Desi..

I hate the word `desi'. I despise it with every fiber of my being. Just hearing the word makes my skin crawl.

No, its not a "bad" word per se. It's not offensive in a conventional way, and yet, I *do* find it offensive. Why does `desi' have to replace Indian? Why is it than an Indian outside of India is called a `desi'? Is it not enough to be just Indian? Why `desi'?

So, the next time you meet me, call me Kaustubh, call me Gadya (that's what my friends call me), but please, do not call me a `desi'. I am an Indian. End of story.

Kaustubh

Colouring outside the lines..

Found this as Manas's "about me" on orkut..amazing poem!

Coloring
outside the lines
is scary business
Some days
I don't have the courage for it
at all

On my big, bold days, though
I let my red crayon
just streak across a line
Then I swirl my purple and orange
out there with it
in perfect freedom
no lines

Coloring outside the lines
is lonely, too
I'm the only one
who doesn't get
a gold star on my paper
The teacher frowns
the kids call me weird
or dumb
or retarded

Why don't they see
that I'm not behind them...
I'm out in front
running free
outside the lines

It would be nice
to have a friend
who colored outside the lines,
sometimes,
too...
Would you?

--Sarah Hall Maney

The God Delusion

Did something today that I had not done in a long time...read a book! Of course I've read the course books cover to cover, but that is not what I had in mind. Started reading "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. This is the first book by Dawkins that I am reading, and I already his style of writing; clear, concise and simple. The book is exactly about what the title says, namely, the "delusion" that God exists and he/she is omnipotent and omniscient and benevolent.

Which brings me to my second point. Was reading Nadya's latest blog entry, and he talks about some people thinking that "faith" is important. Faith? Faith? What in the name of sam hill is faith? And why is it necessary that I have "faith"? Why is believing in something without proof so important? I have never seen the reason to have "faith" in anything or anybody! Ever!

Which brings me to my third point..God. Sumedh (Nadya's friend) has written a succint post of the idea of God, and I agree completely. And yet, it leads me to think...why all the killing in the name of God? Why the hatred? Why Godhra? Why the entire ruckus about the "blasphemous" cartoons?

Pensive,
Kaustubh

The Root of All Evil - Part 1

The Root of All Evil - Part 2

Richard Dawkins' interview on BBC

My Father's Eyes..

Found this great song by Eric Clapton on YouTube..Check it out.

India Night

Last night was India Night at CSU!

India Night is an annual social function organized by the Indian Students' Organization at CSU. And last night was it! And boy oh boy, was it fun! Had a complete blast! I was the master of ceremonies, along with Shweta and Arun. All the performances were fabulous. "Devdas - The comedy" was amazing. The bhangra was .. "Wow!"

After the event, went to a bar called "Old Chicago" in downtown Fort Collins. Had 3 beers, and some great pizza. Came home at 2 AM...still slightly hung over. :-D

Happy (hic!)
Kaustubh