Migration has become a mere money play. If you’ve an urge to migrate to the best college, then be prepared to have fortunes in your arms. There are many students who wish to migrate to the best college, but, very fairly they could find one, though they deserve. This is has become an increasing concern for the students.

As a student, I’m also planning to migrate to the best college for my course, aspiring to have the North Campus, University of Delhi degree. Few years back, based on my academic record, I thought that I’d be able to get admission in the North Campus. However, watching the current scenario I’m forced me to revise my dreams and aspirations. This is not the case with me only; there are hundreds of students who either compromise with the course or the college and in most cases, students have to kill their ambitions of getting the high-demand courses like B.Com (H) and Eco (H). The cut-offs for these two courses follow a neck-to-neck pattern and is enough to divert the minds of students.

Therefore, it is just a matter of chance that the students could reserve a seat for themselves for the general quota. Hence, mission migration is left unaccomplished for those who deserve.

Without further troubling the reader, the reason for my spiritual chaos and the constant war between right and wrong in my head is Euthanasia. For those who are unaware, it is the process of painlessly helping an incurably ill person to die, also very well known as “assisted suicide” and “mercy killing”. Generally euthanasia is performed by lethal injection, using the same drugs as those on death row are performed. Having it strictly banned in different parts of the world, there are reasons for supporting and opposing euthanasia which punctuate discussions in the mind of an individual constantly.

Karen Ann Quinlan collapsed on April 15th, 1975. She was twenty-one years old. Within hours, she entered a coma from which she could never recover. Her parents, Roman Catholics, knew their daughter would not want to be kept alive by extraordinary means. A year later, as Karen lay in a “persistent vegetative state,” the courts finally allowed her treatment to be stopped; but artificial feeding was continued and she was maintained as a living dead body until June 1985, when she eventually died of pneumonia. Consequently her case stimulated thousands of letters of sympathy and fuelled the “right to die” movement.

Ramon Sanpedro hunted, through the courts, the assistance of a doctor to help him die with dignity. He was paralyzed in Spain as a result of a swimming accident during his youth. He described himself as “a head attached to a corpse.”

His exact words:
“Why die? Because every journey has its departure time and only the traveler has the privilege and the right to choose the last day to get out.
Why to die?, because at times the journey of no return is the best path that reason can show us out of love and respect for life, so that life may have a dignified death.” Ramon certainly did not suggest how other people confined in the same situation might feel. In fact, there are some people out there who, regardless of having the worst physical complexities in life, take enjoyment in living and continuing life as it follows. But Ramon made his choice and choice should be respected, however ensuring, according to the very concept of Utilitarianism, that no other individual’s life is endangered or pressurized.

Supporters of euthanasia are inclined to believe it is a dignified death and must be legalized as it proves to be a pain-free relief for many terminal patients.

On the contrary, a good question to ask is who benefits from the person dying? If a person dies, who will inherit? Who has the decision power? Is it a medical decision that is totally objective or a decision given by the family members that in some way may be biased? Are we not playing God’s role by choosing the time and procedure of our death? Is euthanasia not a nickname of “murder”?

Does it not rob one of his remaining times on earth? Who has the final say, the patient or the doctor?

The argument rages on and on. There are a lot of what ifs and whos and these need to be scrutinized in detail by lawyers, doctors and predominantly governments.

This article is open to all relevant comments, debate and solutions that bring this war between legitimacy and illegitimacy of euthanasia to a positive end!

Words, promises and actions were supposed to follow the massacre. People spoke sense, politics took a back stage and conspiracies let aside for a while. The question here is for how long, how long could we hold on to the same old nerve?
Media shows, reality shows, gossips, suggestions, live coverage and pages of powerful vocabulary and thoughts. Anything converted into execution? Yes, not the actions demanded by our very own fellow-Mumbaikars, but an action enough to hit the headline of the daily leading newspapers scripting words that strike a debate regarding the country owning Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist alive, under custody. A debate that again brainstorms highest level of cross-geographical and foreign affairs ministry, enough again to keep us frowned and glued on to the television and newspapers as something must be happening around, apparently, not knowing what though.

The final word of action was diplomacy again, meted out towards the compensation of the lives lost. Not an immediate revamped thought of government and security policies, strengthening and educating militia, emergency enforcement of laws, an attempt to implement civilian intelligence and not a nation as a single kin of suffering and trauma.

Years through the time I have taken to grow from a child to an adult, our torch-bearers still call for media conferences, disclosing strategies in the making and waiting, which has never been executed. Time and again there have been strategy layouts, and cannibals have barged into the nation every time to prove that we fear, we fear Death. And who does not, it is just a matter of metamorphosis of words into actions.

Strengthening accountability at prestigious landmarks, enhancing security measures across prominent places and institutions (not just another scanner or CCTV installed), probing into loopholes on every fateful day that makes headlines, and as mentioned earlier, educating and arming citizens though civilian implementation of police intelligence, slaughtering and not debating any conspiracy involved in any massacre can help build our nation stronger and fight terror better.

Above all, by miles, are the gallant efforts of our brave army personnel who have, time and again proved we should re-think our rights to vote and set the nation on army rule so that political powerhouses do not engage in nail-biting combat for roles, roles that are supposed to safeguard the nation, and often fail as most of the time fades by witnessing a crowd of leaders voicing their opinion out, sadly every individual’s different from the other. At least a team of commandos know they wear the same uniform and would fight the odds, the same way, come what may!

With raising economy and governments modern ‘public-friendly’ budgets, Bengaluru was looked upon as the land of “achievers” with the early influx of Technology companies Bengaluru slowly made its mark on the world map and then there was no looking back for the city, one after other companies made their grand entry into “Namma” Bengaluru” and with that began the raise of Support and service companies. From Hostels to PG’s educational institutions to private coaching centres, canteens to hotels Bengaluru slowly began to grow. People realised that the city had enough money to be exploited, with more number of inhabitants Bengaluru’s tourism department rose to glory. Private transports were now more, auto rickshaws were the only king on the roads; communication, be it public or private increased, cell phones slowly became a part of every one’ life et all. It was a new wave and Bengaluru was not too slow to catch this wave, Bengaluru had something in store for every one.

With increasing number of workaholics Bengaluru’s attention slowly shifted towards entertainment industry, Pubs, week end bars, disco’s night clubs made their way in-between the hectic schedule of Bengaluru, week ends were more glorified and Saturday night fever was spread all over. Alcohol was easily available and Dj’s were introduced to get that extra kick. Bengaluru wore a modern outfit and the hand of Law was too short to control or cut down on any un-wanted activities. 24/7 restaurants were introduced, the menu card now had more than our ‘Masala dosa’s’, ‘idli’s’ burgers were the need of the hour and pizza was the staple food. Bengaluru was a new platform for all restaurants and food chains to make their mark in business, people of Bengaluru with diverse backgrounds welcomed any food of any kind of any rate.

Bengaluru even acted as a host to many other artistic fields like theatre, painting, and music. With hectic schedules and boring week ends always at pubs people now wanted something different, something artistic and thus the “Art life of Bengaluru” was started. Theatre made its early mark with some major theatre groups camping permanently in Bengaluru, music was part and parcel of every Bengalurian, the city gave innumerable opportunities to young talents to showcase their creativity and grow to new heights. Bengaluru accepted every play with warm heart, every painting with caring eyes and every music with encouraging ears, Bengaluru also became a destination for artistic people and very aptly called “the arts paradise”

Call it a boon or bane, Bengaluru has given every body its piece of success, people have walked in made merry and walked out but the city as such has been kind enough to accommodate any one of any kind anytime. Life at Bengaluru never stops; the city never sleeps and success is always in store for you in Bengaluru.

In order to achieve genuine cooperation, it will be necessary to develop a complete and more thorough understanding of Russia’s policy goals and its motivations in achieving them. This comprehensive understanding should be prevalent throughout the highest levels of western governments. By reading between the lines, much of the Western leadership will begin to realize that Russia is in fact a reasonable and predictable actor and understand that there were motives and reasons behind the recent violence in Georgia—it wasn’t simply blind imperialist tendencies worthy of VP Dick Cheney’s blatant condemnation as “illegitimate and unilateral”. In fact, concepts such as the protection of Russians abroad (in this case South Ossetia and Abkhazia) has been a central theme of Russian foreign policy for years and it should not have come as such a surprise to the West (or to Georgia) that Russia would react accordingly in the event of an attack on those
citizens.

Proposals such as missile defense in Eastern Europe or seemingly perpetual NATO expansion to Russia’s borders, and double standards in the application of the international principle of sovereignty may not seem threatening when applied individually, but simultaneously they lead to legitimate Russian concerns of encirclement and distrust. The distrust was advanced in the case of missile defense when the United States rejected Putin’s surprise offer of a Russian-leased radar site at Qabala, Azerbaijan to assist in the U.S. plan. Furthermore, talks of expelling or suspending Russia from the G-8 would give those concerns of encirclement a tangible dimension.

Various Russian authority figures have labeled missile defense, recognition of Kosovo, and NATO expansion as serious, or “red line” issues. Since the relentless western pursuit of these issues would realistically yield relatively little practical importance to the West, it is worth looking into the idea of making some concessions in exchange for cooperation on larger issues, where possible. Hardliners, however, should not confuse concessions with appeasement or backing down, as western relations with Russia are not a zero-sum game.

In understanding Russian concerns of encirclement, the West needs to reevaluate and reconsider the importance of Georgian ascension into the NATO alliance. Instead of backing ‘gung-ho’ expansion to include Georgia, a country in which there is one ruling party and a non-existent free press, the NATO allies need to consider the security guarantees provided by Article 5 of the Washington Treaty: “an attack on one is an attack on all”. In other words, an attack on Georgia, or even another retaliation from a preemptive Georgian attack could potentially drag the entire NATO alliance into conflict and bring both regional and widespread destabilization. The alliance needs to assess whether or not pushing for expansion in the near future would yield positive results for regional stability in the near term.

Good things can and will come from genuinely friendly relations with Russia.. The world witnessed the success of the Six Party Talks in persuading North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. These multilateral, diplomatic efforts can be successfully applied to other states whose leaders seem to have a one-track mind. They show the positive outcomes of situations when Russia is incorporated into the negotiation process. Many politicians in the West, especially in the United States in the election year, talk of energy independence from Russia. Alternative sources include the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) or Nabucco (proposed) pipelines and by investing in alternative fuels, but the fact remains: Russian oil and gas are still king and will remain the among most important energy sources for years to come.

This is evidenced by two facts. First, Russia supplied 50 of the EU’s gas and 25% of its oil as of 2006. Second, Russia has passed Saudi Arabia as the number one producer of crude oil, producing about 9.5 million barrels a day. Therefore, Russia’s vast resources will continue to be a powerful influence over many western economies, especially European economies, for the foreseeable future.

Looking at various problems through Russian eyes and understanding motivations of Russia’s foreign policy are absolutely paramount to achieving lasting cooperation. The next step is realizing that some current western policies are indeed pushing Russia’s wrong buttons—and pushing them all at the same time. If we truly aim to solve the current multitude of pressing international issues, governments around the world need to get over the Cold War mindset and seek to develop comprehensive and honest West-Russian cooperation.

1. Missile Defense (MD).

Russia seems to worry about the MD deployment in Eastern and Central Europe for both practical and theoretical reasons. First, the equipment deployed in the region is the “eye,” “ear,” and probably “brain” of the greater aerial (and outer-space) defense system in Europe. As Russia will not share the system, the deployment will cause destabilization of defense equilibrium in the Greater Europe (from the Atlantic to the Urals). Such imbalance, from Moscow’s point of view, redraws political picture between Russia and the US in Europe and the Middle East. Of course, NATO is already superior to Russia in many dimensions of military aspects. However, missile defense (if works) is the Shield of Aegis which comprehensively protects the already-mighty Athena. If Athena becomes unjustly mad, how will we stop her?

Second, the deployment is treated in both Poland and the Czech Republic as a symbol of special trans-Atlantic relationship. Some political analysts claim that such Atlanticism divides Europe into two and the coordination between NATO and the EU will be more difficult.. Some extremists further claim that this division of Europe is the overachieving strategic goal for the United States. While I personally disagree with both statements, I see the political implementation of the deployment in the region. After all, the missile defense system has not yet worked out. Political will from both Poland (or the Czech Republic) and the US seems to drive this deployment. From Moscow’s point view, it can have a domino effect towards Ukraine.

Obama has made clear that he has not yet given a “go” sign to the MD deployment. Many speculates that the motive of this cautiousness comes from his new policy towards Russia, and others claim that he simply does not want to spend unnecessary money.

2. Nuclear Arsenals.

Obama envisions to drastically reduce the US nuclear arsenals to promote peace in the world. While such action can strengthen the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) implementation, Obama’s stance on willingness to talk with Iran may be viewed as compromise in front of such unilateral reduction. As being a Japanese, I never disagree such promising non-nuclear world. However, multilateral reduction including Russia, if possible, is the best case scenario without doubt.

Further, the exception was made for India regarding (civil) nuclear technology transfer at the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). Is this exception applicable to, say, Nepal? If we trust India, but not Nepal, we must have legal reason for such distinction. So far, the IAEA decision seems to be political and economical rather than moral or legal. If this all nuclear policy is based on power politics, can we legitimize the nuclear control by the IAEA or other organizations? Obama has been criticizing the Bush administration taking the path of power politics, and talks about “change.” Then, Obama and his administration must present tougher (or at least standardized) criteria on nuclear regulation, in order to obtain maximum effect from nuclear force reduction.

Regarding the US-Russian relationship, there are several unsolved issues on oil trade, Georgia, free market, WTO membership, human rights for journalists, the CFE (Conventional Armed Forces in Europe) Treaty, and so on. We continue to observe what agreements those two young leaders will reach.

For some it’s ‘just a way of earning a living’. And why not! If we’re observant enough, and articulate enough, to express our ideas such that others will pay good money for them it would seem good sense to do so. It’s just making the most of our abilities in the same way that a fit or strong person might become a professional sportsman.

But for many, even if we’d like to make a living out of our writing, the financial rewards can be few and fear between. So what makes us keep on writing?

A common, and perfectly good response, is that we enjoy it: finding the right words, making stories, describing ideas or events gives us pleasure. It’s a creative pursuit . . . and in this materialistic, rationally oriented, world don’t we just need such an antidote? When the pressures and controlling logical ways of thinking take us over, writing reconnects us to our imagination . . . our heart and soul.

And perhaps there’s more to it even than this. With the encouragement of web communities and self publishing companies, more and more of us humans are allowing ourselves the opportunity to create stories, poems or other works of fact or fiction. It could even be consider a ‘sign of the times’ . . . along with the huge growth in ‘Mind-Body-Soul’ publications & workshops and interest in alternative religions and philosophies.

In my experience these factors are all very much connected: we write because we need to! Our urge to be poets, authors, journalists (or whatever), seems to come from a much deeper place within us: from our inner core, that’s calling us to question prevailing wisdom. It’s time for each of us to piece together our own view of reality. By writing we can stand back and develop our own religious idea, theories on fulfilment and what makes life worth while . . . or not.

Being a writer has, for me, been about growing up and become more aware, more conscious or who and what I am. It’s helping me to be me. From at least some of the large amounts or writing I’ve seen in many forms over recent years, I can’t helping thinking that I’m not alone in such a feeling. Through writing, we’re evolving.

Allegedly, religious extremists and terrorists nesting in Pakistan conducted the strike, according to government officials, scholars, and journalists. Regardless of Pakistani position of the so-called “war on terrorism,” its unstable domestic security is enough to make the world horrified because of possible nuclear proliferation.

What I would like to call attention in THIS article is, however, neither on terrorist groups in Pakistan nor nuclear proliferation; it is on “post hoc ergo propter hoc (after that, therefore because of that).” This phrase is often referred by scholars in political
science and economics, and highlights the difference between correlation and causation. In order to give the readers some idea, I would like to bring an example from a TV drama “the West Wing,” a fictional story of the US administration.

At the premier of the second season, President Bartlet and his staff are shot, and National Security Advisor Dr. McNally recommends the soldier deployment into Kuwait and the Persian Gulf on the ground of possible involvement of Iraq in the attack. President did not take the recommendation. Later in the series, it is revealed that the attack was intended on President’s African-American Personal Aid conducted by a White supremacist group.

Of course, it is a fictional story, and hence, it cannot be compared with the real life situation. Yet, the message “correlation does not mean causation” still holds water. A happens after B does not mean A causes B. Likewise, doing C to stop A does not necessarily stop B. In the story above, Dr. McNally’s recommendation regarding Iraq is ineffective towards the White supremacists, as the gun shot was not fired by anti-American terrorists.

In the next few weeks, Pakistani government led by new leadership is most likely to tighten the security and may arrest several anti-Western activists in Pakistan. However, if (I emphasize this “if”) the bombing was conducted by political opponents in Pakistan who are not satisfied by the new leadership, such arrest mentioned above is off-focus.

In conclusion, tighten the security in order to prevent a further bomb attack is undoubtedly necessary. Yet, the Pakistani authority must be careful to speculate motives of the attack and pre-emptively arrest the possible suspects. If the arrest was mistake, it encourages the further hostility and thus the second strike.

First of all, I give my sincere sympathy toward those who lost family, friends, and houses. Regardless of their nationality, we need to help those victims of power politics. Moreover, I pray for those who lost their lives in the madness of humankind – war. Today, the way to the heaven is clouded by the Georgians, Ossetians, and even Russians who believed their leaders were doing the right thing. Those who lost lives are not guilty of this chaos: let us forgive them.

Second aspect I would like to point out is that “right” or “wrong” means little in a war. Even if the Georgian act of “retaking” South Ossetia is “right,” this “rightness” diminishes in front of the massive casualty. Given the fact Russia has more tanks, ships, airplanes, and soldiers than Georgia, this operation in South Ossetia was a tactical and strategic mistake (even immoral, I think). Moreover, Tbilisi, hours before the attack, declared the cease fire unilaterally and broke it in the morning of 8th August. There are some reports that the Russian Air Force bombed small villages before the Georgian attack took place (and thus, implying legitimate retaliation). Yet, the remaining fact is that Tbilisi committed military actions hours AFTER the cease fire declaration (which was not officially accepted by South Ossetia) and the operation was conducted without prior diplomatic efforts with the United Nations.

Third, Russia has the right to intervene as there are many Russian citizens in South Ossetia. I am not going to legitimize the Russian position on the “peacekeeping” role: that is a different issue. But, one thing for sure is that as Russian citizens in South Ossetia were attacked by Georgia, Russia has the right to protect them. Once again, there is possibility that Russia provoked Georgia. Even so, Georgia should have considered that Russia would attack once Georgia launched offensive operations.

Lastly, some assume that Tbilisi was expecting stronger international support, possibly military intervention by NATO. However, as all political leaders were in Beijing attending the Olympic ceremony, such assumption seems fragile. On the contrary, Tbilisi might have assumed that Russia would react slowly given the Olympic condition. Prime Minister Putin, however, was in Moscow.

At last, Russia does not have the right to overthrow the Georgian government. As Russia had been the one who accused the American approach in Iraq, Russia should know at least on the rhetoric. That said, the fact Georgia attacked South Ossetia without prior diplomatic consensus with the United Nations puts Georgia in a weak position. This was NOT a unilateral invasion by Russia into Georgia as anti-Russian media reports. It was a military conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia in which Russian citizens were involved. It looks like an invasion because the Russian Army and Air Force were overwhelming. Russia even moved the Black Sea Fleet for economic sanction against Georgia. As Georgia ceased fire, such aggressive actions by Russia are no longer necessary. Thus, it is high time to negotiate and to start the reconstruction of the “society of the people” – not the “territory of (some) nationals.”

However, what hits one with great surprise and emotional disturbance is the suicidal death. It is that one stage in a person’s life when he becomes exceptionally tired to live another day. He becomes so weak and doomed to failure that at this point, suicide is his only answer – the point when he breaks the mirror of his fears into countless pieces and walks over them daringly. He feels no need to tell anybody about what he is going to do next. Perhaps, this is the only time when he thinks about HIMSELF most selfishly and leaves no room for any sort of interference.

I know when a man decides to sit down one day and finish himself and all boundaries of undue tolerance, he must be unafraid of God – for suicide is an unpleasant act in His eyes without any argument. He must be a coward as he chooses to leave the people behind to deal with the mess. Lastly, he must be a loner, unaided and figuratively dead already before committing suicide.

If the issue has become very fragile and you are feeling suicidal now, please stop long enough to read this. I do not wish to talk you out of your bad feelings. I am not a therapist or other mental health professional; only someone who knows what it is like to *feel* suicidal. I do not know who you are or why you are reading this page. I only know for the moment, you are reading it, and that is good! I can assume some of you are here because you are troubled and considering ending your life. If it were possible, I would prefer to be there with you – to sit with you and talk face to face and heart to heart. But since that is not possible, we will have to make do with this.

Well, you’re still reading, and that’s very good. I’d ask you to stay with me for the rest of this page. I hope it means that you’re at least a tiny bit unsure, somewhere deep inside, about whether or not you really will end your life. Often people feel that, even in the deepest darkness of despair. Being unsure about dying is okay and normal. The fact that you are still alive at this minute means you are still a little bit unsure. It means that even while you want to die, at the same time some part of you still wants to live. So let’s hang on to that, and keep going for a few more minutes.

Start considering this statement:

“Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain.”

This means that you can survive suicidal pains if you do either of two things; find a way to reduce your pain or find a way to increase your coping resources. BOTH ARE POSSIBLE!

1. You have to believe that people do get through this — even people who feel as badly as you are feeling right now. Statistically, there is a very good chance that you are going to live. I hope that this information gives you some sense of hope.
2. Give yourself some distance. Say to yourself, “I will wait 24 hours before I do anything.” Or a week. Remember that feelings and actions are two different things – just because you feel like killing yourself, doesn’t mean that you have to actually do it right this minute. Put some distance between your suicidal feelings and suicidal action.
3. People often turn to suicide because they are seeking relief from pain. Remember that relief is a feeling. And you have to be alive to feel it. You will not feel the relief you so desperately seek, if you are dead.
4. Suicidal feelings are, in and of themselves, traumatic. After they subside, you need to continue caring for yourself. Therapy is a really good idea. So are the various self-help groups available both in your community and on the Internet.

Well, it’s been a few minutes and you’re still with me. Im really glad!

Since you have made it this far, you deserve a reward. The gift you will give yourself is a coping resource. Remember, back up near the top of the page, I said that the idea is to make sure you have more coping resources than you have pain. So let’s give you another coping resource, or two, or ten…! Until they outnumber your sources of pain. Here are a few online links that can be helpful to you a great deal.

• How serious is our condition? …”he only took 15 pills, he wasn’t really serious…” if others are making you feel like you’re just trying to get attention… read this.
• Why is it so hard for us to recover from being suicidal? …while most suicidal people recover and go on, others struggle with suicidal thoughts and feelings for months or even years. Suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Recovery from grief and loss …has anyone significant in your life recently died? You would be in good company… many suicidal people have recently suffered a loss.
• The stigma of suicide that prevents suicidal people from recovering: we are not only fighting our own pain, but the pain that others inflict on us… and that we ourselves add to. Stigma is a huge complicating factor in suicidal feelings.
• Resources about depression …if you are suicidal, you are most likely experiencing some form of depression. This is good news, because depression can be treated, helping you feel better.

Other readers, if you know someone who is suicidal… or if you would like to be able to help, if the situation arises, learn what to do, so that you can make the situation better, not worse.

• Handling a call from a suicidal person …a very helpful ten-point list that you can print out and keep near your phone or computer.
• What can I do to help someone who may be suicidal? …a helpful guide includes Suicide Warning Signs.

And lastly …take care!