Holika and Prahlada (via rediff.com)

On the eve of Holi, the recently concluded festival of colors, many Hindus celebrate the death of Holika by burning her effigies in bonfires. I usually feel sad at the untimely and cruel death of this young woman, who was a casualty of the enmity between two egotistical stepbrothers. I have to confess that I am also a bit guilty of eating green chickpeas roasted in Holi bonfire during my childhood.

Although the Hindu Gods have become apathetic, incompetent, and ineffective like the Indian Government these days, there was a time when they were as pragmatic, decisive, arrogant and crafty as the present-day US government. Business meant business to them. They were forever busy scheming, granting wishes, doling out riches, ammunition etc. to their followers, who oftentimes turned against the providers. And then the Gods had to fight with their own creations. Such wars destroyed many innocent lives and inflicted immeasurable pain and sufferings.

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Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) was born on 17 December, 1936 in Flores, Buenos Aires City.

Newborn Jorge Mario Bergoglio (1936)

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Gender equality, a habit which people in West have taken on like wearing clothes, still remains elusive in India. Most of the people here are like members of some remote tribe, proudly gyrating in nude, showing off their stuff/junk of inequality in the name of culture and tradition. They remain oblivious of their grossness because it is the only way of life they have known. This habit is so normalized and ingrained that it will take decades for all our people to adopt equality and become civilized.

(Scroll down to watch Shah Rukh Khan as a groom in Babul ki Duayen Leti Ja)

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Oh dear, let’s go to Mars!
Let’s accept Tito’s offer
Of this space adventure,
And explore heavenly stars.

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Recently, I happened to watch "Farah's childhood dreams come true" on NDTV. It is one of the episodes of a show called, Band Baajaa Bride with Sabyasachi. This episode was about a 25-year-old girl who is a vegetable vendor’s daughter. Sabyasachi, the fashion designer, who has made a fortune by draping healthy Bollywood actresses in curtains and bed-sheets and selling beautifully designed clothes at exorbitant price, helps the girl fulfill her childhood dream. I learned that he has been doing such philanthropy since last year.

I was greatly moved by Sabyasachi Mukherjee's gesture. I myself, coming from a poor family, understand that an underprivileged girl’s only dream in life is to get bedecked in inordinately expensive bridal outfit and jewelry on her wedding day. Mark my words, girls like us never dream of becoming financially independent or wish to learn any life skills other than cooking and cleaning. We only dream of having fairy-tale weddings, where we would look like princesses. We don’t want to work hard or earn a living, just want someone/anyone to magically fulfill our wishes.

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