Conversation on a High

We were having a fascinating conversation on the VPNs and related technologies over dinner in an inadequately lit restaurant. The discussion was taking a twist, when I noticed this stranger in front of me (sharing our table) taking an interest in our conversation.

“Very strange”, this person doesn’t seem to be very educated or even knowledgeable enough to understand our conversation. Yet I found him listening to us even more keenly every passing minute.

There was a small break in our discussion, when he suddenly speaks out.

“You seem to be very interesting”, he said
“Ehh…” I said
“I couldn’t help over hear your conversation. You guys seem very intelligent”
“Ehh.. ha ha ha ha.. is it?” I am bewildered.

Then starts the long monologue.
“Ya, I am in education back ground. I teach in the local polytechnic college. I love education. I see most of the students (students???) talking useless thing, but you guys…. Although I didn’t understand a single word you said but somehow I couldn’t help hearing your animated conversation”

“Me animated??? Ehh...” All the while I am having this stupid smile. “Why is this guy so interested?”
I am thinking of all the possible reasons for this conversation.

“You know I am almost twice as old as you, and have been in education field for over 25 years. But I found your conversation very interesting. You guys are very intelligent. It is privileged to meet you guys”

“Privileged!!! ohh wow!!, Man, I must be good”….. now my smile is more confident and glowing.

“You made my day; it was great listening to your conversation. Although I am twice as old as you; but very interesting people.”

“Thank You”, the Smile is broader now. And more glowing. Chest proudly inflated.

Suddenly he turns towards me and starts going into my character analysis; “You are a very aggressive guy. You have your word wherever you go... you….” And on he goes.

“What the…”

“… you guys are very intelligent….. I hope I am not disturbing you”. Still with that stupid smile “No”. My friend just nods and looks away disinterested.

“Your friend sheeesmmss tooo be dishturbed…. I veru shoorrry”.

I suddenly notice the slur. Is he drunk??? There goes my smile and glowing compliments.

But nothing like an unexpected conversation to get you refreshed

Short Stories Of Birbal - III

Part 2 of the Birbal (Veer-Var in Hindi) story series

Who Are Donkeys?

One fine day, Akbar, accompanied by his two sons and his clever Minister Birbal, went to the river to take a bath.

They asked Birbal to hold their clothes while they were bathing and took off their clothes and stepped into the river.

Birbal stood at the bank of the river, waiting for them, with their clothes on his shoulder. Looking at Birbal standing like this, Akbar felt like teasing him and remarked that Birbal looked like a washerman's donkey with a load of clothes.

Birbal quickly retorted that he was carrying the load of not just one donkey, but actually three.
The emperor was speechless.

Honest Birbal

One fine day, Emperor Akbar was discussing the brinjal with Birbal. He told him what a delicious and nutritious vegetable it was. Much to Akbar's surprise, Birbal thoroughly agreed with him and even sang two songs in praise of the humble brinjal.

After a couple of days, the royal chef cooked brinjal curry for lunch. Birbal was also eating at the palace that day. When the brinjal curry was served to Akbar, he refused it saying that it was a tasteless, stale vegetable, full of seeds and lacking proper nutrition. He then asked that it be served to Birbal who loved brinjals.

But Birbal, too, refused it saying that it was not good for health. So Akbar impatiently asked him why he was saying such things when he sang the brinjals praise, not a few days ago.

Birbal replied that he had praised the brinjal only because his emperor had praised it and criticized it when his majesty had criticized it, as he was loyal to his emperor and to not the brinjal. He said that the brinjal could not make him a minister no matter how much he praised it. He went on to say that he was his majesty's obedient servant, and not that of the brinjal.

The emperor was pleased by his honest, bold, and witty response.
Akbar's Dream

One night, Emperor Akbar dreamt that he had lost all his teeth, except one. The next morning he invited all the astrologers of his kingdom to interpret this dream.

After a long discussion, the astrologers prophesized that all his relatives would die before him.

Akbar was very upset by this interpretation and so sent away all the astrologers without any reward.

Later that day, Birbal entered the court. Akbar related his dream and asked him to interpret it. After thinking for a while Birbal replied that the Emperor would live a longer & more fulfilled life than any of his relatives.
Akbar was pleased with Birbal's explanation and rewarded him handsomely.

Tit-Bits

Emperor Akbar's court was famous for its witty question and answer sessions.

On one of these occasions, the Emperor asked Birbal if there was anything that the sun and the moon could not see. Birbal's reply was 'darkness'. Akbar was pleased.

Next, he asked what was the difference between a truth and a lie. To which Birbal replied that it was the distance between the ears and the eyes because what you see with your eyes is true, but what you hear with your ears is generally false. Akbar was satisfied.

Lastly, Emperor Akbar drew a line on the floor and asked Birbal to shorten it without wiping out the ends.
Birbal drew a longer line below the line drawn by Akbar and remarked that though he had not rubbed off the original line he had definitely succeeded in making it shorter.

Short Stories Of Birbal - II

Part 2 of the Birbal (Veer-Var in Hindi) story series

Re–Union

One day, when Akbar and Birbal were in discussions, Birbal happened to pass a harmless comment about Akbar’s sense of humour. But Emperor Akbar was in a foul mood and took great offense to this remark. He asked Birbal, his court-jester, friend and confidant, to not only leave the palace but also to leave the walls of the city of Agra. Birbal was terribly hurt at being banished.

A couple of days later, Akbar began to miss his best friend. He regretted his earlier decision of banishing him from the courts. He just could not do without Birbal and so sent out a search party to look for him. But Birbal had left town without letting anybody know of his destination. The soldiers searched high and low but were unable to find him anywhere.

Then one day a wise saint came to visit the palace accompanied by two of his disciples. The disciples claimed that their teacher was the wisest man to walk the earth. Since Akbar was missing Birbal terribly he thought it would be a good idea to have a wise man that could keep him company. But he decided that he would first test the holy man’s wisdom.

The saint had bright sparkling eyes, a thick beard and long hair. The next day, when they came to visit the court Akbar informed the holy man that since he was the wisest man on earth, he would like to test him. All his ministers would put forward a question and if his answers were satisfactory he would be made a minister. But if he could not, then he would be beheaded. The saint answered that he had never claimed to be the wisest man on earth, even though other people seemed to think so. Nor was he eager to display his cleverness but as he enjoyed answering questions, he was ready for the test.

One of the ministers, Raja Todarmal, began the round of questioning. He asked “Who is a man’s best friend on earth?” To which the wise saint replied, “His own good sense”. Next Faizi asked which was the most superior thing on earth? “Knowledge”, answered the saint. “Which is the deepest trench in the world?”, asked Abdul Fazal. And the saint’s answer was “a woman’s heart”. “What is that which cannot be regained after it is lost?” questioned another courtier and the reply he received was ‘life’. “What is undying in music” asked the court musician Tansen. The wise saint replied that it was the “notes”. And then he asked “which is the sweetest and most melodious voice at night –time? And the answer he received was “the voice that prays to God.”

Maharaj Mansingh of Jaipur, who was a guest at the palace asked, ”what travels more speedily than the wind?” the saint replied that it was “man’s thought”. He then asked, “which was the sweetest thing on earth?” and the saint said that it was “a baby’s smile”.

Emperor Akbar and all his courtiers were very impressed with his answers, but wanted to test the saint himself. Firstly he asked what were the necessary requirements to rule over a kingdom, for which he was answered ‘cleverness’. Then he asked what was the gravest enemy of a king. The saint replied that it was ‘selfishness’. The emperor was pleased and offered the saint a seat of honour and asked him whether he could perform any miracles. The saint said that he could manifest any person the king wished to meet. Akbar was thrilled and immediately asked to meet his minister and best friend Birbal.

The saint simply pulled off his artificial beard and hair much to the surprise of the other courtiers. Akbar was stunned and could not believe his eyes. He stepped down to embrace the saint because he was none other than Birbal.

Akbar had tears in his eyes as he told Birbal that he had suspected it to be him and had therefore asked him whether he could perform miracles. He showered Birbal with many valuable gifts to show him how happy he was at his return.

Short Stories Of Birbal - I

Some stories of witty Birbal (Veer-Var in Hindi).

Akbar meets Birbal

Emperor Akbar was fond of hunting, even as a child he would miss his lessons and his tutors in order to go riding and hunting. And as a result he grew up into a better rider and fearless hunter. One day chasing a tiger, Akbar and few brave soldiers had gone a long distance from the royal capital at Agra, and as evening came, they realised that they were lost. They were hot, dusty and tired, riding slowly they reached a place where three roads met. Ah! at last, we see the road", said the emperor, he asked his courtiers "Which way shall we go? Which road goes to Agra?"

The road all looked the same. It was hard to decide which road led to Agra. The men looked at each other. they looked at the road. Then they looked at the dust beneath their horses' hooves. Nobody said a word.
Just then a young man came walking down one of the roads. Glad, to see someone on the road, the courtiers called him and ordered him to come forward. He did so, looking up at the richly-dressed hunters with bright, curious eyes. "Tell us, which road goes to Agra?" said the emperor Akbar.

The young man began to smile. "Huzoor, everybody knows that roads can not move. How can this road go to Agra, or go anywhere else?" he said, and he chuckled delightedly at his own joke.

There was absolutely silence. The emperor stared down at the youth. His soldiers held their breath. They knew the emperor's temper. Not one of them dared to say a single word. "People travel", the boy went on, not seeming to notice the ominous silence, "roads,don't do they?"

"No, they don't," the emperor cried suddenly and began to laugh. Nervously, his soldiers began to laugh too. The youth ignored them and continued to look at the emperor with twinkling eyes. "What's your name?" emperor asked the youth. "Mahesh Das", he said, he replied. "And what is your name Hazoor?"
The emperor pulled off an enormous emerald ring which he wore on his hand. leaning down, he gave it to the young man.
You are speaking to Akbar, emperor of Hindustan", he said. "We need fearless young men such as you at our court, Mahesh Das. Bring this ring with you when you come, and I shall recognise and remember you. And now, show us the way in order to go to Agra."
Mahesh Das bowed low and pointed towards the capital. The emperor turned his horse and galloped away, followed by his courtiers. Mahesh Das watched until a bend in the road hid them from his sight.

Birbal got his name

After few years Mahesh Das decided to travel to emperor's court at Agra to seek his fortune. He had finished his studies and was ready to face the world. When he arrived at Agra, he walked through the bazaar of Agra, big havelis in which Nobles lived, it was all very confusing for a lad who have lived in the village. But Mahesh was no ordinary individual, he carried the emperor's ring in a bag and looked around with interest. By evening he reached the massive fort of emperor of Hindustan which was on the bank of river Yamuna. The huge wooden gate was open and important-looking people hurried in and out. Though Mahesh was a brave boy but he felt very small as he neared the enormous studded gate of the fort. Two guards stood outside holding the spears in their muscular hands. Mahesh went to them and said, "I have come to meet the emperor. he invited me to his court."

"Ho!" said the sentry, looking at the Mahesh's dusty feet and simple cotton clothes. "So the emperor invited you to his durbar, did he? To the Diwan-i-Khas, no doubt, the hall of Private Audience, where he meets high-ranking nobles!" A few passer by stopped to watch, smiling at the simple village lad's embarrassment.

"Perhaps", answered Mahesh Das with bold voice though he was frightened from inside. "And I have his ring to prove it." He took out the ring from his bag which emperor Akbar gave him. "Oh!", said the guards, in sudden doubt.

"That's no ordinary ring, sorry to have lost an opportunity to bully and tease you. I'll let you go in on one condition, said one of the guard, When you see the emperor, he will sure give you a gift. I'll let you in if you swear to give me half of whatever the emperor gives you."

People standing by began to murmur. They knew the greedy ways of the guard and wondered how the young man would deal with him. But their surprise Mahesh agreed to the guards condition without making any arguments or bargains. The guard said again threateningly, "don't forget or I'll make you feel very very sorry."

Mahesh nodded and said, "I won't forget," and walked in to the fort.

Emperor Akbar was in his Diwan-i-Aam, the hall of public Audience. Lamps lit up the carvings on the wall and rich carpets were spread on the floor. The great pillared hall was full of courtiers dressed in their finest and most beautifully woven clothes. But Mahesh Das had eye only for the emperor, who sat grandly on a platform at the far end of the hall. Bowing low, he made his way towards the throne. The courtiers murmured to each other in surprise. Who could this be? But emperor happened to glance up. He recognised the young man at once and asked him to come forward. "I remember you, Mahesh Das," said the emperor. "And I am pleased that you have come. Ask for anything your heart desires and it shall be yours."

"Jahanpanah is most gracious," Mahesh Das answered. "If Hazoor pleases, my dearest wish is to be given fifty lashes of the whip!"

"Mad, the boy must be mad," people whispered to each other. But the emperor liked the bright, straight forward look in his eyes and he said, "Before we grant this strange wish you must tell us the reason for asking such a gift."

Mahesh Das bowed once again and said, " The sentry who guards the Jahapanah's fort permitted me to come in only on one condition that i will give him half of the gift which I receive from you. And I promised him to share it with him. I'm ready to bear twenty-five lashes, in order to share this with the guard."

When Akbar heard this, he grew angry. "Are our people to be kept away by a greedy wicked guard? he thundered. "Send for that greedy guard."

The guard was sentenced to the entire gift of fifty lashes and never again tied to bully people who sought an audience with the emperor. And Mahesh Das was given a place at the court, with all the comforts that went with it. "We confer on you the title Raja Birbal for this day on," the emperor Akbar declared. "And you shall stay near us and amuse and guide us henceforth!" said the emperor.

Since then Mahesh Das got his name 'Birbal'.

Why is the Camel's Neck Crooked?

As you all know, Emperor Akbar was very impressed with Birbal’s wisdom and greatly enjoyed his quick wit. One fine morning when Akbar was especially pleased with Birbal, as a gesture of appreciation, he promised to reward him with many valuable and beautiful gifts.
However, many days passed, and still there was no sign of even one gift. Birbal was quite disappointed with the king. Then one day, when Akbar was strolling down the banks of River Yamuna with his ever faithful Birbal at his side, he happened to notice a camel passing by. He asked Birbal why the neck of the camel was crooked. Birbal thought for a second and promptly replied that it might be because the camel may have forgotten to honour a promise. The holy books mention that those who break their word get punished with a crooked neck; perhaps that was the reason for the camel’s crooked neck.
Akbar soon realised his folly of making a promise to Birbal for gifts and not honouring it. He was ashamed of himself. As soon as they returned to the palace he immediately gave Birbal his justly deserved reward. As you can see, Birbal always managed to get what he wanted without directly asking for it.

The First Indigenous Indian Shipping Service

Kappallotiya Tamizhan ()

Not many people know this. But during the British occupation of India, the shipping industry was a virtual monopoly of British India Steam Navigation Company (BISN).

This was the time of the Swadeshi movement in India (1905-08 which emanated from partition of Bengal), where Indians stopped using imported clothing and switched to homemade/Made-in-India brand. It is to be noted that at that time the Made-in-India stamp meant bad quality and very high cost. This was because the British never allowed competition to develop nor were the Indian companies allowed to acquire latest technology or tried to undermine them by a huge cost difference.

The simple strategy of the British to profit was, export raw materials at subsidized prices to England and import the finished product to India at premium rates. For this purpose it was paramount for the British to control the Shipping industry in India to provide for Assured service to the English. This control of the Shipping industry also ensured that no Indian company would be work with out complete British support (which means premium transportation rates).

It was a shame that one of the first people to set Sail and conquer the seas, were not allowed to have their shipping company. Till very recently (not more that 100 years) there was no Air Force. Navy and army formed the backbone of a country. The biggest nations had great Navies. The Cholas of Tamil Nadu were known for their maritime adventures. They had a kingdom stretching from Malacca to present-day Vietnam. This great Maritime heritage was predated by The Pallavas of Tamil Nadu.

The Swadeshi Movement was the time when M K Gandhi (Gandhiji) had not entered the Indian politics and freedom movement. At that time the freedom movement was headed Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Aurobindo Ghosh and Lala Lajpat Rai. This was the time of the great tamil poet Subramania Bharathi and V O Chidambaram Pillai (VOC aka VaaVuuChee).

Inspired by the Swadeshi movement, on the request of local traders our VOC wanted to start an Indian Shipping company. Funds for this company were not a big issue as there were enough traders to back VOC. VOC in tamil was called as VaaVuuChee. But the most important things for the company to run were … any guess….. were ships. At that time Indians were not into Ship Building either; and neither were the Britishers forth coming with offer of ships (why would they?). To sum it up, VaaVuuChee had money but no ships to start the company.

But with great difficulty and after a lot of effort, thanks to the help of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Aurobindo Ghosh, VaaVuuChee was able to procure two ships ‘S S Gaelia’ and ‘S S Lawoe’ from a Bombay (Presently Mumbai) Company (would welcome insights into the company).

So at last, the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company (SSNC) came to life against all the British opposition: The FIRST INDIGENOUS SHIPPING SERVICE. These ships started regular service between Tuticorin (Thuthukodi) and Colombo (in Sri Lanka).

The British had assumed that the Indian company would collapse; but thanks to the Swadeshi movement and the calculating mind of VaaVuuChee SSNC proved to be a tough challenge. To undermine SSNC the BISN reduced the rates to Rs 1 (8 Annas) per head. The SSNC responded by making a fare of 4 Annas. The British company went further by offering free trips and umbrellas. This had SSNC running nearly empty.

In my point of view the VaaVuuChee should have responded by equaling the British rates of 8 Annas instead of lowering to 4 Annas. Reducing the rates to such low level only played into the British hands. But having said that, by doing so VaaVuuChee showed Indians were up for the challenge J. Damn it, there were no anti-trust laws (Government of US vs Microsoft) at that time.

VaaVuuChee was arrested on charges of Sedition on 12^th March 1908. (will need citation here. Why was he arrested?). VaaVuuChee was later handed two sentences of life imprisonment (40 years). But the press has taken note of VaaVuuChee and his prosecution was widely publicized. Subhramania Bharathi (Great Tamil Poet) and Subhramania Sivan (Famous Revolutionary of this time) also appeared in the case.

Two years later SSNC was merged with BISN. In the short life SSNC, VaaVuuChee gave us Indians faith and self-confidence. I salute him. For this act he was given the title of Kappallotiya Tamizhan (The Tamizhan who sailed a ship)

I wanted this story to have a happy ending, but doing so will be ignoring VaaVuuChee’s sacrifice. VaaVuuChee was offered bail during his prosecution, but he rejected as a sign of protest. The British wanted to make an example of him to ensure no one follows his footsteps. He could have escaped the verdict if he had shown submission to British, but he did not surrender. He stood by his beliefs; he stood to gives us the self-confidence; he stood to show us that we are no less.

VaaVuuChee was imprisoned from 9 July 1908 to 12 December 1912. During his jail term VaaVuuChee was not treated as a political prisoner but rather as a criminal and was subjected to hard labor. He was used as an animal in an oil grinding machine. He was wiped repeatedly and was subjected to inhuman torture; all this for showing his ability and self confidence. When he was arrested there was huge crowd; but when he was released there was not a single person to see him except his good friend Subhramania Sivan (who by then was a leaper. At that time leprosy was incurable and was considered as a punishment by gods for all the wrongs done in the past life). Upon release, to his dismay, he discovered that SNCC has been liquidated and its ships sold to the British.

This is a stamp released on VaaVuuChee

Most of the data has been collected from ---www.wikipedia.com--- and ---http://www.geocities.com/tiruneelveli/Pillai/VOC.htm---

Hoping to add more data soon.

Sher By Ghalib

1. na tha kuch to KHuda tha, kuchch na hota to KHuda hota;

dubaya mujhko hone ne, na hota main to kya hota?

2. Huaa jab GHam se yooN behis to GHam kya sar ke kaTne ka

Na hota gar juda tan se to zaanooN par dhaRa hota

[behis = shocked/stunned, zanoon = knee]

3. Hua muddat ke ‘Ghalib’ mar gaya par yaad aata hai

Wo hare k baat pe kehana, ke yooN hota to kya hota?

[muddat = duration/period]

Beautiful ain’t it J

If you like this, there is more og Mirza Ghalib at

---- Http://www.smriti.com/urdu/ghalib -----

Great Poem

Into that Heaven Of freedom

This one by Rabindranath Tagore. It is said this poem moved many Indian nationalists to tears during our freedom struggle.

Into that Heaven Of freedom

Where the mind is without fear
And the head is held high,
Where knowledge is free,
Where the world has not been broken up,
Into fragments by narrow domestic walls,
Where words come out from the depth of truth,
Where tireless striving stretch its arm towards perfection,
Where the mind is led by thee into ever-widening,
Thought and action into that heaven of freedom,
My Father, Let my country awake.

Productiveness & Work

Excerpt from Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged.


Productiveness is your acceptance of morality, your recognition of the fact that you choose to live and that productive work is the process by which man’s consciousness controls his existence, a constant process of acquiring knowledge and shaping matter to fit one’s purpose of translating an idea into physical form, of making the earth in the image of one’s value; that all work is creative work if done by a thinking mind, and no work is creative if done by a blank who repeats in uncritical stupor a routine learned from others.

Your work is yours to choose and the choice is as wide as your mind, that nothing more is possible for you and nothing less is human. To cheat your way into a job bigger than your mind can handle is to become a fear-corroded ape on borrowed motions and borrowed time; and to settle down into a job that requires less then your full mind’s capacity is to cut your motor and sentence to another kind of motion : decay. Your work is the process of achieving your values and to loose your ambition for values is to loose your ambition to live

As rightly said ... the purpose of any person’s life is to translating one’s ideas into a physical form.