INTERESTING QUOTABLE QUOTES - CHANAKYA TO MICHELLE OBAMA

INTERESTING

QUOTABLE QUOTES

Here are some interesting quotes – mostly taken from News Papers like Times of India and Economic Times, which publish such interesting quotes regularly. Hope you will find them interesting and enjoyable.

1.   The Fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all Directions – Chanakya

2.   You love your family, but not your neighbor. You love your parents, but not others’ parents. You love your religion, but not all religions. You love your country, but not all countries. This is not true love, it is limited love. Transformation of limited love into divine love  is the Goal of spirituality – Mata Amritanandamayi.

3.   When you separate yourself by belief, by Nationality, by tradition, it breeds violence – J.Krishnamurti

4.   God loved the birds and invented the trees. Man loved the birds and invented the cages – Jacques Deval

5.   A fasting person is in a state of worship even if asleep in bed. Every breath he takes while asleep is “tasbih”. And his sleep itself is worship. –Prophet Muhammad (TOI dt 26 Jul 13)

6.   If someone is GAY and searches for the Lord and has goodwill, who am I to Judge? – Pope Francis

7.   What right do Muslim fundamentalists have to ask for freedom of expression when they don’t want to give the right to liberal Muslims – Javed Akhthar, lyricist (TOI dt 02 08 13)

8.   In 1947, one rupee equaled one Dollar; In 2000, it reached 45, today it is 60! Gosh, it is almost keeping up with my age! (Kabir Bedi, Actor - TOI dt 1 Jul 13)

9.   Donate your organs, it will earn you more punya. There can be no greater karma than offering every part of your body in the service of others. Come, let us pledge ourselves to organ Donation – Sri Sri Ravi SHANKAR (TOI DT 03 08 13)

10.               Some People are against organ donation, but it is their personal opinion. We have to differentiate between personal opinion and the correct teaching of Islam. Organ Donation is the noblest form of Charity –Moulana Wahiuddin Khan (TOI dt 03 08 13)

11.               Today is Organ donation Day. You could turn the page and carry on with Life. Or, you could stake your claim to immortality. So, what will it be? A Full stop? Or will your story end with “To Be Continued” – ( I Lead India Ad in TOI dt 6^th Aug.13)

12.               Cosmetic companies are trying to turn India into a nation of Albinos. No dark area in any part of the body. Except may be our hearts. Got a Cream for that?   -  Shekhar kapoor, film maker

13.               Burkha Avenger’s apparel is not about her sexuality – its about her strength –Aaron Haroon, Pakistani creator of the animation series,  THE BURKHA AVENGER (TOI dt 02 08 13)

14.               Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope – Barack Obama

15.               It is the duty of the Government to make it difficult for people to do wrong, easy to do right – William E Gladstone

16.               Ninety percent of the Politicians give the other 10% a bad reputation – Henry Kissinger

17.               The Police are the Batsmen and the Taliban keep bowling. Sometimes, the Police score a six and many a time lose a wicket.  –IHSAN GHANI, Inspector General Of Police, Of Khyber Phaktunkhwa on relations between Taliban and Pak Police force

18.               I want Education for the sons and daughters of the Taliban and all the Terrorists and Extremists – Malala Yousanzai

19.               Don’t tell me what you value, show me your Budget, and I’ll tell you what you value – Joe Biden

20.               Save a Boy friend for a rainy day – and another, in case, it does not rain – Mae West, American Actress and wit

21.               We taught the world how to play hockey and now our hockey depends on foreign experts – Dhanraj Pillay, former  Indian Hockey Captain

22.               Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve... you only need a heart full of grace. Martin Luther King Jr.

23.               Don’t get discouraged. It is often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock – unknown author (TOI dt 03 07 13)

24.               Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world – Nelson Mandela

25.               Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it – Rene Descartes (TOI dt 02 08 13)

26.               The Discovery of a New Dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a star –ANTHELME BRILLAT-SAVARIN (TOI dt 10 June 13)

27.               There are prison-like elements, but it’s a really nice prison. You can’t complain. – Michelle Obama, US First Lady, on living at the White House (TOI dt 5^th,July,13)

28.               Our first priority  is making America  a magnet for new Jobs and manufacturing.-Barack Obama

29.               A small leak can sink a great ship. –Benjamin Franklin

30.               Chains of Habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken – Warren Buffet

31.               Political leaders can’t demand of others what they do not practice themselves. Hence, transparency begins from Political Parties – Kiran Bedi (TOI dt 1 Jul 13)

32.               Every intelligence service, not just ours, is trying to understand the world better. If that weren’t the case, there would be no use for an intelligence service. – Barack Obama (TOI 03 JUL 13)

33.               Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator and change has its enemies. – Robert Kennedy (TOI dt 10 June 13)

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NARENDRA MODI - WORDS THAT HE CAN CHOOSE AND AVOID

NARENDRA MODI

&

WORDS, WORDS, AND WORDS

WHAT THEY MEAN

AND WHAT THEY DON’T MEAN

When Narendra Modi speaks, there is always a Huge Debate on it. His opponents pick out a word here and there and make huge issues out of them. It is a known thing.

Therefore, it is all the more reason that Mr. Modi must choose his words carefully. It is certainly the majority opinion that - no single section of the people need be appeased. Justice for All; And Appeasement to None – is of course the best Policy of Governance.

That said, when the opponents are so much driving on a single point that YOU ARE AGAINST a particular section of people and cite your own words as proof of it, I think, there is a need that Mr.Modi must also emphatically state that he and the BJP are as committed to ensure their welfare and safety, as much the welfare of anybody else. These must be specifically and emphatically stated since that is the main charge against Mr. Modi and BJP. Non-Appeasement does not also mean – NO-LOVE  for anybody. LOVE FOR ALL – JUSTICE FOR ALL - APPEASEMENT FOR NONE is a more comprehensive way of stating a Policy such as this.

The Ram Temple issue is not and should not be on the Political Plat Form at all. The Temple will come up only when the courts permit it finally. So, why rake it up as if it can and will be constructed soon after Elections? This issue must be totally avoided by BJP. If it can be constructed soon after elections, why was it not constructed when BJP was in Power for 5 long years? No one will blame BJP if it doesn’t construct the Ram Mandir  soon after Elections. Because, without a clear court verdict, it is not permissible. But, many people find it annoying that it becomes an election issue at all. It is at the least, a Vote Loser – not a Vote getter, for the BJP. RSS may not realize it, because they are not in public focus much. VHP may not realize it. But, BJP leaders, many of them, know it well.  They must not be repeating this issue parrot-like – and losing their chances of coming to Power.

Another issue is that of HINDU NATIONALIST.  The way, the question was asked by Reuters and the way, Modi answered it, to me it means, I am a Nationalist first. I am of course a Born Hindu, therefore you can say that I am a Hindu,  Nationalist. Saying that I am a Hindu, Nationalist, or, a Nationalist, Hindu is different from interpreting it as “Hindu nationalist.”

Anybody can be a “Nationalist, Hindu” or “Nationalist ,Muslim”, or “Nationalist, Sikh” and so on. We are all Nationalists, which is common for all. But, each may belong to his own religion. It does not prevent us from coming together as nationalists. But, these are words. If we know the person as a Nationalist, we won’t mind the words, whichever way they are put. We know the meaning meant.If not, we cry foul - rightly or wrongly.

Mr. Yashwant Sinha and a few other BJP leaders do state often that – we must focus more on real, people’s issues. That is the Key for success. What is Modi’s attraction among the People? He is a no non-sense Administrator of the TOP CALIBRE. 

That is accepted by all, though grudgingly, by some. But, that image must not be spoilt by getting into meaningless issues on WORDS, WORDS, AND WORDS used by him and by other BJP leaders. While negative words  can be easily avoided with some care – the focus must be on the use of more POSITIVE WORDS towards every section of people.  Friends don’t come easy. You must earn them. But, You can. That is the point.

What should 2014 give India? I prefer  the 2 National Parties only coming up with  all the seats shared between them in Parliament. I do not prefer their dependence on any regional parties. Either BJP or Congress, independently must form Government and the other must be a strong Opposition Party. Both should fight on the Agenda of Governance – not on communalism vs Secularism. In the last chance when BJP came to Power, it proved to be as much secular as anybody else. It must be better this time around.

I would extend the definition of secularism a little. I would say, there should be no Political Parties based on caste, caste-Groups  religion or religious groups. Every Party’s membership must extend to all. Every Party’s programs must cover all sections.

India has of course lost nearly 5 Years on the path of Development. UPA II has not even been a shade of UPA I in that respect. But, now at least, both Parties must focus on Development.

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NARENDRA MODI - THE SECULAR POLITICIAN

MODI, 

THE

 SECULAR POLITICIAN

Modi baiting has become a pastime for many Politicians in India. Some Politicians are almost paranoid about Modi’s rise in Public Opinion.

But, the controversies that they rake up are only helping people to see the GRAIN from the CHAFF- Modi from the Rest.

Modi appears much more secular, much more forthright, much more nationalistic than his critics. This is the Opinion people get after each controversy.

In the latest PUPPY REMARK CONTROVERSY, I went through Reuters publication (on its web site) of the Interview with Modi, to see, if there is anything at all, objectionable, in his views and remarks. But, his remarks seem to be humane and applaudable rather than objectionable.  So, what are these Politicians objecting to? God knows what they are objecting to.

Bhagavad Gita’s very first sloka indicate two major failings in Human psyche “aham-mama”, which are the Sanskrit words for “ME AND MINE”. These are the two failings of most people. We close our eyes to the failings of our own self and of those whom we perceive as our people.  On the other hand, every simple action of those whom we feel –as others – seems objectionable, condemnable, and so on. This is the failing of the Modi baiters.

Whether Modi sits, stands, eats or talks, or even breathes, they will find some thing objectionable in everything that he does. 

This should not be the way, Politics should be conducted in India. But, this is the way, it is being conducted in India by the Modi Baiters.

Whatever they or their own Party men do – they will totally close their eyes to it. This is equally bad.

Be that as it may, the following are the key excerpts from the Modi Interview. I find nothing objectionable in it.

Interview with BJP leader Narendra Modi - July 12, 2013 @ 11:45 am - By Reuters Staff - By Ross Colvin and Sruthi Gottipati

Reuters spoke to Modi at his official Gandhinagar residence in a rare interview, the first since he was appointed head of the BJP’s election campaign in June. Here are edited excerpts from the interview. The questions are paraphrased and some of Modi’s replies have been translated from Hindi.

^]Is it frustrating that many people still define you by 2002?

People have a right to be critical. We are a democratic country. Everyone has their own view. I would feel guilty if I did something wrong. Frustration comes when you think “I got caught. I was stealing and I got caught.” That’s not my case.

Do you regret what happened?

I’ll tell you. India’s Supreme Court is considered a good court today in the world. The Supreme Court created a special investigative team (SIT) and top-most, very bright officers who overlook oversee the SIT. That report came. In that report, I was given a thoroughly clean chit, a thoroughly clean chit. Another thing, any person if we are driving a car, we are a driver, and someone else is driving a car and we’re sitting behind, even then if a puppy comes under the wheel, will it be painful or not? Of course it is. If I’m a chief minister or not, I’m a human being. If something bad happens anywhere, it is natural to be sad.

Should your government have responded differently?

Up till now, we feel that we used our full strength to set out to do the right thing.

But do you think you did the right thing in 2002?

Absolutely. However much brainpower the Supreme Being has given us, however much experience I’ve got, and whatever I had available in that situation and this is what the SIT had investigated.

Do you believe India should have a secular leader?

We do believe that … But what is the definition of secularism? For me, my secularism is, India first. I say, the philosophy of my party is ‘Justice to all. Appeasement to none.’ This is our secularism.

Critics say you are an authoritarian, supporters say you are a decisive leader. Who is the real Modi?

If you call yourself a leader, then you have to be decisive. If you’re decisive then you have the chance to be a leader. These are two sides to the same coin … People want him to make decisions. Only then they accept the person as a leader. That is a quality, it’s not a negative. The other thing is, if someone was an authoritarian then how would he be able to run a government for so many years? … Without a team effort how can you get success? And that’s why I say Gujarat’s success is not Modi’s success. This is the success of Team Gujarat.

What about the suggestion that you don’t take criticism?

I always say the strength of democracy lies in criticism. If there is no criticism that means there is no democracy. And if you want to grow, you must invite criticism. And I want to grow, I want to invite criticism. But I’m against allegations. There is a vast difference between criticism and allegations. For criticism, you have to research, you’ll have to compare things, you’ll have to come with data, factual information, then you can criticize. Now no one is ready to do the hard work. So the simple way is to make allegations. In a democracy, allegations will never improve situations. So, I’m against allegations but I always welcome criticism.

How will you persuade minorities including Muslims to vote for you?

First thing, to Hindustan’s citizens, to voters, Hindus and Muslims, I’m not in favour of dividing. I’m not in favour of dividing Hindus and Sikhs. I’m not in favour of dividing Hindus and Christians. All the citizens, all the voters, are my countrymen. So my basic philosophy is, I don’t address this issue like this. And that is a danger to democracy also. Religion should not be an instrument in your democratic process.

People want to know who is the real Modi – Hindu nationalist leader or pro-business chief minister?

I’m nationalist. I’m patriotic. Nothing is wrong. I’m a born Hindu. Nothing is wrong. So, I’m a Hindu nationalist so yes, you can say I’m a Hindu nationalist because I’m a born Hindu. I’m patriotic so nothing is wrong in it. As far as progressive, development-oriented, workaholic, whatever they say, this is what they are saying. So there’s no contradiction between the two. It’s one and the same image.

My Comments :- The furore, especially on the so called PUPPY REAMRK – is plain ridiculous. It is just a humane opinion. Yes. We do feel sad, even if a puppy dies under our car. What is wrong in it? Where is comparison of anybody with a  puppy here. The words “even if” are a clear indication that every life is valuable. Every life should be valued. The point is – Gujarat Government is reported to have acted within 24 hours of the incidents and controlled everything. On the other hand, his critics did not act for weeks – to control much bigger incidents in their states! If Modi does something wrong, by all means, we must criticize. Else, he will also commit big mistakes. Ditto for every Politician.  But, criticizing good deeds and good words – is bad politics.

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