Opinion
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| What is 'Normal'? Who is 'Normal': The stigma of it all | | | | I remember my first instance of discrimination, which took place in the very place that existed to understand people like me. I was 21 and had gone in for a psychological test that was being conducted by senior students of psychology.
There was a range of experiments they wanted me to participate in, in order to measure my abilities at problem solving, my memory, my attention span, and so on. I completed the experiments before the minimum time limit and came out. The report said: 'We can't use her scores, they are not normal'.
Then I had one of the psychology students come up to me and ask, 'Are you mad?' I said 'Huh?' Before realising what she meant by that statement, a very close friend who was around rushed up to me and said, 'Ignore that, let's go chill.'
Today, I realise what t... |  | |
| | A people's foreign policy | | | | If individuals are found peeping into neighbours' homes or violating others' privacy, we find it unacceptable and abhorrent. But if countries do the same against each other, it is considered legitimate and finds acceptance in the name of national security, acquiring the trendy tag of espionage.
Apart from spying, many states spread misinformation, instigate violence, kidnap or kill people in covert operations, facilitate terrorist attacks and even wage wars against other states in the name of national interest and security. But if individuals or groups engage in similar acts, like rumour mongering, acts of violence or rioting, we declare them to be deviant and criminal. Somehow, all actions we hold to be illegal, decadent, savage and uncivilised when committed by a person or group, are s... | | |
| | Spot fixing, China….Oh! the heat | | | | The last few days the media is full of spot fixing and three players are arrested and more than a dozen bookies. Of course, there are few surprises here as any sport with huge financial implications attracts the criminal mafia and we have seen football, basketball, cycling, baseball, athletics, boxing and weight lifting have come under a cloud and there have been a few cases in cricket but now with IPL and T20 and the huge money involved the disease has gone viral and I would not be surprised if every part of the game will come under the scanner. There is no limit to greed and I do not think that either ICC or BCCI will be able to do much except to ban players. Sad situation but this is the reality of life today.
The IPL has been a great success this year and I have no doubt that the cus... | | |
| | Wife Wanted..! | | | | Let's get this right, today's column has nothing to do with me: I realize all my readers know my wife left home for a month yesterday to visit my two girls in America, and I have no intention of advertising for a new wife. But I couldn't help chuckling as I read these different matrimonial ads put in the newspaper by people of different professions:
Salesman: Once in a lifetime offer, to get yourself the original, genuine article. One of the most handsome and smartest bachelor's around is now looking for a wife. And you could be the lucky one he chooses! Has own house, car and successful career!
Economist: I am in demand of a wife. Supply is great though my requirements are high. However the Elasticity of my demands should not bear too heavy a burden upon the national interest.
Mathema... | | |
| | Mending India-China relations | | | | Things do change sometime. Hardly a fortnight after the three-week India-China "face-off" over China's intrusion into Indian territory in the Depsang valley in Ladakh Asia's two largest and fastest-growing countries have once again smoothened their relationship as a result of the visit of China's Prime Minister, Li Keqiang. After intense talks with his host, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh - first at a "restricted session" where very few aides were present and then at a delegation-level meeting - both sides declared the outcome of the visit "positive" and "useful".
This assertion is not without basis. India has been able to drive home to China the message that the border issue remains vital and that if peace along the border areas is disturbed, the entire relationship would be impacted. T... | | |
| | Be a gallant fighter..! | | | | Just over a year ago, I read with horror about a national volleyball player, Arunima Sinha, losing her leg, after being pushed out of a moving train. I felt sad as a young sportsperson's career was cut short, or so I thought, till this morning, I read with joy that the same girl, now wearing an artificial leg had climbed Mount Everest!
That's a gallant fighter isn't it? A lesson for many of us who have lost something big in life and are on the verge of giving up, saying, "I can't take it anymore, fate is against me!"
There are only two ways to approach life, as a victim or as a gallant fighter. And every day the decision is ours or put another way, we can believe we're helpless or we can believe we're powerful and capable. And every day we need to reaffirm our belief.
Another pers... | | |
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