Comments for Pradnya Ponders

Comment on On Cows and Poojas and Apartments by Sateesh Kaisare

Sateesh Kaisare — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:11:46 +0000

I would like to witness this pooja to see how the cow will be taken up on tenth floor.

Comment on On Cows and Poojas and Apartments by Malini

Malini — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:45:54 +0000

Oh yes, we had a few really emaciated cows visiting our apartment complex. Thankfully for new residents on the ground floor! I just hoped that the soussed cow hand fed the beast atleast half of his takings for the day.

It is ridiculous when blind belief and reality clash in India.

Comment on On Cows and Poojas and Apartments by Durga

Durga — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:59:15 +0000

Pradnya,

Its really common in the South. In our complex I have seen couple of people really bring in a cow for ghruhapravesham.

Guess it all depends on where a person is in their journey of “accepting everything as told” to moving to “critically analyzing what they are told before its followed”.

-Durga

Comment on On Cows and Poojas and Apartments by Shishir

Shishir — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:05:03 +0000

You live in India now! Get used to it

Comment on On Winning the Parent Lottery by n/a

n/a — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:11:23 +0000

I am surprised to see this written, at least by some of you, based on the background you say you have.

That is like someone saying, “I read (or saw) Slumdog Millionaire. I am glad I don’t live in India.” Or, “I am so glad I was born in the USA, raised by educated, supportive parents and not in a country like India that has female infanticide, dowry deaths, and where widows have the choices of joining her husband on his funeral pyre, marrying his younger brother (if available) or go into an Ashram (refuge) with other widows and live a life of self-denial to atone for the sin of having lost her husband.”

Reading those books, and watching the news, allowing yourself to stereotype a country and its people means you have joined the mainstream or you live in a bubble.

Which goes to show, that having parents who are “uneducated” is not a bad thing, yet another stereotype. It might not have been the fault of the parents that they did not get an education. but they could have tried their hardest to support and do the best for their kids.

Of the three books you mentioned, A Thousand Splendid Suns gave the story of a girl whose parents were supportive of her to get an education, but because of war, her life went on another path. Within the same country and culture, two girls with different upbringings were shown. This can be the case in any country, rich or poor, educated or uneducated.

As for the other two books, I have read there is controversy over the actual facts of those stories.
You can see for yourself in wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_Without_My_Daughter
Under: Controversy and criticism
Also, the man was not mentally stable.. and mental instability can be the case for any man, any country, any social level.

The Princess story.. if you look for yourself, there are reports that the story is not true, and any parts that are based on something true, were greatly exaggerated so that the book would make a profit.

No place is perfect, I don’t think I have the right to judge.. this is your opinion. I think it would help if we investigated into things further and not stereotype people and believe everything we read. And if we do read about something that is true, can we judge an entire people based on those events.

Comment on On Winning the Parent Lottery by Niklaus Wirth

Niklaus Wirth — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:08:00 +0000

I’ve read Princess and I was shocked to see the arab’s treatment. Every non-arab women should celebrate every day for not having been born in that ridiculous country.

Comment on On Becoming Fearless: A Must Read For Every Woman by Vrishali

Vrishali — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:52:00 +0000

hey, after I read your blog, I read this book. Thanks so much for it. I’ve never felt more confident in my life

Comment on On Winning the Parent Lottery by Vrishali

Vrishali — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 01:27:00 +0000

I was thinking the same as I was watching Slumdog Millionaire. Were I born couple of levels down in the economic ladder, I doubt I could have made it here.

Comment on On Winning the Parent Lottery by Pradnya

Pradnya — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:26:00 +0000

Very true. It’s not as if I agree with my parents on everything. In fact we argue a lot. But the fact is that they have molded me quite well in my early years, gave me a lot of exposure to a variety of things in my formative years, and supported me in almost all of my decisions in my adult life, whether they agreed with it or not.

Comment on On Winning the Parent Lottery by HS

HS — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:08:00 +0000

Hi Pradnya

I haven't read any of these books (yet) - but the movie by Nagesh Kuknoor "Dor" made me feel the same way. So lucky to be born to educated, supportve parents even if we haven't agreed on everything over the years.

Harinee

PS: I saw the last lecture on you tube and loved it, especially the part about brick walls.