Archive for the 'Gandhi' Category
Mother’s Day – a Time to Celebrate and Honour your Mother whilst you still can
It is mother’s day on Sunday in the USA and also many other countries around the world, thought here in the UK we normally have it in March.
A year later and how my life and my outlook have changed! Now my focus is on celebrating and honouring your mother whilst you still can.
My father suddenly passed away last December and my mother is now the pivotal figure in our lives. The last five months since our great loss have been a haze and it is only now that I am able to get moving again with my life.
Valentines Day 1 – Just WHAT is Love?
It is Valentine week, and as usual in the Western world we are bombarded with all sorts of commercial pressure to go out and spend a fortune to show the true merit of our love for someone.
I am guessing that this is now also the case in the rest of the world, as the developing world clamours to catch up with the “enlightened” ways of the West 
I find it amusing to see so many people rushing around to prove their true love for that “special” person in their life.
To me, love has been commercialised to the extent that we have forgotten just what love means anymore.
Gandhi’s Message as Relevant Today as 60 Years Ago
It is 60 years ago today since Gandhi was assassinated.
What would the world be like if he was around today?
Check out this video to see how he would have spread his message using the Internet!
Turn up your speakers, sit back and enjoy.
Gandhi may not be around but 6o years on his legacy and his message lives on.
Peace march for Burma - every voice and every step counts
A couple of days I go I wrote how it was time to support the people of monks and people of Burma.
Well, today I was able to put my words into action as I marched through central London along with around an estimated crowd of 3,000 people.
Time to Make Peace Happen?
Today, September 21st is International Peace Day.
Check out this website and the video to learn more about the day. It is inspiring how the vision of one man a few years has created this international peace day. On this website you can also make state your commitment to what you will do today for peace.
India rises, but at what cost?!
India today celebrates 60 years since independence from Britain.
As over a billion people celebrate in India, and many millions in all corners of the world, there is no doubt that the country has come a long way in the last few years alone.
Gandhi’s legacy for generations to come - Einstein
Last week, I was lucky enough to have my mother come and stay with me on her own for the first time in many years. We bonded once again and one evening we watched the movie “Gandhi”.
Hope from the Heartbreak of 7/7
It is already 2 years today since the bombings in London on 7th July 2005. The picture above shows the peace flower created on the first anniversary of 7/7 last year in Regents Park.
As we today remember those killed and injured on that fateful day, it is heart breaking to know that the same thing could have happened only last week in London and Glasgow airport.
So where do we go from here? On 7/7 two years ago, I wrote and sent out my regular newsletter - and I feel that my message is as relevant today as it was then. Here is what wrote then in full:-
Walk the talk - don’t eat too much sugar!
I have just had my evening supper and have finally emptied my fridge of all food. My fridge has never been emptier - and my food cupboards are almost bare too.
Having just written about eating well and saving the earth, I must walk the talk!
What’s in a name?!
The Gandhi play I watched earlier this week was called ““Sammy! - A word that broke an Empire” since Sammy was the insult thrown at Indians in South Africa.
This was around the time Gandhi was there in the later part of the 19th century. What South Africans did not realize was that swami really stands for - “Master” or “Teacher”. It refers to someone learned, esteemed or even holy. “Sammy Gandhi” heard the shouts in the streets of Durban and quietly smiling to himself, he resolutely determined to turn this abuse into an adequate description.
The Light the World needs Today
As the world dangerously moves to a catastrophic war against Iran, I am reminded of the play about Gandhi’s life and his key messages about peace.
At the end of the play, after Gandhi’s assasination, India’s prime minster, Jawaharlal Nehru went on the air and broadcast some famous words about the light having gone out of our lives.
If no one walks with you, walk alone…
On Sunday evening, I wrote about some key messages about peace from Gandhi after watching an inspirational play in London about his life.
At the end of his life Gandhi felt he had failed as he could not avoid the partition of the Indian subcontinent into India and Pakistan (and ultimately also Bangladesh). He always urged hindus and muslims to live together.
Lessons in peace from “Sammy”, also know as Gandhi…
This evening, I was privileged to watch on stage the acclaimed production of “Sammy! - A word that broke an Empire” - a superb tribute to the life of Gandhi.
Sammy - derived from the Hindi word Swami - was an insult thrown at Indians in South Africa around the time Gandhi was there in the later part of the 19th century. What South Africans did not realize was that swami really stands for - “Master” or “Teacher”. It refers to someone learned, esteemed or even holy. “Sammy Gandhi” heard the shouts in the streets of Durban. Quietly smiling to himself, he resolutely determined to turn this abuse into an adequate description.
Life of Brian - one man’s quest for peace
This evening I happened to drive through the centre of London past the houses of parliament. Something made me choose to take this longer route home and I was just captivated by the sight of one man’s dedication and committment to peace. It soon became clear to me why I had been drawn to take the route I had chosen.
Right outside the main entrance to the seat of government power, Brian Haw has been protesting in Parliament Square since June 2001. Whether or not one agrees with the rights and wrongs of the war in Iraq and with Brian’s stance, you have to admire his courage and fortitude in keeping going against all the odds for over five years now. Apparently the government has even tried to introduce new laws aimed specifically to get rid of Brian and his protest which has received worldwide coverage.
Love is all that matters…
This is my 100th blog ever – and what started off three weeks ago as a firm commitment to my friend Kavit Haria to post 100 articles by the end of January has manifested.
My writing over the last few weeks and the articles have become a real labour of love. Which neatly brings me to the topic of love. For my 100th article, I had to choose the only thing that truly matters.
To me, life is very simple. Love is all that matters. If you get that message right now, then read no further - I have already served my purpose. Now go and live the rest of your life with that mantra in your heart. You will have daily miracles in your life.
However, if you want to learn more, then stay with me and let’s share a journey of exploration which will ultimately bring even more love into our world.
“Personal Social Responsibility” is here to stay…
One of my key areas of interest has always been how we as individuals and groups can improve the world. To me it is all about addressing how we live our lives and the impact we have on everything and everyone around us, both locally and globally.
After all, a butterfly flapping its wings in Regents Park causes turbulence and havoc in New Orleans - now you know what really caused Katrina
The point is that everything we do matters – and makes either a positive or a negative impact on everything around us.
Be the Change you want the World to be
Yesterday, 30th January was the anniversary of the death of Gandhi.
I was privileged to be part of an amazing candle-lit, inter-faith celebration of Gandhi’s life, in the middle of the City of London, at St Ethelburga’s Church.
This was the Annual Interfaith Event to celebrate Gandhi’s life organised by the Gandhi Foundation.
The faiths represented were Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Judaism and the Brahma Kumaris. They all spoke very eloquently about Gandhi’s life and how his teachings could be applied to avert climate change and bring more peace and love into the world today.
Peace in my time…
On the anniversary of Gandhi’s death, it is pertinent to focus on peace in the world today.
A couple of year ago, I bought the domain name at www.peaceinmytime.com
There is no website there currently, but I feel the time is right for me to launch it soon.
