Of text-books, about which we hear so much, I never felt the want. I do not even remember having made much use of the books that were available. I did not find it all necessary to load the boys with quantities of books. I have always felt that the true text-book for the pupil is his teacher. I remember very little that my teachers taught me from books, but I have even now a clear recollection of the things they taught me independently of books.

 - Mahatma Gandhi 

On Gandhi and Godse

I don't refute Gandhi's theory of non-violence. He may be a saint but he is not a politician. His theory of non-violence denies self-defence and self-interest. The non-violence that defines the fight for survival as violence is a theory not of non-violence but of self-destruction.The division of the nation was an unnecessary decision. What was the percentage of the Muslim population as compared to the population of the nation? There was no need for a separate nation. Had it been a just demand, Maulana Azad would not have stayed back in India. But because Jinnah insisted and because Gandhi took his side, India was divided, in spite of opposition from the nation, the Cabinet. An individual is never greater than a nation.

In a democracy you cannot put forward your demands at knife-point. Jinnah did it and Gandhi stabbed the nation with the same knife. He dissected the land and gave a piece to Pakistan. We did picket that time but in vain. The Father of our Nation went to perform his paternal duties for Pakistan! Gandhi blackmailed the cabinet with his fast unto death. His body, his threats to die are causing the destruction — geographical as well as economical — of the nation. Today, Muslims have taken a part of the nation, tomorrow Sikhs may ask for Punjab. The religions are again dividend into castes, they will demand sub-divisions of the divisions. What remains of the concept of one nation, national integration? Why did we fight the British in unison for independence? Why not separately? Bhagat Singh did not ask only for an independent Punjab or Subhash Chandra Bose for an independent Bengal?

- Nathuram Godse in his final editorial

Success

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Of course, success is a moving target...!

http://www.mybitforchange.org/2011/selective-islam/

Article by former Pakistani cricketer and now politician Imran Khan.

Definitely worth a read 

Quarter Life

This sounds like a Chuck Lorre production but actually I found it over the internet. And of course, this is my first blog post from Dutch country.

‎23-25 is not a nice age for a man. Your ex-gfs are getting married, your career has just started.
Elders treat you as unproven theorems, college guys feel that you are too old to have in there group.
You seem to enjoy both cartoon and news. You can no longer eat whatever you wish without putting on weight.
You look like an ape if you don’t shave daily. You are not invited for weekend cricket matches.
Every Aunt you meet asks about your marriage plans (or lack of them) and Uncle asks about future career choices.
When the reality is that you are just riding the wave and going with the flow.
You have all the confidence in the world but little achievements to show.
You already have the first hand experience of the life, You know that whatever you have been taught about the world in schools has been sheer waste of time.
You can be denied a job even after passing the test and you could be given a job if you know someone placed high enough.
Politics till now was a dirty word but now you feel it everywhere.
You know now love is not that blind and that friendship has its terms and conditions.
You know there is nothing for granted and free lunches are not free.
Your overconfidence is now making way for a humble conscience.

You now know it is not exactly what we thought it would be.

Day 19

Well India seems to have an interest in making all matches as entertaining as possible. Otherwise no other explanations seems to fit for why India is letting minnows believe that they have a chance.
Holland began cautiously but in the end their middle order struggled to continue the good work. I expected them to work their way up to 250 given their steady start but they folded for a paltry 189.
India too started as though they were in mood for early dinner but had to put their plans on hold because of some great bowling by Seelar.
Lastly Yuvraj Singh was pathetic - I am sure he must have said sometimes that he plays for the team and blah blah, it is at such occasions that one realises how hollow these statements were. Dhoni should have known better and finished the match as early as possible.

Lankans play the Zimbabweans in what should be a cakewalk for the Lankans on the picturesque ground of Pallekele. Best of luck to Zimbabwe though - they are going to need it.

Day 18

What an innings by Taylor! Single handedly demoralized the Pakistani batting line up and won the game at half time. The commentary team rightly called him the 'Plunderer of Pallekele'. 114 of 6 is something you rarely get to see even in T20. Most memorable was Shoaib Akhtar's ninth over - 28 runs! Murder.

We play the Dutch tomorrow at Ferozeshah Kotla where the curator messed up big time and produced a slow and low wicket after renovation - this bothers me as the Wankhede which is scheduled to hoist the finals was recently renovated - dont know if the curators have preserved the track of relaid it.

Anyways this may be the most boring match of all.

Cheers