tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49153251280112954312024-02-21T07:27:41.361-08:00An oasis for my thoughtsSandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-55067959350533583362021-05-08T08:09:00.003-07:002021-05-08T08:09:30.649-07:00Team Spirit<p> When the word team spirit is being misused I only feel this. </p><p><br /></p><p>Person who really has team spirit need not boast everytime saying we as a team let's act as a team etc. It would be shown in the way they work itself. It can be felt when they act in unbiased manner and is prompt in updating and by behaving transparently.</p><p><br /></p><p>It cannot come by merely leaving classy statements like let's do it we as a team working on etc when it's not exhibited in the way you treat all team members</p><p><br /></p><p>Maintaining team spirit cannot be an excuse in not having individual responsibility or it cannot be used in all context being blind to situations ignoring the questions asked. It would do well to merely reply to the asked questions instead of leaving so called team spirit statements which is becoming old fashioned. </p><p><br /></p><p>To outer world we should be a team and not let down our members but internally we should be conscious of our flaws and mistakes and work towards correcting it.</p><p><br /></p><p>We should be conscious to update every other team members on the situation</p><p><br /></p><p>Manager of the team should not make any member feel differentiated. </p><p><br /></p><p>When I work in any team I work on 3 core principles</p><p><br /></p><p>1. I will not let my team members down anywhere. And I would defend them if they are not treated properly. I voice for their rights everywhere</p><p><br /></p><p>2. Internally I would point the facts even if it's a flaw. I would understand my own mistakes and aim to get these corrected and contribute to it's betterment</p><p><br /></p><p>3. I would be transparent about the work am doing and ensure that because of my absence team is not affected </p><p><br /></p><p>This according to me is team spirit</p><p><br /></p><p>I need not wear it in my sleeve </p><p><br /></p><p>It would be obvious in the way I am transparent and in the way I call spade a spade </p><p><br /></p><p>Stop using the word team as an excuse to escape questions or to hide the fact you do not want to take individual responsibilities</p><p><br /></p><p>Stop boasting your team spirit and start exhibiting it by treating all equally not in just words but in actions </p><p><br /></p><p>#random :)</p>Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-85552405758737687992021-04-18T21:23:00.003-07:002021-04-18T21:23:58.153-07:00Sanatana Dharma<p> The person who has truly understood sanathana Dharma will not dictate how the other person has to pray.</p><p><br /></p><p>They will respect the fact that each person has his / her own way of relating to God </p><p><br /></p><p>Dictating how one should pray when they should see God and concluding that they are not believing in almighty if they don't do your way shows how premature you are as a person in spritual enlightenment </p><p><br /></p><p>Sanatana dharama is far away from fanatism </p><p><br /></p><p>Sad someone who thinks he or she follows sanatana dharma interferes in the way other should see God </p><p><br /></p><p>For the formless almighty sanatana dharma gives freedom to give the form and pray and relate in easy way. He is everywhere. </p><p><br /></p><p>A person can choose to see any form of Him anytime of the day.</p><p><br /></p><p>Just because they don't do in your timings does not mean they have not seen or experienced Him inside heart</p><p><br /></p><p>Such people who dictate should grow up spritually. </p><p><br /></p><p>They definitely are not in sanathana dharma though they think they are, as they are not following the essence of it</p><p><br /></p><p>- Sandhya Venkataraman</p>Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-65845294303454627942017-04-21T10:06:00.002-07:002017-04-21T10:06:17.695-07:00Deivam Manushya Rupena<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">God helps those who try to help themselves. God helps us in many forms through people around us or rather tries to reach us through peo</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">ple but often many tend to throw away people saying "God is there to help I don't need anyone" without understanding that there is God within each one of us! Deivam Manushya Rupena is what we have been taught. Lord will not manifest Himself in the kind of form that we see in pictures of deities but His manifestation can be felt through acts of people who try to help us. If we miss and insult those who try to help us then it’s nothing short of insulting God and His ways and fooling one own self</span></div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-68712948423907998072016-08-10T08:42:00.001-07:002016-08-10T08:42:05.417-07:00Freedom !!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I simply love it when someone ignores my communication on continuous basis. I love it when they repeatedly do the things that they know would hurt me. I love it when they don't pay attention. I love it when they cut me off from expressing my views. Because it just frees me from any obligation to respond to them whey they reach out.</div>
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There after i have complete freedom to decide whether i need to communicate to them or reciprocate. Its up to me to decide and be a better person<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"> and treat them too well or give them as good as i get and make them taste their own behaviour.</span></div>
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Why should one get mad when the other person don't treat you as well as you do? Why should you get mad if they do not outwardly appreciate what you do to them? Why should you get mad if there is no reciprocation and courtesy?</div>
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I personally realized and feel they are making my position stronger without really intending to do so.</div>
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Because when one day i finally decide to give up i would be under no moral obligation to explain <i class="_lew" title="smile emoticon"><i aria-hidden="true" class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_5371b4" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png"); background-position: 0px -340px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;">:)</i><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px;">:</span></i></div>
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Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-28344310167774390992016-06-18T22:24:00.001-07:002016-06-18T22:24:23.754-07:00Respect ... Just Random<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Some people are so small hearted that they can only care for their happiness, their family and reciprocate only to their set of people. Yes doing to all your own set of people matters. And yes I do agree on concepts like 'your happiness you should take care' , priorities etc etc. Am not debating or disagreeing with any of that. Even I care extra bit for my set of people. I don't deny. There is a special place for the close ones in our life. But what about others who fall out of this circle? The ones who care for you a lot without any conditions attached?</div>
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If you can't give consistent courteous affection to them at the least don't hurt them or humiliate them with comparisons. Don't trivialise their affection and efforts by showing how capable you are in throwing it away.</div>
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They completely understand you have your set of people and you do not need their affection but they still give because unlike you its in their nature. If you can at the least respect it.</div>
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Before one does an act one should assess.</div>
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Would you do this to your parents siblings spouse or your so called closest circle of friends?</div>
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For instance say you ask your colleague or acquaintance to wait for you at some place for some work? You know they would definitely come and wait</div>
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And you are caught up in your little world of happiness? Would you even forget that they would be waiting? Won't you care that it gets lonely to wait and they have to know what's your plan?. For heaven sake you had asked them to wait or come and then you conveniently forget till they call you up several times? Should you not give a small message or call to tell them. Don't these come under basic humanity? Will you leave your sister or spouse at lonely place and enjoy elsewhere?</div>
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Or take any other simple act like</div>
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Simple act of acknowledging the wishes they give you? Taking your eyes off phone or laptop when they are giving you some information. Asking them how they are when you have found them sick etc. Sending wishes on your own once a while. Are these basic courteous acts meant only for close circle?</div>
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It's ok when all the above are occasional but what justification can one give when it becomes a habit? Isn't courtesy and mutual respect important?</div>
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Humanity don't need reasons to enter. It is something you can do in simple day to day affairs. How shrunk the heart of those that can care only for their happiness and their set of people...! They don't even seem to care about the amount of hurt they confer on others by their insensitive comments.</div>
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Before doing anything to anyone think whether you would do that to your own people.</div>
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It does not come as a surprise that some are small hearted to give affection and reciprocation to only their set of people and don't care to reciprocate to others who give affection and care.</div>
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What surprises me is that some cannot even treat others outside their circle with humanity, respect and courtesy.</div>
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Some people hurt you in their happiness or for their happiness. Both are ignorant and selfish. Presuming both are not intentional. It's cruel if it is intentional but I prefer to give benefit of doubt to such people and assume that it's unintentional</div>
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What do you do when you meet such people ? Behave like them to them? Of course not. Then there would be no difference between you and them. Give them unconditional affection with the hope that though they might not return it to you that would someday create a spark in them and they would not do what they did to you to another soul. You would contribute in stopping the pain waves they are creating and that's what world needs. Unconditional love and affection. Not only to those that treat you well but even to those who don't</div>
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When you send out love and unconditional affection God ensures you get it in return. May not be from the same source in which you invested but as you sow so shall you reap. There would be someone who would treat you well as you deserve</div>
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Love the ones who treat you right<br />Pray for the ones who don't <i class="_lew" title="smile emoticon"><i aria-hidden="true" class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_5371b4" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png"); background-position: 0px -340px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd" style="font-size: 0px;">:)</span></i></div>
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Have a blessed day</div>
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<a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/randomwriting?source=feed_text&story_id=888608104618848" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl" style="color: #4267b2;">#</span><span class="_58cm">randomwriting</span></a></div>
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PS: thanks to the cool small hearted folks I meet in my day to day life. You inspire me to write </div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">and you test my ability to give unconditional love and affection. My prayers and loads of affection to you guys. In my opinion you need them the most because your hearts are shrunk and they need to expand. May you be blessed to give affection and humanity to all</span></div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-58878352327171321692016-06-18T22:17:00.003-07:002016-06-18T22:17:50.768-07:00Acquaintances<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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More than most of the people reach out to you only when they need something from you. Help them but don't take them as close friends. See whether they are there in the times you are down. Whether they care to drop a small word to ensure you are fine. Never be close to those who can enquire only when it is convenient to them. You can name them acquaintance and give them respect.</div>
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Assess before you take people into your closer circle</div>
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You should never be close to those who never <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">enquire you by themselves once a while <i class="_lew" title="smile emoticon"><i aria-hidden="true" class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_5371b4" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png"); background-position: 0px -340px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd" style="font-size: 0px;">:)</span></i></span></div>
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You should never be close to the ones who do not show their care when you are hurting</div>
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Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-31095375420157790782016-06-18T22:16:00.003-07:002016-06-18T22:16:32.008-07:00Train friends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In life you meet certain people who are just train friends</div>
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Now how I define this. Say you are going on a long journey the person next to you starts talking to you well. He cracks jokes makes you laugh and perhaps even say get to know you well</div>
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Now they do because</div>
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1. They are bored<br />2. They don't have their own circle of close friends around them</div>
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But when it's time to change seats or getting down you may even exchange numbers etc but they would disappear. They would meet others in the journey and be happy</div>
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You talk well but you need to realize that their talking to you in confined to the above 2 reasons</div>
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In the same way in life you will find train friends who claim to always keep those around them happy. Assess their statements and actions</div>
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1. They will talk sweetly when they need something from you</div>
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2. They will talk caringly when they are free</div>
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3. They will meet you or talk etc when they do not have their close friends around because simple they are bored</div>
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4. They do not enquire if they are busy and they know you are in trouble or hurting</div>
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5. They find it easy to ignore your communications on a constant basis because they don't really need you communicating at that point if time.</div>
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6. They really are too pre occupied that they can make you feel invisible on constant basis and you need to reach out to them to remind them that you are feeling low and want to talk to them etc</div>
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And other points left to readers imagination</div>
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But the main point I want to emphasise in this post is that one should realize that it is easy to be there when one is free but when someone is going through trouble if a person cares to find a little time to enquire that's what close friendship is all about.</div>
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We meet train friends in our life. They might claim to be your close friend at that point of time. They may claim to be consistent</div>
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But see whether you are only an option in their free time or whether they free their time once a while to ask how you are.</div>
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The problem and hurt starts when you take such train friends as close friends</div>
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It might hurt to recognise that you misjudged train friends as close friends</div>
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Wait to see delay judgement be silent. Truly close best friends can't see you hurting and ignore it without caring to say a word. They would amend their actions if they find that it had hurt you. They would care to leave a small word in midst of chaos to show they are there as moral support and make you believe that they are there with you when you are down. They would care to ensure you are safe.</div>
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But if you find they are train friends then be a train friend to them. Help them and care for them but don't take them close.</div>
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It's hard to realise train friends at later stage. Assess before you take anyone close.</div>
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If you realize later endure the pain</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Remember person who is capable of hurting you would continue to hurt you. You should become immune to it</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Leave it to time the best healer.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
See if you are being a train friend to any who have considered you close and try to give your care and affection <i class="_lew" title="smile emoticon"><i aria-hidden="true" class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_5371b4" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png"); background-position: 0px -340px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"> :)</i><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd" style="font-size: 0px;">:)</span></i></div>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-68085307579319893192016-06-18T22:14:00.002-07:002016-06-18T22:14:58.172-07:00Unconditional Affection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
When there is unconditional affection for someone despite the amount of disappointment or hurt they have given, despite the fact you may be angry if they are not well or in trouble you still care deeply.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
The moment you get anxious to ensure they are fine is when you realise that it's the mind that gets angry but the heart always care. We never know how much we care for a person unless we find them in trouble or being sick and our heart skips a beat when you hear and all you <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">want is their well being and that becomes your single full filled thought</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
You want them happy and doing well and that thought is your truest self. Hidden behind the strands of ego is the child nature of a human which yearns to reach out to our loved ones. And ensure they are fine always</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Being angry or disappointed does not stop you from caring for your loved ones.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
After all affection is greater than perfection</div>
</div>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-13986573219686944742016-06-18T22:12:00.000-07:002016-06-18T22:13:53.241-07:00Privacy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.08px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you’re special too.” love your partner fiercely. But always follow your own unique dreams and Desires."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.08px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a real good quote. Something I observe in people. Why maintaining individuality is considered as a sign of lack of love or affection ?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is it the false impact created by the social media?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If one does not maintain individuality they can never truly appreciate themselves.</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 19.32px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then they cannot love themselves which means in the long run they cannot love anyone else. That's when relationship breaks</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
This holds good for any relationship <i class="_lew" title="smile emoticon"><i aria-hidden="true" class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_5371b4" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png"); background-position: 0px -340px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd">:)</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
As long as you maintain the right balance and confidence and trust you do not need proofs to establish it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Read a news that there was an argument just because a picture is not liked in face book ! Or the demonstration of love and affection had not happened via a public social media.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Yes you can and may do it at times and it's really sweet but that should not become a need</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
When what is casual becomes a need then the problem starts <i class="_lew" title="smile emoticon"><i aria-hidden="true" class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_5371b4" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png"); background-position: 0px -340px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span aria-hidden="true" class="_4mcd">:)</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
You should be confident that your life is not dictated by public display of affection.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
After all maintain privacy. Let you near and closed ones have their space in social media. If a close friend or closed one does not like your pictures or does not put a picture with you don't let it bother you. Don't fight with them for the public display. Have trust that it does not in anyway means they love you less. It necessarily need not be even fight even a sort of emotional conversation to make them do something in social media is a form of emotional blackmail driven by your unnecessary need of public display. At times its sweet but then make sure it does not become an habit. Love give affection but doing like this is long run is not healthy</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Doing too much first then not doing anything etc creates confusion. Be calm and consistent. Don't exaggerate in happiness or sadness try to keep it balanced matured and sensitive</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Leave so between spouses I hear some friends even fight over not liking or not putting dps and statuses. Avaluku pota enaku podala nulaam sanda and disappointment</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Sadly need for public display of affection is becoming a psychological problem.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Don't let fb or watsapp determine the level of affection you have with your closed ones</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Elame public la pesita thaniya ennama pudusa pesa?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Just remember our previous generation did not have fb or watsapp and they lived happily and more contended than any of us with social media.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Social media should be used to exhibit your thoughts. Share your love and affection once awhile it's very sweet. But when it's not there don't let that determine your life.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Stay happy. Give healthy space and have a long standing mutual respect and trust</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/kaalathinkolam?source=feed_text&story_id=893494550796870" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">kaalathinkolam</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/applicableforallincludingme?source=feed_text&story_id=893494550796870" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">applicableforallincludingme</span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/mutualrespect?source=feed_text&story_id=893494550796870" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">mutualrespect</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/maintainprivacy?source=feed_text&story_id=893494550796870" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">maintainprivacy</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dontbeinsensitive?source=feed_text&story_id=893494550796870" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">dontbeinsensitive</span></a></div>
</span></div>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-38487384859102949852015-09-17T10:18:00.001-07:002015-09-17T20:14:50.438-07:00Reflection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Amma” screamed Radha. Why you did not wake me up early? See
I have to go for walk and get ready and go to office on time. Now everything is
spoiled. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You slept late Radha that’s why I did not wake you up. See
you look tired even now!” , said Amma with a worried look on her face. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Now don’t give that sorry look Amma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just have some excuse for not doing what
I say. Thanks for that great help. I would go get ready now and know that you
have spoiled my day.” saying this Radha stormed to get ready. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why can’t you just leave a message to your boss saying you
will be half an hour late and get ready calmly”, said Amma. But Radha did not
pay any attention.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Can you help me connecting the laptop” asked Appa. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Appa can’t you see I am getting late. Please don’t ask me
anything now” said Radha</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Radha got ready and came out said bye to amma. Amma said eat
and give me some time to pack your breakfast.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not required, you will take your own sweet time to cook. I
can eat outside and for your information I am getting late”. Saying this Radha
ran outside to catch an auto. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Say bye to all Radhaaaa”, screamed amma.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh am already late and I have to comply with all the
formalities. Bye all”. Radha screamed back.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What a way to start the day! All because of mom, thought
Radha. If only she could have given me a proper wake up call, I would not have
to go through all this irritation. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With these thoughts in her mind she went to catch an auto. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She stopped an auto asked the driver stating her destination
which was 3 kms away. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You need to pay me Rs. 200 to get there said the auto driver
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(well welcome to Chennai, where auto’s
run well but their meters don’t!)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Whattttt!!!!!!... Rs. 200”, screamed Radha.” Don’t you guys
ever change? Why do you cheat and loot the general public?”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Petrol hiked madam and why are you shouting at me in the
morning? I am not the only one to ask. If you can, you give or catch another
auto. You won’t get any and you would suffer” retorted the auto driver.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Just Get Lost! I would rather walk than paying you”
screamed Radha</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And she started walking. Nothing seems to go right today. I
hate this life thought Radha</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She walked after some time she got an auto and grudgingly
paid Rs. 100 to get to office. Useless auto drivers spoiling my mood and day
thought Radha.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once she reached office she opened her office mail. She saw
she never got replies to all those reminder mails she had sent last week. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh my God, brilliant, now I have to keep a reminder list to
send second reminder mails to all those folks who just can’t reply to one
single mail. No courtesy, no sincerity. Irritating” thought Radha.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">**Tring Tring**, rang her extension flashing the name of her
colleague Geetha. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh the drama queen has now called” thought Radha and picked
the call.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hello, Radha. I just saw your reminder mail that I have to
complete certain work. Who are you to say that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have served more number of years in this company than you” screamed
her colleague. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Well this lady had
all the energy to shout but did not have enough energy to complete her task!!)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hello Geetha, listen it’s my job to track the progress of
the work and I am just doing my duty. And if you have concerns you speak to
higher ups why are you shouting?. I would send reminder mails. And you don’t
have courtesy to reply to any. And you would not give any explanation and who
is being questioned. Remember that I would be the one who has to answer those
questions ” said Radha</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t have to report to you Radha. You don’t set my
priorities. I can’t be replying to all mails” retorted Geetha </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Well yes, Geetha does
have other better works like cribbing about her mother in law at office! Well
if one has such interesting works how would they find time to reply to office
mails at office!! )<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Radha was now on the verge of losing her temper, “See you
are not getting the point Geetha. Am doing my work and I am being questioned.
So you need to give me the details. That doesn’t mean am setting your
priorities......” </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the conversation went on for another 45 minutes. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There is no point. Am just ending this call Geetha” said
Radha and ended the call. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This day is JUST NOT FINE. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Radha stormed out of the office finally with heavy heart and
severe head ache. She rushed back home. Amma welcomed her back with her
beautiful smile as ever. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Dinner is ready” she said. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Ok Amma” said Radha in a dull tone. She saw her mobile
while her dinner was being served and saw her mother’s message this morning</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Dear daughter. Don’t
worry the day will be good sweety. Keep smiling” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Amma, sorry I did not see your message this morning. Are
you angry with me?” said Radha hugging her mother. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No sweety, I knew you had a hectic day” said amma. Then she
said “see had you given this hug this morning your day would have been better” </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> said Amma smiling.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Radha was taken aback.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will do that
tomorrow amma. “ said Radha</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sleep on time today Radha. I would wake you up early
tomorrow” said amma with a sweet smile.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Radha went to bed thinking of her day.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She cannot stop the
running time<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She cannot change the
auto driver’s attitude.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She cannot make all
her colleagues learn what courtesy is<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She cannot control or
change Geetha’s behaviour<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what can she do? <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The only thing she
could do and was in her control was her own way of handling things. So as of
now let me try to sleep early and get up on time thought Radha<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next day Radha got up early. She went for her morning walk
hearing her favourite songs. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When she came back she saw her dad struggling with
connecting the laptop. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Appa, I will do it” said smiling Radha. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Thanks Radha” said appa smiling.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Amma, I will go get ready. Is the breakfast ready?”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh I am yet to finish the sambar. I got up late Radha” said
amma.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s ok amma. No problem I will eat outside. “, said Radha
hugging her mother.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She came out to catch the auto. Well yet again there was
this auto driver who asked Rs. 250.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Radha smiled and replied. “Great brother, you are really
better than the driver yesterday who asked Rs. 200. But unfortunately am not
that rich to pay you. You will get a better passenger who can afford to pay you
what you seek. Have a good day”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The auto driver was taken aback. And started to go away but
changed his mind. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He called back, “Sister, I am sorry, I know I asked more. I
will put meter. Can you please give me some extra. You are my first passenger
for the day.”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sure”, said smiling Radha and went to office.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She reached office and saw that some of her colleagues had
still not replied to their mails. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Wow interesting now the late they reply, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the stronger is my position because I have
done my work” thought radha mentally thanking her colleagues for giving her
some buffer time in which she can do other tasks. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She smiled and drafted a common reminder mail, “Dear
Colleagues, I understand you are too busy but I am sure you would complete this
and intimate me. Thanks for your support in advance and wishing you a good day”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She pressed the send button and with a smile started her
work. She found she could complete her work much faster than yesterday because
she was peaceful.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">**Tring Tring** rang her extension flashing the name of her <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">favourite</i> colleague “Ms. Drama Queen Geetha”
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Radha smiled thinking that this is now going to be fun.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Radhaaaa”, screamed Geetha. “Despite <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>telling you so much you have the audacity to
send a mail to me today”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Radha said in a calm voice. “I am doing my work Geetha”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You don’t teach me what to do. You cannot mail and I just
don’t care about your mail” started Geetha</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sorry to interrupt you Geetha. I can understand you have
not completed the work and you can take your time and intimate once you have done
it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you would definitely get my
mails because it is part of my work profile to ensure things are going in the
right phase. So I guess we should not be wasting our time on discussing these
things. Because anyway I am not going to stop my mails so why you should waste
time discussing that with me? Why can’t you take it up with your boss and
remove your work areas from my tracking list if it is getting into your nerves?
</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. And by the way on a
lighter note if you really don’t care about my mail you would not be calling my
extension. Have a good day lady </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
and please check your BP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You really
seem to be stressed out. Take rest. Take care”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And with a broad smile Radha kept her phone back.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After some time another colleague came to Radha and said “Do
you know, Geetha<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is talking bad about
you. She is telling a bunch of people in the canteen that you are trying to be
authoritative and you are trying to impress your boss to get promotion. I think
you should confront her and put her in place” </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Well if she is talking about me then it means she obviously
finds my life more interesting than hers. And this really confirms that I am a
step ahead of her” </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saying this Radha went to the white board placed in her work
area and wrote the Eleanor Roosevelt Quote</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss
events; small minds discuss people."</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When she finished writing and turned, she saw Geetha and her
friends walking in. Geetha’s face turned red with anger when she saw the quote.
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Radha flashed the victory smile at Geetha and walked away
with her head held high<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(How entertaining it
is to smile when the other person expects you to be enraged</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This was indeed a good day. Life is beautiful thought Radha </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back home she had dinner in peace and went to sleep.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She was thinking about the day. The characters whom she met
yesterday and today were same. The external situation had not changed a bit. In
fact she even<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had some people gossiping
about her but still the day went perfect.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“How come?”, thought Radha</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Morning breakfast was
not ready, but the way she handled it made the difference.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Appa was still struggling
to connect the laptop, but helping him made the difference.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The auto fellow still
asked exorbitant fare, but the way of handling it made the difference. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(The auto driver turned out to be a good fellow but what if
he had just left? “Well I would have just found another auto. But at least I
did not let that spoil my mood” thought Radha.)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Did all her colleagues
learnt courtesy and replied to her mails? No, but the way she handled it made
the difference.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Did Geetha change? Absolutely
not! But not allowing it to disturb the inner peace made the difference.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why are you smiling Radha” asked amma smiling back. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“To get your smile back Amma. Goodnight” said Radha hugging
her mother with a final realization that how she perceive or take the incidents
around her is purely a reflection of her own inner state of mind</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After all what we see is a mere Reflection </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> yes a mere reflection
!!!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-90853172427538826692014-08-14T22:31:00.003-07:002014-08-14T22:43:36.175-07:00Impact of the highly improbable – Part 12<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Rani
reached Kalpi and fought against the British forces with Tatia Tope and Rao
Sahib.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The
combined forces of Rani were, however, routed by General Rose at the battles of
Poonch and Kalpi. Lakshmi Bai then reached <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Gwalior</st1:place></st1:city> and established the Peshwa's
authority after defeating the Maharaja Sindia. At last, when Rose attacked <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Gwalior</st1:place></st1:city>, she fought stubbornly
to the finish, sword in both hands and the reins of the horse in her mouth, and
died a glorious death in the thick of battle. She was cremated in a nearby
garden where a memorial was erected after independence in honour of her
martyrdom.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Mahasweti
Devi reports the brief remembrances of Damodar who was only a child at the
time. One in particular tells of how one 'evening in Gwalior came back to his
mind over and over again when a loving glance from a pair of enormous eyes
seemed to reach out towards him and then move far off - it was as if his mother
was going far away, where one could no longer touch her.'<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Understandably
the Rani's funeral was carried out very quickly after her death since none
could guarantee that she would be dealt with proper respect if they delayed.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Lakshmibai
had two 'maids of honour' who accompanied her from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>. Fortunately we know little more than
their names, Mandar and Kashi Kumbin. Mandar is said to have been a childhood
friend of Lakshmibai and was killed in the same incident in which Lakshmibai
was fatally wounded. Kashi had stayed behind to look after Damodar. It was
Kashi, according to Devi, who prepared the Rani for her funeral pyre and who
with another close attendant of the Rani's looked after Damodar for two years
before surrendering him to the British with the promise of safety. She then
disappears from history. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">One
has to be impressed by their loyalty and courage. Their indomitable spirit
inspires us. But then there were many such people even more anonymous, their
acts unknown to history. We can only acknowledge the deeds of a few, and they
must also stand for all these others.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Two
days later the rebels left <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Gwalior</st1:place></st1:city>
making no attempt to continue the fight. The death of Lakshmibai seems to have
utterly demoralized them. The 'impregnable' fort of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Gwalior</st1:place></st1:city> was easily retaken by the British. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Rani
was thus cheated twice by the British. First was the way in which they annexed <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city></st1:place> on the death of her
husband, the Raja Gangadhar Rao in 1854. Second, when they unjustly accused her
of involvement in the mutiny and massacre that occurred in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city></st1:place> 3 years later. And this of course was
Black Swans ignored by the East India Company.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">As
a result of the actions of the British, and others, she plunged into the
Warfield, transforming herself as the leader of an army and the most important personality
of the Indian Rebellion. With her death the rebellion was over. It did erupt
again but that’s a subject of another post in this series. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Today
her name is commonplace throughout <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>, renowned as a leader of the
Rebellion. The Queen, who fought the first war of Indian independence despite
the challenges it posed. She inspired many to follow suit.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> But according to me she was more than a
martial leader. In her brief time she cast aside many conventions to unite
people of all castes and religions in her cause. She put aside purdah, which
she only observed with respect to the British in any case, encouraged other
women to do the same and trained them to fight and support the army;<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> Lakshmibai was not the only <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city> women to die fighting the British. She
cut across the social norms of the time, refusing to accept her fate 'as a
woman'. She cared for all her people, and consulted with them at crucial times,
and carried them with her.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">I
would talk in next post what happened to others, why Indians lost the first war
of Indian independence and what happened to the East India Company after the
rebellion.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">But
this post is not for that.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">I
would like to have this post as a tribute to the remarkable women. It does not
matter whether you are fighting with sword or with words. If you are fighting
for your right while doing your duty then you are indeed a Lakshmi Bai.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">In
1942, an all-women regiment of the Indian National Army formed to fight British
colonial rule, was named in honour of the Rani of Jhansi. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rani_of_Jhansi_Regiment)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Indeed
Rani is a symbol of Women empowerment.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Mahasweta
Devi in her book Queen of Jhansi writes as follows (a small extract)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">“Everywhere
in <st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city>, Kalpi and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Gwalior</st1:city></st1:place> – ordinary people will tell you that
the Queen will never die. Halfway between Bhandir and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city> people will tell you, that even now,
Bai Saheba (Rani) sometimes appears at midnight. She is dashing off with her
young son in the mare sarangi. In the faint moonlight, Bai Saheba’s pearl
necklace and sword can be clearly seen. The ancient man who sells grass would
say he has seen Rani Lakshmibai standing still as a painting on the fort wall.
Tell them she is dead they would say “You just don’t know that’s all. The Queen
hasn’t died! “Baisaheba jarur jinda houni” <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Then
where is Rani Lakshmibai? <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Even
today Rani Lakshmi bai is invoked and worshipped daily in Bundelkhand as
goddess Durga, as Shakthi.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Is
all the reverence people feel towards her just and overflow of emotion? Was
there no basis for it? If we want to know that, we will have to go back in time
and see the Bundelkhand 100 years ago. English trampled upon the heart of <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> with their booted feet and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> let out a
cry of pain from her broken ribs. It erupted as the rebellion<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Rani
Lakshmibai was an expression of what <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> felt in those times<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Devi
says “One truth rises above countless mistakes, flaws weaknesses and defeats of
those days and that is of the first conscious rebellion taking place against
the stranglehold of the foreign rule. As long as we are aware of that, the name
of Rani Lakshmibai will be etched in our memory. No one will forget the Queen,
even if there is no worthy memorial raised to her. As long as people insist
“Rani margay na houni’ – The queen did not die, the Queen will be alive. It’s
true that her body was consigned to flames on 17<sup>th</sup> June 1858, but
she is immortal. The Queen of Jhansi lives for ever in the heart of her people.
In a sense she achieved what she desired; her name and that of <st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city>
are inextricably linked, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>
will be 'hers' forever.”<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">If
you want to find her, you will have to go to those places and get to know the
people who still believe with all their hearts that their Bai Saheba never
died. Then, out of the belief of these uneducated, poor, farming men and women,
slowly the image of a unique woman will appear – an amazing woman from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s
lost days. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">To
be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<br />
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<br /></div>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-76757792229701330132014-07-12T06:28:00.002-07:002014-07-12T06:39:26.223-07:00Impact of the highly improbable – Part 11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">We
saw in the previous post about Jokhan Bagh incident and how British views on
Rani became coloured by prejudice post that incident. After the Jokhan Bagh
incident the mutineers left <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>.
Rani then immediately had to deal with a rival claimant to the Raja's throne,
and estate. Shortly after the mutineers left <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>, Sadasheo Rao Narain attempted a coup,
but was easily foiled, and taken prisoner. (He was found in prison by the
British and hanged by them after they retook <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>.)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Rani then defended <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city></st1:place>
against attacks by Orchha. The forces of Orchha laid siege to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city> between the 3rd and 22nd of October
1857 whilst claiming to be acting for the British. The British as usual ignored
her pleas for help in defending <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>.
But however Rani won these battles.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Post
this Rani strengthened the army and defenses. The fort became almost
impenetrable. Events were leading to her final confrontation with the British.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">By
the end of 1857 the British had dealt with the bigger problems of <st1:city w:st="on">Delhi</st1:city> and Oudh enabling them to turn their attention on
the smaller ones, like <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>.
The Rani had received no further communications from the British<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">On
the 6th of January, a British force under Sir Hugh Rose, accompanied by <st1:city w:st="on">Hamilton</st1:city>, marched northwards towards <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>. Their intension was very clear with
the way they behaved on their journey. They simply massacred anyone they
thought to be a rebel with or without evidence. They plundered and did not stop
to any warnings and objections.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">According
to British, Rani was 'the Jezebel of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> ... the young, energetic,
proud, uncompromising Rani, and upon her head rested the blood of the [British]
slain, and a punishment as awful awaited her'. (For those who want to know who
is Queen Jezebal refer - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jezebel"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jezebel</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Lakshmi
Bai was prepared. She raised a force of 14,000 volunteers from the population
and 1,500 sepoys, made contact with the rebels, strengthened the defenses and
prepared for the arrival of the British.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"> </span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Intelligence
Report (quoting from Paul) dated the 7th Feb 1858 from Sir Robert Hamilton says
that:-<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">“Although
the Rani proposes not to fight the British government yet she makes every
hostile arrangement. Six new large guns have been manufactured; carriages for
these and old guns are in the course of construction. About 200 mounds of
saltpetre being purchased in the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Gwalior</st1:place></st1:city>
district had been bought into the fort. Gunpowder is daily made within the
fort. Eight gunners from the Moorar rebels were sent from Kalpi and have been
taken into service. They superintend the manufacturing of brass balls.”<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">It
should be noted that even without the approaching British force, the Rani had
every reason to prepare <st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city>'s defenses not
against the British, but against <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city></st1:place>'s
more aggressive neighbours, Orchha in particular.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The
British forces started its attack on <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>.
For 10 days they bombarded the fort. And for every attack Rani’s forces fought
back with equal vigor.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> Image of Jhansi Fort defended by Rani (Courtesy: Wikipedia)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5R391-_xv-YBt5Leb8gu1AeGdFJsjSFfOhhZiiC_noRCufscOjb83uEGh1Nn59q-DwXszUcy_BYNUe9NZ750wa7nvWtiKfWWPn0W6V6KDCIR8E66f7oAmyFAK3yloEThw3r2wjHk4Z6M/s1600/1857_jhansi_fort2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5R391-_xv-YBt5Leb8gu1AeGdFJsjSFfOhhZiiC_noRCufscOjb83uEGh1Nn59q-DwXszUcy_BYNUe9NZ750wa7nvWtiKfWWPn0W6V6KDCIR8E66f7oAmyFAK3yloEThw3r2wjHk4Z6M/s1600/1857_jhansi_fort2.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> The Kadak Bijili canon used in the uprising of 1857</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVKFfpKKRvxcBYcj_FVwJcTDNQDelHG6sjEF_o_bRawCo6dlsvUlxb4lHsonr3wYk7rA7AXfuK8v5bQp2IccUj9wfsWXXQ2NL_q32K6qU8CkFSsQ9rAre3YQ6tr3REZrlou29Q82AV9k/s1600/Kadak_Bijli.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVKFfpKKRvxcBYcj_FVwJcTDNQDelHG6sjEF_o_bRawCo6dlsvUlxb4lHsonr3wYk7rA7AXfuK8v5bQp2IccUj9wfsWXXQ2NL_q32K6qU8CkFSsQ9rAre3YQ6tr3REZrlou29Q82AV9k/s1600/Kadak_Bijli.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">
</span></div>
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</div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">A
rebel force under command of Tatya Tope arrived to defend Rani but they were
defeated because they were disorganized.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The
British bribed the gate keeper of the fort of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city></st1:place> and entered it.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">At
3am, the 3rd April 1858, British troops stormed into <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>. The fighting is said to have been
intense. Rani led it with such a force that British were indeed surprised. She
with her women army was often visible to the British. They came face to face
with Rani, directing and encouraging the resistance.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; margin-left: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;">Another
Brave woman, Jhalkari Korin, is said to have masqueraded as the Rani and was
captured as such by the British. She was unmasked only when she was bought
before Rose. Her fate is uncertain. (<o:p></o:p></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhalkaribai)</span></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Equestrian
statue of Jhalkaribai in Gwalior</span><o:p></o:p></h1>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6XAr27u_OyfBlN4FzeftW9Obj6IGvLxNrneve6uMawISFd34zJXgPLrzU3KGsJlEU3lkouvOubWbEIRd0S1lenfyE_7j4DuIq-pmPCKHOlQcaR1P_bhj6KXAhZzD1wMwQg3keauQ5XQ/s1600/Jhalkaribai_Statue_at_Gwalior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6XAr27u_OyfBlN4FzeftW9Obj6IGvLxNrneve6uMawISFd34zJXgPLrzU3KGsJlEU3lkouvOubWbEIRd0S1lenfyE_7j4DuIq-pmPCKHOlQcaR1P_bhj6KXAhZzD1wMwQg3keauQ5XQ/s1600/Jhalkaribai_Statue_at_Gwalior.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; margin-left: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;">At some point Rani decided to escape from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city></st1:place> to get better support and fight back. </span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"> The famous jumping point at Jhansi </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"> From this point, Rani is said to have jumped on her horse to escape.(Source: Wikipedia)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3zQ5oyfVVF2pKLLkXJ3YBbrXshdIfQzKyOzkwA55tnbCazcticQkbOPZ7GKZXcKv3uzd7lC5zXGlpyf0Y-J7TdpfZPQxKrwAzCCNJAJxCuRmdpNoldoQpkMeT36i5_wvBmbkZ2EWlxw/s1600/1024px-The_place_from_where_Rani_Lakshmibai_jumped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3zQ5oyfVVF2pKLLkXJ3YBbrXshdIfQzKyOzkwA55tnbCazcticQkbOPZ7GKZXcKv3uzd7lC5zXGlpyf0Y-J7TdpfZPQxKrwAzCCNJAJxCuRmdpNoldoQpkMeT36i5_wvBmbkZ2EWlxw/s1600/1024px-The_place_from_where_Rani_Lakshmibai_jumped.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Lakshmi Bai escaped to Kalpi, on horseback, with her son tied on her back, to prepare for
another encounter in conjunction with Tatya Tope and Rao Sahib. She was given a
warm welcome in Kalpi.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">In
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>, the
slaughter continued. The British soldiers "eagerly exceeding their
orders'' (Hibbert). A Hindu priest, Vishnu Godse, who was there and wrote of
his experiences, 'recalled four days of fire, pillage, murder and looting
without distinction' (Fraser). Rose had instructed his troops to 'spare no one
over sixteen - except women of course'. Some of those who could not escape
threw themselves with their wives and children down the wells of the town. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">In
the words of Godse:<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">[After
the massacre and looting had finished] In the squares of the city ... hundreds
of corpses [were collected] in large heaps and covered with wood, floorboards
and anything that came handy and set on fire. Now every square blazed with
burning bodies and the city looked like one vast burning ground ... It became
difficult to breathe as the air stank with the odour of burning human flesh and
the stench of rotting animals in the streets.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">What
happened to Rani then?<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<br />
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">To
be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-37437403267347819812014-03-23T01:28:00.000-07:002014-03-23T01:37:31.242-07:00Impact of the highly improbable – Part 10<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">In
the last post we saw how Rani, during the years of retirement was meticulous in
her religious observances and she practiced rifle and pistol shooting, horse
riding and physical exercise every day. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">In
the early months of 1857, the tallow greased cartridges triggered the sepoy
mutiny.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">When
news of the mutiny in <st1:city w:st="on">Meerut</st1:city> reached <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>, the Rani asked
permission to raise a small bodyguard for her own protection, a measure to
which Captain Skene readily agreed. Skene and the other British officers failed
to take the Rani's lead to protect themselves against a possible mutiny despite
Rani’s warnings.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> During these time British left the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city></st1:place> under the control
of Rani. The city was indeed relatively calm in the midst of unrest in the
region. Rani even conducted the Haldi kumkum ceremony (The Haldi Kumkum
ceremony, is a social gathering in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> in which married women
exchange haldi (turmeric) and kumkum (vermilion powder), as a symbol of their
married status and wishing for their husbands' long lives. Source Wikipedia)
with pomp which reassured the people that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>
was safe. This was done to assure people that they need not be worried about
British or Riots.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> Image of Ganesh Mandir Jhansi (Source: Wikipedia)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIgzGMbokYOKUCZ1aBKbCVUhQXWaDkZ4xH9Y8CmCxgb9QVaTP8di7GP4J2kNyb3P7g4_y4JPp_5qiLWvi118PyzIRSRR23kjEThrtgMKcG9_1Bb36Etg2OF1fIQ8XvnfP_oM6WxyXSVs/s1600/Shree_Ganesh_Mandir_,_jhansi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIgzGMbokYOKUCZ1aBKbCVUhQXWaDkZ4xH9Y8CmCxgb9QVaTP8di7GP4J2kNyb3P7g4_y4JPp_5qiLWvi118PyzIRSRR23kjEThrtgMKcG9_1Bb36Etg2OF1fIQ8XvnfP_oM6WxyXSVs/s1600/Shree_Ganesh_Mandir_,_jhansi.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">In
June 1857 a few men of the 12th Bengal Native Infantry seized the fort
containing the treasure, and massacred the European officers of the garrison
along with their wives and children. (Rani’s forces did not kill any East India
Company officials and their wives and children in Jokhan Bagh on 8 June 1857
but she was subsequently accused by the British of that.)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> Image of Jokhan Bagh (Source: Wikipedia)</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIG3sEYJeSJZuKQCzHqMUmOYvtkJw5aDEfCDBO5CHS2H1Z8k0BgKCbDFvlqEIOozXTr7NxhuGh2RIXEDzR9oxOJnYg0xKAbDoURFpueS1TKG-P8-JPfJsTeRcDs_KKbSwocdwSXEY-vkM/s1600/Jokan_bhag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIG3sEYJeSJZuKQCzHqMUmOYvtkJw5aDEfCDBO5CHS2H1Z8k0BgKCbDFvlqEIOozXTr7NxhuGh2RIXEDzR9oxOJnYg0xKAbDoURFpueS1TKG-P8-JPfJsTeRcDs_KKbSwocdwSXEY-vkM/s1600/Jokan_bhag.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">It
is said that the survivors in the Town Fort appealed to the Rani for help.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">But
with limited military power and having no influence over the mutineers it
became obvious that she could not do anything.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Her
actual response is unknown, there are several versions. Antonia Fraser's
favoured version is 'What can I do? ... If you wish to save yourself, abandon
the fort, no-one will injure you'. I assume that at the time the mutineers were
not acting against the fort, and that she was stating that the people of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city> would not harm
them. In this respect she could grant them the implied safe conduct, but
whatever she replied they choose to stay put.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">On
the 7th June, the Town Fort was besieged by the mutineers and the fort
surrendered. Safe passage was granted by the mutineers, but just outside <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>, in the Jokan
Bagh, one of the rebel leaders ordered their deaths.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The
mutineers left <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>
after this incident. She gave mutineers money being threatened by the fact that
they could do more damages and commit more atrocities. (Some British historians, subsequently pushed
this further, or at least misinterpreted it, and made her responsible for the
mutiny itself.)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Post
Jokhan Bagh incident, the mutineers left to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Delhi</st1:city></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><br /></st1:city></st1:place></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Rani
wrote letters to British explaining the incidents. Major Ellis had reported
that she had helped the mutineers with guns, men and money. Despite evidence,
other than the Rani's account, that the assistance had been extracted from her
under duress, there was a view that she gave willing assistance for the Jokhan
Bagh massacre. From that point the official British view of Rani became hostile
and coloured by prejudice and preconceived notion.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">That
is when Rani decided that she should fight against British and she took her
famous sword.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Many
might say that Rani was forced to take this decision and it does not show her
bravery. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Am
only reminded of the lines from Harry Potter:<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">These
lines appear when Dumbledore explains and Harry understands the prophesy they
he is to fight evil Voldemort.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">“He
understood at last what Dumbledore had been trying to tell him. It was, he
thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle
to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high. Some people,
perhaps, would say that there was little to choose between the two ways, but
Dumbledore knew – and so do I, thought Harry, with a rush of fierce pride, and
so did my parents – that there was all the difference in the world.”<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">And
that’s what I would say of Rani. She chose to walk into the arena with her head
held high. And it does make all the difference.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">After
due deliberation the Rani issued a proclamation: "We fight for
independence. In the words of Lord Krishna, we will if we are victorious, enjoy
the fruits of victory, if defeated and killed on the field of battle, we shall
surely earn eternal glory and salvation."<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> What happened after that?<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<br />
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">To
be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-62035757415617879932013-12-21T21:38:00.001-08:002013-12-21T21:53:34.483-08:00Impact of the highly improbable – Part 9<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 14.25pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 14.25pt;">“Main Meri Jhansi Nahi Doongi” was all Jhansi
Rani said when she heard that the British had applied the Doctrine of Lapse to
her </span><st1:city style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 14.25pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 14.25pt;">.
Anand Rao, her adopted son was denied his rights.</span></div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Lakshmi Bai
did not take the sword immediately. She always wanted peace and acted calmly.
The Queen had been criticized by some authors in many places. It is even
said that she was merely a Prisoner of Circumstances. But according to me she
was brave. Bravery is not absence of fear but it is the determination to act
despite fear. And that was what the Queen did!<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">At first she
appealed against the decision through the Local Political agent Major Ellis.
And she followed up with a second appeal. These appeals were refused by the British.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Lakshmi Bai
then consulted with a British counsel, John Lang, who was in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. He was
known for his success against the Company in the courts. This consultation is
recounted by Lang in his book "Wanderings in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>". Rani uttered the
famous words "Main Meri Jhansi Nahi Doongi " when she met John Lang. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Her third
appeal dated April 22nd 1854 was drafted with regard to Lang's advice. There
followed an appeal to the Court of Directors in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>, at considerable cost, but it also
failed. Rani’s persistence is said to have irritated Dalhousie.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The Rani was
forced into retirement. She was granted a monthly pension of 5,000 rupees, the
palace now known as the Rani Mahal, state jewels and funds.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">With the
annexation, Rani left the royal <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">palace</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Jhansi Fort</st1:placename></st1:place> and moved
to Rani Mahal. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The Rani
Mahal, the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">palace</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Rani Lakshmi Bai</st1:placename></st1:place>, has
now been converted into a museum. It houses a collection of archaeological
remains of the period between 9th and 12th centuries AD. (Source: Wikipedia)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xaKO3poLtvhvtJv9n01rJS4JfxBcLKj0eKNLmyQC_tO0q0K2oZC28X8FINULOcS1_fngv8yFPfGQJTsqvXK-XZNYX5XPDVCMpxMDDOUU23F3VCdHIBEKz9xuKdrNA1ZvfMx-WUAYGWY/s1600/rani+mahal+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xaKO3poLtvhvtJv9n01rJS4JfxBcLKj0eKNLmyQC_tO0q0K2oZC28X8FINULOcS1_fngv8yFPfGQJTsqvXK-XZNYX5XPDVCMpxMDDOUU23F3VCdHIBEKz9xuKdrNA1ZvfMx-WUAYGWY/s320/rani+mahal+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">In his book,
The Rebellious Rani, Smyth had mentioned that “Over the next three years the
Rani was steadily endearing herself to her people and fanning their resentment
against the British”. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">As she had
been Rani of Jhansi for over 10 years she was already well known to her people
and as for the people to hate British she did not have to do anything. The British worked on this for themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Some of the
grievances against British at that time were as follows<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The British allowed cow slaughter within the town, a
measure guaranteed to offend Hindus and the Rani protested in a letter of Aug
21st 1854.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Villages which were assigned to the <st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Mahalakshmi</st1:placename>,
the family deity of the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>
royal family, for the upkeep of the temples, were 'resumed', i.e. returned to a
normal status. Rs.1000 was added to the Rani's pension for her to provide
support for the temples.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Mahalakshmi</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype> <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>
(Source: Wikipedia)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUW9qJtHSnjvCspAh1WVyTaTBitXcFG5tksRAD5Pe0OfetU9P5G6aj1-Gg5sFX9EiTKrVcS8gE4jc2Vs5JQkBA52rb_llDzXgzKEPvF4YGLV24ZAPaf-USEF1WGXr0bR3DNRoqv4ErwUU/s1600/temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUW9qJtHSnjvCspAh1WVyTaTBitXcFG5tksRAD5Pe0OfetU9P5G6aj1-Gg5sFX9EiTKrVcS8gE4jc2Vs5JQkBA52rb_llDzXgzKEPvF4YGLV24ZAPaf-USEF1WGXr0bR3DNRoqv4ErwUU/s320/temple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Of the lands and gardens in the Rani's possession, only
some gardens were granted to her. Other gardens and lands were resumed i.e. it
was taken by the British Company.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The Rani had to provide 4 guarantors for Rs. 100,000
she wanted from Damodar's inheritance for his thread ceremony. The British
required this in case Damodar should want it back when he was granted the
trust. Rani had to take it as a Loan. Ironically the British never gave him his
inheritance!<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">It is even said that gauging public sentiments and
support for her, Rani asked permission from the British to move to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Varanasi</st1:place></st1:city> to lead a simple
life. It is said that she merely used this as a threat. British however refused
to give permission and asked her to stay in Rani Mahal. She did use the threat
of leaving <st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city> in her negotiations, an
indication of her economic and political power in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city> and that the British viewed her
presence there as a benefit to themselves. British knew that People were
calmed by the presence of the Queen. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The dissolution of court of Jhansi resulted in many
losing their jobs. This was causing huge resentment and the British knew that only the
presence of their beloved queen in Rani Mahal was acting as calming factor.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">There was discontent with settlements in land disputes
and in the assessment of land values for tax purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Stamp duty was required on all petitions lodged before
a court, rendering justice too expensive for many.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">During
the years of retirement Rani is said to have been meticulous in her religious
observances. She practiced rifle and pistol shooting, horse riding and physical
exercise every day. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The
situation remained same until 1857. What happened then? That is what we are going to see in the next post. :)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Antonia
Fraser in her Book “Warrior Queens” mentions an interesting historical link.
She mentions about Turab Ali who was in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>
and lived till the age of 113. He died in 1943. He survived long enough to tell
tales of his youth. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">He
had watched the Rani practicing the art of managing her horse with the reins in
her teeth and two swords in her hands. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">It
is a popular image. An image so well known! After all why won’t it be?<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">It
is said that she was precisely that way when she plunged into the Battle Field
finally!<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">To
be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-3331378345222669712013-12-11T21:56:00.002-08:002013-12-15T07:40:51.563-08:00Impact of the highly improbable – Part 8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 14.25pt;">Manikarnika
was born in Holy city of </span><st1:place style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 14.25pt;" w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Varanasi</st1:city></st1:place><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 14.25pt;">
in a Brahmin Family. Her father was Moropant Tambe and her mother Bhagirathi.
She lost her mother at a young age (when she was around four years old).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 14.25pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Her father
worked in the court Peshwa Baji Rao of Bithoor district. Peshwa Baji Rao brought Manikarnika
up like his own daughter. She was given pet names like Manu and Chhabli which
means playful<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">She was
educated at home. She was more independent in her childhood than others of her
age; her studies included archery, horsemanship, and self-defense.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Now the
readers must be wondering why I am writing about some girl called Manikarnika
in the Black Swan Series. The last part was all about Sepoy mutiny right? Many
would know and for the ones who are yet to connect the dots, let me make it
clear.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Manikarnika
was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao, in 1842. There she
was given a name. A Name which would become an inspiration for every women! A
Name that was inscribed in Golden letters in the History of India!
And it was Rani Lakshmi Bai!<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Jhansi Rani
Lakshmi Bai is one who had inspired me in many ways. So it would be difficult
for me to proceed with the series without mentioning something about her. This
post would thus concentrate on the background of the Great Queen. It is a
popular story worth telling again but I promise to keep it short </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Jhansi Rani
gave birth to a boy named Damodar Rao in 1851, but when he was four months old
he died. The Raja then adopted a child Anand Rao, the son of Gangadhar Rao's
cousin, who was renamed Damodar Rao, on the day before he died. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The adoption happened
in the presence of the British political officer who was given a letter from
the raja requesting that the child should be treated with kindness and that the
government of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>
should be given to his widow for her lifetime. After the death of the raja in
November 1853 because Damodar Rao was adopted, the British East India Company,
under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, applied the Doctrine of Lapse, rejecting
Damodar Rao's claim to the throne and annexing the state to its territories. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">In March 1854,
Lakshmibai was given a pension of Rs. 60,000 and was ordered to leave the
palace and the fort.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;">East India
Company thus refused to accept the adopted son of the Raja of Jhansi Gangadhar
Rao. Dalhousie then annexed </span><st1:city style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;" w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;">, saying that
the throne had "lapsed" and claimed the right to put </span><st1:place style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;" w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"> under his
protection.</span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The Doctrine
of Lapse can be considered as one of the main Black swan which contributed to
the fall of British East India Trading Company.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The nobility,
many of whom had lost titles and domains under the Doctrine of Lapse, which
refused to recognize the adopted children of King’s as legal heirs, felt that
the Company had interfered with a traditional system of inheritance.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Did the Brave
Queen just accept her fate? Of course not!<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">When informed
about the annexation of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>
by British, the Queen made her point with just one line. The famous words
which were immortalized in the walls of History...</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">“Main Meri <st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city> Nahi Doongi” – I will not give up my <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><br /></st1:place></st1:city></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">To be
continued…</span></h1>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-49965514304161990602013-11-09T05:14:00.002-08:002013-11-09T05:17:22.857-08:00Impact of the highly improbable – Part 7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the previous post I had mentioned about two significant
events which I had termed as, “The Cartridge Effect” and “The Bundelkand Effect”.<br />
<br /></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">First let us
look at the Cartridge Effect and the personality connected with that incident.
Mangal Pandey<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3jG-FM9lhytd9BBb0fr0DUDJJXbkYsCJ7a_dEBwH5EiE7Ua7fjVewW_TDTAI7kwGNBr7B-DRBpH9sdxAf04SV9VQBjhEp_KJYchZ1VQr_Q2_3FsJexDW9hM4rD-OjG6BkfwO7Kiy9Zs/s1600/mangal+pandey.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3jG-FM9lhytd9BBb0fr0DUDJJXbkYsCJ7a_dEBwH5EiE7Ua7fjVewW_TDTAI7kwGNBr7B-DRBpH9sdxAf04SV9VQBjhEp_KJYchZ1VQr_Q2_3FsJexDW9hM4rD-OjG6BkfwO7Kiy9Zs/s320/mangal+pandey.png" width="202" /></a></div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;">On February
26, 1857 the 19th Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) regiment became concerned that
new cartridges they had been issued were wrapped in paper greased with cow and
pig fat, which had to be opened by mouth thus affecting their religious
sensibilities.</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Photo of the
Enfield Rifle, the pending adoption of which caused unrest in the Bengal Army
in early 1857 (Source: Wikipedia)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9ZQzQ8khvokdtI_SuHFVMwMWSmBPKKyq-2iDILxclXp8cTaDH77060r-HaiGjz93QS7EoBBxRGmZLfE_Kwoo-4be1Gm9pabJAUcXXgfrSOWfwjxonuRZc1AK12DUpv4MmMoT7qCY8Aw/s1600/rifle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9ZQzQ8khvokdtI_SuHFVMwMWSmBPKKyq-2iDILxclXp8cTaDH77060r-HaiGjz93QS7EoBBxRGmZLfE_Kwoo-4be1Gm9pabJAUcXXgfrSOWfwjxonuRZc1AK12DUpv4MmMoT7qCY8Aw/s320/rifle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The cartridge
was thought to be greased with animal fat, primarily from pigs and cows, which
could not be consumed by Muslims and Hindus respectively (the former being
abhorrent to Muslims and the latter a holy animal of the Hindus). The
cartridges had to be bitten at one end before use. The Indian troops were of
the opinion that this was an intentional act of the British, with the aim of
defiling their religions. And obviously British did not realize the impact of
such sentiments or may be they did not estimate the power such sentiments could
evoke. A black swan again.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">On March 29,
1857 at the Barrackpore (now Barrackpur) parade ground, near Calcutta (now
Kolkata), 29-year-old Mangal Pandey of the 34th BNI, angered by the actions of
the East India Company declared that he would rebel against his commanders. He
was hanged on April 8th 1857. This incident triggered and marked the beginning
of what came to be known as the Sepoy Mutiny, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s First War of Independence
or Indian Mutiny of 1857.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;">The Mangal
Pandey cenotaph on Surendranath Banerjee road at Barrackpore Cantonment, </span><st1:place style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;" w:st="on">West Bengal</st1:place><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"> (Source: Wikipedia)</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa7Rae-X2FM2C8eFGHJagP6ZO3iZUwVvyw-modBpHcDRpA4aCZ-m1nFMzoXQy2WL6nwSUAUr13aGLJxwwjvlptWX0eqSG4XViaiiOYpO09ND0Enw5Q7GDJj45kguhsCtnNxFiqMiAJ_U/s1600/cenotaph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa7Rae-X2FM2C8eFGHJagP6ZO3iZUwVvyw-modBpHcDRpA4aCZ-m1nFMzoXQy2WL6nwSUAUr13aGLJxwwjvlptWX0eqSG4XViaiiOYpO09ND0Enw5Q7GDJj45kguhsCtnNxFiqMiAJ_U/s320/cenotaph.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">But
introduction of the cartridge was not the only policy mistake which the British
did. Another policy which affected the nobles at that time was Doctrine of
Lapse which contributed to the “Bundelkand Effect”<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The Doctrine
of Lapse was an annexation policy purportedly devised by Lord Dalhousie, who
was the Governor General for the East India Company in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> between
1848 and 1856. Dalhousie applied the Doctrine of Lapse vigorously for annexing
Indian princely states, but the policy was not solely his invention. Even
before him there were many states annexed by the Company. But his actions were
more intensive. I would term Doctrine of Lapse as the biggest Black Swan the
company ignored.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<p:colorscheme colors="#ffffff,#000000,#eeece1,#1f497d,#4f81bd,#c0504d,#0000ff,#800080">
</p:colorscheme><br />
<div class="O" v:shape="_x0000_s1026">
<div style="mso-char-wrap: 1; mso-kinsoku-overflow: 1; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of
</span></div>
<div style="mso-char-wrap: 1; mso-kinsoku-overflow: 1; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">India from 1848 to 1856 (Source: Wikipedia)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6_-nFv8PeQzXBesCcxRKF9ogrYPFfgICh_xn54ksa8fYVzymLM9-Ocn0cwBNjBsMQNR5fYZu8_gHeiEYOhow72jhluXdQMtIrAqQ8A00FaRLQGYioqVEaEHduMlV7VedjdMxswJlYg4/s1600/dalhousie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6_-nFv8PeQzXBesCcxRKF9ogrYPFfgICh_xn54ksa8fYVzymLM9-Ocn0cwBNjBsMQNR5fYZu8_gHeiEYOhow72jhluXdQMtIrAqQ8A00FaRLQGYioqVEaEHduMlV7VedjdMxswJlYg4/s320/dalhousie.png" width="224" /></a></div>
<div style="mso-char-wrap: 1; mso-kinsoku-overflow: 1; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;">According to
the Doctrine, any princely state or territory under the direct influence of the
British East India Company (the dominant imperial power in the subcontinent),
as a vassal state under the British Subsidiary System, would automatically be
annexed if the ruler was either "manifestly incompetent or died without a
direct heir". The latter meant that adopted child would not get the right
to rule and this interfered with the traditional system of inheritance. In
addition, the British decided whether potential rulers were competent enough.
The doctrine and its application were widely regarded by Indians as
illegitimate</span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The company
took over the princely states of Satara (1848), Jaitpur and Sambalpur (1849), <st1:city w:st="on">Nagpur</st1:city> and <st1:city w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:city> (1854),
Tanjore and Arcot (1855), <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Udaipur</st1:place></st1:city>
and Awadh (Oudh, 1856, with the reason that the ruler was not ruling properly)
using this doctrine. The Company added about four million pounds sterling to
its annual revenue by use of this doctrine. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Did the nobles
just accept their fate? </span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">No there was one who led the rebellion and
interestingly she was not a king but the Queen. The famous Queen of Bundelkand.
<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">As famous Indian
poetess Subhadra Kumari Chauhan describes in her poem <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;">“Sinhasan hil
uthey raajvanshon ney bhrukuti tani thi,</span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">budhey Bharat
mein aayee phir se nayi jawani thi,<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">gumee huee
azadi ki keemat sabney pehchani thi, <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">door phirangi
ko karney ki sab ney man mein thani thi.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Chamak uthi
san sattavan mein, yeh talwar purani thi,<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Bundeley
Harbolon key munh hamney suni kahani thi,<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Khoob ladi
mardani woh to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jhansi</st1:place></st1:city>
wali Rani thi.”<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;">“The thrones
shook and royalties scowled</span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Old <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> was
re-invigorated with new youth<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">People
realised the value of lost freedom<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Everybody was
determined to throw the foreigners out<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The old sword
glistened again in 1857<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">This story we
heard from the mouths of Bundel bards (Religious singers of Bundelkand)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Like a man she
fought, she was the Queen of Jhansi”!!<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;">To be
continued…</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"> </span></h1>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-12412314444423397632013-10-11T22:27:00.001-07:002013-10-11T22:29:02.469-07:00Impact of the highly improbable – Part 6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
We saw in the previous post how the English East India
Trading Company started expanding its territories and how the Mughal dynasty
fell.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though the Company was becoming increasingly bold and
ambitious in putting down resisting states, it was getting clearer that the
Company was incapable of governing the vast expanse of the captured territories
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Bengal famine of 1770, in which one-third of the local
population died, caused distress in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Britain</st1:country-region>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At around the same time The Tea Act was passed in 1773. It
gave the Company greater autonomy in running its trade in <st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place>, and allowed it an
exemption from the tea tax which its colonial competitors were required to pay.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Act granted the Company the right to directly ship its
tea to North America and the right to the duty-free export of tea from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Britain</st1:country-region>,
although the tax imposed by the Townshend Acts and collected in the colonies
remained in force. The Act received the
royal assent on May 10, 1773.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This became one of the major causes for American Revolution</div>
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<br /></div>
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It started with the Boston Tea Party </div>
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<br /></div>
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The Tea Party was the culmination of a resistance movement
throughout <st1:place w:st="on">British America</st1:place> against the Tea
Act, which had been passed by the British Parliament in 1773. Colonists
objected to the Tea Act because they believed that it violated their rights as
Englishmen to "No taxation without representation," that is they had
to be taxed only by their own elected representatives and not by a British
parliament in which they were not represented. Protesters had successfully
prevented the unloading of taxed tea in three other colonies, but in <st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city>, embattled Royal Governor Thomas Hutchinson refused
to allow the tea to be returned to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Britain</st1:country-region>. (Source: Wikipedia)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Depiction of <st1:place w:st="on">Boston</st1:place>
Tea Party (Source: Wikipedia)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_p6pbynW_2qlPGRuKnC1u-bhxlgP0Q_uoX-tIlEZuQxrV1tMU7ljyLoe03qgYSubYMMbRngVYVQCndforzr7PtC8fSv2iR4OlYuxgTM_hXzxQ5y1OqieZ4HvbKiqIWW_E1smzMpLKGQ/s1600/Boston_Tea_Party-Cooper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_p6pbynW_2qlPGRuKnC1u-bhxlgP0Q_uoX-tIlEZuQxrV1tMU7ljyLoe03qgYSubYMMbRngVYVQCndforzr7PtC8fSv2iR4OlYuxgTM_hXzxQ5y1OqieZ4HvbKiqIWW_E1smzMpLKGQ/s400/Boston_Tea_Party-Cooper.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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This iconic 1846 lithograph by Nathaniel Currier was
entitled "The Destruction of Tea at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Boston</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Harbor</st1:placetype></st1:place>";
the phrase "Boston Tea Party" had not yet become standard. Interestingly
this depiction shows few of the men dumping the tea were actually disguised as
Indians. (Source: Wikipedia)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0bZVGmZpwhMLUl32jKKaXDxhfhBFQHQGNgFlKCPMzcl7hD-pqrMTB4J32hPcGwz-4Vz_c7_5q7tcN1TZmmLUGGghtaHJ5TpmhlwU7DTT8XeE9Zi1Uveuz9SH-EvL3nuvhxr4KstMXMk/s1600/Boston_Tea_Party_Currier_colored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0bZVGmZpwhMLUl32jKKaXDxhfhBFQHQGNgFlKCPMzcl7hD-pqrMTB4J32hPcGwz-4Vz_c7_5q7tcN1TZmmLUGGghtaHJ5TpmhlwU7DTT8XeE9Zi1Uveuz9SH-EvL3nuvhxr4KstMXMk/s400/Boston_Tea_Party_Currier_colored.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The notice from the "Chairman of the Committee for
Tarring and Feathering" in <st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city>
denounced the tea consignees as "traitors to their country". (Source:
Wikipedia)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0-zf9_6M2uaRpzN0iXaLDBXMUIbyMXTgClvix8kPHYQD6dRyQcUmaFsbUSw-l3nbkwBDWDc84c6ef0bfNpFd6v32ENj7YzrFmyZNIy48TVbjNUDrvB-gGdBclIeeTLLk2Nhceqro_8A/s1600/BostonTeaPartyJoyceNotice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0-zf9_6M2uaRpzN0iXaLDBXMUIbyMXTgClvix8kPHYQD6dRyQcUmaFsbUSw-l3nbkwBDWDc84c6ef0bfNpFd6v32ENj7YzrFmyZNIy48TVbjNUDrvB-gGdBclIeeTLLk2Nhceqro_8A/s400/BostonTeaPartyJoyceNotice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Boston Tea Party was a key event in the growth of the
American Revolution.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Boston Tea Party has often been referenced in other
political protests. When Mohandas K. Gandhi led a mass burning of Indian
registration cards in <st1:country-region w:st="on">South
Africa</st1:country-region> in 1908, a British newspaper compared
the event to the Boston Tea Party. When Gandhi met with the British viceroy in
1930 after the Indian salt protest campaign, Gandhi took some duty-free salt
from his shawl and said, with a smile, that the salt was "to remind us of
the famous Boston Tea Party."</div>
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<br /></div>
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In 1973 the US Post Office issued a set of four stamps,
together making one scene of the Boston Tea Party (Source: Wikipedia)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xkC5f8UM2260PzkGDGucyVpDYS6WjFP-26W8RExuMogB4mHKS-sf081UB9Fw46xGQX8enldMr5HAEOX_neKSH7MLdNUomQUhwWBCfQ2_oHBayCEiPtmCSF5R5Xw5x2Gy0Jb_hNnGMCs/s1600/Boston_Tea_Party-1973_issue-3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xkC5f8UM2260PzkGDGucyVpDYS6WjFP-26W8RExuMogB4mHKS-sf081UB9Fw46xGQX8enldMr5HAEOX_neKSH7MLdNUomQUhwWBCfQ2_oHBayCEiPtmCSF5R5Xw5x2Gy0Jb_hNnGMCs/s400/Boston_Tea_Party-1973_issue-3c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As we can see the policies which were thought as a boon by
the Company at that point of time actually became a bane because they failed to
see the hidden black swan. They never realized that it would invoke such a huge
resentment. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The English East India Trading Company did not learn from
what had happened to the Mughals. It too ignored many black swans which
indicated that their days were numbered.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For instance, The Parliament of Great Britain imposed a
series of administrative and economic reforms and by doing so clearly
established its sovereignty and ultimate control over the Company. The Act
recognized the Company's political functions and clearly established that the
"acquisition of sovereignty by the subjects of the Crown is on behalf of
the Crown and not in its own right”.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The above was a clear indication of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Great Britain</st1:country-region>’s
intention of how the company should be and it did not like the way it was
functioning. After all it was getting too ambitious.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Often policies are created without considering the impacts.
And when the effect is felt it is the human ego which prevents the reversal.
Men in power try to suppress to make the policy work. But unfortunately it
doesn’t go well that way. Like the Tallow greased cartridges (which affected
the religious sentiments) and the Doctrine of Lapse of East India Trading
Company</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The above two mentioned policies were triggering factors of
the Sepoy Mutiny. This rebellion is also known as <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>'s First War of Independence,
the Great Rebellion or the Indian Mutiny.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Depiction of Sepoy Mutiny 1857 (Source: Wikipedia)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmlYy-EKjtXVul-qVgFbDZCiIbV3DNgpFYO-B6kvMRMXj5GIpqANtc3YJkKwP_16QzOMTPvI8TeE0kxO7rTGpL1ZSG8KitVMDnCxhkFpXatQAVRXvnRJF8j_I-UWmKs32GvjWQkotVcw/s1600/SepoyMutiny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmlYy-EKjtXVul-qVgFbDZCiIbV3DNgpFYO-B6kvMRMXj5GIpqANtc3YJkKwP_16QzOMTPvI8TeE0kxO7rTGpL1ZSG8KitVMDnCxhkFpXatQAVRXvnRJF8j_I-UWmKs32GvjWQkotVcw/s400/SepoyMutiny.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 did not occur as a result of
one specific event; it was an accumulation of several events, over time,
resulting in its eventual outbreak. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We would now look at two important events in the first war
of Indian Independence.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would term these two events as, “The Cartridge Effect” and
“The Bundelkand Effect”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two personalities are intimately connected to these events.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who were they? And what did they do?</div>
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<br /></div>
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And what went so wrong in the policies that it led to the
dissolution of the Company?</div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;">To be
continued…</span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></h1>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-32939862548008611122013-09-27T23:56:00.002-07:002013-09-27T23:56:32.633-07:00Pleasant surprise in my inbox :) The Liebster Award post!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is always nice when your friends share their happy
moments with you. And so was I when Preethi Mam (I was one of her students as
mentioned in the 8<sup>th</sup> point in her “Eleven facts about myself” ;) ) shared
her Liebster Award with me.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks a lot Ma’m.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I was told that when this award is shared, I am expected to
do the following things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Post 11 facts about yourself</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Answer the 11 questions the tagger has given you</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Tag 11 more Bloggers (with no more than 200 followers; no
tagging back) and make 11 questions for them</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Tell the people you tagged that you did.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I would definitely do the first 2 things. Don’t think that I
am being so mean. The problem of being obsessed with your work is you find less
time to do things you love to do. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span> I know it is something
I need to bring a balance. After all, I believe time management is in our
hands. And we always find time to do things we like. Am new to blogging and am
trying to be active in it. And I have to find that 11 more bloggers. But I
promise I would read more blogs and comment and encourage new good writers <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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Now over to eleven facts about myself</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Chennai
Vasi from the beginning. Love my country the Bharat Desh (<st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>). I
like reading its history and I cherish its rich heritage. Would love to
visit all historical places and temples in <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> during my life. I would
do my best to contribute to its development. I wish to be in <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> all
through my life. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> This does not mean I
don’t want to visit other countries. Even if it is heaven out there
nothing can beat my country. So my permanent address should always be <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> with
God’s grace. </li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">I am a
Chartered Accountant who works in Industry. Love accounts and tax.</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">I am a
straight forward, honest person. “Say the facts and truth on face” is my
policy. And I love the ones who are honest with me. I have this bad habit
of being too honest. ;) Now this doesn’t mean I hurt people in the name of
honest opinions. I do moderate the way I say things. Be it my boss or my
best friend or my junior at work, if I find something, which I need to say,
I would not fear to say. Even if things back fire I would stick to truth
and facts. Unless there are facts contrary to my belief I would not change
my opinions at the whims and fancy of others <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></li>
</ol>
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<br /></div>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">I
indulge in self analysis most of the times. I welcome healthy criticism. I
might become bit emotional at first but after some moments of silence I
would analyze and try to mould. I would accept it if I feel it is valid.
If I find it unreasonable I would ignore it. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></li>
</ol>
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<br /></div>
<ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">I tend
to become emotional. And I find it difficult to say no. I forgive people
too easily. I don’t wait for apologies to forgive :)</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Love
reading books. If someone says I will lock you in a room and go, I would
say please lock me inside a library so that I will have books to read ;)</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="7" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">My
hobbies include walking listening to music, selective movies (am bit
choosy can't watch many sad movies ;), recently blogging and books.</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="8" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Love
healthy arguments and interaction. (Yes I am talkative. But I can be
silent as well) </li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="9" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Love
teaching. Some time in future I would like to see myself as Tax faculty (at
least guest faculty ;))</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="10" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"> I accept people for what they are.
Friends are my extended family. And I love listening to them and share their
sorrows and happiness. </li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="11" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"> Love doing things for my family (which
includes my friends) <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></li>
</ol>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are the 11 questions posted to me:-</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Why blog?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Writing is
something personal. Each person has got a style and I basically started writing
as a means of positive let out. And blog is a good way to store your write ups
and you reach people. And some day you can look back at your old writings. It
is good when you find people are reading your stuff and responding. I
personally don’t write for the sake of appreciation. I write for personal
peace. But I would not deny the fact that it does feel good when some one
leaves a message seeing the post. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> </div>
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<br /></div>
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2. How has blogging changed your life?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
On personal front, I use writing as
a mode to find peace in the midst of commotion and the fact that I can store it
beautifully in a blog has brought an immense sense of joy. Blogging has become
a good hobby. Am trying to be active in it and read more blogs and encourage
good writers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Name one person who has truly inspired you, and has hence
led you to change something about yourself.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The good
things in each person I have met has inspired me. I always feel there is no one
single role model. But if you ask me to name one I would say “Jhansi Ki Rani
Lakshmi Bai.” Her story inspired to be bold and stand up for my rights and do
my duty. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. If there is something you would like to change about
yourself, what would that be?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I allow
people to take me for granted. And I find it very difficult to say no. Good
close friends don’t take advantage of it but not all are same. Sometimes even
when I know that they are taking advantages, I tend to ignore it giving them
too long a rope. ;) . And sometimes I tend to become obsessed with my work. In
the sense, I believe being sincere at work is good and to be serious at work is
bad. So trying to change it <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> </div>
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<br /></div>
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5. What is your most priced possession in your room?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Books are
my most priced possession. If I have to be specific it is the Black Swan book
based on which am currently writing a series in my blog. It was a timely gift
from a very good and best friend of mine. The book helped me in writing
something I have never ventured before. It is one topic I love writing and
presenting.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. Do you think blogging can help anything in any way?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
According to me a writer is a
person who writes irrespective of the fact whether his / her writing brings
change or not. That is the power and beauty of writing. And eventually it
creates a change. Blog is a powerful tool through which you can reach out to
many people. And pen is mightier than sword and so is a blog <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>
It can be used to bring about social changes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. What is the one festival in <st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place> you love to celebrate and do you
think we still celebrate them in the same spirit as we used to decades back?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>’s
heritage is exhibited in its festivals. I can’t name one. First thing that
comes to my mind is Diwali and the beautiful tradition of Raksha bandhan, which
I celebrate wishing few of my best friends. Being a single child I wait for
this day just to wish them and it brings me immense joy and happiness. Though
there is a general feeling that there is a drop in the spirit of celebrations,
I would not accept it. It has become more modern and there is a sense of
fastness in everything. And even today, these many festivals are celebrated
with josh. And I find that the spirit is always there. It is up to each
individual to find it and tap it. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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8. If there is one thing you could do for your country (let's
say there are no restraints and what you could do is magical), what would it
be?</div>
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Abolish
corruption, which our country seems to be getting popular for and install a
good government. Once there is good governance every single problem of our
country would get solved. And there would be prosperity. <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> is a land
of immense potential. And good governance is all that is required to make it
shine.</div>
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9. 3 words that would describe you.</div>
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So mean why
giving me only 3 words ;) Anyway “Fun loving person.” In three separate words – Happy, Honest, and
Emotional.</div>
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10. Which is the best vacation you have had...and with whom?</div>
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Never had a
good long vacation! <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> I love the trips
I have made to temples like Kula deivam temple visit – Periyankuppam,
Koothanoor, Kanchi, thennangur, thirupathi etc with my family. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>
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11. What do you think the future has in store for you?</div>
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I never
think much about future. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> I believe in living in present and not in anxiety
about future. That does not mean I don’t plan for things. I do. I believe that
God knows to bring what is best for us. And he never gives things which we
cannot handle. He knows our strengths which even we might not be aware of. And “present”
is his biggest present. I see future as an adventure. I love expecting the
unexpected. And facing it as and when it comes <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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Have a lovely day <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-24106916303687941922013-09-21T21:31:00.003-07:002013-09-22T19:22:37.364-07:00Impact of the highly improbable – Part 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Child’s War was one of the oldest wars fought by the British
in the Indian Soil. As mentioned in my earlier post it was not a very popular
one. But it was indeed a significant Black Swan ignored by the Mughals</div>
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Child’s war started in 1686 and lasted till 1690.</div>
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The war has been named after the person who triggered it – Sir
Josiah Child, Governor East India Trading Company</div>
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Mr. William Hedges was sent to Shaista Khan, the Mughal
governor of Bengal to obtain a directive that would grant <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region> regular
trading privileges throughout the Mughal Empire. The company's governor in <st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place>, Sir Josiah Child,
interfered with Hedges's mission, causing Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb to break off
the negotiations.</div>
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The Mughals indeed won the war foolishly started by Sir
Josiah Child who underestimated the might of the Mughals</div>
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The Child’s War thus started, ended up as a disaster for the
English. So how can a war which Mughal’s won can become a Black swan which led
to their eventual downfall?</div>
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After the war the company's envoys had to prostrate
themselves before the emperor, pay a large indemnity, and promise better
behavior in the future. The emperor withdrew his troops and the company
subsequently reestablished itself in <st1:city w:st="on">Bombay</st1:city> and
set up a new base in <st1:place w:st="on">Calcutta</st1:place>.
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French illustration of English men requesting pardon from
the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTr4C9LPjHv6nlCnWpqnuXtXKoq_urUYcEzhnG-MNLP2W0g7Midu-NIdfDmWc1gUi4_Ro8dtojNZM_mttTGcsCq_QTj97wu4tsPlJGRg89-IcxJJHJHxbVaTFnIp7V3xPyDu42SoI0MHw/s1600/The_English_ask_pardon_of_Aurangzeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTr4C9LPjHv6nlCnWpqnuXtXKoq_urUYcEzhnG-MNLP2W0g7Midu-NIdfDmWc1gUi4_Ro8dtojNZM_mttTGcsCq_QTj97wu4tsPlJGRg89-IcxJJHJHxbVaTFnIp7V3xPyDu42SoI0MHw/s320/The_English_ask_pardon_of_Aurangzeb.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
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<o:p> </o:p> </div>
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There were two major mistakes which we can identify now when
we look at the aftermath events of the war. First, is in the way war victims and the ones who lost the war were humiliated and were made to prostrate. This created a sense of hatred and
a need for revenge in them. Second was allowing them to continue their so
called trade in the soils after they have exhibited a tendency to usurp the
kingdom.</div>
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The Mughals might have thought that they have won and
suppressed them. But they never realized that the company stopped only to wait
for the next good opportunity.</div>
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Sir Josiah Child's war with the Mughal Empire began when he
captured Mughal ships and ended when the English were obliged to conclude peace
with the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The effects of this conflict continued to be
observed until the year 1703 </div>
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English did exhibit their sense of hidden hatred which
erupted at certain points even though the child’s war had ended. For instance
the Ganj-i-Sawai</div>
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The Ganj-i-Sawai or Gang-i-Sawai (meaning "Exceeding
Treasure", and often Anglicized as Gunsway) was a heavily armed trading
ship belonging to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb which, along with its escort the
Fateh Muhammed, was captured on 7 September 1695 by the English pirate Henry
Every en route from present day Mocha, Yemen to Surat, India. (Source:
Wikipedia).</div>
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The victorious pirates then subjected their captives to
several days of horror, raping and murdering prisoners at will, and using
torture to force them to reveal the location of the ships' treasure. The
pirates raped women on the ship, and some of the women committed suicide by
jumping into the sea. The other survivors were left aboard their ships, which
the pirates set free.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX5z7F3zWwwCaSp-SwNMW6no6fEvizwzHDn67AAxfZ3piDfnGCHfa7vuZV3qONc-QxFfWJKNF2Qr03TObEyGiHRYtBIC3mZXiiUwbW4ADWn788LSnS2YqLiBnF5xEdMw8W7VzHd5pqlg/s1600/Captain_Every_(Works_of_Daniel_Defoe).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX5z7F3zWwwCaSp-SwNMW6no6fEvizwzHDn67AAxfZ3piDfnGCHfa7vuZV3qONc-QxFfWJKNF2Qr03TObEyGiHRYtBIC3mZXiiUwbW4ADWn788LSnS2YqLiBnF5xEdMw8W7VzHd5pqlg/s320/Captain_Every_(Works_of_Daniel_Defoe).png" width="320" /></a></div>
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British pirates that fought during the Child's War engaging
the Ganj-i-Sawai and A contemporary depiction of Every, with the Fancy engaging
the Ganj-i-Sawai in the background. (Source: Wikipedia)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuBOJo7Qj-cAzDmLYbxlljUP-q-z-JU-kbIRtHgFsDLusEm-NdbLaDK_Q7yoxjryXUhBLIpA6HrCUDbcaFdf5j_nVqueY1jy3rOJoMOb4H-eoC66Cbm4I-onb9ZdwN-HOIIKL7SZ9zZU/s1600/Every_engaging_the_Great_Mogul's_Ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuBOJo7Qj-cAzDmLYbxlljUP-q-z-JU-kbIRtHgFsDLusEm-NdbLaDK_Q7yoxjryXUhBLIpA6HrCUDbcaFdf5j_nVqueY1jy3rOJoMOb4H-eoC66Cbm4I-onb9ZdwN-HOIIKL7SZ9zZU/s200/Every_engaging_the_Great_Mogul's_Ship.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPDW0aiHZF2vChFpjwvdsmw45fVcSb2cq2HFbMU_PB2_EcgDlVi090ZEWUoyy06SMF6IEP2tLXdFh4siTCCxM9loeNpjf_1jLyDZPHoheuq3QgfPe7EsAz_EuT-d6jnBwPdLLw_CKQtU/s1600/Henry_Every.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPDW0aiHZF2vChFpjwvdsmw45fVcSb2cq2HFbMU_PB2_EcgDlVi090ZEWUoyy06SMF6IEP2tLXdFh4siTCCxM9loeNpjf_1jLyDZPHoheuq3QgfPe7EsAz_EuT-d6jnBwPdLLw_CKQtU/s200/Henry_Every.gif" width="165" /></a><br />
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<o:p> </o:p>The plunder of Emperor Aurangzeb's treasure ship had serious consequences for
the English, coming at a time of crisis for the East India Company, whose
profits were still recovering from the disastrous Child's War. The Company had
seen its total annual imports drop from a peak of £800,000 in 1684, to just
£30,000 in 1695, and this attack now threatened the very existence of English
trade in <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>.</div>
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When the damaged Ganj-i-sawai finally limped its way back to
harbor in <st1:city w:st="on">Surat</st1:city>,
news of the pirates' attack on the pilgrims spread quickly. The local Indian
governor, Itimad Khan, immediately arrested the English subjects in <st1:city w:st="on">Surat</st1:city> and kept them under
close watch, partly as a punishment for their countrymen's depredations and
partly for their own protection from the rioting locals. A livid Aurangzeb
quickly closed four of the company's factories in India and imprisoned the
officers, nearly ordering an armed attack against the English city of Bombay
with the goal of forever expelling the English from India.</div>
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To appease Aurangzeb, the East India Company promised to pay
all financial reparations, while Parliament declared the pirates hostis humani
generis ("enemies of the human race"). In mid-1696 the government
issued a £500 bounty on Every's head and offered a free pardon to any informer
who disclosed his whereabouts. (Source: Wikipedia)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2LUXpL5xj0-GJWYQ4zAVw5PaA8lkkjCoZQ5E__4Kv36BmMpbZg_V6SWruR8VJBge-x0prd9HwI380OVrgFnZhxZRMMAB7NVfZNGqpT3v1w1tMpGrzAjwd67JE0Q_mSYZoUb4I-vIlgg/s1600/Proclamation_for_apprehending_Henry_Every.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2LUXpL5xj0-GJWYQ4zAVw5PaA8lkkjCoZQ5E__4Kv36BmMpbZg_V6SWruR8VJBge-x0prd9HwI380OVrgFnZhxZRMMAB7NVfZNGqpT3v1w1tMpGrzAjwd67JE0Q_mSYZoUb4I-vIlgg/s320/Proclamation_for_apprehending_Henry_Every.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
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Later, the East India Company doubled that reward, an
immense sum by the standard of the time. It was the first worldwide manhunt in
recorded history. </div>
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Thus the Child’s War ended up doing two things. One the
Mughals thought it would be easy to suppress the company in case they fight in
future and they thought that they would be afraid despite seeing incidents like
the Ganj-i-Sawai. Second the English developed a sense of hatred and revenge
and they now understood the might of the Mughals and settled to strike when
they become vulnerable. They started understanding the weak points of Mughals
and enhanced their own might by making their troops and base strong. These
Black swans started consuming the Mughal Empire slowly.</div>
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The Company continued to experience resistance from local
rulers during its expansion.</div>
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Robert Clive led the company forces to victory at the Battle
of Plassey in 1757 resulting in conquest of <st1:place w:st="on">Bengal</st1:place>.
This victory estranged the British and the Mughals. But the Mughal Empire was
already on the wane after the demise of Aurangzeb, and was breaking up into
pieces and enclaves.</div>
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Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, the rulers of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename></st1:place>, offered much resistance to the
British forces. Having sided with the French during the war, the rulers of <st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city> continued their
struggle against the Company with the four Anglo-Mysore Wars. <st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city> finally fell to the Company forces in
1799, with the death of Tipu Sultan. Thus eventually the Mughal Dynasty fell.</div>
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The company became increasingly bold and ambitious and did
not learn from what happened to the Mughals. Even they ignored the black swans.
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Let us now look at the black swans ignored by the Company
and the series of events which led to the First war of Indian <st1:city w:st="on">Independence</st1:city>… <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">To be
continued…<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span></h1>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-353430670996256652013-09-13T21:36:00.000-07:002013-09-22T19:21:55.447-07:00Impact of the highly improbable – Part 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As said in my
previous post, the decline of Mughal dynasty and finally its fall cannot be
seen separately from the rise and end of British East India <i>Trading</i> Company which entered the soils
of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>
in 1602. </span><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The British
East India Trading Company was formed initially for pursuing trade with the
East Indies, but it ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Commonly
styled the “The Honourable East India Company, and abbreviated, HEIC; the Company
was colloquially referred to as John Company, and in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> as “Company Bahadur”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The East India
Company traded mainly in cotton, silk, indigo dye, salt, tea, and opium.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Company
long held a privileged position in relation to the British Government. As a result, it was frequently granted
special rights and privileges, including trade monopolies and exemptions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The above does
sound good for the company at the outset but it was a hidden black swan. The
privilege was more of a bane than a boon for the company, though it never
realized at that point of time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The unique
privilege given by the British Government to the company caused resentment
amongst its competitors, who saw unfair advantage in the Company's position.
Despite this resentment, the Company remained a powerful force for over 250
years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This was how
the Colonial India looked at that time. The British Indian Empire: (Source: Wikipedia)<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtxi6rBIDOaLo9YPXhk1DHrgYqI3oQAHdLpWKha87s0IfAl50uwfAXOIVMBbyJrzI6xCuUz5VY9eIXpZ55TDhjjejOOKYD3JUmCDAQvUbnU5sllTxs7xQ5-Pv-eJAu6V4T3jg-haGIUg/s1600/Briish.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtxi6rBIDOaLo9YPXhk1DHrgYqI3oQAHdLpWKha87s0IfAl50uwfAXOIVMBbyJrzI6xCuUz5VY9eIXpZ55TDhjjejOOKYD3JUmCDAQvUbnU5sllTxs7xQ5-Pv-eJAu6V4T3jg-haGIUg/s400/Briish.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This was the
company’s flag after 1801 (Source: Wikipedia)<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDwxAlcYUCEzYzXPXDMQQ8UcC6zd6_kRmYlhRS324ILjI_I_vHBy8Wdw6qPyHm2xzMYBEgF0_wbGn3bzKRD_oeYYBJye_5JO3wkyb9T2_uBPGbc4gBAuMR1xulN-wImPPXTcz31NSrhA/s1600/flgb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDwxAlcYUCEzYzXPXDMQQ8UcC6zd6_kRmYlhRS324ILjI_I_vHBy8Wdw6qPyHm2xzMYBEgF0_wbGn3bzKRD_oeYYBJye_5JO3wkyb9T2_uBPGbc4gBAuMR1xulN-wImPPXTcz31NSrhA/s320/flgb.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;">Let us now see
how the company entered </span><st1:place style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;" w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;">
and how the Mughals never realized that their entry was the first step of discrete
invasion. The invasion was not in the form of war where there was wielding of
swords but it was in the form of smart “Trade”.</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14.25pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">English
traders frequently engaged in hostilities with their Dutch and Portuguese
counterparts in the <st1:place w:st="on">Indian Ocean</st1:place>. The Company
achieved a major victory over the Portuguese in the Battle of Swally in 1612.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Company
decided to explore the feasibility of gaining a territorial foothold in
mainland <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
with official sanction of both countries, and launched a diplomatic mission.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In 1612, Sir
Thomas Roe was instructed by James I to visit the Mughal Emperor Nuruddin Salim
Jahangir (r. 1605 - 1627) to arrange for a commercial treaty which would give
the Company exclusive rights to reside and build factories in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Surat</st1:place></st1:city> and other areas. In return, the Company
offered to provide the Emperor with goods and rarities from the European
market.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This mission
was highly successful as Jahangir sent a letter to James through Sir Thomas Roe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When he
accepted the treaty for granting exclusive rights he never realized that it
would change the frontiers of the empire he ruled. It was not a single Black
Swan which the Mughals ignored. It was a flock which merrily entered the Mughal
Empire and went ahead undisturbed to shake its foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The following
are some of the black swans which we can identify looking back<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">1.<span style="line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Company, benefiting from the imperial patronage,
soon expanded its commercial trading operations. The Mughals never noticed the
dangerous growth of the company as a threat. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">2.<span style="line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-weight: normal;">The status of the Company was further enhanced by the
restoration of monarchy in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place>.
By a series of five acts around 1670, King Charles II provisioned it with the
rights to autonomous territorial acquisitions, to mint money, to command fortresses
and troops and form alliances, to make war and peace, and to exercise both
civil and criminal jurisdiction over the acquired areas<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">3.<span style="line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Child’s War <o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wondering what
is Child’s War. The child’s war was indeed not a child’s play.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was the
oldest of wars fought by the British in the Indian Soils. It lasted for 4 years
from 1686 – 1690.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Though the War
itself may not be a popular one, it was a very significant black swan which was
the root cause for the shift in Empire. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Who fought and
who won? Why an insignificant war became so significant?<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">To be
continued…</span></span></h1>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-21485623742667675132013-08-31T07:54:00.001-07:002013-09-22T19:21:22.359-07:00Impact of the highly improbable – Part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As said in my earlier post let us go to the pre independence
era and try to identify the little black swan which triggered major changes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Let’s visit the
Mughal frontiers – The Mughal Empire (1526 – 1858). This is how our <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> looked at
that point of time. (Source: Wikipedia)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZgBwP0u5Khyphenhyphen7fpsdPm_ooRDBinqJgFodfQJmGmE1ns1PkErJJIQIXbS4oO-CJp2t-kT_Goy8JXmy7KhByRSo_XgdZ9OxXthm5JGruAkAJJ3I0zdcILrrP_LYWRcA998rDnGt3D4jgRI/s1600/mughal+empire.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZgBwP0u5Khyphenhyphen7fpsdPm_ooRDBinqJgFodfQJmGmE1ns1PkErJJIQIXbS4oO-CJp2t-kT_Goy8JXmy7KhByRSo_XgdZ9OxXthm5JGruAkAJJ3I0zdcILrrP_LYWRcA998rDnGt3D4jgRI/s640/mughal+empire.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><o:p> </o:p>And here is the flag of the Mughal Empire (Source: Wikipedia)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImaUX4ngikyrZDFReCLrAwkuJXhnULOMJKUPN7eVDFlKUuWtJfucD5F0k65HN-f0uO0umMUwXabj8qfOKKdhmiRpR0tyHs0agkTQw_YqH_ugIGaPF8xxZVL4ef26gLjtpbRjZyckcNKw/s1600/flg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImaUX4ngikyrZDFReCLrAwkuJXhnULOMJKUPN7eVDFlKUuWtJfucD5F0k65HN-f0uO0umMUwXabj8qfOKKdhmiRpR0tyHs0agkTQw_YqH_ugIGaPF8xxZVL4ef26gLjtpbRjZyckcNKw/s320/flg.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The above image would be familiar to those who have watched
the movie “Jodha Akbar”. And what I would be telling you now is what would have
been briefed in the beginning of the movie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In 1526 Babur defeated the last of the Delhi Sultans at the
first battle of panipat. The "<i>classic period</i>" of the empire
started in 1556 with the accession of Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar, better known
as Akbar the Great. Under the rule of Akbar the Great, <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> enjoyed
much cultural and economic progress as well as religious harmony. The Mughals
also forged a strategic alliance with several Hindu Rajput Kingdoms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The reign of Shah Jahan, the fifth emperor was the Golden
age of Mughal architecture. He erected many splendid monuments, the most famous
of which is the legendary Taj Mahal at <st1:city w:st="on">Agra</st1:city>
as well as Pearl Mosque, the Red Fort, Jama Masjid (Mosque) and Lahore Fort. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The reign of Aurangzeb saw the enforcement of strict Muslim
fundamentalism which caused rebellions among the Sikhs and Hindus. Now here is
where our little black swan comes into the picture.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There was absolute religious harmony at the time of Mughal Empire
with its roots set strong by Akbar till the time of Aurangzeb. The black swan
set its eyes on the Mughal Empire due to the strict enforcements brought by
Aurangzeb. Often times we create policies without realizing the impacts it
might create. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">As J K Rowling says in Harry potter & the half
blood prince, “Have you any idea how much tyrants fear the people they oppress.
All of them realize that, one day, amongst their many victims, there is sure to
be one who rises against them and strikes back!”<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Here the Hindus and Sikhs felt oppressed but am not
sure how much their rulers realized this. The impact of which was
underestimated at that point of time. All looked like normal routine policy
making. After all we are the rulers and why can’t we have special privileges
when we protect you, was the attitude. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">The effect of black swan may not be quick. It is like a
slow poison which just sets in and when not controlled and removed at roots, might spread and cause more profound damages.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">In the case of Mughal Empire it was a slow poison.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">By early
1700s, the Sikh Misl and the Hindu Maratha Empire had emerged as formidable
foes of the Mughals. Following the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the empire
started its gradual decline although the dynasty continued for another 150
years. Following 1725, the empire began to disintegrate, weakened by wars of
succession, agrarian crises fueling local revolts, the growth of religious
intolerance, the rise of the Maratha, Durrani, as well as Sikh empires and
finally British colonialism. </span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">The Last Emperor, Bahadur Shah II, whose rule was
restricted to the city of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Delhi</st1:city></st1:place>,
was imprisoned and exiled by the British after the Indian Rebellion of 1857.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">The decline of
Mughal dynasty and finally its fall cannot be seen separately from the rise and
end of British East India <i>Trading</i>
Company which entered the soils of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> in 1602. They are intimately
connected. The word Trading had been
intentionally highlighted ;). <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">So let us look
at how “Honourable East India Company” colloquially referred to as the John
company or the Company Bahadur invaded our country and how the highly
privileged company which never expected its end was dissolved. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> To be continued...</span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-54565431223449143212013-08-23T22:53:00.000-07:002013-08-24T06:53:08.419-07:00Impact of the Highly Improbable – Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As said in my earlier post, Black swan is a surprise event.
Something which would have a major impact and the concerned set of people are
quite oblivious to its presence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now why would anyone be blind to such an event if it would
create a major impact? The reason is complacency and denial. Like how once we
establish a system we take it for granted that it would work completely fine
and become complacent. And second major reason is “Denial” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As Dan Brown says in Inferno “The human mind has a primitive
ego defense mechanism that negates all realities that produce too much stress
for the brain to handle. It's called denial.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some time we prefer to be in our comfort zone that we deny
the sign which might show something different can happen. That sign is a black
swan event. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nassim Nicolas Taleb states that the theory was developed to
explain,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
disproportionate role of high-impact, hard to predict, and rare events
that are beyond the realm of normal expectations in history, science,
finance and technology.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
non-computability of the probability of the consequential rare events
using scientific methods (owing to the very nature of small probabilities)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
psychological biases that make people individually and collectively blind
to uncertainty and unaware of the massive role of the rare event in
historical affairs</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This also gives you an idea as to why anyone would be blind
to black swan. The reason is what has been classified as three kinds of
fallacies: The Platonic Fallacy, The Narrative Fallacy and The Ludic Fallacy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">•
<!--[endif]--><b>The Platonic Fallacy </b>– where the analyst
falls into the Platonic trap of creating categories of events, and how he
attempts to understand a new event in terms of the rules created for the old
categories. This mainly happens because human beings tend to be in their
comfort zone. For instance I take the field of auditing; it is like trying to
continue the same audit procedures. The element of surprise is missing and new
events which might have caused misstatement in financials might go unnoticed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">•
<!--[endif]--><b>The Narrative Fallacy </b>– where the analyst
falls prey to explanations of information linking bits of data together, and
hence does not observe some other logical link that may actually be there. Or
perhaps does not observe the randomness that may actually persist while the
explanation clouds judgement. Again am tempted to relate to my profession. Like
how clients explains the procedures in the most convincing manner but the
internal controls may not be working in the way it is being explained.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">•
<!--[endif]--><b>The Ludic Fallacy </b>– where the analyst
attempts to explain away the randomness of events in life using the
probabilities attributed to games, i.e., where the probability of some event
occurring is likened to the various results associated with the flipping of a
coin. (<i>Ludus </i>is the Latin word from games.) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The theory does not say one must not look at probabilities
but it only says that one must be robust and alert to events which might
indicate that the improbable can happen. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nassim Nicolas Taleb gives a very good illustration for this
blindness to actual realities</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Look at this sentence</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A BIRD IN THE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">THE HAND IS WORTH<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">TWO IN THE BUSH<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What comes to your mind when you see this? Famous
proverb… <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our brains automatically ignore the error of the word ‘the’
repeating twice and process the sentence as what it would be if written
correctly, rather than just at first accepting the data for what it is, that
the sentence is ungrammatical </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prejudice and preconceived notion can also be stated as
reasons for being blind to black swan events. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The black swan theory can be applied in any field. Wondering
what would be taken here! I would take the most interesting Indian History.
Quite a big topic on its own! I would try to cover some major events and will
try to identify the black swan events which triggered major changes. Those
events which are so obvious now were not so obvious to the people at that time.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The little black swan fed itself in human complacency, grew and created unprecedented impacts. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let me first divide the Indian history in the most popular
way, the Pre Independence era and the post independence era. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let’s go to pre independence era and apply the black swan
theory. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where to start?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why not the Mughal empire 1526 – 1858? The ones who defeated
the <st1:city w:st="on">Delhi</st1:city>
sultans! Let us go to the golden era of architecture and let us see how the
ones who were at their peak lost it all.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To be continued… </span></div>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-45463428937088207352013-08-20T08:05:00.001-07:002013-08-24T06:57:57.126-07:00Black Swan Theory - The Impact of the highly improbable (Part 1)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What comes to your mind when you see this topic? The Black
Swan movie! :) Well it was a psychological thriller. It does explain about a hidden
contradictory personality and makes a quite interesting tale on its own. (Multiple
personality Disorder) I am not planning to surf on that topic right now. What
I would be taking you through is the Black Swan theory by Nassim Nicholas Taleb.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_BQk7Bdy6vinXM14ztzHv4-ZehqOLq7LDWF7pqWr1wlsCSrt_qWs5KfALkhpRAupBGwDHgyDjClJJaOEN2bkhrej9wARXRe7KJYIJIrIjgRx6UnilsM8iwFT53EJC2TPBEmTjlfCSSQ/s1600/Picture2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_BQk7Bdy6vinXM14ztzHv4-ZehqOLq7LDWF7pqWr1wlsCSrt_qWs5KfALkhpRAupBGwDHgyDjClJJaOEN2bkhrej9wARXRe7KJYIJIrIjgRx6UnilsM8iwFT53EJC2TPBEmTjlfCSSQ/s200/Picture2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For those who have read the book “The Black Swan – The
Impact of the Highly Improbable” this topic would be familiar. And for the
benefit of others, I would take you through what the theory is all about and
then try to apply it to something different, out of the usual and not to something in which the
theory is generally applied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now my first question to you is “Can you imagine swans being
black?” Majority might answer it as “No”. (Except the ones who have read the
book earlier ;) or the ones who have understood the fact that things might exist
thought it might not have been seen or observed currently). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Remember what <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle</span> says in
Sherlock Homes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> “<b>When you
eliminate the impossible what ever remains however improbable must be Truth”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The term “<i>black
swan” </i>derives from a Latin poetic expression. Its oldest known reference
comes from the poet Juvenal's characterization of something being "rara
avis in terris nigroque simillima cygno.” In English, this Latin phrase means
"a rare bird in the lands, and very like a black swan." When the
phrase was coined, the black swan was presumed not to exist. Juvenal's phrase
was a common expression in 16th century <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>
as a statement of impossibility. The <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>
expression derives from the <st1:place w:st="on">Old World</st1:place>
presumption that all swans must be white because all historical records of
swans reported that they had white feathers. Thus the theory of a swan being
black was considered impossible<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But the presumption
was disproved later when a Dutch expedition led by explorer Willem de Vlamingh
on the Swan River in 1697, discovered black swans in Western Australia <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is a fact that a
black swan is a member of the species “Cygnus atratus”, which remained
undocumented in the West until the eighteenth century<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6xTVcpL8oVCQUQ1xGb3cTlCE-A02Wj3fkQprjytzLRsMM1KFuHzfZOsGp2X9jnD77C9tm8lu0SWfGRAFrIYSqwt5JjsJBbXjFO3jT3ZOERWsSCARhzHc-YH5FOYHXUSatMMGw5EsZcA/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6xTVcpL8oVCQUQ1xGb3cTlCE-A02Wj3fkQprjytzLRsMM1KFuHzfZOsGp2X9jnD77C9tm8lu0SWfGRAFrIYSqwt5JjsJBbXjFO3jT3ZOERWsSCARhzHc-YH5FOYHXUSatMMGw5EsZcA/s1600/Picture1.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now this is how Nassim Nicholas Taleb starts his book “The
sighting of the first black swan might have been an interesting surprise for a
few ornithologists (and others extremely concerned with the colouring of
birds), but that is not where the significance of the story lies. It
illustrates a severe limitation to our learning from observations or experience
and the fragility of our knowledge. One single observation can invalidate a
general statement derived from millennia of confirmatory sightings of millions
of white swans. All you need is one single (and, I am told, quite ugly) black
bird.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here we go. So “The Black Swan Theory” or Theory of Black Swan Events is a
metaphor that encapsulates the concept that the event is a surprise (to the observer) and has a major impact. After
the fact, the event is rationalized by hindsight. The theory was
developed by Nassim Nicholas Taleb<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now here comes a
question in mind as to how to identify / classify an event as a black swan
event. It has some characteristics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First, it is a
surprise (to the observer or to the related set of people on whom it has an
impact though others from outside might have predicted the same the concerned
person is quite oblivious)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Second, the event has
some major impact (which can be immediate or it would have been the seed for
some further greatly impacting events)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Third, after its
first recording, the event is rationalized by hindsight, as if it could have
been expected (e.g., the relevant data were available but not accounted for)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">According to Taleb,
the highly expected not happening is also a Black Swan – as, by symmetry, the
occurrence of a highly improbable event is the equivalent of the non-occurrence
of a highly probable one. A small number of Black Swans explain almost
everything in our world, from the success of ideas and religions, Economic
booms and recessions, Dynamics of historical events to the elements of our own
personal lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If an event is going
to create such a big impact why would anyone be blind enough not to notice? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why there is
blindness to black swan events? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Would be continued
in next post :)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-71057779501629490022013-07-30T08:37:00.000-07:002013-08-03T09:09:52.699-07:00The Traffic Signal...!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 10pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Wikipedia defines Traffic Signal as
follows: “Traffic lights, also known as traffic signals,
traffic lamps, signal lights, and robots, are signaling devices
positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings and other
locations to control competing flows of traffic.”<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Please note the point “to control the
competing flows of traffic”. But only when the human beings (the drivers)
follow the robot called the traffic signal that factor will work out. Sadly in<span class="apple-converted-space"> <st1:country-region u2:st="on"><st1:place u2:st="on"><st1:country-region u2:st="on"><st1:place u2:st="on"></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> it
doesn't happen as it is planned. The traffic signal is orphaned because it is
often ignored…<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When ever I travel one thing I have
always noticed is the sad fact that some of our dear fellow Indian citizens
give least respect to road rules. In fact some one mockingly said “Rules are
for Fools”<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I remember seeing a cartoon in Face
book some time back… The following is the content<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Traffic
Signal Indicators</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<st1:country-region u2:st="on"><st1:place u2:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:country-region u2:st="on"><st1:place u2:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>India</b></span></st1:place></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region><u1:p></u1:p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Green – Go<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Yellow – Go Fast<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Red – Check if there is no police and
then go<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Rest of the
world</b><u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Green – Go<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Yellow – Go Safe<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Red – Stop<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Let me add one more
point to the above comparison. In<span class="apple-converted-space"> <st1:country-region u2:st="on"><st1:place u2:st="on"><st1:country-region u2:st="on"><st1:place u2:st="on"></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
even if police is there some knows the knack to get away!<u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The above comparison might sound
funny. But please take the message.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Why is it we as a nation lack in this
little thing when rest of the world does?<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ans: No fear of punishment. Just do
and get away...<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When I had shared this image in Face
book I got a comment from my friend saying<span class="apple-converted-space"> <st1:country-region u2:st="on"><st1:place u2:st="on"><st1:country-region u2:st="on"><st1:place u2:st="on"></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> is
unique and it is good only that we are standing out and we are being compared
with the rest of the world.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Of course she was joking!!<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">The point is we
should not only be proud that<span class="apple-converted-space"> <st1:country-region u2:st="on"><st1:place u2:st="on"><st1:country-region u2:st="on"><st1:place u2:st="on"></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">is being talked about but we should
look at what context it is being talked about.<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br />
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is unique when it comes to its
heritage, rich culture, diversity and quite remarkable unity it maintains
despite the problems it face. These are good and things which we must be proud
of. At the same time there should be no complacency when it comes to areas
which we as a country should improve.<u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There is no reason that makes us
proud that we are being compared with the rest of the world when it comes to
breaching the road rules.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Where there are strict punishments to
law breaking there would be fear to break the law. By tolerating the rule
breaking in our roads we are setting path for higher crimes with no punishment.
Corruption law breaking and other heinous crimes should be handled as strict as
what the rest of the world does.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The comparison with the rest of the
world was shared not with an intention to undermine the uniqueness of our
nation but to enhance its unique beauty. There are so many things which we as a
nation can be proud of and these thorns should be cleared away to reveal its
true beauty and each of us should practice what we can do at our level. It is
like how old organization too proud of its rich heritage becomes complacent and
does not see the problems it has. It would eventually lead to its downfall. So
let us be proud we are Indian and try to revive the lost glory and make it a
better nation or at least from our part try our best not to let it slide
further. And each one of us should follow what we can do. It can be as little
as following road rules.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Because every society is judged not
only based on what it creates and maintains but also by what it refuses to
destroy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4915325128011295431.post-14994161095616565602013-06-15T23:16:00.000-07:002013-07-27T09:43:52.337-07:00Bring love into your home ! :) <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"Certain things are seriously out of control. For instance it is not possible to make people be affectionate to you, it has to come naturally. You can't stop your exams. You can’t stop getting hurt or being ill. And the list is endless.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">It is not always easy to follow the 90 / 10 principle. Though of course your logical mind is always in support of that c</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">oncept<br /><br />Probably I never gave it a thought when someone told me how they had unwittingly done something and it back fired. Take for instance how you would feel if people mistook your intentions. Some times you just don't have the choice. Remember the Harry potter lines- "there always comes a situation where you have to choose between what is easy and what is right." And if you have done the right thing there is nothing to regret.<br /><br />How it would be when you know that the very few things which you felt close to your heart is being ripped away from you. You cannot control it going away because till now it was only you who was holding it.<br /><br />It is like trying to save a box of ice standing in the hot sun. How much ever you hold it close, how much ever you hold it tight it’s going to fall away from you. You stand alone. The very same hands which held the cube of ice has gone numb. You neither realize its presence nor its absence. But you only know one thing for sure the one you held has left a mark of presence. But the numbness does not stay long. As it is said time is the best healer of the worst tragedy.<br /><br />Some times you just realize that things are not the way you want.<br /><br />Sometimes you are met with cold indifference and neglect. It is very obvious and your logical mind deciphers it. But that emotional side of your mind denies accepting the obvious. Now why this happens? Even your self respect seems to be bit less important in the wake of all these emotions. You go around again begging for others time, care and affection and convince yourself that you are as important as they are to you."<br /><br />Well does this all sound depressing enough! Well these are some thoughts which just can happen to any of us anytime.<br /><br />We get depressed when we cannot talk to those to whom we want to talk to or we cannot find anyone who can just listen. Well why does this happen. Often we restrict our circle of choice when it comes to talking. We often run behind people who can't find time for us and we end up having no time for those who want to talk to us. And one can never be satisfied if they have to beg for things which they should naturally get. Perhaps you can never make people find time for you.<br /><br />For all those who crave for some ears to listen walk into an old age home... See them and talk to them instead of begging those who cannot find time for you.<br /><br />I tell you the experience is truly inspiring. They are waiting for those who can listen to them and they are too willing to give their time and listen to your pointless stories...<br /><br />Enjoy with those friends who are ready to spend time with you. And if at all you are caught in some situation, when you feel lonely walk into an old age home.<br /><br />That emotion which you feel when you don't have anyone to talk to might be occasional and be there for a short duration to you, considering the fact that we are in the era of technology. And the one whom you would be meeting there are the people who go through it every moment of their last stage of life. By giving them your time you really make some difference in their life and yours too.<br /><br />And for all those who have grand parents at home please spend time with them before going to old age homes. <i class="_4-k1 img sp_e9a2tg sx_f395f3" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yL/r/1ZizXOQYWv0.png); background-position: 0px -713px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><br /><br />As Mother Teresa Said, “It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.”</span></div>
Sandhya Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12783791978904872013noreply@blogger.com0