Philosophical musings - Identity

What makes our identity? Is it our body or is it our memories?

Let us assume that the technology has improved to a state where doctors can transplant brain from one person to another. There are two friends - Hari and Shyam whose brains are intechanged by doctors. If we now ask Hari, who is he, what will be his response? Will his response be Hari or Shyam? This is very tricky. Does the body constitutes the individual or is it the brain? Will Hari, whose new brain carry the memory impressions of Shyam, respond that he is Shyam? Or the  eyes of Hari scan the body and recognize it as Hari's body and respond that he is Hari, Or there is an identity beyond body and mind that makes the individuality of a person?

Let us explore the body and mind a bit more.

As a baby we have a particular body structure. The baby's skin is soft. It has limited memory. As every day passes, the baby sheds its skin and new skin takes its place, old hair falls out and is replaced by new, its cell multiply, new memories replaces old ones, the nails grow every day. These changes happen on a daily basis in the life of every individual. Yet we claim that we are the same person. Our ego gets bruised when somebody insults us. But which of the ME are we so proud of? What is the constancy that we continue to claim as the I or ME? Is there an identity that is behind the ever changing  body and mind of ours?
These pondering is as scientific as it is philosophical. When the world finds answers to these queries one day, we would see the culmination of philosophy, science and religion.

More such musings in my future blogs. Till such time.....

Will the New Year bring the Cheer?

2011 was probably the most depressing year .. especially for the populace in the West. With European Union's knees shaking under the Greece debt and many other European Union members showing signs of adding to the burden - Spain, Italy, Ireland et al... it looks like it is going to be a tough talk (walk?) for France and Germany who are trying to put a brave face to lead the Union to a new era. UK being a ring sitter at this game is giving its contrarian views much to the dismay of France and Germany. It is the Darwinian theory( Survival of the fittest) at its best! Politicians of these countries having enjoyed the spoils for years, are now facing the ire of its people. Bloated bureaucracy, unwise spending, fraudulent banks are the focus of attention world over but more so in the West. But in the end it is the common people who are facing the brunt...but with a hope that 2012 would bring in the much needed cheer..

Middleast and Africa are witnessing a different kind of struggle. Having been subjugated to decades of autocratic rule, the masses are revolting for a better tomorrow ... 2011 has seen many dictators being overthrown ... others stubbornly holding to their seat by shamelessly snuffing out thousands of innocent lives. Terrorism is raising its ugly head in different parts of Africa in the name of religion. Corruption, violence and near absence of law is stifling the masses in these parts of the world ... The word "Occupy" has become a cliché and has caught the imagination of the people at large... "Occupy Wallstreet", "Occupy Davos"... the world is really Occupied!

Asia having been under the economic shadow of the west has now moved under its own economic ray! Both China and India having tasted the economic success is yearning for more. China is fast galloping to the much coveted "Super Power" title much to the chagrin of the Americans. Obama is getting ready to lead the Americans for the next 4 years while the Republicans are visioning themselves in the Presidential seat... more hope for 2012!

The Chinese new year... the year of dragon ... brings hope and joy to its billions as they visualize themselves more prosperous economic bath in the new year...

And then I wonder .... how a mere change of date from December 31st  to January 1st can elevate the hopes of 7 Billion humans? We are indeed a strange race! Till next time .... cheers!

Ancient Aurangabad

Ancient Aurangabad

Pristine Panhala

Pristine Panhala

Munnar Magic

Munnar Magic

Some Musings.....

I have always enjoyed rainfall.

I particularly used to enjoy the early weeks of June when the sky would suddenly darken. Cuckoo bird being the harbinger of the rain used to render the air with its distinctive cries. With strong cool winds blowing and the clouds threatening to rain ...it used to be such a welcome change from the sweltering heat of May. Our targets was clearly the mango tree with the ripe "out of reach" mangoes on the topmost branches. With every sway of the branches we would be running all over the place to catch the falling mangoes. There would be thunder and lightning but surprisingly it never used to rain in such evenings.

The first big drops of the season would bring in its wake the distinct smell of mud which to this day stirs memory. As though it was the cue, the frogs would come out of their hibernation and croak throughout the night for the rest of the season. The crickets used to sound awfully loud in the still night. I no longer hear these sounds and I sorely miss them. Maybe they all have got buried under the concrete jungle.

I distinctly recollect my childhood days... when returning from school I used to put my feet on the running rain water hoping to stop the flow...taking immense pleasure on the water pushing past me to keep its appointment with the ocean. The troublesome part ofcourse was the little pebbles which the water used to deposit in my sandal and irritate me for the rest of my journey back home.

When it was pouring cats and dogs, as a kid I used to close my umbrella and enjoy the water pattering behind my ears. It used to rain with such gusto that the rains drops used to sting. The fun part of course was to watch few people who have forgotten their umbrellas and huddled under the nearby shop roofs wondering what's with this kid...and me thinking what reason would I give to my mother as to why I was dripping wet despite carrying my umbrella...

I always thought that Mumbai rains were the meanest... a small downpour of 15 minutes was enough for the roads to be flooded...it never occurred to me at that age about lack of drainage system, inefficiencies of municipalities....it just gave me another chance to fold paper and make fabulous boats and let it flow places where no man has gone before!

After the rain has truly set in, some of the seasonal tenants of the earth used to make their way out. Though I did not particularly like earthworms, I used to be fascinated by their crawl. They used to drag themselves across the ground leaving a trace in its wake. Crabs of different sizes used to crawl out of their freshly dug hole and disappear at the slightest vibration.

Watching the rain mercilessly beating outside with accompanying lightning and thunder shows, through the window of my Lagos apartment, I can only wonder at nature how unique it can be.

Till next time ...

I am back!

It has been nearly a year since I put words to my blog. Here's a fresh attempt to be a regular blogger...Having decided to take up a job in Lagos, Nigeria, I landed here with a feeling of apprehension and elation... With almost a month behind my back ... the apprehension has fizzled out and my mind is more concious to this new world or rather the ancient world ... Nigeria has once again made me realize that however different a world might be...when it concerns people...nothing changes ...over the last 3 weeks I interacted with Nigerians closely and came to the conclusion that they are no way different than an Indian, American or any other nationality as far their ambitions and aspirations go. I came across the same issues, the same challenges, that I have tried to master over the last several years.. more of these in detail in my future blogs ... from my place in Victoria Island to my office in Surulere.. I pass through Marina.. the busy business centre... I being the fortunate one ... as I go against the morning traffic...I zip over three flyovers ...while the unfortunate ones stuck on the ever lengthening queue on the opposite lane wait for the craps that get stalled on the middle of the road to be towed (?).. pushed away... this is a daily phenomenon ... as I wonder why these cars are not banned from plying on the busy road. One innovative idea that catches my attentions are the "bajaj" motorbikes, the "Okadas" which are used to ferry passengers! As I pass a 'NIIT' board and overtake a "Ashok Leyland" bus and a "ST" bus exported by TATA which is exactly in the same condition that you see enroute to Alibag, you wonder whether Nigeria has caught up with India or India has caught up with Nigeria!


I believe the best way to know a country in a short span of time is to watch its National Television channel. An equivalent of Doordarshan in Nigeria is NTA. That's where the similarity ends. I was surprised to see the dose of patriotism that is being displayed. Some of the software, especially for the pre-teens is really good. If half of what is shown is implemented, in the next 5-10 years we will have a african country making its mark in the global scene.

More of Nigeria, my work and other interesting facts im my future blogs... till such time ...