Pavan Choudary's Blog, page 2

Good Luck Kiran. Good Luck Good Ones. Good Luck India

I was happy to read today that so many prominent and well meaning Indians are supporting Kiran Bedi’s candidature for Chief Information Commissioner. Moreover they are asking the Government that if you appoint another person, please let us know how that person is more suitable. That is great. Acche log ghar se bahar nikal aayen hain. Milkar naare lagane lagey hain- ek acche insaan ke liye. Yeh nayi aur badi baat hai. (The good are ganging up together, in favour of the good. This is a new and...

Desh ko Sone ki Chidiya nahin, Sone Ka Baaj Banao.

It all started with Shashi Tharoor staying in a five star hotel and not his state Bhavan. In my view he was right to stay where he did. In my view it is not just a question of the State Bhavan not having a gym. For many politicians (particularly those who are exposed to the West) it is difficult to stay in the State Bhavans because of the poor hygiene standards. It is common to find bed sheets stained with semen and boot polish, the bath rooms are also often unhygienic. The crockery used, the...

How can racism be fought?

I am really encouraged by your responses. Thanks.

I have also realized that I might have hurt some feelings when I went in to the historical origins of racism. So I am deleting that bit. The idea is to find meeting grounds. Not to point fingers but to shake hands. Not to answer racism with reverse racism but to expose how incongrous and unjust it is to judge a man by the colour of his skin.

So how can racism be fought?

There are very many well meaning people among the whites. Their support sho...

Show Spirit, Become Spiritual

Published In: Financial Chronicle

If fighting injustice is spiritual then knowing how the injustice came about is important. It is like taking the first step towards the shrine.

Let us continue exploring the injustice of racism. Historically racism grew from war. When people who did not look like us attacked one the first seeds of hatred were sown. Many prophets and kings fanned this hatred between cultures as they felt xenophobia will make their people rally behind them more fiercely. Differe...

Lessons from our Sins

Published In: Financial Chronicle

The biggest sin is discrimination. Doing it and tolerating it. I am appalled at what is happening in Australia and wish to put before the reader answers to:

Why does racism still persist? Why are Indians being targeted again and again?

In my view there are several reasons for this.

1. Political and historical reason : The Anglo saxon race still remembers that it ruled us once and some among them may consider themselves superior to us for this reason. Machiavel...

Why The World Is Racist Towards Indians

Hi. I am Pavan Choudary. I am a student of wisdom. This is my first blog entry and I write because I am pained by the attacks on Indian students in Australia. And I condemn them. And I am glad that Amitabh Bachhan and Aamir Khan have already come forward in their support. And I am glad how the media is giving this issue the importance it deserves.

But Why does racism still persist? Why are Indians being targeted again and again?

In my view there are several reasons for this.

Political and his...

Even saints require power, weapons

Published In: Financial Chronicle

From Buddha to Aristotle many have spoken about the importance of balance.

This balance is the one which man acquires when he moves on the middle path. When he avoids extremes and follows the golden mean. Then for example, he is not a coward, nor is he rash -he is courageous. Similarly between pride and diffidence he chooses modesty, between miserliness and extravagance, liberality, between moroseness and buffoonery, good humor, between belligerence and flatte...

Confucian Prescription for Spiritual Evolution

Published In: Financial Chronicle

Two sharp insights from Confucius…

Cut the handle of a new axe with an old axe and it will not be far from the old handle in appearance. Hence a gentleman asks of others no more than of himself, so long as they correct their mistakes. He who can practice tolerance and forbearance is not far from the way of the mean. He should do to others as he would have others do to him.

Confucius highlights the challenge of walking the middle path (way of the mean) especial...

Does our Spirituality make us Weak?

Published In: Financial Chronicle

Now comes a new lament. Indian players in the Indian premier league are being racially abused. And then Air France staff is accused of harassing Indians. So much of racial discrimination targetted against one community? What is it in us Indians which makes the world treat us so?

I was invited as the chief guest to the IMA (Indian Medical Association) for their annual function. My introduction was in superlatives and I was given a lot of respect before being c...

House that for a unique method of collecting taxes?

Published In: Times of India

In the Mughal and British times- due to the oppressive tax regimes- when people met citizens of another city the first question was not how is life in your city but how is tax in your city?

I have also begun to ask this question of other city dwellers. How is tax in your city? Why? Because of the newly imposed house tax.

Am I scared of paying taxes? No. I pay my taxes. What I fear is interacting with the Government. Whenever I interact with the Government I feel I w...