Are the Highways high?
Highway is the term used for roads connecting main cities of the country. They are wide and well built but in no way seem high as the name suggests. These roads may rather be called broad ways.
In ancient civilizations of Rome and Greece, trading activity took place along the main roads connecting cities. But often the business persons were ambushed and robbed en route as the way cut through thick forests.
To make the business less risky, the kings decided to elevate the level of the sandy passage so that travelers could keep eye on the sides. It would also give them enough time to pre-empt the encounter. These elevated roads were called Highways because of their position above ground level.
The word has become popular over centuries and continues to be used for modern roads which are not necessarily high.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
DISCIPLINE: BE A PARENT, NOT A BUDDY
A father and his son were busy flying kite. The kite had reached quite high after some time.
Suddenly the child had a question. Father, this string is holding the kite back- I think. Father wanted to explain but held himself back and rather wanted this opportunity to teach his child a life lesson.
“Might be. Let’s nip the string.”, father said.
The child stepped forward and cut the string at the bottom and started looking upwards to see the kite going.
Lo! The kite started tumbling down and was kissing ground in minutes.
“What happened Papa ? We had freed the kite to go up.” Asked the child.
It seems like that. Actually opposite force helps us grow. People who think unbridled freedom would give them wings actually meet kite’s fate. Discipline and control, which children dislike actually paves way to success.
Be a parent of your child and do what is good for him/her not what they prefer and are tempted to do.
Suddenly the child had a question. Father, this string is holding the kite back- I think. Father wanted to explain but held himself back and rather wanted this opportunity to teach his child a life lesson.
“Might be. Let’s nip the string.”, father said.
The child stepped forward and cut the string at the bottom and started looking upwards to see the kite going.
Lo! The kite started tumbling down and was kissing ground in minutes.
“What happened Papa ? We had freed the kite to go up.” Asked the child.
It seems like that. Actually opposite force helps us grow. People who think unbridled freedom would give them wings actually meet kite’s fate. Discipline and control, which children dislike actually paves way to success.
Be a parent of your child and do what is good for him/her not what they prefer and are tempted to do.
Monday, March 12, 2007
PARENTING: DON'T IMPOSE YOUR WISDOM ON KIDS, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN
EMPEROR OR MONK ?
Every one was happy when King Sudodhan had a son. Sidharth was the hope of the family and heir of the king. Sudodhan called in the royal priest to make his horoscope. The priest was amazed by the powerful combinations of planets.
“This child will either be a monk or an emperor with immensely large empire “, proclaimed the priest.
“Did you say Monk ?”
“He has that rare provision in his horoscope. Either a Chakravarty Samrat [Emperor]
or a Monk born once in centuries”.
The king got worried. “He is not going to be a monk. I will ensure that.”
From next day everybody in the palace was instructed that never ever the prince be exposed to circumstances of sorrow and misery. A learned tutor was engaged to teach him scriptures and ruling ethics, other than all the arrangements for his joy- court dancers, musicians and experts in child rearing. The king himself would regularly enquire about the progress of the prince.
One bright morning, while walking across the street with his teacher, Sidharth happened to see a dead body being carried. “What is this ?” He promptly enquired.
“He is a dead man. He has exhausted his life on this planet. That is inevitable in God’s plan”, replied the teacher.
“Why can’t it be stopped? What is God? Can I see him?”, a series of disturbing questions erupted from the innocent heart thus making him growingly restless. Sudodhan married him in order to divert his attention.
Ultimately he decided to find answers to his questions himself. Prince Sidharth left the palace along with his wife and infant in the wee hours of night-never to return.
Ultimately he became Lord Budha.
The father could not change the destiny of the child.
Moral: Parents should never attempt to write the future of their children. They should provide best possible environment to help the child grow. Forced parenting might be counter productive.
***************
Every one was happy when King Sudodhan had a son. Sidharth was the hope of the family and heir of the king. Sudodhan called in the royal priest to make his horoscope. The priest was amazed by the powerful combinations of planets.
“This child will either be a monk or an emperor with immensely large empire “, proclaimed the priest.
“Did you say Monk ?”
“He has that rare provision in his horoscope. Either a Chakravarty Samrat [Emperor]
or a Monk born once in centuries”.
The king got worried. “He is not going to be a monk. I will ensure that.”
From next day everybody in the palace was instructed that never ever the prince be exposed to circumstances of sorrow and misery. A learned tutor was engaged to teach him scriptures and ruling ethics, other than all the arrangements for his joy- court dancers, musicians and experts in child rearing. The king himself would regularly enquire about the progress of the prince.
One bright morning, while walking across the street with his teacher, Sidharth happened to see a dead body being carried. “What is this ?” He promptly enquired.
“He is a dead man. He has exhausted his life on this planet. That is inevitable in God’s plan”, replied the teacher.
“Why can’t it be stopped? What is God? Can I see him?”, a series of disturbing questions erupted from the innocent heart thus making him growingly restless. Sudodhan married him in order to divert his attention.
Ultimately he decided to find answers to his questions himself. Prince Sidharth left the palace along with his wife and infant in the wee hours of night-never to return.
Ultimately he became Lord Budha.
The father could not change the destiny of the child.
Moral: Parents should never attempt to write the future of their children. They should provide best possible environment to help the child grow. Forced parenting might be counter productive.
***************
WHAT DID WASCO-DI-GAMA GET ?
Vasco-di-gama who discovered India in 1498, has invested huge money to make his odyssey possible.
On return he made 60 times as much money.What did he take along ? Gems, gold, currency out of India which was then called a golden sparrow.
Nothing out of these items.Actually he carried Kali Mirch and other spices which were in great demand at that time. People didn't buy them for consumption but for preserving meat. There were no refrigerators at that time. So people would have to go hunting everyday in order to get fresh meat.Previous day's collection would get spoiled.
But smearing of black pepper would preserve it. That is why it was in such a demand. Rich people would immediately buy it.
On return he made 60 times as much money.What did he take along ? Gems, gold, currency out of India which was then called a golden sparrow.
Nothing out of these items.Actually he carried Kali Mirch and other spices which were in great demand at that time. People didn't buy them for consumption but for preserving meat. There were no refrigerators at that time. So people would have to go hunting everyday in order to get fresh meat.Previous day's collection would get spoiled.
But smearing of black pepper would preserve it. That is why it was in such a demand. Rich people would immediately buy it.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
WHAT IS KDIGEST ?
This space is everybody’s Chaupal. We learn a lot in the process of life – through first hand experience and through knowledge resources.
History, Humour, Psychology, Maths, Science, Language, Poetry – everything is the scope of this Chaupal. Let’s share knowledge and grow. One thing might be missing here – logic !
History, Humour, Psychology, Maths, Science, Language, Poetry – everything is the scope of this Chaupal. Let’s share knowledge and grow. One thing might be missing here – logic !
