From & To Sathish #5 - Page 19

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co2nDONc4mE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jguLqCUKTk

Vaanathai pola 366

Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips. They make other people good-natured. They also produce their own image on men's souls, and a beautiful image it is.

Intelligence has been a controversial topic throughout psychology's history. Despite the substantial interest in the subject, there is still considerable disagreement about what components finally make up intelligence. In addition to questions of exactly how to define intelligence, the debate continues today about whether accurate measurements are even possible.

Intelligence has been defined in many ways: the capacity for logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. More generally, it can be described as the ability to perceive or infer information and to retain it as knowledge to be applied towards adaptive behaviours within an environment or context.

Intelligence is most often studied in humans but has also been observed in both non-human animals and in plants despite controversy as to whether some of these forms of life exhibit intelligence. Intelligence in computers or other machines is called artificial intelligence.

For those of you ( a few of you) that have on and off kept tabs on my posts and thoughts and for the further few that have constantly read and responded to my posts, I am sure that you will recognise that I have always stressed on matters concerning a human's mind.

Back in my school days, my favourite hero was Sherlock Holmes. Why you may ask and among the many answers that instantly crop up in my head, my first answer would be his observational skills. If my answers had to be ranked in numbers, I would rank the observational skills of Mr Holmes at no.1 and leave the next few places vacant. For, in my opinion, observing is that important and a critical necessity.

To better why I chose Sherlock's observational skills as my first answer, I give you this phrase “You are What You Eat”.

The exact source of this phrase is unknown but it is said that Anthelme Brillat-Savarin used this phrase in his book, “Physiologie du Gout, ou Meditations de Gastronomie Transcendante” published in 1826 and it translates in English as, “[Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are].” Later in his essay, Concerning Spiritualism and Materialism in 1863-64, Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach also used this phrase in almost similar meanings. Both imply the same meanings that food we eat has a bearing on our mental and physical conditions.

Although the above phrase might appear totally unconnected to our topic about Raman and Sherlock Holmes, this second phrase will help you to better understand my perspective.

Garbage in, garbage out.

In computer science, garbage in, garbage out (GIGO) is the concept that flawed, or nonsense (garbage) input data produces nonsense output. Rubbish in, rubbish out (RIRO) is an alternate wording. The principle also applies more generally to all analysis and logic, in that arguments are unsound if their premises are flawed.

It was popular in the early days of computing, but applies, even more, today, when powerful computers can produce large amounts of erroneous data or information in a short time. The first use of the phrase has been dated to a November 10, 1957, syndicated newspaper article about US Army mathematicians and their work with early computers, in which an Army Specialist named William D. Mellin explained that computers cannot think for themselves, and that "sloppily programmed" inputs inevitably lead to incorrect outputs.

Both you are what you eat and garbage in and garbage out point to one thing and that is all about what happens inside your body. Inside your brain.

It all comes down to how much one sees. how much ones processes what he sees. How much thought goes into the process that determines a logical conclusion.

Almost all of us see without really seeing. Stop and ask yourself as to how many times you have looked at your watch and then looked at it again a few moments later and sometimes more than a few times before cursing yourself and really seeing the time.

The reason I have used Sherlock holmes my childhood hero and who is more so in my adult life is because he not only sees but observes and only then comes to a conclusion.

I am sorry but I cannot resist myself sharing a small interaction from many that take place between my hero holmes and his dear friend Dr Watson in the stories.

In "A Scandal in Bohemia," Holmes instructs Watson on the difference between seeing and observing:

"When I hear you give your reasons," Watson remarks, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously simple that I could easily do it myself, though, at each successive instance of your reasoning, I am baffled until you explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good as yours."

"Quite so," holmes answers, lighting a cigarette, and throwing himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the steps which lead up from the hall to this room."

"Frequently."

"How often?"

"Well, some hundreds of times."

"Then how many are there?"

"How many? I don't know."

"Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps because I have both seen and observed them."

Seeing, observing, deducting, understanding, concluding, planning etc are all good and make up the many parts that on whole is called Intelligence. But it all comes to nought if you have the mind of an ar....le.

So, it is not what you see but what you do with what you see.

I see. You see. If both don't see what the other sees, then we might as well be just stricken souls lost on deep seas.

I see and do. You see and do. If we don't do the right thing then we are just two dodoe's.

Raman had immediately understood the reason behind this meeting the moment Minister Durai Pandi had called him. It was about Kavita and Radha Krishnan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGU84ul4gyo

Avan, Aval, Adhu 60

Gayatri's face lit up with the ghost of a smile on seeing Ravi's reaction after having been told that he reminded her of Buddha. Even his mock crestfallen expression felt like a tear in her heart and she slid her hand like in serpentine motion and enveloped his and said, ' Master sir, you disappoint me.'

' Why the word disappointment?'

' I thought you might feel elated on being compared to Buddha than Amitabh Bachchan. After all one is just an actor and the other is a spiritual leader and who enjoys near God like status.'

' Okay, but a small correction. My favourite hero Amitabh ji too once enjoyed a God like status back in his heydays. Most of his films ran housefull for more than 100 days and he is the only actor who has more hits than flops.'

Gayatri quickly tapped into her mobile and after reading something looked at him and said, ' I am sorry boss but I think Bhai saab has a better ratio than Big B.'

Ravi's face revealed his disappointment and he mumbled, ' Wait until the three khans hit 70 and then we will talk again about hit and flop ratios' and smiling cheerfully, ' Bachchan sir will be still alive and acting but I am not so sure about the Khans.'

They looked at each other and shared the silence and time with gentle and kind looks.

She looked at him again and saw that his nose was just an average one but his chin was wide and strong. His lips were average in shape but his eyes were like black diamonds and they glittered with so much power and character that everything else faded away.

Gayatri looked at Ravi and thought, ' It is true that what lies inside is more beautiful and Godly than what lies outside.'

The silence was broken by Ravi who asked her why she had likened him to the Buddha.

' Because you both share a lot of traits between each other. He was a teacher and a leader and you are too. He seems to have been a very kind and gentle person and I know for a fact that you are really that for I have witnessed it with my own eyes.'

Ravi stared at her and thought to himself, ' I will get you now' and said, ' My hero, Amitabhji too, is a teacher, and a leader in his own way and from the dozens of interviews featuring him we know that he is a kind, gentle and highly intelligent person...' and paused as he saw her shake her head negatively.

' what are you doing? Trying to stretch and make Buddha and Amitabh meet. An actor, just an actor and entertainer and nothing more, Ravi.'

He smiled and although the smile was not sad, neither was it happy but rather a reflective one on time and life that had passed by.

' you can compare me with the Buddha but not Amitabhji. I am just an ordinary man, working as a teacher and headmaster in a small town.'

Even before she could refute his words, Ravi looked at her, ' In the end, we are all actors, Gayatri and also teachers in our own way. Maybe not on the scale of The Buddha or my favourite Amitabh but we remain souls who have been given their characters to act out.'

He said it with a straight face, using his usual poker face that did not reveal what he was thinking but his words did and they sounded so sad that she felt like grabbing him and holding him tightly to herself so that she could take some of his pain away and and lull him to peace.

They sat side by side, two adults in silence and yet unknown to each other a bridge was being created across the gulf that lay between them. For only with the help of a bridge can two shores ever meet and hope to communicate.

Ravi got up and asked her, ' why, the Buddha? What is it about me that reminds you of him?'

' Because you are so tranquil regardless of the circumstances and appear to be at peace no matter where you are or who you are with?'

' Looks can be deceiving, Gayatri.'

' True. But it is nearly impossible to deceive everyone and all the time.'

Ravi nodded, ' There is that. I concede but then what if I am as good an actor as my favourite hero, Amitabh Bachchan and have you and the world deceived?'

Gayatri was caught on the backfoot with this unexpected reply and for a moment was lost for words and thoughts.

' If that is what you are doing and having been doing, Ravi, then it is a tragedy. A real tragedy Shakespearean tragedy.'

Ravi pointed to his wristwatch, ' it is nearly 6.00 pm and I should get going.'

Gayatri reached for his hand and after taking it, kissed it and thanked him.

' I know this is not the right moment but then there is never a right or wrong moment when you want to talk about marriage and the future.'

As was his habit, Ravi did not immediately react or rather reveal what he felt on hearing his words but curiosity got the best of him and he very softly and respectfully enquired, ' I am sorry but you have me at a loss. Whose future and whose marriage are we talking about here?'

Gayatri looked at him with shock and Ravi saw anger flash in her eyes and heard her, ' surely you are not joking by asking that question. I thought you were a man of honor and integrity.'

Flustered, confused and hurt, Ravi gingerly asked her, ' I am sorry Gayatri but you have me at a disadvantage and please, I was not joking when I asked you whose future you were talking about?'

She pointed her right index finger at him and then pointed it back to her and Ravi relaxed a bit and joked, ' You and me. Marriage, how and why?'

Avan, Aval, Adhu 61

Totally flummoxed by what he had heard Gayatri just say, Ravi looked at her and then realizing that she surely was joking, flashed a huge smile of relief and shaking his head, said, ' You had me there. Good one.'

But the relief vanished with the smile when he saw her all serious and scared and worriedly asked her, ' Gayatri, what is wrong?'

' All those kids who were there must have gone home and told their families what took place between both of us. Imagine what all your village people must be thinking of me. They love you and respect you and treat you like a God. So, they will let you off the hook but imagine my plight and what they will talk about me and my character.'

If the subject of marriage and their future that Gayatri had broached a few minutes earlier had flummoxed him, hearing her say this really left him utterly perplexed.

He looked at her, stared hard at her, trying to read her mind and what she had meant with her words and seeing that she was serious, he asked her nervously, ' What took place between us and what did the kids see?'

Gayatri sighed and her face revealed her exasperation with him and she spoke, ' Ravi, how did you save me?'

' I dived in and dragged you out of the water or else..'

' That is not the answer to my question. Let me ask it again, how did you save me from dying?'

Ravi's face revealed his confusion and also a growing sense of uneasiness and he said, ' I had to resuscitate you.'

' How did you do that?'

Ravi's voice stuttered in his reply, ' I, I had to breathe into you.'

Gayatri nodded, ' A better answer but still not close to the point I am trying to make.'

' I am sorry but what is the point that you are trying to make here or prove here to me?'

She smiled rudely and waving her hand as if she was brushing away his answer, ' You said you were forced to breathe air into me. How did you do that?'

Ravi's hand went to his mouth and then unable to take the tension that her questions were creating, asked hurriedly, ' Gayatri, how else was I supposed to save you? How else could I have breathed into you without using my mouth?'

' I understand that but what about all your people and what and how they will gossip about you and me and how our mouths were together.'

He looked at her angrily and told her, ' I am sorry but please don't be in a rush to judge my people and how their minds work. My people are all well educated, intelligent and have large hearts and I promise you that there will not be one word whispered as gossip.'

She smiled and nodded, ' okay. I will accept that. But, aren't these people the same ones who will think badly of you and me if you just so happened to spend the night here in the hospital with me. Aren't these the same people who you said were conservative and orthodox and that you didn't mind being called a prude but behave prudently.'

They looked at each other and then Ravi slowly raised his hands and brought them together in a loud clap.

' Wow! Touche, mademoiselle Gayatri.'

She bowed her head and acknowledged his compliments and said, ' well, that is the least that I could do to a man who saved me from certain death.'

He looked at her with kind and loving eyes, ' and this man, this friend of yours will save you again and again if he can.'

Pointing to the door and to his watch, ' I have to go now. I will try dropping in later in the night or at least will call you. Is that okay with you?'

She nodded and said, ' Okay.'

Ravi turned to leave but felt his shirt stuck on something and looked down to see Gayatri holding on to the edge and he looked at her and she said, ' Thank you for everything.'

Ravi smiled, ' No, my lady. It is me and my people who should be thanking you for saving our two children.'

She felt his warmth, his fragrance, his aura linger long after he had left and she held her chest with both her arms and whispered, ' If only I could have saved and stored his breath, his life-giving air in my lungs forever.'

Lost in Translation

It has been nearly three weeks since I have spent quality time on the beach and that too in light and with clear sight. Since I have to report to work by 7.30 am, I have been doing my walking, running and sometimes crawling earlier than before. Earlier you may ask and my answer is by 4.30 am when compared to 5.30 am.

Ninety-nine per cent of my friends are older than me and some of them are older than my parents and a precious few may be older than that and they are in their early and mid-90s.

A week ago, my production manager called to inform me that I was not there in the first two scenes and so I could come by lunchtime. Okay, I said and so stayed back to bid "adieu" to the moon and stars and greet the sun with a cheerful "bonjour soliel".

6.30 am brought with it my Bessie species, two-legged and four-legged although they don't mingle and so I have taught the furry ones to stay away from me when I am in company with septuagenarians, octogenarians and the rare nonagenarian. Well, me, I am quinquagenarian. (otha, indha perellam room pottu okkanthu yosipaangalo).

As always, I get bullied and verbally pushed around a bit for being me and more so for the role of Gopi that is my character name in the current serial I am acting in.

I enjoy it. I bask in it and I smile it away.

The group generally disperses by 7.00 am or 7.15 am leaving me to trudge back home.

A new entrant to this group who I think must be in his early or mid-80s stayed back staring off into the distance at the distant sun and then smiled at me and I smiled back.

' You are an actor, I suppose' were the words but... ( was it a question, was it a declaration, was it a doubt voiced aloud or were they just words to open a channel through the silence that lay between us even though the distance was just a few feet.

Smiling politely, I concurred, ' I suppose' and slipped into my favourite state, torpor. ( a state of physical or mental inactivity) Puriyala, somberi. Podhuma.

He broached the silence of my torpor saying, ' I don't watch tv.' ( okay, I admit it. I googled the word torpor and yes, I feel good using it.)

Me, ' good for you.'

' So, I don't get to see you on tv.'

Two strikes and a third time lucky you.

Me, ' good for both of us. ( B.m kozhuppu)

He looked at me sharply, ' why do you say that?'

The zero watt bulb in my head and in my heart went from that torpor state( There, that chutiya word again) to a full blast of

megawatts and I looked at him and opened my gob.

' Because you would have not liked the serial and I am sure that you would have hated the role that I am playing in it and I doubt very much if I would have liked it too much if you had voiced your thoughts.'

Living on this planet for more than 80 odd years gives you an insight into yourself firstly and secondly but more importantly gives you an insight into others and how to carry on with them. Meaning, ( you can kid around but not willfully screw with them)exactly that.

Across the two feet of salty air, we measured each other and then he smiled, ' What I actually meant to say when I said, I don't watch tv was that I stopped watching tv after my wife passed away a few years ago due to cancer.'

I reached out and gently gripped his bony shoulder and whispered, ' Sorry. I am sorry for your loss.'

He smiled and I smiled and said, ' the first for my B.m Kozhuppu replies and the second for your loss.'

We became good friends.

What I meant was...? what I actually meant to say was...? F..K., that didn't come out properly. I am sorry.

So, what was that thought that was lost in translation when it escaped as sound waves from your lips?

Hi people,

I am sorry that I missed posting chapter 58 of Avan, Aval, Adhu. My bad and the only excuse I have is genuine and that is my relentless and tiring shooting schedule.

Avan, Aval, Adhu 58

' Why don't you watch over me tonight?' Gayatri asked and waited for his answer with a serene expression of a dormant volcano but her eyes revealed to him the seething lava cora that was her soul.

Ravi had met Gayatri just a few nights ago but that was more than enough time for him to come to a conclusion as to how to deal with her elfishly mischievous nature and lively questions and answers. He liked her for the genuine person she was and he liked her still uncorrupted soul that flew off its shackles at any given opportunity to be naughty.

' I would love to Gayatri, but..'

' Ah, see, you too mister headmaster, are just a prude in the end. A person who is more interested in being seen and known by others as one who follows decorum and who is always is on his best behaviour. Sad, very sad, bro.'

' I am not a prude but was just being prudent, Gayatri' and spreading both his hands in a Christ-like pose, asked her, ' Where do you think we are?'

' Oh, you mean you cannot stay with me because of this hospital?'

' No, I meant my land. My Madurai land. I don't mind being labelled a prude for I am more interested in being prudent in my ways with the outside world.'

He looked at her, ' If you had been critically ill, unconscious, then I would have stayed with you and watched over you until you got better but that is not the case here, Gayatri.'

Getting up from the chair, he sat on the bed next to her and looked at her and said, ' I suggested my mother spend the night here for a reason and that reason is to take good care of you. My mother is the best and also, I thought both you women will have plenty of time to chat, share and just talk out in general.'

' Hey, Ravi, I was just bullying you and meant nothing else.'

Ravi smiled and winking his left eye, ' I knew that but the word prudent that I used still stands for this is Madurai and people here are still conservative and orthodox and..'

She reached out and taking his hand in hers, gently pressed it and said, ' I know boss, and thank you, but no thank you. I want to be on my own tonight and I am sure that I am in safe hands.'

Her eyes went to the disposable bag near the bathroom and returning to his asked, ' You said, vomit. was it me?'

Her eyes opened wide as she realized it had to be hers for the kids had not drowned and she was pretty sure they had not swallowed water.

' It was me right? It was me that vomited all over you? I am sorry, so sorry Ravi.'

Pointing to the bag which held the clothes, ' Just chuck it. I will buy you a new shirt and pants before I leave.'

Vaanathai Pola 367

Raman from the comfort of his sofa looked across at the table and smiled at Kavita's parents and then turning to his right let his eyes linger on the huge framed photo of Vijay Bhaskar who stood greeting him with folded hands and with a warm smile.

Raman stared into Vijay's eyes and spoke to him through his mind, ' Vijay, you are in the middle and rightfully so. You stand in the middle as a judge and as a son and brother and that too is rightfully so for only you can judge us now. Please guide me safely between your parents and your sister and see to it that I don't end up hurting or antagonizing them.

Minister Durai Pandi Arumugam whispered his name in a gravelly voice, ' Raman, Raman, what are you thinking and why that smile?'

Raman turned to Kavita's father, ' I was just recollecting the names of all the Bungalows and the enclaves that housed all our cabinet ministers and a few high court judges and I couldn't help but smile.'

' Why? Did you see something funny on your way over to my bungalow?'

Raman raised his hand and protested, ' no, no, not a smirk but a smile that came from reading all the names of the bungalows and enclaves and then we have your house which is aptly named " Anbu Illam."

' I am not sure it is just coincidence that my husband got this bungalow that is named Anbu Illam, Raman. We and the whole world know well what a kind and honest person he is, both in public and personal life. He wears the same face and the same mask here with us and with the world outside ' Kavita's mother told him and then looked out at the entrance and shook her head sadly and continued.

' Suriyakanthi ( sunflower), shenbagam ( champak), senthamarai ( red lotus), manoranjitham ( champa) are some of the names of the bungalows in which our ministers live in. But, there is nothing similar about the names of the houses they dwell in and the dark and corrupted deeds that they indulge in.'

' Ammadi, there is no point in talking about them or politics for it is a waste of time. It does not matter if another MGR or if another Amma comes to power or better if another Mahatma Gandhi appears again. People will not change for it is in their genes, in their blood to corrupt and be corrupted' Durai Pandi told his wife and then his head sank down and both of them only heard him.

' They crucified the son of God. They shot and killed the Mahatma. They shot and killed Indira Gandhi and blasted her son Rajiv into unrecognizable pieces. What chance did Vijay have or what chance do we have in such a cruel and evil world?'

He slowly raised his head and looked at Raman with such sad eyes that unable to bear it, he slid down from the chair onto his knees and kneeling before the older man, ' All is not lost, sir and it can never be lost for then it will mean the end. Not while there is still life and breath and hope in all of us.'

Durai Pandi looked into Raman's eyes, ' My son, I see my son Vijay and much more than that in you' and gently patted Raman's cheek and said, ' It is a terrible world we exist in today.'

Then his eyes opened wide in alarm and hurt and in a quivering voice he asked, ' Do you know that a statue of Godse who assassinated the Mahatma was unveiled recently in Meerut?'

Raman nodded, ' I know but that is beyond us and in the hands of people and the politicians. Like God does not exist in symbols and statues, great souls are not remembered only by their statues nor are their memories and sacrifices tarnished by silly and belittling acts of fanatics.'

Minister Durai Pandi Arumugam gave an appraising look at Raman and asked, ' Why do you work for this government under whose very shade and protection, fanatics are going about doing their dark deeds? Why don't you return to Chennai and back to your previous work?

' I work in Delhi and have been doing so only for a short while and my work concerns the security of this nation and has nothing to do with fanatics or partisan based politics. But, you and your party have been in an alliance with the BJP for many years now...? Raman replied with a twinkle in his black eyes and a sly grin on his lips.

Durai Pandi's response was short and crisp, ' how can one compete with a lawyer and that too one as good as you.

Sharadha Arumugam clapped loudly, ' well said, Raman. I thought my man was only getting on in years but I see now that he is really going senile.'

Raman looked at Kavita's mother with surprise and looked at Minister Durai Pandi who nodded, ' a staunch supporter of Modi and sadly a Hindu fanatic.'

Sharadha Arumugam shook her head in protest and said in a slightly raised voice, ' Sorry boss but I beg to differ. Just because I stand up for my beliefs and for my traditions, it does not make me a fanatic.'

Husband and wife stared at each other and realizing that his wife would not back down, slowly turned to Raman and whispered softly, ' Hell hath no fury before my wife and it would be foolish of me to think that I have one.'

Raman sat back in his sofa and took the cup of coffee that was brought for him and subtly glanced at his watch and saw that nearly twenty minutes had passed on since his arrival.

Durai Pandi's eyes missed nothing and since his eyes and heart were full of Raman, he did not miss his glance at the time and clearing his throat a couple of times started the conversation.

' Raman, the reason why we have called you is that we are concerned about Kavita and her new friend...' and not knowing how to finish it turned to his wife for help.

Sharadha Arumugam had no such qualms and went for the checkmate move, ' Raman, you are a part of this family. So, I am not going to mince my words or thoughts which I fear my husband will surely do.'

' Amma, anything I can do, I will do without fail. But, Kavita is another matter altogether.'

Durai Pandi jumped in immediately, ' exactly Ram. We cannot handle her and all our hopes, maybe our only hope lies with you for if there is even a chance that she might listen to someone then it is you, son.'

' Sir, Please, I mean no offence when I say that maybe you are wrong in pinning all your hopes on me and that you are grossly overestimating my friendship with your daughter.'

' No, Raman, and it is a no for both your replies' Kavita's mother said and glanced at her husband who must have given some hidden cue for her to proceed and she did. Raman did not see that cue but he knew it was there for he had seen the same invisible thing happen between his own parents, Shaktivel and Valliammai.

' It is not about the feelings that she once had for you and it is not about having known from college times but it is all about who you are and what you represent. Truth and honesty, and your uncompromising attitude to do what is right, even in the most testing and dire situations. She respects you for the man you are and the soul that you are and I know for a fact that she has placed you on a higher standard than even us, her parents.'

' I feel honoured and am grateful for that, Amma, but then Kavita is the same as me and as you both. Honest to the core and totally uncompromising when it comes to doing the right thing and we have been witness to it many times when she has gone on and done the right thing regardless of the opposition. So, why doubt her, now. In fact, why doubt her at all and why question her actions when you know she is right and never ever makes a mistake.'

Durai Pandi Arumugam pursed and then chewed on his bottom lip for a few seconds as he mulled over what he was going to say and how he was going to say it.

' Raman, you have been practising law for several years now and that too with one of the best minds in the business as your mentor and guide. So, I am sure you will understand my thoughts when I say that Right is always not right and that truth appears different when viewed from different perspectives.'

Raman nodded and hearing a vehicle pull up, turned to look at the entrance and even from the distance recognised it as the Chennai police Commissioner's car and the rear passenger door opened and out stepped Commissioner Vishwanathan himself and after returning a few salutes to his men quickly strode majestically into the house and towards the trio of Raman, Minister Durai Pandi and his wife Sharadha Arumugam.