Word for today

The Sanskrit word for war, gavisti, literally means a desire for more cows.

This comes from the pastoral period of the Vedic society, during which cattle were a main source and symbol of wealth. During this time, many inter-clan wars were fought over getting and keeping cattle, and the warrior class of the society, known as Kshatriyas, were largely responsible for stealing cattle from other clans, and protecting their own clan’s cattle.

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-sanskrit-word-for-war.htm

Oddity for today

The word “girl” appears only once in the Bible. Isn’t that strange?

Night lovers

Arish started it all. I had totally forgotten about this song till he reminded me about it. Of course, I asked Srinivas for it and he gifted us this gem.

To listen to the saga of the night lovers:

http://www.bappilahiri.com/hindi-non-films/Night.Lovers%281992%29/index.asp

Also, here is an attempt at the lyrics by Srinivas and me!

Lovers, Night lovers
When I see a pretty girl
move in the disco
I want my friends
to khao peo khisco
leave us alone
on the dance floor
groove/move in the night
hours could be more
Lovers, Night lovers (3)

Saturday raat ko hota hai bukhaar
Monday subah tak utre nahi yaar
Kiss kare, miss kare, that kare, this
Yuun sharmao na, come here please

Lovers, Night lovers (3)

1900 mein go bananas
Oh mere dilbar, Oh janejanas
rock on the clock
All you pretty girls and you naughty fellas

Lovers, Night lovers (3)

Juhu beach, Chowpatty, Madh Island,

Fusion, rock, pop

Sabka hai yeh band
Bang it on the beach
Shake it in the sand
But Mummy ke saamne never hold hand

Lovers, Night lovers (3)

Pehle telephone pe patao
Doston ki gaadi mein khoob ghumao
Ice cream khilao, juice bhi pilao
Daddy ko magar koi hint na dilao
Unko lage tum college jaate ho
Pata na chale kahan se aate ho
Shirt mein, coat mein, ya ho jeans pant
Premiyon ka rap
Lets all chant

Lovers, Night lovers
Lovers, Night lovers, Oooooooo
Lovers, Loooovers, Night lovers,
Lovers, Night lovers

Lovers, we are night lovers (3)
We are night lovers
We are night lovers
We are night lovers
We are night lovers

Song for today

Yun To Akela Hi Aksar
Gir Ke Sambhal Sakta Hoon Main
Tum Jo Pakad Lo Haath Mera
Duniya Badal Sakta Hoon Main

Art of faking a statistic

97% of us fake a statistic in our interaction with others. Though it may be sacrilegious to mathematicians and perhaps scientists but to us regular folk, we indulge.

Statistics help prove a point no matter how incredulous it may seem. I have seen confident souls get away with the most ridiculous statistics and seen people marvel at their knowledge. The question that engages me now is – when to fake a statistic?

I propose, you may if/when:

1. You have other supporting ‘facts’.

2. The content is baffling yet believable

3. You’re not a journalist (I still have some respect for this profession)

It is a simple and a handy tool. It makes for great conversation and even makes you believe yourself intelligent.

Women, relationships and cognitive dissonance

What are women looking for in a partner?

While most women have a fair idea of what they want, they very often fall for people who do not possess the prescribed qualities.

Also, I have known of myself and other women I know, that we belive in something different and often, behave differently. When our beliefs and behaviors do not go together, we experience an intense cognitive dissonance.  We justify our actions and develop theories around them.

For instance – a woman would say she is looking for a man who wants to be a father and then date the most irresponsible selfish young man who is a child himself.  Then, she would justify this by saying: he loves me, may be he will change, it’s a matter of time till he sees it my way, I have to show him the way. She experiences a tension which a complete waste of time and energy.

I suppose men experience the same.

It is a natural process I think and many women are even aware of it as it occurs. But still that does not change much. Strange.

Word for today

The female monk is called a bhikkhuni

For more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhikkhuni

Job Search

Soon, I shall be done with my scholarship in Italy and, so, I am back looking for work in the social enterprise space.

For anyone who is ever looking for a job in this sector, here is a good start:

http://socentex.com/2010/01/social-enterprise-jobs-where-to-look/

http://www.causeintegration.com/2010/new-roles-in-new-sectors-csr-social-enterprise-jobs-and-where-to-find-them/

Now, hoping for the best!

Shut up!

This is a reminder for me to stop giving away too many things about myself during a first meeting with someone!

How often do you get bruised?

I have been badly bruised twice since I got to Italy. Once, a shoebite grew ugly by running into a metal standee and eventually resulted into me almost fainting at Bocconi. The second time was yesterday when I was bringing the groceries home from the supermarket and I fell. I fell hard and blood splattered. My knee looked raw and fresh.

It hurts and I am working from home today.  I look at it and I feel proud. Like a little girl.