Monthly Archives: July 2008

adminJuly 30, 2008comment (0)

Peace in Surat

Dear all,

Suratis must congratulate each other today on evading about 20 live bombs and being safe despite a huge chunk of explosive material, enough to make about 50 bombs, plying within the city boundaries. It’s great to be alive today, indeed.

We cannot move out today–a sort of self-imposed curfew. Educational institutes and public places are officially declared closed. Of course, one can go out, but who would dare and why? What is more important than being alive?

Well, when indoors, one becomes philosophical. Or sometimes cynical. Or both, as in my case, at different times of the day and depending on the mood. Sometimes I felt a little uneasy to think how a person can plan such a savage attack–secretly planting bombs and running away from that place. It is a heinous crime. Such a well-planned and dastardly act cannot be the result of one man turning wild. There must be about a thousand people involved–some of them may be in our neighbourhood. How to spot them? I wonder.

During the cynical phases, I wonder whether gruesome acts should be considered as terrorists’ success or our failure–failure of administration, police, society or education. It is childish to believe that terrorists have no religion. They are extremely religious, and their interpretation of religion is squarely wrong. I doubt if any religion vouches for and propagates murder, crime or terror. It is our task to be on the look out for such people, and inform the authorities when we spot them. We must be alert to the possibility of danger. We all. Today it is Surat, tomorrow it may be some other part of our country. The need for constant vigilance can’t be stressed more.

Let peace prevail!

Best wishes,

Dharmendra.

adminJuly 23, 2008comment (0)

Happiness – Part I

Hi,

Today I feel like writing about happiness. Why? Because I know I will be happy writing about it. Well, I know I can become happier day by day if I make at least one person happy by my deeds or words in a day. It’s so easy, isn’t it? But alas, most people do not understand such a simple fact of life. And, as you know, it’s so easy to find people around you who are unhappy: sometimes for a reason, but mostly for no reason–apparent or real. Perhaps they don’t know what happiness is. Let me share with you some secrets of happiness that have been known to people for centuries. I still call them secrets because most people, though they know, don’t believe in them. They cannot digest the fact that one can be happy in any situation, provided one is ready for it. If you are one of them, please read on. If you are not one of them, still read on so that you can help those who don’t know these secrets.

Well, first of all, accept whole-heartedly that happiness is an inner state of mind, little dependent on the outside world. It is not a thing to acquire, it is a state to be understood and enjoyed. Your happiness is a lock whose keys are with you. If you give the keys to others and if you are unhappy, it is your mistake–you cannot blame others or situations for it. Nobody can have your key to happiness unless you give it to them, knowingly or unknowingly.

Well, I know you are saying loud and clear ‘That’s easier said than done.’ But, believe me, there are some techniques by which you can always keep your state of mind happy–no matter what your condition is. One of the techniques is: ‘So what?’. Have you missed the bus? So what? Have you scored fewer marks than expected? So what? Have you not been selected for a job? So what? If you think deeply, none of these situations can make you unhappy if you decide so. As you know, for most such situations, there is an alternative. If you miss the bus or train, there is always the next one. If you lose money somewhere somehow, you can always work hard and earn it back. If you have peformed badly in any exam, you will not get admission to one branch or college, but that’s not the end of life. Your happiness doesn’t depend on whether you study a particular thing, or get a certain degree or job. If you wish, you can be happy with anything that you have and wherever you are. I am excluding here some extreme cases wherein people are extremely ill or poor and their primary needs are not met.

What makes me think that prosperity (or achievements) does not guarantee happiness? Well, it’s easy to understand. Just look around and you will find many people who keep whining and complaining just about anything and everything. They keep telling others ‘Education has gone to dogs’, ‘All polititians are corrupt’, ‘There’s nepotism in every office,’Government is not doing anything’, and so on. They cry more than a newly-born baby. They look for unhappiness and they succeed in it. Beware of them!

Well, on the other hand, there are some others who always try to find happiness in any condition and, believe me, they too succeed in it. They have found the key to the inexhaustible treasure of happiness.

(Incomplete)

Please look at part II of this post.

Best wishes,

Dharmendra.

adminJuly 22, 2008comment (0)

Introduction to ‘English for life’

Hi, there!

Everything one does should lead one to happiness. I firmly believe in it.

I often tell my students, who are non-native learners of English, that studying English is a part of our larger campaign in life: to become happy.

A good command of English opens an entirely new world for you. You truly become a citizen of the world. You get a chance to peep into various cultures. You get to know what the best is in every field. You can know where you are in comparison with others. You come out of the complacent attitude like a frog in a well. In short, an ability to use and understand English will help you lead a qualitatively better life, no matter what your profession is.

So, if you agree with me, or even if you don’t, just drop me a line.

Best wishes,

Dharmendra.

adminJuly 22, 2008comment (0)

How to overcome ‘writer’s block’.

How to overcome ‘writer’s block’.
Hi!,
Whether you are a novice or a seasoned writer, you will experience ‘writer’s block’. You can’t do away with it. However, there is good news. You can cheat that bug. Here are some tips.
First of all, remember that ‘writer’s block’ is a problem more of attitude than skill and knowledge. You will perhaps agree with me that our brain is the laziest organ in our body. It can justify anything–good or bad. If you tilt a little, it will drag you down in that direction. So block the thought of ‘writer’s block’ in the brain itself–nip it in the bud. Once that happens, there is no alternative but to write.
Secondly, don’t waste a lot of time thinking about the topic; just start writing. The theme will emerge and will become clearer in the course of time. Next time when you experience ‘writer’s block’, start writing about it. You may begin with the title ‘How to overcome writer’s block’.
Thirdly, write in simple, conversational style. Don’t try to show off your knowledge and send your writing as a challenge to the reader. Try to use simple words. It’s great if you have a good command of vocabulary, but spare it for your reading assignments. Simple writing helps you to overcome ‘writer’s block’ quickly.
Last but not least, write from the reader’s point of view. No writing is successful if readers don’t appreciate it.
So, fight off ‘writer’s block’ and start writing.
Bye for now.
Best wishes,
Dharmendra.

adminJuly 22, 2008comment (0)

Welcome to the world of writing.

Hi!
This blog is for me, and for you, if you like.
Everyone has an inner desire to express. A blog provides a platform for it. You can practise your art and skill of writing, and have fun in the process, too. So start blogging!
The best part of blogging is there is no need to get anyone’s approval, nobody to judge whether what you have written is good or bad. You just write following an impulse to write. Neither the topic nor the treatment matters. You just write what you like, conditions DO NOT apply.
Why do I write? Well, I write because I have to. I need to shake off the weight of the day, and dust my brain. I need to reassure myself that I have beaten the monotonous routine, and I am deadly alive.
The more I write the more I will perfect the techniques of writing. Till then, till creative juices start oozing out, you will have to bear with me!
Good bye.
Best wishes,
Dharmendra.

Monthly Archives: July 2008

Peace in Surat

Happiness – Part I

Introduction to ‘English for life’

How to overcome ‘writer’s block’.

Welcome to the world of writing.

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