In My Hands Today…

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The Indian Conservative : A History of Indian Right-Wing Thought – Jaithirth Jerry Rao

Right-wing thought has a long and ancient tradition in India.

In this riveting book, Jaithirth Rao traces its history, explores its philosophical underpinnings and different manifestations, and defines it as conservatism – a philosophy that rejects radical, reactionary and utopian positions and argues for change that evolves gradually and peacefully, preserves features of the past that are constructive and worth cherishing, and believes in a minimalist state that protects individual liberties even as it promotes policies that work on the ground.

Hindu nationalism and the Bharatiya Janata Party are among the many offshoots of this tradition. Focusing on five areas – The economy, politics, culture, society and aesthetics – Rao examines the rich contribution that Indian conservatism could make in each of these fields in contemporary India. Lively, eloquent and provocative, this is a book that will stimulate much thought, discussion and debate as it challenges the dogmas of the left and the extreme right and raises the key issues that engage India today.

Festivals of India: Biju Festival

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India is a land of festivals and the more colourful, the better.  One such colourful festival is Biju, celebrated by the Chakma community in Tripura, marking the dawn of a New Year for the community. The festival is also celebrated by seven other ethnic groups in Tripura: Marma, Tangchangya, Tripuris, Mro, Khumi, Khiyang and Chak. The Marmas call the festival Sangraig, Tangchangya refers to it as Bishu, Truipis call it Baisuk and Ahmia name it Bihu.

Celebrated over three days, Biju falls on the last day of the Bengali calendar. The festival is a celebration of the arrival of spring and is one of the most important cultural events in the region.  The festival has been celebrated in the region for thousands of years and is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the northeastern part of India and Bangladesh. The festival is a celebration of the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle.

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Each day of the festival has its own distinct traditions and customs. On the first day of Biju, called Phool Biju, people clean their houses and decorate them with flowers. They also pay floral tributes to the nearby rivers. The second day, called Mul Biju, is celebrated with the performance of traditional songs and dances, culminating with the famous Biju dance. On the third and final day, known as Gotche Potche Biju, elders of the community are honoured with an elaborate feast and renew their marriage vows with their spouses. One of the main attractions of the festival is the special Biju dance, accompanied by the rhythms of traditional musical instruments that constitute percussion and flute.

Earlier the festival used to be celebrated for over a fortnight. However, in changing times, it is celebrated over three days. The Biju festival is not just limited to cultural events and traditions. It is also a time for family and friends to come together and exchange greetings and gifts. On this day, people visit each other’s homes, exchange sweets and fruits, and offer well wishes for the coming year. The festival is a time for the community to come together and celebrate the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle.

In My Hands Today…

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Have I Told You This Already?: Stories I Don’t Want to Forget to Remember – Lauren Graham

With her signature sense of humor and down-to-earth storytelling, Lauren Graham opens up about her years working in the entertainment business—from the sublime to the ridiculous—and shares personal stories about everything from family and friendship to the challenges of aging gracefully in Hollywood. In “RIP Barneys New York,” she writes about an early job as a salesperson at the legendary department store — and the time she inadvertently shoplifted; in “Ne Oublie” she warns us about the perils of coming from an extremely forgetful family; and in “Actor-y Factory” she recounts what a day in the life of an actor looks like (unless you’re Brad Pitt).

Filled with surprising anecdotes, sage advice, and laugh-out-loud observations, Graham’s latest collection of all-new, original essays showcases the winning charm and wit that she’s known for.

09 April 2023 Week 14

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This was the Good Friday weekend and was an extremely relaxing one. Before coming to Singapore, my father wanted me to make some special meals for him and I have been trying to make at least one every week for him. This weekend was also both cloudy and sunny and so we alternatively switched on the air conditioning or switched off the fans.

Both GG & BB finally got information about their graduations and both will take place in early May. Unfortunately, both only can invite two people to attend the graduation, so only S and I will be able to make it.

Albert Einstein, widely acknowledged as the greatest and most influential theoretical physicist of all time, once said The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. What this means is that storing knowledge and learning facts and formulae is not enough, but the motive of life is to think beyond the imagination. This is what differentiates the truly intelligent from the masses.

That’s all from me this week. Take care and stay safe!