Makadwala

Makadwala

I don’t know his name. Yeah..even though I am seeing him for last 20 to 23 years I don’t know his real name. We called him Makadwala…means Monkey Man!

He had couple of Monkeys He had trained them and showed their mini circus in my Grandparents house in Dombivali, India.
I grew up watching that show. But until recently never realized that he never had the same monkey each time.

We used to give the monkey coins for their master and my Grandma gave old clothes and leftover foods. That is how Makadwala earned his livelihood.

Last October when I visited my Grandparents, I met him again. I was surprised. He had no monkey this time. When asked he said that Forest department has taken possession of his Monkeys under some rule and he has no job. He knows nothing than capturing and training the moneys and at the age of 62 he can not learn anything else.

I felt pity about that old man, but felt good about the Government. Now there is hope that monkeys do not have to entertain humans for their bread and butter.

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays!

Yesterday I called someone and as I won’t be talking to her until next year I wished her “Happy Holidays” at the end of conversation. She wished me with “Merry Christmas”

I was upset. I felt that she did not like me not including Jesus in the celebrations!
Apparently there is huge debate between fundamentalist Christians and Liberal Americans. Liberals say that as Hanukah a Jewish festival is also during this time and therefore let us say "Happy Holidays". Fundamentalist Christian oppose that idea. Last week I traveled to rural part of Wisconsin. I read a billboard: "Merry Christmas: Let there be Jusus in Celebrations!"

I am not a Christian so it really doesn’t matter to me how people wish me; Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays! But it really matters what I say, as I don’t want to hurt anyone's religious feelings.

Well if I know that the person is Christian I would say Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukah to a Jew! Happy Holidays sounds as if I am an not really sharing their feelings. But in this case I did not if she is a Christian or Jew.

Today morning I read a nice commentary by Annie Korzen on NPR’s Morning edition, She was raised in a secular household, and has never been comfortable celebrating Hanukkah or Christmas. It was so nice that it made me think about festivity and religion.

I think festivals are celebrated in minds and homes. If you wish somebody as an inclusionist, your feelings will be shared, hearts will be connected.

Today I have received an email from her and she concluded it by saying “Happy Holidays”

Sundar Kavita

I was listening to an audiobook and I heard this poem. I liked it...

सागर पोहत बाहू बळाने
नाव तयास मिळो न मिळो रे.

स्वयेच जो तेजोनिधी तरिणी
तत्गृही सांजदीप जळो न जळो रे.

जो करी कर्म अभेद्य निरंतर
वेद तयासी कळो न कळो रे

ओळ्ख पटली ज्यास स्वत:ची
देव तयासी मिळो न मिळो रे.