August 11, 2008

Deep, yes you may reproduce the story

Deep, a friend from Kolkatta has asked if he can reproduce the Naresh story on his website, http://www.marketingpundit.com/ targetted at school children. I have also recieved similar queries on my other email IDs from people known to me. I have only the following to say on the matter. One, this is not copyrighted material so you may go ahead and use it in full or part and two, the intent of this blog is to start a debate on such matters of everyday life with a view to inspire those whom life has challenged in some way. So Deep, YES YOU MAY USE THE STORY. Promise that it would be in a positive vein.

I wish to start a debate through this blog on matters concerning the physically challenged. In my overseas travels I have seen the extreme care with which the civic infrastructure is laid out so that the physically challenged can go about their lives independently. I often wonder when would India reach a stage when physically challenged persons can get out of their home unaided, grab public transport in their wheelchairs without needing any help or go into a public place, be it a theatre or a restaurant, without the rest of us staring at them. And silently conveying to them how unfortunate we think they are.

Geeti, my cousin, who is a year older and owns a rather sharp and creative mind but can not move around normally due to cerebral palsy has taught me that the physically challenged are individuals in their own right and deserve their space as much as we deserve ours. Life becomes a challenge when they are confronted with negativity. Feel free to write what you think the civil society can do to change things.

My friend Captain Suresh Sharma of Chandigarh wrote in today inviting all of us to witness a rare celestial event that would next happen in 2287 AD. So miss a few hours of sleep on the intervening night of 26th & 27th August and enjoy the spectacle Nature has laid out for us.

"A rare thing to watch ..... Two moons on 27 August. 27th Aug the day the whole World is waiting for............. Planet Mars will be the brightest in the night sky in August. It will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. This will culminate on August 27 when Mars comes within 34.65M miles of earth. Be sure to watch the sky on Aug. 27 12:30 am. It will look like the earth has 2 moons. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287 AD. Share this with your friends as NO ONE ALIVE TODAY will ever see it again............... "

Captain Sharma, many thanks. I am sure many of us would willingly give up a few hours of sleep to see this rare occurence.

1 comment:

Deep Banerjee said...

Thanks. The story of Naresh can also be read on:
http://www.marketingpundit.com/Facts_files/Facts.htm
- Deep