not mutually exclusive) and think before blindly following their leader. Leaders are trying to make the best use of your zeal and energy for their political agenda. Wake up.

While I say all this, tears trickle down when I watch the Channel 4 documentary (No fire zone). That sickening visuals of merciless killing of 12 year old Balachandran pricked my heart. That 12 year old boy didn't kill people, instigate violence. He was killed just he was a son of someone who did that. Bloody hell!! Anti Tamil or Anti LTTE, I don’t give a damn. I believe war itself is a crime against humanity, and then comes issues pertaining to war crime. (Anbe Sivam)

Moving forward, what Sri Lankan Tamils need is a place to live with dignity and not the crocodile tears from the political parties. Rehabilitation of the Tamils, development work, jobs for the poor can help turn around things in Sri Lanka. A free and fair election and restoration of democracy can bring peace not just to the country, but also to the minds of the people.

When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills --Chinese saying