Unbelievable

I don't think it could be common for someone to have seen a person in the morning, and after a few hours hear that the person is no more! It has come as a sudden news that Prof. Krishnaswamy, an Associate Professorial Fellow here at NUS, is no more. This morning, around 10.15 when I was running across to organize a seminar, I bumped into him. Though I knew him not personally, I knew him as a person the department respected most - the senior most - who was a great mentor in the development of the department. Around 4, I get the news from a colleague that he suffered a myocardial infarction around 2.45, and around 7, I hear that he is no more! In a way, he was probably lucky - not to have suffered the infirmities of old age - because he was working even that morning in the dept. But to accept that a person whom I saw this morning is no more in the afternoon is quite difficult. Infact, I have not been able to accept so far, any of the no-more's in our family. I weirdly get the feeling that they are some where else, still alive, just non-communicable. The logical mind contradicts,nevertheless, it is peaceful, sometimes, to keep away logic.

The New Marriage Rules

Today seems to be blog day! :-D

This article, The New Marriage Rules, captures the changes in the outlook towards marriage in today's world. Adjusting, compromising with each others attitude seem to be needed for a happier life! (I cannot comment on this more, without experiencing it ;-)

ARRANGED MARRIAGE!
Being born and brought up in India, one doesn't find the idea of 'Arranged Marriage' so different. But for many people out of the Indian sub-continent, arranged marriage is something very interesting and sometimes funny! How could you marry someone whom you do not know? is a common question I have encountered while talking to people. Recently, my supervisor brought to our attention (in lieu of my labmate's wedding) an article in MSN. Anjali Mansukhani married a guy working in the US, arranged by the parents. She discusses the pros of arranged marriage in the article and finally punches in the essence of Indian culture:

Had I found my own mate, I'm sure my parents would have come around, but I'd have to live knowing that they wouldn't be truly emotionally invested in the success of the marriage.

Every individual aspires for social integration or social recognition. Indian tradition and culture, I believe, is designed to facilitate achieving it, paving way for a happier life! Not to undervalue the western system, Anjali highlights the pros of the American culture too. A good combination of the Indian and western culture for a happier life!
(Indian-born love-married couples: No offense intended...and perhaps this might not be the true in all cases!)