Kashmir

Nations fight. Over land, water, oil, women, drugs,crime,women and sometimes ego. India and Pakistan fight over Kashmir. Like kids squabbling over a lollipop. Only this time the kids have missiles and nuclear weapons. They make a lot of hullabaloo. Whenever they meet, they manage to fight; embarrass themselves and others.

One day the Great Himalaya raised its hands and said, "Enough! I gave you this beautiful land of milk and honey,but you fight on it. You shall repent it". Lo and behold! He opened his mouth and swallowed Kashmir.




News was conveyed to the kids who were still locking horns at the UN. Not sure how to react, they ignored it at first. It was only when other nations maintained that K was no more, they retreated and vowed to fight for pride. The carpet had been pulled beneath their feet. What could not be achieved by years of talking, mediation and killings - was actualized in a whiff.

This piece was provoked by a recent news article that a tiny island in the Bay of Bengal, which was claimed by both India and Bangladesh for years was engulfed by sea.

Image Credits : Wikipedia

Just Wondering...

In the past they used to say - "Don't judge a book by its cover". In the current age of E-books, will they say - "Don't judge a book by its CRC"?

Good or Bad?

"Contradictions do not exist. Whenever you think that you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong."
- Ayn Rand (1905-1982)

I think the scientific community is a confused lot. Every now and then they publish some research which is contradictory to past publications. Prime examples:

• Is alcohol good or bad?
• Is coffee/tea good or bad?
• Is chocolate good or bad?
• Is egg/chicken good or bad?
• Is milk good or bad?
• Is chicken good or bad?
• Is sex good or bad?
• Are birth control pills good or bad?

And many more like chillies, cannabis, extra-fat, maggi and what not! I understand that there is a continuing research and much more needs to be discovered. Our collective knowledge keeps evolving and gets updated every now and then. However the opinions of scientific community are considered seriously by the general public and often put into practice.



See the following :

Women who take birth control pills live longer
Vs
Birth control pills cause breast cancer in women

Drinking alcohol helps women stay slim
Vs
Alcohol damages brain

They are just a couple of examples. I hope the scientific community is much more decisive when publishing their research. The "cans and mights" should give way to "wills and should" ;)

A Frog and the Princess

"Before you find your handsome prince, you've got to kiss a lot of frogs." - Dutch Proverb

We all have heard the story about the frog who upon being kissed by the princess magically transforms into a handsome prince. I bet many other frogs rode out of their holes that day to fancy their chances.

However they were not so lucky, some had to contend with spending the night on the princess's pillow while others had to endure being smashed against the wall.

I am not sure if the frogs were all males, just imagine the princess's disgust when she discovered that her frog-to-be-charming-prince evolved into a princess! Not sure if she had a prior information on gender-identification of a frog. The frog-princess could even consider suing the Princess for gender-based discrimination. Gay right activists could raise a furore over this - take to the streets, march in parades and who knows what.

Meanwhile, biologists at the University of California had a mind of their own. They have managed to turn male frogs into female just with the sprinkle of some holy water. The holy water here contains 2.5 parts per billion (ppb) of Atrazin (a widely used Herbicide). The converted-females have since then mated with other males and produced eggs despite being born a male.

The princess now needs to think twice before kissing a frog =)

Image Credits: Wikipedia

End of Internet?

Just found this while reading items on Google Reader. Funny!

Click on image to enlarge.