Year 2021 in Amrit's History Book

1. While some have used Delta (Δ) and Pi (π) in math, in 2021 Greek alphabets became household terms, especially Delta and Omnicron. Thankfully Mu remained a variant of interest. I just wish the WHO had picked another mechanism to name COVID-19 variants.        

2. The COVID-19 Delta variant caused massive havoc, devastation and death in India while some US states had to incentivize COVID-19 vaccinations to increase vaccination rates domestically. 

3. The Indian government could not prevent millions of COVID-19 related deaths, however, administrating 1.43B COVID-19 vaccine doses and fully vaccinating 586M (as of 29th Dec,2021) is a huge achievement. 

4. The pandemic continued to affect our lives, and we are still trying to define a ‘new normal". Limited size and disclosing COVID-19 status prior to a gathering is new. The additional step of PCR tests has made international travel a bit more difficult. 

5. The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan within days of the US withdrawal. Most historians speculate that the Taliban will turn the clock backward. 

6. The Texas Heartbeat Act practically bans abortions in Texas, and places a bounty on abortion seekers, and directly undermines the constitutionality of Roe v. Wade. Are we turning the clock backward in America too? 

7. On January 6th, the greatest democracy on the earth, America, curbed the attack on its democracy and institutions. Nevertheless, the insurrection will be remembered as a dark chapter of American history. 

8. For the first time in US history, a female, an African American and an Asian American was sworn in as the Vice President of the US. While most know Kamala Harris made history, in another part of the world Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala became the first African and the first woman to become the director-general of the World Trade Organization. 

9. While America experienced a racial reckoning in 2020, this year the US government declared Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19) a federal holiday.

Senior Politician needed for 2014 Indian Elections

Dear reader, I need some help. A leading Indian political party has asked me to articulate an ad for recruiting politicians for upcoming elections in 2014. I have come up with the following and I need your help to validate or change it.

Senior Politician needed for 2014 Indian Elections

Responsibilities

·        Contest and win at least one Lower House seat (Lok Sabha)

·        Organize election campaign and raise funds for elections

·        Party’s go-to person for collecting kickback (or bribe) and distributing it

·        Manage groups responsible for religion based riots

·        Coordinate rallies to disrupt law and order

·        Strategically plan meetings with partner parties to set price of MPs

·        Collaborate with the underworld to ensure party priority are met

·        Be an expert in keeping senior members of the party happy

·        Pretend to care about society and poor

Required qualifications and experience

·        Lie smoothly

·        Experience in directly and indirectly asking for cut

·        Able to cheat with conviction and without fear of god, government or law

·        Never allow anyone to awaken conscience

·        Experience in successful embezzlement of minimum 10 Lakh rupee

·        Able to handle firearms for party’s interest

·        Has proven to be the toughest ruffian and hoodlum of the city

·        Capable to operating accounts in Switzerland and other foreign countries

·        Understand Indian judicial system and has experience in getting acquittal

·        Able to operate from the prison in an unforeseen situation

Salary:  It is a commission based job and unlimited potential. India is a rich country with lots of tax and foreign aid. You will be part of the system to bag all this money.

Dear reader, feel free to add if missed any specific point and of course I am more than happy to delete any point that is not correct.

I cannot decide if this post is fiction or non-fiction.

Fourth of July

Fourth of July or the USA Independence day is the most important day in the American history. This is the day to enjoy freedom, value the democracy, appreciate the rights, and think about responsibilities. This is the day to thank the visionary leaders for constantly trying to create just and equal society. This is the day to party and celebrate.

Internet and libraries are full of literature on the US and the US history. I have some interesting facts about the USA.

1. The colonies got legally separated from the Great Britain on 2nd July 1776 but the Congress approved the Declaration of the Independence on 4th July after debating and changing the text.
2. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who signed the Declaration of Independence and served as the President, died on the same day: 4th July 1826, 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
3. Philadelphia was the capital of the USA from 1790-1800 while the capital was being constructed in District of Columbia.
4. The United States outlawed alcohol in 1919 with the 18th amendment. It was legalized again in 1933 with the 21st amendment.
5. The Statue of Liberty, a key monument of the USA, was designed by a French sculptor, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and is a gift from France.
6. A part of Mahatama Gandhi’s ashes are enshrined at Lake Shrine near LA.

Most relate the USA with modern tall buildings, big cities, fancy cars, highways and high tech gadgets but I also like the natural beauty of the country. Pictures tell a complete story. Link to some picture of the USA.

Source:- Wikipedia

A Change

Constant in the change in our life

A change to believe

A change to achieve

A change with a new right

A change to conquer a new height

 

A change builds a new path

 

A new path with new light

A new hope for future to be bright

A new wish to succeed with no strife

A new beginning to find a new life

Mother-in-law and Men

Most men mind mother-in-laws. The thought of gracious visit from her creates panic in them. Business travel, late work hour and boys night outs are frequent during her stay. Fitness and especially exercising in gym becomes important. History channels and annoying soaps appear better options. Though reasons are unknown to me, this seems to be a universal phenomenon cutting across race, culture, political and geographical boundaries.

However, most men don’t realize the distinct advantages of her stay. Let us see if you (men or women) agree with me with these benefits.

1. Wife is at the best behavior: With her mom in the house, the wife has to be nice and sweet with everyone (including me) and not just with her mom.
2. Freedom: With wife and her mom busy catching up with the family politics and gossip, a man has all the freedom to pursue his interests. Wife does not need his time.
3. No shopping: Wife wants company for shopping. Well who can better help than her mom? The man can continue to watch his favorite channels.
4. Wife takes care of you: If a man manages to make her mother-in-law happy, she helps to ensure her daughter takes good care of him. Pleasing my mother-in-law is easy. Some CDs of religious music and good photographs of her and she showers the blessings. See her pictures are on my Facebook Page.

Dear readers (men and women): Tell us what works for you?

Remembering Martin Luther King

I don’t see color

I don’t see race

I don’t see religion

I don’t see gender

 

I see a man

I see a human

 

I have a thought

I have an idea

I have a vision

I have a dream

 

Dear Readers:- As you know I am not a poet but it seemed like a good dedication to Martin Luther King.

Wedding Anniversary

Jan 8 marks my wedding anniversary and someone asked for how long I have been married. My honest reply: 

Sometimes it feels like years

Sometimes it feels like seconds

Sometimes it feels like forever

Sometimes it feels like an instant

 

Let a timepiece count my hours with her

Let a calendar add up my years with her

 

I share joy and sorrow with her

I cherish moments of love with her

I relish everlasting bond with her

I treasure my life with her

 

Do number of years matter? What do you think?

 

PS: During my European trip, captured some pictures of unknown couples on their wedding day. I posted them on my Facebook page.

Disney World

Despite long lines and expensive tickets Disney World remains the best holiday spot. The magical environment keeps one motivated to stay in the parks and find out about numerous aspects of the world. While providing opportunities to learn more about the future technologies, earth, space, energy, and the culture of various countries in a simple and friendly way, Disney also provides a lot for people who like rides and plays. The parades and lights at nights are picturesque. The future appears bright and we come out optimistic and hopeful about our lives.

The use of the technology in creating the parks is amazing. All parks are wonderful but Epcot is my favorite. Enjoy the some pictures of Disney on my FB page here.

PS: - I have not been regular on blogs as I am stuck with a personal problem that I am trying to solve. Some of my close friends know about it. I wish life was like Disney World.

Mumbai 26/11 Attacks and India Now

Mumbai terrorist attacks of 26/11 (26 November 2008) continue to haunt the people of Mumbai and Indians across the world. With a single arrest and trial, India and in particularly families of the victims are still waiting for the execution of the death penalty even after three years of the attacks.

At a broader level people of India continue to wait for security, law and order. Clear exposure of vulnerability to terrorist attacks, wide spread media coverage, numerous victims and bravery stories of 26/11 attack did not appear to change the mechanism to protect the citizens. With the attack of this size, one would imagine a fundamental shift in handling terrorism, focused & proactive approach to come up with a series of changes in policies, and implementation of strict law maintenance procedures. However it seems like asking for protection from internal and external terrorists is a wrong expectation from government machinery. Some terrorist acts since Nov 26, 2008:

• 13 February 2010, Pune, 14 killed, 60 injured
• 7 December 2010, Varanasi, 2 killed, 37 injured
• 13 July 2011, Mumbai, 26 killed, 130 injured
• 7 September 2011, Delhi, 12 killed, 76 injured

Terrorists continue to slaughter innocent, average hard working men and women while politicians are busy with scams and corruption.

Do you see an end to it?

Thanksgiving Day

4^th Thursday of November is celebrated as Thanksgiving Day in the USA. Thanksgiving Day started as to thank God for good harvest. After civil war, Abraham Lincoln declared it a National Holiday, effectively using his proclamation to unite the nation.

Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful and celebrate what we have and enjoy. It is a day to recognize the material and non material comforts of the life. It is a day to feel content and rejoice. It is a day for families to get together and enjoy together. No festivity is complete without homemade food and a typical Thanksgiving feast is roasted Turkey, mashed potatoes and variety of other dishes.

Thanksgiving Day also marks the start of the holiday and shopping season. Though on the Thanksgiving Day shops are closed, a large number of Americans hit the stores at 4AM on the following Friday, popularly called Black Friday for special deals. Black Friday to the Christmas Eve is the busiest and the best time of year for retailers.

Thanksgiving is also the day to put the Christmas tree and start decorating the house for the Christmas and the New Year.

Following the local tradition, we make the best use of this long weekend to meet the family in the USA and be thankful to the God for wealth, health, character, skills, talent, and most importantly family & friends we have.

In addition, this year, I am thankful for beautiful fall colors.

What are you thankful for?

Explanation of Mool Mantra

Mool Mantra is the first verse of the Sikh Holy book and the first composition of Guru Nanak Devji, the founder of Sikh religion. Mool Mantra sums up Sikhism in a verse of nine words. On Guru Nanak Jayanti, here is an attempt to explain it. (Used other sources to study it)

ikk ōankār sat(i)-nām(u)kartā purakh(u) nirpà'u nirver(u) akāl mūrat(i)ajūnī sepàŋ gur-prasād(i) ॥

 

Part of the verse	Meaning	Explanation
ikk ōankār	One God	This part says there is one and only one GOD. Further to that Sikhs believe GOD is an abstract entity. Sikhs do NOT believe in worshiping idol or a human. The holy book Guru Granth Sahib is considered teacher (Guru) that shows the path to attain GOD.
Sat-Nam	Truth is his name	True in the past, true now and true in future. This signifies GOD is eternal without a beginning and without an end.
kartā purakh	HE is the creator	GOD created the humanity and the universe.
nirpà'u	HE is without fear	GOD is without fear and all bliss. HE is not subjected to desires and needs.
nirver(u)	HE is without hate	GOD does not hate anyone. GOD loves everyone equally regardless of the religion, class, caste or financial status. GOD is pure love beyond any walls created by humans. This also signifies every human is equal in the eyes of GOD and implies every human shall consider others equal.
akāl mūrat	HE is immortal and without form	GOD does not die and is not bound by time or form. GOD is beyond time, space, form and features.
Ajūnī	Beyond birth and death	GOD is beyond birth and death. GOD always existed and will continue to exist.
Sepàŋ	Self Illuminated	GOD is self creating and self existing without any external help.
gur-prasād	Realized by kindness of a true guru	GOD is realized by the grace of Enlightener. Guru is not a human. Two explanations are possible. Most common one: Guru is Gurubani (The Holy Book). Some also say that God is the Guru.

 

Simply speaking equality of all humans and oneness of the GOD is the definition of Sikhism.

Best wishes to all readers on Guru Nanak Jayanti.

Related Posts:-

A Visit to Gurudwara Banga Sahib

At 100 Fuaja Singh: Old or Young?

Sight of elderly dependent people makes most think, if not worry, about old age. But quite often senior citizens are ignored. Depending on the culture and country, they are either sent to old homes or expected to stay out of the way reading books or praying god. Unless wealthy, elders who were once young, important and critical fabric, are considered social and financial burden on society. Willingly or unwillingly, most aged men and women spend time on mundane and lethargic activities.

However some change the stereotype and make young and energetic envious. They make ‘Never Say Never’ true.

Kudos to 100 years old Fuaja Singh to run for more than 8 hours to cross finish line at Toronto Marathon. He completed the marathon that a lot of young people do not dare attempt. Read the news here on BBC.

Records may be important but probably most significant lesson here is, if someone has a will ‘nothing is impossible’.

What is do you think?

Civil Conflicts and Civilization

Are we humans or animals?

If we are humans we shall try to stop senseless slaughtering of innocent men, women, and children stuck in a civil or military conflict.  Killing of innocent people is a black mark on our human civilization.  

 

In our society murdering another human is the most heinous crime. However we still read about this crime every day. While watching graphic images of pain and misery of Arab spring and 9.0 Richter scale Earthquake in Japan, a couple of questions came to my mind:

 

I hear spring is beautiful with flowers bloom

But why do I vouch sorrow and gloom

 

I hear days are sunny and bright

But why do I see ghost and no light

 

I hear nights are fun and charming

But why do I feel pain and suffering

 

I hear life is full of joy and cheers

But why do I find fear and tears

 

I hear life is a love stage

But why do I sense anger and rage

 

I hear man’s intellect and power are limitless

But why do I think man is tormented and helpless

 

 

Man may be helpless to tackle the fury of Mother Nature. But man has full control over the wars, civil conflicts and terrorist acts. One would expect reduction in civil conflicts with the technological development, growth and awareness about the world. But consider these numbers and decide if human race has improved.

 

• 2^nd World War, 6 Million Innocent Jews were killed or I would say murdered.
• 1947, 1/2 Million Men, women and children were killed during partition of India.
• 1955-1975, Vietnam War, Estimated 1 to 3 million military and civilian killed.
• 1 Nov 1984, Northern India, Anti Sikh Riot. Systematic killing of 2700 Sikhs.
• 1994 Bosnia : 200,000 people were killed, 12,000 of them children, up to 50,000 women were raped.
• Sep 11, 2001: Terrorist attack America. 3000 Innocent hard working officer goers died.
• 2010/ 2011 Estimated causality in 2010/2011 in Libyan Civil War: 30,000+

 

Unfortunately there are many more conflicts and it could take hours counting. That is the saddest and cruel reality of today’s world. Whatever be the stated motive, there is only one explanation i.e. insanity.

 

Do we have a solution? Is military intervention by super powers is solution? Is UN a solution? In most cases, the external intervention is triggered by the events and becomes damage control.

 

Is democracy a solution? India is a classic example of series of communal riots despite being world’s largest democracy. Terrorists did not spare the USA, the UK and more recently Norway.

 

How about education? Educated Bosnians and Indians did not hesitate to kill.

 

I don’t know the solution. May be no one knows the solution. But I do know if we have a choice, we shall choose a leader that actively seeks peace.

 

What do you think?

 

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References:

 

1. Jews killed in second world war

2. India Pakistan Partition

3. Bosnia Civil War

4. Vietnam War

5. Sikh Killings in 1984

6. Libya Civil War

Let us not be selfish

“You are so selfish. Think about me and the future when you talk about environment”, my daughter said implying that I am not environment friendly.

She is right. Probably all of us need to be more conscious and responsible towards protecting environment.

My daughter had a reason to say it.
I had quizzed her on plant cells, “What is chlorophyll?”
Her quick reply, “It is the green pigment in the plant cells.”
I continued, “How does chlorophyll help us?”
Diligently she stated,” Using sunlight, it converts CO2 to O2 and we need O2 to BREATHE and LIVE.”
Right then, my daughter started asking me questions, “Dad, if we keep cutting woods and trees, who will convert CO2?”
My reply, “Oh don’t worry about it. There are still a lot of woods.”
She did not give up, “We are cutting trees very fast and I read cars and power plants emit a lot of CO2.”

My defense, “We need to cut some trees for space to make buildings and for wood to build houses, energy and paper. We need to generate power for living and cars for traveling. If we don’t do it, we will not make enough money. No television or IPAD then.”

“But are not we shifting the balance? What will we do with the money if we don’t exist?”

I did not have an answer.
“Nothing will happen in my life frame.”
“Dad, you are so selfish. How about my life? How about my children?”

My daughter is right. The equation is simple. Cars, coal, industry, planes, fossil fuels, and power plants generate CO2. On one hand CO2 has increased and on the same time reduction in woods has declined the conversion of CO2 to O2. This led to increased levels of CO2 in atmosphere by 35% in last 100 years. Increased CO2 level amplifies the greenhouse effect and heat stays trapped in the environment which causes Global Warming. Some clear effects of Global Warming:

• In first week of August, local meteorologist Mike Moss announced that new NORMALS are here. New NORMAL HIGH is around 1 degree higher. 1 degree higher in just one decade.
• Top ten hottest years have been recorded after 1990.
• Global sea levels have increased by 6.7 inches and rate of increase has doubled in last ten years.
• Per NASA Greenland lost 150 to 250 cubic kilometers (36 to 60 cubic miles) of ice per year between 2002 and 2006, while Antarctica lost about 152 cubic kilometers (36 cubic miles) of ice between 2002 and 2005.
• Extreme weather. Shorter springs and shorter autumns.

While at macro level governments are working on clean energy, it is worth reiterating some simple steps that we all know:

• Car pool. Less we drive better for environment
• Reduce and recycle: Reduce the use of resources and recycle as much as possible
• Plant trees
• Turn off the switch if you are not using electricity
• Use less hot water
• Improve insulation
• Reduce heating and cooling

One may think that a small saving from one individual does not count. It DOES. Every part of chlorophyll counts in a plant cell. Every piece of concrete counts in a building. Every drop in an ocean counts.

We build a house and decorate with furniture, wall hangings, paintings, accessories, and paint our house with different colors. Like our house we have a beautiful planet with woods, trees, beaches, oceans, mountains, glaciers, parks, rivers and lakes. As responsible parents, we shall try to preserve this beautiful world for our children and our decedents.

Let us not give a chance to our children to call us selfish.

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Author’s Note:- This post is transcript of my presentation on environment. Please feel free to add if I missed a point.

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Related Articles (My own)

• World Environment Day

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References:

• NASA Evidences
• Global Warming Tips
• Environment at About.Com
• UCAR (University Corporation of Atmospheric Research)
• Environment Chemistry

Windows Alert

I get a call from an unknown number claiming to be from ‘Windows Technical Support’ and calling to remove virus from my computer. He says my infected computer is sending messages to Microsoft and hence he is calling to fix it. This person walks me through Computer Properties to the Event Logs and tries to convince me that virus is causing the errors displayed in the Event Logs. He then asks me to open Internet Explorer and go to a particular site.

I did not go to that site.

I don’t know what kind of scam it is but it seems so wrong.

• If you have a problem with a computer or any other device, it is act of GOD to reach technical support. How can technical support call me to fix an issue that I did not know about?
• Secondly I can understand the Event Log. Event log showed Windows Update failed because computer is not connected to network.

Does anyone have any idea what is going on here?

WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE

(Dear readers, being transcript of a presentation, this post is verbose and written in a different style)

Do you ever challenge a preconceived notion? Do you ever question an assumption? Do you ever confront your own belief system?

Right may not be right. A social norm may be misconstrued.

But it is okay to question and challenge. It is okay to change. And we can make a change. People like us changed the world and people like us are changing the world.

First let us look at Science that works on hypothesis and proofs.

• Recently some scientists claimed that Neutrinos can travel faster than speed of light. Modern day theories of physics assume that no object can travel faster than light. Theories of modern physics are being challenged.

• Does Earth rotates around Sun or Sun rotates around Earth? For a long time church and astronomers believed that Earth is the center of Universe and the Sun rotates around Earth. Copernicus and Galileo proved heliocentrism but neither the church nor the established astronomers accepted it. Galileo was under house arrest for a long time. Galileo and Copernicus challenged the church and changed the theories.

• Before 1903, scientists were convinced that anything heavier than air cannot fly. Just a week before the first flight at Kitty Hawk, a renowned scientist published an article PROVING that flying was IMPOSSIBLE. Wright brothers’ invention was called a hoax even after the demonstration. Not only we can fly, we can send space ships outside of Earth’s environment. Science of flying changed. In 1961, less than 60 years of first flight, USSR sent Yuri Gagarin, the first human to space.

Secondly consider political landscape which works on power.

• USSR was a massive powerful country. It was hard to imagine collapse of world’s largest superpower. Moving from communism to democracy was not even a thought during the cold war.
• Egypt is another example. 30 years of autocracy ended in less than 30 days. 18 to be precise! Egypt is heading towards democracy and we may see the first election on Nov 28.
• 40 years of autocracy is coming to end in Libya also. Libya is a small country. Even bigger empires diminished.
• At one time British Empire was so vast that sun never set in it. But it changed. British Empire had an army of 2 million men, tanks and arms but Gandhi’s non violence won.

Lastly consider the social values.

• British had signs ‘Indians and Dogs not allowed’ at the clubs. Winston Churchill derogatory called Gandhi, a half naked fakir. But British negotiated with this half naked fakir. High caste Hindus like Nehru followed Gandhi when India was marred and fragmented by the caste system. Gandhi made remarkable attempt to integrate Indian society to eliminate hollow caste system.
• No one can forget Martin Luther King and his famous words ‘I have a dream’. His dream came true. It was only as late as 1964, Civil Right Act was passed banning discrimination. America saw first black governor in 1990 (Douglas Wilder - Governor of Virginia) and just 18 years later the very first black President. President Obama.

Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Copernicus and others were people like us. Like them we can attempt change. A change that makes our society better. A change that makes our world better.

A Tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri

Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India, born on 2^nd October 1904 (same birthday as Mahatma Gandhi), took over office at a crucial and precarious time for India. With the blow of 1962 Indo-China war exposing India’s then weak defenses and Pakistan making advances in Kashmir with the latest tanks, Shastri had a difficult job in hand but he proved to be the best person to handle it. Unlike his predecessor, Shastri was not hesitant in applying force and aggressive tactics to deal with the hostilities.

Honesty, integrity, hard work, determination, persistence and strong leadership defined Lal Bahadur Shastri and that is reflected in some historical facts about him:

• As a young man, once he swam across a river to go back home instead of borrowing money for boat fare.
• Voluntary returned to prison (during Independence struggle) after performing last rites of his daughter’s death.
• He refused dowry  defying a strong tradition of one in 1920s and 1930s.
• Some historians say he started working at 5:30 in the morning and finish at mid night.
• Taking moral responsibility of a train accident, Shastri resigned from the post of Railway Minister.
• At the time of his death, his total assets were an old car that he purchased on installments.

His famous quotes

On Pakistan:

“If Pakistan has any ideas of annexing any part of our territories by force, she should think afresh. I want to state categorically that force will be met with force and aggression against us will never be allowed to succeed.”

To motivate farmers and soldiers at the time of food shortage and war:

“Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” (Hail the solider, hail the farmer)

What can our current political leaders learn from him?

(Some consider Shastri the 3rd Prime Minister of India because Nanda served as the interim PM after Nehru’s death while Congress can decide the PM )

(PS:- Comments from readers complete my post. So please do read them)

International Peace Day - September 21

United Nations observes 21^st September as International Day of Peace. It is a day to highlight and emphasize the importance of peace around the world. It is a day of non violence and ceasefire. It is a day to promote harmony in the world that continues to face the turmoil of major conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Iraq and Palestine and a regular threat of terrorist attacks in various parts including India.

“Peace and Democracy” is this year’s theme. Stressing the importance of democracy, the Secretary General of UN, Ban Ki-moon considers democracy crucial for human rights and for resolving differences besides empowering people.

Some question the relevance and effectiveness of the UN and International Peace Day but any effort for creating awareness and promoting peace shall be welcome. Achieving non violence and peace is not a onetime endeavor; it is an ongoing task with a clear objective to create an environment of resolving conflicts through political processes without using violent means.  Often armed conflicts result in loss of lives of innocent men, women and children - loss of lives of law abiding and hardworking average but unfortunate humans. Any attempt to save lives of innocent citizens shall be received with open arms. As part of the UN Peace Day campaign in Afghanistan, 1.6 million children were vaccinated in 2008 and 1.2 million in 2009. But saving lives of fellow humans is not responsibility of just one organization; probably it is collective responsibility of human race.

May be supporting the initiatives of the UN is a contribution to this great cause.

What do you think?

References:-

• International Day of Peace (UN Web Site)
• Peace One Day – Data on Afghanistan
• Picture – from the UN Website.

Alcohol and Inhibition

For some enjoying and drinking are synonyms. If it is a party, vacation, cruise, casino, restaurant, flight, weekend at home or a Friday night out, indulging in alcoholic beverages defines the fun. Probably there is a bigger variety of alcoholic drinks than soft drinks. What does alcohol do to us? A large number of people seem to enjoy alcohol in moderation. But alcohol and I don’t get along well. Even a small glass of low alcoholic beer has sleep inducing effect on me besides being disagreeable to my taste buds. For non drinkers like me, it is hard to perceive or realize the delight that alcohol offers.

Often I hear a glass of red wine keeps the heart healthy. But hardly anyone stops at one and of course no one mentions the effect of subsequent glasses.

Another theory I am told is alcohol makes us mentally liberated and it relaxes the brain. Probably some use this ‘mental’ freedom to break rules and disregard social manners.

Recently a study concluded that drinking in office parties can lead to embarrassment. Reasoning

“The brain learns to compensate for the inhibition lowering effects of alcohol when in a familiar setting, such as a pub or at home with friends, they discovered. However, if they drink in an unfamiliar environment such as the workplace, where they are usually sober and focused, drinkers do not benefit from tolerance and lose control of their inhibitions.”

Though I agree that drinking in office parties can lead to embarrassment, without doing any statistical analysis, my feeling is the reasoning is not correct. It is hard to imagine a systematic study in a pub that typically has atmosphere of deafening music, careless crowd, low light, noise, and loud senseless conversations. Even zero inhibition goes unnoticed on a pub. On the other hand, workplace parties usually have a large number of non drinkers and social etiquettes are noticed so drinkers are likely to restrain themselves and not lose control.

Being a non drinker that accompanied friends at pubs and colleagues at work related parties; I did not see any difference in the ‘inhibition lowering effects’ of alcohol though I do notice change in behavior based on amount of consumption. Familiar or unfamiliar environment, the effect of alcohol varies based on the quantity.

What do you think?

What does alcohol do and does it matter where it is consumed – in familiar or unfamiliar setting?

Answer: Who uses this picture?

(For people who have not read my earlier quiz post, “Who uses this picture”:- I asked readers to guess the nature of business of a commercial organization that uses the picture on the left in the logo.)

“Why are you smiling?”My wife asked me as I read my emails on my IPad.

“I am proven wrong again”, I replied.

“You are always wrong. That is not new. But why are you happy about it?”

I was pleased because readers easily solved my quiz within hours of posting. I thought I posted a picture without any information and readers would scratch their heads for possible answers. But it turns out my readers are very perceptive, thoughtful, well read, and intelligent. They can break any puzzle. That makes me happy.

The picture is from a billboard of TRASTA KOMRCBANKA (a financial institution). Here is the link to the website of this institution.

At the time of wring this post, three readers guessed it correct:

1. Kalpana Misra as she commented, “I think that the image signifies abundance. To think in a really way out manner I'd say it’s an ad to encourage some kind of investments, promising good returns.”

2. Tanvi said, “okay I will say 'financial institution' for now!”

3. Rachna’s comment, “Really I have no clue. Looks like fruits coming out of a beret. Is it an investment bank that shows that your money will multiply?”

Reader left interesting remarks that included guesses like Perfumes, Hospitality, Wine, Shoes, Carpet, Furniture and Pharmaceutical. All comments are now published with the original post.

Thanks to each and every reader for trying and congratulations to Kalpana, Tanvi and Rachna.