Life, Dreams and Reality -- Sohel's Blog

This is the first book I've read written by Chris Cleave, and found his crisp writing to be highly readable, entertaining, and at the same time Little Bee has that unmistakable power rekindling reader's interest exploring the painful reality that many fellow human beings go through every single day around the globe. The central character Little Bee, whose real name is Udo, meaning peace, recollects childhood memories with her family, adventures with elder sister, and horror in the forms of boots and guns that came to their village, robbing her childhood innocence, while fleeing to a promised land does not bring that very promise of sheltering persecution from the paid thugs. Involvement of a family of journalist, the 1 meter height "batman", gives this tragic story another dimension and perspective, from the eyes of a protector, who feels so helpless protecting a refugee child from the onslaught of endless bureaucracy, and bullets. Amid the gloom and waves of sor...

Their realm of influences might be different. One was the innovator of aesthetically pleasing and albeit useful computing devices, making life of many better, and the other soothed the spirits of music lovers with his memorable melancholic songs. Steve Jobs and Jagjit Singh, died within few days of each other, bur their contributions to the world may last for a long time. Death is indeed the common denominator, the ultimate destiny we all share. Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford commencement speech was so poignant illuminating this very brief existence that we traverse, while Jagjit Singh's songs invoke that nostalgic and beautiful moments of life, from years past, reminding the mortals to cherish every precious moment of life. Two great men. One common destiny.

I haven't seen her for many years. Spoke to her over phone about 3 years ago. A lively human being. My remembrance of her shall always be the warm welcome she had shown, with ease making me feel comfortable in my short trip back to my native land after more than a decade. I heard about her being sick suddenly with cancer, that eventually took her life yesterday, so soon! So tragic! Rest in peace Tunti (Afreen Khan).

Words and songs, inspiring and genuine, can move the mountain from a heart. Not pointing to peddlers and charlatans, but the ones who follow their passion through compassionate gestures and actions, are the real mountain movers. A world of frenzy. Men and women, in galore of clothing, going about their business. Where is the time for bluebonnet and the crumbling dreams? Moment by moment, life slips away. A beginning, that seems so far away, as if residing in a distant planet. Those noble goals, working for a fairer world, for equity and justice, submerge under the heavy lifting and daily grinding of struggle. Day by day, ideals vanish. Here comes the glittery allure of mighty wealth and self-indulgence. A true mover of mountain refuses to acquiesce. Even facing the certainty of creeping death from unstoppable disease, frailty of human flesh and decay, the heart of a true fighter, for love and hope for all, keeps beating strong with radiant vibrancy. When that last moment of truth f...

Jesse: Oh Sohel, say it ain't so! I refuse to convert to a digital medium. There's nothing I love more than the weight of a book in my hands, the feel of turning a page, even the smell, lol. Anywho, I don't believe this, I'm at my local library quite often and it's always busy. Some books that I have requested from the library I am waitlisted and I am number 87 on the list or even higher. All is not lost. :) Sohel: Like you Jesse, I love to hold a real book, turning the soft and whispering pages, highlight the sentences that I like and most often than not fall in sleep just after reading a page turner chapter of a thriller or a thoughtful non fiction. I also don't believe that the traditional books will disappear soon, but sadly the trend that is accelerating has the unmistakable digital pointer. Libraries that have been cornerstone of disseminating knowledge to people from thousands of years from one form or another, will most likely ...

"The death of the book will change things. For many, bookstores are special places of contemplation and discovery, and their loss will be deeply felt. Libraries too will have to rethink. Eventually, all books will be converted to a digital medium (even if only scanned), making it unnecessary for someone to visit a place to research or read." Link: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/04/03/the_last_chapter/?sudsredirect=true

From 24 pounds to way less than a pound of today's mobile computing having astonishing prowess to boast. In computing the fast advancement is inspiring. Just think what more innovations are just around the corner, the possibility is limitless. Link: http://techland.time.com/2011/04/03/mobile-computing-is-thirty-years-old-this-weekend/

"Even if you don’t have high blood pressure, it’s important to take steps to keep it under control since it tends to get higher with age. For people with high blood pressure, those measures can sometimes reduce or even eliminate the need for drugs." Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/early-detection-of-high-blood-pressure-can-limit-damage-to-your-heart-and-arteries/2011/02/18/AF3bFzqB_story.html

"What's going on in these pictures in incredible. It seems that the waters from last year's floods in Pakistan forced millions of spiders into these trees, creating these impressive images, according to the UK Department For International Development (DFID)." Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/01/spiderwebs-in-trees-pakistan-floods_n_843521.html

What do this kind of UFO sighting claim mean? Bogus?

"50% of antibiotic use is unnecessary or inappropriate. Overuse, misuse, improper dosing and the use of substandard or diluted medicines all contribute to the rise of resistance. But so too do weak health-care systems and poor or unenforced regulations. Unless a strict code of practice forbids overuse, and systems are in place to monitor their behaviour, doctors have every incentive to treat the patient in front of them—not worry about the theoretical patient a decade hence who may suffer from the consequences of overuse of antibiotics." Link: http://www.economist.com/node/18483671

"Help prevent cancer with these newest of these nutritional standouts, along with strategies for slipping them into your diet." Link: http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/cancer_fighting_foods/index.php?cm_mmc=Twitter-_-MensHealth-_-Content-Health-_-CurryFightsCancer

The following excerpt from an article published in The Huffington Post has a profound message: "A young man once came to Menachem Mendel of Kotzk. 'Rebbe, I can no longer believe in God. I can't believe in God because the world is so filled with pain, suffering, ugliness and evil. How could there be a God in such a world?!' 'Why do you care?' asked the Rebbe. 'What do you mean, why do I care? How could I not care? Innocent people suffer; the world is ruled by cruel people. Why does God allow it?' Again, the Rebbe inquired, 'But why do you care?' The young man screamed out: 'Someone has to care! Someone has to see the pain of the world and cry out! If not, all the suffering is meaningless. I care because I want a better world, not only for my children but for all children!' The Rebbe responded, 'If you care that much, then God exists. You see, God exists in your caring.'" Link: http://www.h...

"Once a darling of development programs, microlending in India is credited with helping many poor people become self-sufficient. But commercial companies moved into what had been the realm of nonprofits, handing out $7 billion in loans in the last decade and creating a competitive marketplace....." Link: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/jan-june11/indialending_03-30.html

Congratulations to India! 2011 World Cup Cricket champion.

A well directed thriller, in the similar model of memento, but dealing with metaphorical Shroedinger's cat. A good memorable movie.

An excellent article on laughter: "laughter is primarily a social vocalization that binds people together. It is a hidden language that we all speak. It is not a learned group reaction but an instinctive behavior programmed by our genes. Laughter bonds us through humor and play." Link: http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200011/the-science-laughter

Mega million jackpot winner who bought the 319 million dollar winning ticket: "I was at the counter and it was my turn to buy a ticket when I reached down to grab a Snickers bar from the candy display," Barth said. "And someone reached over me, actually cut in front of me to buy a ticket. I thought about saying something, but let it slide. I bought the next ticket -- the winning ticket. "

April Fool's Day origin is uncertain. Foolish? " April Fool's Day, sometimes called All Fools Day, is one of the most lighthearted days of the year. Its origins are uncertain. Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it stems from the adoption of a new calendar...." Link: http://www.icontact-archive.com/npqGSbDm0qQigBu6bm9VvkXH3amAM1Am?w=1&sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d95f97e222e3f4d%2C0

" It’s not surprising that with supply decreasing and demand increasing, most people find it difficult to avoid gaining weight with age." "The demand for calories increases with age, both because one’s income rises and because one’s taste for good, caloric food has been developed over many years of good eating. I didn’t know what an Esterhazy cake was 40 years ago, but now I can’t resist one if it’s on the menu! Sadly, however, the ......" Link: http://www.freakonomics.com/2011/04/01/obesonomics/