inspiredeconomist.com —A terror scene that eerily resembles 9/11 has been unfolding in Mumbai since late Wednesday night (November 25th). In spite of the arrival of army commandos, three hours ago, hostages are still being held in Mumbai’s top two hotels.
A number of people commented on the article but one particular comment left me gasping….
“How does it resemble 9/11?
Have any buildings been demolished?? No.
Have any planes been used as weapons of destruction?? No.
Obviously the subject matter is important, but BURIED for inaccurate and sensational headline.”
It amazes me that anyone from anywhere could possibly make such a naive comment!
How does a deadly series of attacks on Mumbai that has spanned beyond 40 hours NOT resemble 9/11? Have Mumbai’s landmark hotels not been destroyed? Does a terrorist necessarily need a plane to exercise as a weapon of mass destruction? Are AK-47s, hand grenades and bombs not enough? How could anyone consider a report of Bombay burning in these last two days either inaccurate or sensational?
Bound by natural human values of greed and self-indulgence, we are all perhaps entitled to live in our own ivory towers. But when disaster strikes should we not stop for a moment to question why the home of 20 million spirited people becomes a terrorist’s playground? Or what possesses a terrorist to turn a city’s monuments and into fortresses of terror?
I never thought that I would see the day when I would watch the news to find out that 30 dead bodies were recovered in the Oberoi hotel yet feel a sense of relief because the news was an indication that things were finally under control. What have we come to? Where do we go from here as we realize tomorrow which of our loved ones have been lost. After all, in this town everyone exists with three degrees of separation.
It pains me as it pains millions of others to see my city go up in flames. And while it is easy to point fingers at the coastguard, the government..our national security…when are we going to point fingers at ourselves? Will we ever question what role large or small, we might have played in molding the mind of the terrorist? The ‘brotherhood of man’ is a concept that society has consistently failed to cultivate. India is certainly no exampl,: although Mahatma Gandhi attempted to unite races and religions, he arguably failed too.
Are we going to continue living in fear for the rest of our days? What can we do as individuals to quell terrorism for good? I would like to invite your opinion.
I often argue that ‘green’ means going back to the ways of the earth. Unfortunately, the color ‘green’ is is all too often associated with $$. Not necessarily true. With the Thanksgiving holiday just a few days away, it is easy to splurge on gourmet delicacies in the name of sustainability but if you put your mind to it, you can have a green Thanksgiving on a budget.
So, when NBC11 came to interview me about this last week, I decided to focus on ‘affordability’ above anything else. Of course it was fun walking around the Ferry Building posing as what has popularly come to be known as ‘Brown Martha (Stewart).’ And with plenty of maple leaves to gather from the parks nearby, my table centerpieces turned out to be organic in the true sense of the word.
Jordana Gustafson from SustainLane recently appeared on Roberta Gonzales’ CBS web show with Green Thanksgiving wisdom. I was particularly thrilled as I helped her gather the props from my dining table right before the show. If it weren’t for two brats and homework, I would have escorted her to the studio but the show was great anyway. To view the complete show, click here.
Are you wondering how you can get your kids involved with Thanksgiving? Have them create your table centerpiece. Sound complicated? It’s actually much easier than you might think.
I spent the morning with NBC11 today as they were recording an interview about how to have a Green Thanksgiving (they air the first segment this Thursday at 6.45pm Pacific as part of their Green Week programming, so set your tivo). As SustainLane’s Lifestyle Editor and classified foodie, I am always looking for an excuse to visit the Farmer’s Market, play ‘Martha Stewart‘ at home and basically… talk Turkey! But this one I could not have managed without the kids. I put together this simple video to show you how they helped.
Tulsi or Holy Basil, India’s Sacred Medicinal Herb
Sacred to the Hindus, people often ask me the reason why Tulsi or the Holy Basil is considered holy. The story goes that the plant was once the devoted wife of a celestial being. Lord Krishna tricked her into committing a sin so she cursed him into becoming a stone. Impressed with her devotion and sense of righteousness, the Lord blessed her saying that she would be the subject of worship from then on. Tulsi is considered to be a symbol of fidelity. As an adaptogen, it helps maintain blood sugar levels within a normal range. It is also believed to nourish the mind and elevate the spirit.
Today Americans woke up to the New America. One in which a black American will lead the way for the people. Where race will no longer transcend society. With a black family in the White House, can there still be shades of gray?
The Obama generation is young. The astounding numbers of first time voters were under 30, under 40. But this very youth stands for an old world value: Transformation. It is the essence of existence, the necessary event that must occur to enable the life to cleanse itself of darkness before settling into the healing comfort of light. A concept as old as life itself, yet a context that is totally modern.
Immigrants come to this country to better their lives. The country promises them nothing short of the American Dream. Thousands of immigrants celebrate the day that they too can become American and be granted the power to vote for change. As I glance at the outpouring of ethnic Americans delirious that they have elected one of their own people to bring about about this change, I am transported to the scores of people in my homeland. Where I come from, we need change to. So unlike other immigrants, today I realize how important it is to hold on to my citizenship. Inspired by America, I too stand for transformation.
The Times featured Barack Obama on its front page today, the title of the story was The New World. Back in the days of the explorers, ancient civilizations referred to American shores as The New World. Who does America see when she looks into the mirror today? How do others look at her from across the borders? As she who promises the American Dream laced with ingrained prejudice? Or as she who provides an opportunity for a new tomorrow?
As Barack Obama expressed with much poetry in his victory speech, the true genius of America is that America can change. And with that genius, it can change the world.
Folks, being a citizen of India, I am not qualified to vote for either U.S. presidential candidate, but this call to vote definitely put a smile on my face. Sunday, Monday….Happy Days!
