Fundamental Duties - This is what we need to do

Recently heard Dr.Karan Singh speaking about the present Indian society. He said that an Indian citizen should do his fundamental duties as specified in our constitution. Asking for fundamental rights and making other demands is valid only if one does his fundamental duties.
The Constitution says this on Fundamental Duties.

It shall be the duty of every citizens of India-
(a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
(b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
(c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
(d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
(e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;
(f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
(g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;
(h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
(i) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
(j) to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.

I feel that I am doing all my fundamental duties listed above, except perhaps point b). Though most of the ideals are fine for me with regard to our freedom struggle, there are some things which I dislike.

So you want to be happy ?

So, you want to be happy ? What? All of you ? I don't want to be happy. Surprised? Yes, maybe.
There are two meanings to the above set of statements. One is a cynical way of looking at things. Demeaning others, maybe. The other is choosing your emotions. Happy or surprised.
My intention was to present the sentences in a difficult logical way.
Most of us want to be happy. Happy that we drink a can of beer. Happy that we get tandoori paranthas around the corner. Happy that we get fruit drinks to quench our thirst. Happy that all men are uniform.
But look at the problems with being happy. My kids are happy. So what if road is filled with begging children?
I turn aside when I see a rowdy eve-teasing a girl. I want to be happy!Why get involved in a mess?
But if you decide to be surprised. Then you will be on your foot. You foresee problems and find solutions. You become brave.
So, surprised is my preferred emotion. What is yours?

பொங்கல் வாழ்த்துக்கள் - Happy Pongal festival

Tomorrow is Pongal. The harvest festival in Tamil Nadu.
My wishes to all the Tamil bloggers. May the Pongal festival bring happiness and abundance in your lives.
The festival is celebrated after months of toil and the benefits of agricultural output cooked and relished. I asked one wise guy who was celebrating Pongal as to what is the philosophy he has about the Pongal dish the family had cooked. He replied back "First ஆசாமி(man)  then சாமி(God)".
He had a simple philosophy and though said humorously it struck chord with me. How I wish that every person is treated like that by every other person in this way !! And I have to pray God for that !!

Auto Expo, Delhi's mega event. Is this what we need?

Delhi is going to host the Auto Expo. Another mini car to be displayed in the exhibition. Called RE60. Made by Bajaj. I do not think a car is what is needed. We need helicopters. Should not be difficult to make. Instead of the engine making the tyres rotating in this axis, the engineers have to make it rotate in an axis perpendicular to it. Fix up a big fan and we have a helicopter. Go to office, go for shopping saving a lot of time.
The cities are choked with cars. There is so much of pollution. Not my concern, says the industry.
And Tatas have failed with Nano. Could not venture into US full heartedly.
And here is the Delhi government or probably central government (an issue that needs discussion in parliament) who is organising Auto Expo. May be they did not have enough of cars. One thing is for sure, though. People are not fools. They may go in large numbers to the exhibition. But only to see what is in offer and to get pamphlets. They use their thinking when they want to do an actual purchasing. We may have a lot of politicians and businessman smiling so obviously in camera thinking they are fooling people. They are fooling themselves. When you have printing machine for money why make cars and make money?