A beautiful version of the Indian national anthem, featuring some of our best classical musicians jamming together. Its pretty good stuff, even if you can't understand the language.
14.8.07
Independence Day
It's always a wonderful feeling to celebrate your nation’s birthday. Its not that I'm a nationalist, I tend to be anything but. However, what warms me to my country's freedom is only the fact that peace and non-violence triumphed over aggression.
Gandhi, who formed the Indian consciousness, built his message on the edifice of "non-violence" and "non-violent resistance", which at times brought the mighty British Empire to its knees. As I have been researching for my organisations' website, I have going through tons of video footage showing peaceful civic disobedience. It's hard to hurt someone when he is armed with nothing but his body and mind. This victory is helpful to idealists like me; it's nice to know that fairytales come alive...sometimes.
It's funny how history picks the most bizarre personalities to alter its courses. For Christianity, it was the odd carpenter and his band of twelve fishermen who protested religious fanaticism. For Islam, it was the uneducated and illiterate Mohammed, who altered the thinking of an otherwise brutal society. More recently, in Bosnia it was a musician (Vedran Smailovic) who bore sniper attacks to play his cello in the streets of Sarajevo. And in India's case, it was a frail old man who "could have been physically crushed by anyone" - said his friend and fellow freedom fighter, Ms. Sarojini Naidu.
For those of us who look around us with the intention of bringing about social change, it's important to remember that the true change comes from the heart and the pen, and not from the barrel of a gun. In peace,
Gandhi, who formed the Indian consciousness, built his message on the edifice of "non-violence" and "non-violent resistance", which at times brought the mighty British Empire to its knees. As I have been researching for my organisations' website, I have going through tons of video footage showing peaceful civic disobedience. It's hard to hurt someone when he is armed with nothing but his body and mind. This victory is helpful to idealists like me; it's nice to know that fairytales come alive...sometimes.
It's funny how history picks the most bizarre personalities to alter its courses. For Christianity, it was the odd carpenter and his band of twelve fishermen who protested religious fanaticism. For Islam, it was the uneducated and illiterate Mohammed, who altered the thinking of an otherwise brutal society. More recently, in Bosnia it was a musician (Vedran Smailovic) who bore sniper attacks to play his cello in the streets of Sarajevo. And in India's case, it was a frail old man who "could have been physically crushed by anyone" - said his friend and fellow freedom fighter, Ms. Sarojini Naidu.
For those of us who look around us with the intention of bringing about social change, it's important to remember that the true change comes from the heart and the pen, and not from the barrel of a gun. In peace,
8.8.07
Parkwood 2008!!!
Here here, Boss-man. Smashing idea. Ahhhhh !!! (In my British aristocratic accent)
Absolutely agree with you. Good on Serg, for keeping this blog alive inspite of everything.
Yeah, lets work on something for Parkwood 2008. Is anyone in touch with Myers and Hyewon? I need to speak to Jackie and Ryan and Budd. No news from Lanre. We could have a darts competition and a cook-off. My contribution as always will be "Brown stuff in a brown sauce" :-) A barbeque. Crash into some undergrad party, drink their booze and play some frisbee. Just like old times :-)
Just a quick update. I have accepted a position as "Service Learning Coordinator" with Georgetown's School of Foreign Service in Qatar. It's really is exciting and it keeps me connected with international development work, which is all I'm concerned about. And I can continue with some of my research and my NGO in India. So I'm thrilled about the whole deal. This would mean that I would travel to the US sometime soon, so will have a chance to catch up with my free and brave friends.
In the meantime, I am working on my NGO in India. Setting up a website and re-building the team. I leave to Kerala (southern-most state) today for the Nehru Cup. Chcck out this site for a better idea http://www.nehrutrophy.nic.in/home.htm Although I will be posting more once I get back on Monday, with some pictures as well.
Anyway champs, have to run now. You all be well. Cheers !!!
Absolutely agree with you. Good on Serg, for keeping this blog alive inspite of everything.
Yeah, lets work on something for Parkwood 2008. Is anyone in touch with Myers and Hyewon? I need to speak to Jackie and Ryan and Budd. No news from Lanre. We could have a darts competition and a cook-off. My contribution as always will be "Brown stuff in a brown sauce" :-) A barbeque. Crash into some undergrad party, drink their booze and play some frisbee. Just like old times :-)
Just a quick update. I have accepted a position as "Service Learning Coordinator" with Georgetown's School of Foreign Service in Qatar. It's really is exciting and it keeps me connected with international development work, which is all I'm concerned about. And I can continue with some of my research and my NGO in India. So I'm thrilled about the whole deal. This would mean that I would travel to the US sometime soon, so will have a chance to catch up with my free and brave friends.
In the meantime, I am working on my NGO in India. Setting up a website and re-building the team. I leave to Kerala (southern-most state) today for the Nehru Cup. Chcck out this site for a better idea http://www.nehrutrophy.nic.in/home.htm Although I will be posting more once I get back on Monday, with some pictures as well.
Anyway champs, have to run now. You all be well. Cheers !!!
7.8.07
My Response
...This is my response to Ross and Amber's idea.In fact I'm so excited with the prospects of a reunion that I'm already here, waiting for you.
Filipa will arrive in January. How about you?
6.8.07
Hothe Court Reunion?
Hey Gang,
I hope everyone is fairing well these days, despite being strewn about the globe (which is pretty cool if you think about it). I know it can be hard to take time and look back on our Hothe Court days. Sergio has done a great job keeping the flame alive and carrying the torch. This blog is a really great idea and I, like most of us, am guilty of not participating in the conversation. This is bizarre considering all the evenings spent in heated discussion of world affairs with all of you (I'm looking at you Steve and Uday).
Nevertheless, here is topic that we MUST all consider and comment on: What does everyone think about a Hothe Court Reunion for Summer 2008. I know Sarah has mentioned the idea a couple times, but it would be nice to see a show of hands. Just think, we could stay in Park Wood, BBQ, play some Footie, drink the obligatory beer/ale/stout/bitter/pilsner (or whatever your preference) and catch up on old times... Any thoughts??
I hope everyone is fairing well these days, despite being strewn about the globe (which is pretty cool if you think about it). I know it can be hard to take time and look back on our Hothe Court days. Sergio has done a great job keeping the flame alive and carrying the torch. This blog is a really great idea and I, like most of us, am guilty of not participating in the conversation. This is bizarre considering all the evenings spent in heated discussion of world affairs with all of you (I'm looking at you Steve and Uday).
Nevertheless, here is topic that we MUST all consider and comment on: What does everyone think about a Hothe Court Reunion for Summer 2008. I know Sarah has mentioned the idea a couple times, but it would be nice to see a show of hands. Just think, we could stay in Park Wood, BBQ, play some Footie, drink the obligatory beer/ale/stout/bitter/pilsner (or whatever your preference) and catch up on old times... Any thoughts??
5.8.07
Some Family History...
Here's some family history: my great grandfather giving a speach and then standing outside Lisbon's city council, in 1910, after his group just had our last king killed and started the first Portuguese Republic. He's the tall crazy hair guy, second from the right in both pics. See any resemblances anyone?