Do we have time for Joshua Bell at Metro Station

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that 1,100 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by, and a middle-aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace, and stopped for a few seconds, and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping, and continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3-year-old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally, the mother pushed hard, and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. Several other children repeated this action. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was they’re any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Source: The Washington Post

Are you good OR Evil? A Discovery into psychopath killers

Browsing the TV channels to find a fitting programme, came across a revealing and a pristine programme on BBC Two named "Are you good or Evil?" I found it extremely interesting with some of the new discoveries in the field of moral psychology. Main issue that I gathered from it was, why do behind bars killers and psychopaths succumb to violence? 

Children are born with good morality. Despite their limited growth of the brain, they choose good impulses as opposed to the bad impulses which is true. If a child discovers that someone is in pain, its basic impulse leads the child to show sympathy and affection. For instance if mother is sick, child does feel sympathy but it won't be able show the sympathy like adults. Thus the scientists in California have proved with few experiments that Children usually choose good moral impulses. 

The concept of "warrior genes" are present in some of the people. They are innate and genetic. But in the case of marines these warrior genes are trained and motivated. No marine or any humans would like to kill another human but marines are trained to posses these 'warrior genes' which makes them 'bloodless' humans who will be ready to kill the opponents. This may be the same case with the team sports. The team has to be trained to posses these warrior genes in order to fight against their opponent team. Therefore in this circumstances these genes are inflicted. In the process they loose their basic moral impulse they had in their childhood. Could we place terrorists and suicide bombers in this category where they are trained in warrior genes? 

Scientist Prof. Jim Fallon learns from an extensive experiments with the psychopaths from the behind bars that the violent criminals and psychopaths have or inherit "warrior genes" by birth. They are unique people with some little impulsive disorder. These warrior genes take priority in their lives. Their genes feed on the abuses and bad experiences these children have in their childhood. And they grow to be violent with having nourished their warrior genes. This triggers their brain to act in a different manner. They don't feel but they think. Any feeling is the same feeling for this, whether its rape, or a table, its the same. This is an extraordinary problem which leads them to act violently event to the extreme of killing other fellow humans. If at all they had been treated well in their childhood they would have turned out to be good people as it happened to the scientist Jim himself who is supposed be having a warrior gene but he was well taken care of in his childhood. 

Criminal activities or violence is done not from their free will. As hitherto mentioned through their difficult upbringing the free will vanishes and warrior gene dominates. This ultimately takes over their lives leading them to commit criminal acts. Therefore as children they have to be care for with utmost tenderness and love. The "warrior gene"s have to be treated in the sense recognised by some means and treated appropriately. 

Hence we have to understand why people are behind bars. Do we think they really want to be behind bars and not experience the light? Do we think that they have murdered or raped because they really wanted to be? I think above scientific discovery will throw much light on the afore mentioned questions. This will pave a path to proper criminal justice system and judge according to their ability to commit the crime not just the act of crime. Parents have to be more careful in handling their tender children. 

One Emerging Economic Power

India is one of the developing and emerging global economic power. Everyone eyes at India as it rightly projects to the West as one of economy generating power. Most companies veer or at least aspire to base their business outsourcing in India. There are umpteen call centres and BPO's all over India. It is obvious from a global perspective to think that the India is flourishing in economy. The multinational firms have showcased in the global market that India is absolutely a developing economy. This has lured the multimillionaires to set up their partnership with Indian firms, which is not bad in itself but analysing further opens our eyes to the fact that business outsourcing creates a small amount of work for Indians and generates enormous profit for the partnered company. It all looks very glossy and bewitching at the periphery even at times seduces the Indian masses to take on the multinational businesses.

As I walk in the streets of London I feel proud to be an Indian because everyone thinks Indians are wealthy. News papers report about the latest economic figures as soaring at a faster rate. Is this factual? Are we so rich as Indians or is it only some of us are rich in India? Does the world know that at least 38% of the population lives below the poverty line? Does the media and business world show the slums of Mumbai or just the multimillion house of Mr. Mukesh Ambani? It is all a scintillating irony when I tune into news channels. There are numerous issues, that India as a nation should be liable for showing the world that it is an emerging economy. Look at our neighbour China; do we really know the economy of China? Every tiny or large material I touch in the Market is Chinese made. Media might show the enormous growth China is pursuing but China has a way of keeping its home secrets home.

Let us probe in depth into the economic well being of India. I am proud to be a part of emerging global economic power, but my question is; do we really showcase it when we have voluminous issues being swept under the carpet? Our GDP is pretty consistent and there is a significant growth; as for May 2011 it is Rs.12,61,664 crore, and GDP per capita income is $ 3,608.196. Our GDP growth rate as for May 2011 is 8.82%. GDP per capita income is so significant to measure the wealth of the people in a country. Now this is a measure, as you know by averaging the GDP of the country. I am apprehensive about the whole business of averaging. How can someone average the mass wealth of the nation and procure the wealth or income of the all the people in a country? Does it provide the real figures, since there is huge gap between the poor chaiwala and Ambani's. Now the misery of the low-income earners is doubled, since there is a significant growth in the inflation rate. As for March 2011, inflation rate is 8.82%. Does this inflation help the poor? Price of rice (staple food for most Indians) go up by even 5% will result in forgoing a meal among the poor. I am sure people around the world can figure out these figures, I am no mathematician. Economic figures do show the reality but reality shown on an exotic media can favour the rich to amass more wealth, in other words media advertises the multimillion firms further. Thence I am apprehensive in believing the figures as real. They are just figures for me.

A couple of months ago the Guardian (national news paper of England) had a whole page dedicated to showcase Mr. Mukesh Ambani's expensive house. It was rated the most expensive house in the world. I was thrilled to read that India has the 4th richest man in the planet and can live in an ever expensive house but I am also aware that India has the poorest people in the world and live on the streets to pass the night with no choice left. I used to work in the slums in Ramwadi, in Pune, who struggled to meet their both ends of their lives. They lived in an absolute miserable condition along the sewage canal that carried awful stink and bred mosquitoes spread endemic infections like malaria, dengue, cholera and so on. Their children were sickly because of the malnutrition. On the other hand, there were huge multimillion buildings like Gold ad labs, McDonald’s right next to the slum. I don't have to blabber on this after giving an extensive glance at the reality of India.

Thus, are Indians really rich? I would emphatically opine that a few Indians are rich but most Indians are poor and very often living below the poverty line. Mr Obama made a few trade deals with India; everyone was fascinated with the idea. How does this new trade deal help the people in the slum and remote villages, for instance the deal of Obama includes jet aircrafts, Do you think an ordinary person can afford flying in India? Let me leave at that allowing Indians to ponder on their glory gained from the global arena. Let me also emphasise that India as a whole is indeed a poor country. Time has come not to brood over the false glory from the economic figures rather open our eyes to see the poorest of the poor in the stinking slums and streets of our country.  

Cricket: The Religion taught by the English

India is a cradle of religions. Religious diversity makes India a unique nation with umpteen problems surrounding religions. This is because Indians are passionate about the religion they belong. It gives each one his/her own identity. Cricket is a unifying factor for India. Everyone adores cricket. Cricket makes people overlook their religious disparities. The only one thing that can unite Indians is Cricket, because it crosses the boundaries of religion, caste, creed, nationality, and colour.

Origins of Cricket go back to the Dark Ages, after Roman Empire and before the Normans invaded England. Game was played from an old and uncomplicated pastime entertainment by which one player served a wooden piece or a ball and the other player hit with a club. We have no apposite evidence for this. But during the time of the Tudors, cricket evolved far enough from club-ball to be recognisable game as it’s played today and was played in many parts of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey. There are a few smidgens of Cricket being mentioned in Florio’s Italian-English dictionary in 1598. In 1676 British residents in Aleppo, Syria appeared to have played cricket first time abroad. After which cricket became a leisure time sport for the English. Therefore, world owes England for its foundations.

India should be ever indebted to English for introducing cricket through the British Raj. Cricket came to India through the “British East India Company”. The company founded the city of Madras in 1661, an important passage for the British merchants. In 1661, the company acquired Portuguese territory, including Bombay. In 1690 Anglo-Mughal treaty allowed English Merchants to establish business in Calcutta. These above places became major cricket centres and the interest for cricket grew among the native people. Calcutta Cricket and Football club is seemed to have existed since then.

 

English Sailors from the company appeared to have chronicled in 1737 that the First class cricket was played in Cambay, near Baroda in 1721 for the first time. Officially in the year 1893 Indian cricket was given the first class status. In 1889-90, the first ever-foreign team to play in India was the English team led by George Vernon. And in 1892-93, two seasons of first class cricket was played between Europeans Versus Parsees in Bombay. In the same season Lord Hawke led the English team to play four first class matches in Poona.

It is needless to say that the cricket in India has grown leaps and bounds in the last century and India has been added with laurel in the form of World Cup in 1983. More importantly, cricket marries the hearts and minds of Indians, irrespective of their religions. This has impacted colossally on religious tolerance. Ruptured India apparently unites under one religion called “Cricket.” Hence, we Indians are incredibly grateful to the English for leaving the legacy of cricket. Thank you Britain. Let the power of sports unite the minds and heart of people to make this world a better place without any discrimination. 

The Iron Lady: What we think we become

The most awaited movie, "The Iron Lady" is named as the best British movie of the month. It is indeed a great movie with Meryl Streep playing the key role of Baroness Margaret Thatcher. A gargantuan credit to Meryl who is aptly nominated for the Oscars' best actress award. I am immensely elevated at her fabulous and magnificent cast of the Lady Maggie. The script writers have done an incredibly tremendous job in portraying Margaret as an important person in the British political history. This movie will certainly cast a tremendous light into an era marked by male chauvinistic ideologies and way of life. The "Thatcherian" (as I would call) era was on roller coaster right bring the beginning of her career as a young charming lady. Her rise and fall builds the British political history on even stronger note. She rises as a saviour of the people of the time bringing some ruthless reforms in the economic health of the country. As we all very well know, how her modern dictatorship axes the poor and the rich in an egalitarian way through her robust tax reforms, for which she is criticised even to the date. She makes an enormous contribution to the conservative party which was almost in the dungeon by losing the election consecutively. Therefore she becomes an icon in an era marked by political turmoil and political imbroglio. Of course not forget some her worse decisions as Prime Minister of Britain, particularly war to acquire Falkland Islands. This was the only important achievement she has in her cap but most people would say it is evil. The famous words, "this is war which they have begun and we will finish it..." rippled across the world as a fierce and arrogant lady.

Apart from the political life of this great leader of the conservatives that is depicted in the movie, there are other several intricate but illuminating factors that exhibit Baroness Thatcher as humane, loving, ambitious, motherly, caring person in the world. When her father Mr Roberts', a grocer becomes an important figure in his constituency, she learns the trick of the trade from her father. Despite many jeer and mockery from her friends she grows up to be a different than the rest. She prefers not to imitate others in her way of life. When she was selected to go to Oxford she becomes extremely happy for her father was just a grocer. In her early days in the politics, she was mocked by the party members which was dominated by the men. Women most remained in the kitchen with a taboo that women should confine to the four walls. This makes Margaret extremely nerve wrecking and then on she sets out to challenge her own party members. It is at this time she meet her would be husband Dennis. She then on persevered in politics so much she becomes the PM of Britain two times in row. This shows her tremendous ambition to achieve something different. Her famous response to Dennis when he proposes her to marry her, that should thrill and enkindle women today are, "I love you so much, but I cannot remain in my husbands laps and only be romantic to take care of her children, and more importantly I don't want to remain home and wash dishes, and tea cups." I am sure this will fire women who are looking for identity in our world.

Family becomes an enormous support for Margaret Thatcher. When her own party members try to knife her from the back, her ever loving husband back her up and brings charm in her life. In return Margaret loved her husband every inch. She loved children Mark and Carol so much she even at the old age she imagines that her son calls her and talks to her. Her husband was the only inspiration for her in her political career. Actually, when she loses her first party election quite badly her then lover Dennis hugs and gives a assurance which lays foundation to her political career. Sadly her husband died recently and she still cannot come to terms with that fact. I was moved when her daughter says to her when she asks for her husband, "your husband is dead, and you are no more Prime Minister." This shows her family affinity and commitment. I am sure every family in this world should take their example and live for each other despite being different. It was not easy for Dennis to live with a dominant woman Thatcher but he loved to the end.

Margaret Thatcher was a caring person to a large extent. Despite her bad decision to war against Argentina in regards to Falkland Islands in which thousands of young soldiers lay their lives in the battle, she feels sorry for the lives lost, and sheds tears in her office thence she writes letters to every family of the soldiers killed in the war. She expresses her deepest sorrow with a hand written letter. I felt this gesture was very moving, for herself and for the families of the dead soldiers. This shows how caring she was. There are other instances too where she shows her motherly love not only to her children but to the public. At one point addressing the people she says, 'I will surely try to live up to your trust and confidence.'

Lastly, to conclude in her own words, "With all due respect, sir, I have done battle every single day of my life and many men have underestimated me before. This lot seem bound to do the same, but they will rue the day." I am sure life of Margaret Thatcher will inspire many women and men to sail through the rough currents of life and come out with flying colours. Every battle we fight in our lives is a stepping stone to a great success which is far or near. 

Another important quote from her that moved me is, "Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become...habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! What we think we become. My father always said that, and I think I am fine." Indeed what we think we become. This quote is favourite of mine at all times. Let us rise, its time to put great into not only Great Britain but put Great into Great world. 

Jealousy: A love bed of burning snarl

A teenager approached me to discuss about jealousy. It was an obvious factor of concern in the teenagers. This teenager expressed her uneasiness and disappointment at her friend who apparently was avalanching jealous feelings towards her because this teenager was doing extremely well with due adulations from her teachers and friends. This had worsened their relationship further. They could talk to each other in the same way they used for their friendship had overshadowed with the a concept or state of mind called "jealousy". Both teenagers had some serious problems and this had lead them to fight verbally and eventually physically. It was clear that the the teenager was in need of some sympathy which I poured out to her in abundance. This had made a clear impact on her and her jealous friend. She is still working on her dissipated relationship with her friend. 

I was trying to unravel the mystery behind this "state of mind" as I would call it. Every state of mind is pre-meditated and solely works on the experiences of an individual. Sometimes this state comes in a subtle way where an individual finds difficult to sift the movements of the inner conscience. This is nothing but "a disoriented conscience" as I would call it. Jealousy works in different segments in a subtle way and tries to creep into one's own conscience both with awareness and without awareness. This develops into a process where an individual gradually develops an aversion towards the jealousee, which of course leads to an complete breakdown of relationship. Here two good friends or good couples can become good enemies as it happened in the hitherto case. 

Main question comes to our mind is, why does one feels jealous towards the other? We have to keep in mind there are two persons involved in this process. Both are culpable in the process of jealousy, but I would and you would place weight of culpability on the person who feels jealous. The big problem lies on the person who is jealous and not the person who one is jealous of. There are several reasons why one feels jealous, but let me just mentions some of them.

1. Lack of self confidence: The main cause of the jealousy is that one doubts one's own abilities and skills. One compares with the other in a mere cut throat competitive manner. If one is hundred percent sure of one's own abilities and skills (not good to compare) then why does one has bother with the other. 

2. Poor self image: If one feels that the other is more handsome and more intelligent, more better skilled, it is for sure that one is having a low or poor self image. This can prove to be right all the time because one cannot be best all the time. Hence one has to watch out for this temptation to compare. One has constantly strive to raise one's own self image.

3. Fear: Another important aftermath effect of jealousy that might affect the person is FEAR. Fear of being left alone, fear of being rejected, fear of losing the loved one, etc. 

4. Insecurity: The above mentioned causes, poor self image and lack of self confidence might develop into insecurity. Insecurity comes from one's own negligence of one-self. This is the last thing where one reaches the ultimate sphere of jealousy. 

It is true that we all feel jealousy sometime in our lives. It is very difficult to appreciate when someone does better than me. It is a challenge for some people because they have remained in a superficial level of confidence about oneself. This world is growing in a lights' speed, and people around us also cope with the speed that leads them to live in the context. Thus there will be always someone better than I am. We got to accept this and appreciate with a brotherly or sisterly concern. We have to remember the proverb, every dog has a day, the day might come I will be raised above cloud nine and day will also come I will brought right back to the dungeon. Therefore life is in a roller-coaster and jealousy will be a detrimental factor that disturb the whole process of human growth. We can learn to appreciate our fellow brother and sister irrespective of their intelligence, colour, creed, caste, age, sex, nationality, religion etc. 

Someone once said, "don't waste time in jealousy, sometimes you are ahead, and sometimes you are behind, so get on with life." Let me end with a quote from Robert A. Heinlein; A Competent and self confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity." 

Christmas in a manger in London

In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their 'flying machine' off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 120ft. Will be home for Christmas." Katherine hurried to the editor of the local news paper and showed him the message. He glanced it and said, 'How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas.' He totally missed the big news-Man had flown!

It is always a thrilled and awesome experience to walk down the London's most busiest street, Oxford Street. This street illumines with colourful lights with exotic textures. One might wonder why all this pompous looking street. I liked to stroll along this street but when I plenty of time at hand because walking in a straight line is almost impossible for this street is filled with people to the brim. Sometimes I tend to get mad at someone who liked to draw their camera under my nose to capture this scintillating effects of light. One of my favourite time on this street is window shopping, partly to keep myself warm from biting cold outside and the shops are warm with heating on. I know I cannot afford to pay for pair of shoes £150, this would mean that I am simply poor in these shops. Prices are ridiculously high albeit shops bewitch you with colourful tags of 'sale'. Don't be wondering who buys in these stores? I am speaking from an average income country in Asia, but there are many people who are ridiculously rich who don't really know what to do with their money then to doll out in buying these expensive gifts. 

Christmas shopping is a common phenomenon in London. Everyone who I meet asks me whether I did Christmas shopping. I bought a netted jumper to keep myself warm. Now is this a Christmas shopping. In theory yes, but in practice no, because it keeps me warm. I liked to listen to LBC (London's biggest conversation) radio which has some of the interesting presenters like James Wales, James Payne who provoke the callers with mind boggling questions that affect the country as a whole and in particular some of the issues that affect some particular people. Recently there was a discussion on, charities helping homeless people in London to get a decent home, decent food, and decent clothes to keep one warm over the Christmas. Statistics show that one in many charities help nearly 3500 homeless people for about a week in London. London has most sophisticated system for the homeless which is supposed to provide shelter to the homeless and so called refugees. I do admire the noble help rendered by the government. But how come we have thousands of homeless sleeping in the streets and subways even though there is a system that caters to the homeless. I am trying to get my head around it. 

Christmas is the time when many of us exchange gifts, eat exotic food, go on holidays to a warmer country, and look for ways to squander money. This is all needed and its nice but have we forgotten the child Jesus whose birth we are celebrating or its just a reason to get all above mentioned. Are we like the local new paper editor who forgot that man ultimately had flown. Are we too busy building our own ghettos with Christmas trees, turkeys in the over, buying expensive gifts and so on? Are we just showing a blind eye to a person sleeping on the subway when we pass by him with colourful gifts in our bags? Many times we don't have to look for the homeless, we have just open our eyes and hears to look at their pathetic shivering with cold situation and hear their cry for help. It makes sad to see a homeless or needy person in this so called riches city in the world. Let us hear small little voice in our hearts saying something to us when we see the needy during this Christmas.