English Language: Peculiarities, Slips

English Language: Peculiarities, Slips



“Medal” and “Meddle”. “M-E-D-A-L” is used when anyone is awarded for outstanding performance. “M-E-D-D-L-E” means to interfere or to handle something absentmindedly.

The word “Formula” has two plurals: “formulae” and “formulas”. “Formulae” is used while discussing scientific topics such as “chemical formulae”. The second plural, “formulas”, is used elsewhere: “all the formulas have failed to establish a long-term peace between Israel and Gaza”.

We generally say “office timings”, “college timings”, “train timings” etc. In this context the usage of “timings/timing” is wrong. The correct English is “office hours”, “college hours” and so on. You might not believe this, but in order to confirm what you have read, look up the meaning of “timing” in the dictionary. But, I must add, whatever wrong is widely used fells in the category of correct!

“Advice” is a noun and “advise” a verb. So, you will write, “your advice is good”, “I need your advice”. You cannot say “I advice you” or “he adviced me”. It should be “I advise you” or “he advised me”.

Using “Enter” and “enter into”. “Enter” is used when you say “he entered the park”, “I entered your house” etc. you cannot say “I entered into your house” etc. “Entered into” is used in conversation, agreement etc. “John entered into our conversation because it was very cheerful”.

It is “scissors” and not “scissor”. In a sentence we can write, “A pair of scissors were kept” and “a pair of scissors was kept”. Both are correct. “Scissor” is a verb which means “To cut or clip with scissors”. “My mama scissored my hair while I was asleep”.

The past tense of “Quit” is “Quit” and “Quitted”. If you have left the gym, you can say “I have quit / quitted the gym”. But if you have left smoking, you can only say “I have quit smoking” and not “I have quitted smoking”. Better, use “quit” as the past tense.

It is “He phoned me” and not “he phoned to me”.

The past tense of “put” is “put” and not “putted”.

“If anyone wants to read, they can go to the library”. This sentence is correct, though grammatically it may not appear. “They” here means “he / she”. Since “he / she” and “his / her” appears untidy so now the native speakers have started using “they”, “them” and “their”. If anyone says this is wrong, tell them”it isn’t!”

Assignment

Assignment

For the new readers I feel it necessary to tell that I give assignments or homework to the readers of this blog. They go through my previous posts and make their own sentences using the material I have furnished here, which I check. Currently, Amar Jain, 18, who is blind and passionate to improve English, submits his assignments.

This is the third assignment of this blog. Since it was submitted to my email id before I dealt with the previous two assignments, so some mistakes might appear repetitive.

Amar Jain writes:

1. "A no-lose situation":
Whatever is the result of the work you are going to be benefited by it.

I don't know that weather my late registration for AI will be accepted or not but if I go to Ahemdabad then I would be able to meet the various people. So, if I go then also I would be in a no-lose situation.

2. "For a song":
At a very low price.

You can get the 50000's original software in just 10000. So, you can fullfill your dream of getting original software for a song!

3. "Be quick on the Draw":
To act promptly and to understand anything quickly.

My principle was quick on the draw for the notification of computer examinations.

Explaination: She acted on the notification quickly.

Shadab Husain responds:

Well Amar, thanks for the submission. Your sentences are good - but they need a bit of Trimming. Try to write using as less words as you can. In your first example, you wrote: “I don't know that weather my late registration for AI will be accepted or not but if I go to Ahemdabad then I would be able to meet the various people. So, if I go then also I would be in a no-lose situation“. This can be shortened to:

I am in a no-lose situation even if my late AI registration gets rejected because going to Ahmedabad will provide me the opportunity of meeting various people.

I feel this sentence has expressed everything you wanted to. Am I right?

You wrote “weather” instead of “whether” whereas “Ahemdabad” appears to be a typo - it should be “Ahmedabad”. I well understand the limitations of a screen reading software! “The various people” should be “various people”.

In your second example you slipped using the possessive form “50000's original software”; it should be “an original software of 50000”. Needless to mention that you misspelled “fulfill” because I presume your ensuing assignments will pass the spell check of Word. Just to remind the command to check spellings is (F7). Additionally, try to use fewer words and avoid making separate sentences for idioms.

In your third example, you erred where many err. It has often been seen that when we write, we generally miss those points which are common for us. I think that this we do because we unselfconsciously presume that since these points are common for us, so they will be common for the readers as well. But, things are contrariwise.

You wrote “My principle was quick on the draw for the notification of computer examinations.” Ask yourself will your readers be able to grasp what you said? I presume you wanted to say “My principal, quick on the draw, read the notification and allowed me to take exams using computers.” (Leave your comment if I am wrong, I will improve by it.) Further, it is “explanation” instead of “explaination”. I also used to make the same mistake.

So this was today’s assignment. Was it good?

Assignment

Assignment

Before I could shed light on the assignment, I must tell that whenever idioms are used, it should look like that they are well embellished in the sentence - and it must never appear as if the writer has used them merely to brag about.

This is the second assignment of this blog which was sent to my email address.

Amar Jain writes:

1. "Of two minds":
When we are not able to choose the right option from the available two options. Or, when we are confused between two options.

One side "HAL" saves my money and at the other side "Jaws" offers me the best features with very little extra expenditure. So I am of two minds for which software I should go.

2. "Fiddle while rome burns":
Enjoying or wasting your time while some important matters has not been attended yet.

I am giving first priority to internet while my first priority should be my studies because my exams are approaching. So, I am fiddling while the rome burns.

3. "Go into a tailspin":
To suddenly become bad or worse.

When Virendar Sehvag got married with Arti Singh, his performance in Cricket is going into tailspin day by day.

Shadab Husain responds:

Well Amar, thank you for your interest. You mentioned in the comment box that you don’t care a toss about others. I too don’t care. My sir, Mr Carlyle Andre McFarland, corrects me in front of the whole class.

Your first example is good. But wouldn’t it look more pleasing if we prune the two sentences slightly? How about more neatly knitting the idiom in the sentence? For instance, we can write:

HAL saves money while Jaws offers better features at a slightly higher price - so I really am of two minds which software to choose.

In your second example it should be “Enjoying or wasting your time while some important matters have not been attended yet” instead of “Enjoying or wasting your time while some important matters [has] not been attended yet”. I have bracketed the mistake.

In the same example, you wrote: “I am giving first priority to internet while my first priority should be my studies because my exams are approaching. So, I am fiddling while the Rome burns.” Priority means “the most important thing that must be dealt with first”. Therefore, when we use “priority” - we shouldn’t use “first”. Furthermore, I feel that we shouldn’t use idioms in a separate sentence. And check capitalisation for Rome.

Your third example, “When Virendar Sehvag got married with Arti Singh, his performance in Cricket is going into tailspin day by day.” It is “Into a tailspin” and not “into tailspin” - you missed the article “A”. In addition, I feel that the sentence would make a better reading if it is written “Ever since Virendar Sehvag married Arti Singh, his performance in cricket started going into a tailspin.” There’s no need of adding “day by day” because “started going” is already conveying that meaning. Try to be precise.

So the assignment is over.

Correction

I have said when we use “priority” we should not use “first” because this word already means “anything which must be dealt with first”. But after that I have noticed many eminent journalists coupling both these words, and therefore, I was wrong to point this out. Please pardon me for this mistake - (special apologies to Amar).

Draconian

Draconian
http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/20/stories/2008122052511003.htm

The editorial, “Two steps backward” (Dec. 19), rightly points out that combating terrorism needs the beefing up of the intelligence and investigative system, and the police force. Draconian measures have only proved counterproductive. When POTA and TADA were in place, innumerable people were detained. But how many among them were terrorists?

By amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and not doing much to improve policing, the UPA government has chosen an easy way out. Will draconian laws prevent terrorists who don’t care about their lives and remain eager to take as many lives as they can?

Shadab Husain,

Lucknow

Errors to Avoid

Errors to Avoid

On this blog I receive some encouraging comments amidst many discouraging ones. Some encouraging comments I received for my post “Avoid Common Errors” - so I felt that furnishing a couple of more errors would be sensible. They are as follows:

“In mornings, drinking tea is preferred more to eating apples by many.” In this sentence “more” is needless - because “preferred” is already conveying that idea. The correct sentence will read: “In mornings, drinking tea is preferred to eating apples by many.” It must be remembered that when “prefer” is used, “more” should be avoided.

Distinguishing between “it’s” and “its” is very simple yet many people err. When an apostrophe is sandwiched between (T) and (S) - it means “It is”. But many miscue it to be a possessive form. For example, they say “the model of this car is good, but it’s average is bad.” It should be “the model of this car is good, but its average is bad.” Similarly, if you need to say “it is raining” using an apostrophe, you should say “it’s raining” instead of “its raining.”

“I am going to give my exams” instead of “I am going to take my exams”

“Don’t make no mistakes” instead of “Don’t make mistakes”

“The circus will return again” instead of “The circus will return”

“I didn’t received any letter” instead of “I didn’t receive any letter”

“John and Joe are both talking together” instead of “John and Joe are talking together”

“Whenever I read Dickens, I always enjoy” it should be “Whenever I read Dickens, I enjoy”

“Passing by the building, I noticed it is very old” it should be “Passing the building, I noticed it is very old”

“I was in the college” instead of “I was at the college”

So these were a few more errors. If I slip anywhere, please let me know by leaving your comments.

English Class

English Class

I received the first assignment of this blog in the comment box which was submitted by Amar Jain.

Amar Jain writes:

1. "Take a pot shot": To suddenly find a fault with someone.

The distributor of Jaws was telling that the pronounciation of Hindi Jaws is very good but when I typed some words in Hindi just for testing, I found that the pronounciation of "," in Hindi Jaws was wrong. So, I took pot shot at him.

2. "Be writ large" (this is formal): To be very clear.

I instructed the dealer before giving the franchisee that you will have to be writ large with regard to the pricing policy of the company.

3. "Shore up something": To strengthen something by giving support.

"The Employees Insurance Scheme" is the way to shore up the workers's working.

Shadab Husain responds:

Well Amar, thank you for submitting your assignment. You did a brave thing by telling me to openly point out your errors - such brave hearts are rare. Here are a few errors I spotted in your assignment:

In your first sentence the spelling of “pronunciation” was wrong. You can avoid spelling mistakes by writing in MS Word. The command to check spelling mistakes is (F7). Pick up the misspelled words and Key them in a separate file and make a rule of typing those words till you feel you won’t misspell them again. I too do this.

Additionally, you missed the article “A” when you wrote “So, I took pot shot at him.” It should be “I took a pot shot at him”.

I feel that the first sentence would make a better reading if it is change to:

Just to test I typed a few words in the Hindi Jaws and Finding that it is mispronouncing 'comma' - I took a pot shot at the Jaws distributor - who was telling that the pronunciation of the Hindi Jaws is very good.

Your second sentence is very good. But it would look better if it is changed to:

I instructed the dealer before giving the franchisee that you will have to be writ large regarding the pricing policy of the company.

In the third one, it should be “workers’” instead of “workers’s”.

So today’s assignment is over. I hope you all would have enjoyed it.

New Plan for Learning English

New Plan for Learning English

It is encouraging to learn that for some of you this blog is commendable. I feel deeply honoured when you tell me that reading my posts is beneficial and joyous for you. Adding to my joy, some visitors have found this blog so interesting that they have read all the posts just in a time span of two or three days.

But, I feel that, only skimming over the posts of this blog would not yield very good results. In order to excel at your communication, it is imperative that you all should put in a little more effort.

Therefore, I am planning to start giving assignments to all the readers of this blog. Your job would be to make your own sentences using the words, idioms and combinations of words I have provided and will provide here. In the comment boxes of my blog, I will review your assignments and whatever errors I will spot, I will point them out.

You might feel embarrassed if I openly pointed out your errors, so don’t reveal your identity. Click “Comments” and keep on hitting (R) - you will see a radio button “Anonymous” - check this button and post your assignments.

I am confident that learning in this novel fashion would be very interesting. First I will publish your posts and then my responses will ensue.

What do you think? Is my idea fine or should I add anything in this?

Postscript: The English classes will continue.

Needed, action (Taken from The Hindu)

Needed, action

Though Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari sounded sincere (“The terrorists want to destroy Pakistan, too” — Op-Ed article, Dec. 10), it is clear that the sabre-rattling by the Pakistani military impedes his actions. Otherwise, why would he have taken a ‘u’-turn on sending the ISI chief to India? There are a host of accused and confirmed terrorists living freely in Pakistan. If he really wants to wipe off terrorism, he should be strong enough to defy all the forces that come in the way of peace. Indians and Pakistanis are acutely suffering from terrorism. It would be better for us if Mr. Zardari, instead of his emotive articulations, takes the required actions against the terrorists. We want business.

Shadab Husain

Lucknow

http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/11/stories/2008121155620801.htm

Humourous English Class

Humourous English Class

Well friends, till now we have sincerely studied like obedient, innocent students. Now it is the time to do a bit of fun! So here are a few humourous sentences which made me laugh:

“I am feeling round round round circles” instead of “I am feeling giddy”!

“Open the door of the window” instead of “Open the window”!

Teacher to three talkative students: “Stand up both of you three” instead of “Stand up all you three”!

A football match was going on. Suddenly a controversy sparked off between the teams. Captain of one team said to his counterpart “I will not play with you”. The other replied, “You play not play I go my team go - what my father’s pocket go?” This second captain was trying to say: “You play or don’t play, my team and I will go - what would my father lose?”

Person to driver, “Car ko zara pechay back karo”!

“I want one half class of water” instead of “I want a half glass of water”!

“Water is raining down” instead of “It’s raining”!

“I know no English” instead of “I don’t know English”!

“I talk you, you talk me, who talk you?” Guess what this person is trying to say! I will love to have an interpretation of this in the comment box.

The English class is over! How was it?

Avoid Common Errors

Avoid Common Errors

I see that often people good in expressing make small mistakes. Unfortunately, such small errors discolour the beauty of the piece regardless of how well it was expressed. It is imperative to avoid such blunders. Here are a few blunders I found common even in well-educated people:

“Have you learnt the English alphabets” It should be “Have you learnt the English alphabet” or “Have you learnt the English letters”

“It was preplanned from before” instead of “It was preplanned”. (Preplan is already conveying the meaning of before. Although the word “preplan” appears needless - because planning is always done beforetime! But be Roman in Rome)

“What is the criteria?” instead of “What is the criterion?” (Criteria is plural and criterion singular)

“Between the three” instead of “Between the two”. (Between is only used when there are two options)

“Among the two” instead of “among the three”. (Among is only used when there are more than two options)

“According to me” instead of “in my opinion”

“I will revert back” instead of “I will revert”

“I and my friends” instead of “My friends and I”

“It is very excellent” instead of “It is excellent”. (Excellent itself is superlative)

“It would be more better” instead of “It would be better”. (Using double comparative is wrong)

“It is worstest” instead of “It is worst”

“Softwares” instead of “Software”

“Fill the complete page” instead of “Fill the page”


“John is most powerful than George” instead of “John is more powerful than George”

“Tim is the most richest person of this vicinity” instead of “Tim is the richest person of this vicinity”

Well, these were a few common errors. In time, I will catch more and shall post. Meanwhile, if you find any error in my writing, either use the message box or mail me.

I will add a new feature in the English Classes. It would be famous sayings as “be Roman in Rome”. Keep on tracking this blog!

English Class

English Class

I said that in order to communicate creative in a language which isn’t your mother tongue, sensing the spirit of it is very crucial. If you fail to bring the spirit of the language you communicate in, your readers won’t get the real taste of that language.

But, I venture to add that, English is a very adoptive language. I see that it welcomes various cultures and tempers and charmingly jells with them. So, if you are successful in simply expressing yourself - this alien language will look very familiar in your hands.

Words of the day

Blitzkrieg: n. A quick, sudden military offensive, usually by combined air and mobile land forces. Journalists are opining that at such a sensitive time a blitzkrieg against Pakistan would be premature.

Cahoots: n. A secret, questionable partnership. It is being speculated that retired army officers of Pakistan worked in cahoots with the terrorists who engineered the Mumbai attacks.

Inter alia: adv. Among other things. The Black Cat Commandos were brave, daring, inter alia, humble.

Idioms of the day

Sabre-rattling: Threatening behaviour intended to make someone afraid. Zardari’s u-turn on sending the ISI chief to India might have been resulted from saber-rattling from Pakistani army.

Connect the dots: To understand the relationship between different ideas or experiences. Connecting the dots between the terrorists and Pakistani government is crucial before taking any military action.

The bane of your life: Someone or something that is always causing problems for you and upsetting you. My servant often comes up with an excuse to be away from work - he has become the bane of my life. My computer has become the bane of my life as it crashes at regular intervals.

Combinations of words

Constrained politeness: Her constrained politeness really moved me beyond control.

Immoderate grief (immoderate = adj. Excessive): Losing a young son fills up the parents with immoderate grief.

Creative and inventive: A creative and inventive mind is enough to spin money.

The class is over. Let’s run!

English Class

English Class

I think that languages reflect the culture and environment of the place they originate from. Communicating creatively in a language which isn’t your mother tongue means you are taking a fleet from your culture. I, therefore, feel that if you are trying to communicate creatively in English, it is very crucial for you to understand the English culture and environment. By doing this, you will understand the spirit of the language, which will enable you to communicate more effectively in English. Remember being fluent is a different thing and sensing the spirit of the language a different one. The latter will need your acutest sensibility.


Words of the day

Suave: adj. Smoothly agreeable and courteous. Most of the salesmen pretend to be suave.

Belie: v. To misrepresent, to picture falsely. The media belied Tata Nano.

Fraught: adj. Filled with a specific element or elements. A discouraged person’s way is fraught with difficulties and sadness.

Idioms of the day

A watched pot never boils: Something that you say which means that if you anxiously wait for anything to happen, it seems to take a lot of time. I am waiting for my friend’s email, but alas, a watched pot never boils.

Sweet nothings: Romantic things that people who are in love say to each other. Instead of having a sensible talk with us, both idiots kept on saying sweet nothings to each other.

Not for quids (Australian, informal): If you say you will not do something for quids, you mean you would hate to do it. Boss, mind your language otherwise I won’t do your work for quids.

Combinations of words

Integral element (integral = adj. Essential, necessary): Jon thinks that a robust pickup is an integral element of a motorbike.

Obstacles and disasters: Crush your obstacles and disasters otherwise they will crush you.

Kindled enthusiasm: George was feeling very dull and sad but a gentle smile of his child kindled enthusiasm in his heart.

The class is over.

English Class

English Class

[Before beginning with today’s English class, I will request to all the readers to pray for the people who lost their lives in the gruesome Mumbai attacks.]

Words of the day

Fainthearted: adj. Lacking conviction, courage or boldness. Challenging the Mumbai terrorists wasn’t a job for the fainthearted.

Abseil: v. To go down by a rope fastened at the top and tied around the body. Crack Black Cat Commandos did a daring job when they abseiled on the terrace of the hotel from the helicopter.

Bedlam: n. A place or situation of noisy uproar and confusion. As the inhuman terrorists started spraying bullets on the common people it was a bedlam in the hotel lobby.

Idioms of the day

Grin and bear it: To accept an unpleasant or difficult situation because there is nothing you can do to improve it. The terror strikes are widening the divide between Hindus and Muslims but many of us have to grin and bear it.

Hit a snag: To experience a difficulty. The round-to-clock media coverage of the shootout hit a snag on the actions of the security personnel.

In a bind: Forced to deal with a difficult situation. If the war between India and Pakistan takes place, it will keep the common countrymen of both the nations in a bind.

Combinations of words

Dread and terror: The dread and terror was clearly visible on the faces of the people who were coming out from the hotels.

Disaster of the first magnitude: If India attacked Pakistan in the view of the recent terror strikes - it would be a disaster of the first magnitude for them.

Ambitions and dreams: Those unforgivable brutes in Mumbai have crushed many ambitions and dreams.

Let’s pray and vow to fight terror being united. I shudder to think about an internal divide. Unity is power. I am not afraid from terror strikes; the thing which frightens me is our division. It is to be remembered that people belonging to all the religions were killed in the assault. Will all of us remain united in this tough time? I humbly hope and pray.

Make India safe

Make India safe

The gruesome terror attacks have shown how vulnerable we are. Blaming the police for these attacks is not correct. It must be accepted that it is physically impossible for the police to check every vehicle and person across the country. The police did remarkably well by plunging into action and neutralizing the terrorists. The nation fervently salutes them. The job of the intelligence agencies, however, leaves much to be desired.

Shadab Husain,

Lucknow

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/29/stories/2008112955720904.htm

English Class

English Class

I have heard that if you feel frustrated or sad over anything and write it, you feel relieved. It is being said that besides providing you the patience and courage to keep going, your writing makes you calmer and happier. So, write.

Words of the day

No-brainer: n. (this is informal) Something so easy that it doesn’t require any thinking. It is a no-brainer that overdoing a thing proves harmful.

Angst: n. A feeling of anxiety or apprehension, often accompanied with depression. Angst stems from negative attitude, not from hostile circumstances.

Laconic: adj. Using or noticed for few words - concise, to the point. Speeches of all the great leaders are laconic.

Idioms of the day

The nitty-gritty: The most important or basic facts of a thing. I prefer starting off with the nitty-gritty of the issues.

An open sesame: A very successful way of achieving something. A clear, crisp communication is an open sesame to earn respect, fame and money - irrespective of the stream you belong to.

Right up your alley: Matching your interests or abilities. It is always wiser to seek career in the stream which is right up your alley.

Combinations of words

Farfetched dream (farfetched = adj. Unlikely): Defeating John is a farfetched dream for his poor enemies.

Fresh as a spring: She was so humble and truthful that she appeared as fresh as a spring to me.

Historical perspective: Before giving your opinion on any issue, examining the historical perspective of it is a must.

The class is over. Run!

On Duckworth-Lewis

On Duckworth-Lewis

This refers to the letters arguing that the Duckworth-Lewis method should be changed as England lost the Bangalore ODI because of it (Nov. 25). The Indian team had no way of knowing that the match would be shortened to 22 overs, which is why it did not score quick runs. On the other hand, the England team was aware that it would get only 22 overs to bat. Thus it had an advantage over India. It was imperative to level this imbalance. Therefore, England was asked to score a few more runs. Where is the defect in the D/L method and where is the misfortune for England?

Shadab Husain,

Lucknow

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/26/stories/2008112655821006.htm

English Class

English Class

When you speak any word beginning with the letter (W), your mouth should take a round shape as in pronouncing (O). But when you speak a word beginning with the letter (V), your upper teeth should touch your lower lip.

Now, if you have a dictionary which speaks the pronunciation aloud, key in the words beginning with these two letters and note the difference. But if you don’t have such a dictionary, listen to the perfect speakers and note how they speak.

In order to finely utter the words beginning with these two letters, first take a word which begins from the letter (W) and keep on speaking it till you feel you are easy with it. After this do the same with the letter (V). Then, mingle the words and keep on practicing till you fit them properly into your mouth. It will not require enough time or work; 10 minutes devoted till 15 days to this practice would be enough. I tell this out of my own experience.

Words of the day

Quintessential: adj. The most typical example or representative of a type. A quintessential Indian woman devotedly works for her husband and children without caring for herself.

Iota: n. A very small amount, a bit. I am sure that Tim is the robber, and there isn’t even an iota of doubt in it.

Downplay: v. To minimise the significance of anything. John downplayed the threats he was receiving from his opponents and suffered heavy loss.

Idioms of the day

Step into the breach (this is formal): To do a substituting job because the real person is suddenly not present. Mr James, the director of my company has suddenly got ill and Mrs Brown has step into the breach.

A turf war (this is American): A fight or an argument to decide who holds an area or an activity. Suddenly the road changed into a battleground as a turf war triggered off between two gangsters. Emerging victorious after a series of turf wars with Clinton, Obama went ahead to stamp his victory over McCain.

At/on the cutting edge: In the area of a subject or activity where the newest changes or developments are taking place. Dr Woodsworth is on the cutting edge of gene therapy.

Combinations of words

Needless innovations: It is always better to stick to simplicity by neglecting the needless innovations the glamourous blokes promote.

Work and constancy (constancy = n. Steadfastness, changelessness): Thinking about success without work and constancy is impractical.

Wild havoc: The storm created such a wild havoc that children started to panic.

The class is over.

English Class

English Class

In the essay “On the Art of Speaking” I suggested you to recapitulate aloud whatever you read in order to be fluent.

I recapitulate editorials and news analyses. To my joy, I have noticed that whenever I recapitulate anything, my mind unselfconsciously develops an inclination to counter the points I am speaking about and brings forth the aspects which makes the recapitulated piece stronger. This recapitulation practice, besides making the speaker fluent and expressive, develops debating skills and brings forth the aspects which he would have overlooked. I feel that this is an excellent discovery.

Words of the day

Unselfconscious: adj. Not self-conscious, natural. The unselfconscious singing of any child is really very sweet.

Anglophile: n. One who admires England, its culture, and its people. It was due to a bunch of idiotic anglophiles that the Brits ruled India for so long.

Delve: v. 1. To search deeply and laboriously. 2. To dig the ground, as with a spade. I delved the whole lot of papers to get my certificate. An archeologist should be very patient because often delving doesn’t give any results.

Idioms of the day

Feet of clay: If you say that someone you praise have feet of clay, it means he has hidden faults. Most of the social workers have feet of clay.

At first blush (American): When you first start to think about something. At first blush holidaying in Vienna appeared a fine idea but later we decided flying to Paris.

Weigh your words: To think carefully before you say anything. A wise man always weighs his words.

Combinations of words

Indelible mark (indelible = impossible to remove): Parents must remember that child abuse leaves an indelible mark on the minds of children.

Inseparably linked: It is said that hearts of the true lovers are inseparably linked - no matter how far the both live.

Chain of connection: From Bollywood to drugs and police to underworld, there seem to be a chain of connection.

The class is over.

Free English Lesson

***

Free English Lesson

A curious secret of writing is that if you are plunged in any problem and write it down, you will find that your writing is communicating the solution of it to you. So if you have a problem to work on, I urge you to write it down and accept my beforehand congratulations as your writing will tell the solution of it to you. Try it out!

Words of the day

Hysteria: n. Behaviour showing excessive or uncontrollable emotions, such as fear and panic. It was hysteria all around the road as a powerful bomb went off.

Ringleader: n. A person who leads others, especially in illicit or informal activities. The ringleaders should be targeted to quickly wife off corruption.

Moron: n. A stupid person, a fool. Morons are puppets - only born to be controlled by corrupt people.

Idioms of the day

A faux pas: An embarrassing mistake made in public. Calling Africa a country, Sarah Palen made a faux pas.

Be as solid as a rock: To be very solid. My grandfather’s car has gone out of fashion, yet it is as solid as a rock.

A man of few words: a man who speaks only when it is necessary. An eminent person is a man of few words.

Combinations of words

Undying friendship: Meeting with you is lovely - I feel that it is a beginning of an undying friendship.

Abiding romance: Seeing the abiding romance between Paul and Marry - the whole college was happy.

Uncontrollable delight: As the Indian cricket team won the 20 20 tournament, the whole nation was in an uncontrollable delight.

Over with the class.

Free English Lesson

***

Free English Lesson

How far have you gone at writing? I am confident that if you follow my humble suggestions you will progress very soon.

Words of the day

Defer: v. To postpone, to delay. Deferring the hearing of my case for 3 days, the judge has again excited me.

Agog: adj. Full of keen anticipation, curious. We were agog as our college team needed a six on the last ball to win the match.

Wordsmith: n. 1. A fluent and prolific writer, especially one whose profession is writing. 2. A master of words. If you are thinking to earn handsomely by writing, change your profession because even the best wordsmiths cannot make enough money. George is a wordsmith - he chooses the accurate words.

Idioms of the day

Go to whole hog: To do something as completely as possible. Americans will lag behind in stem cell research from the Brits because Obama hasn’t decided to go whole hog for the thing.

The operative word: The chief word in the sentence, which explains the reality of the situation. The operative word of the patriots was freedom.

Go/sell like hot cakes: If things are going or selling like hot cakes, people are buying a lot of them very fast. Copies of The White Elephant are selling like hot cakes because this book won the Booker Prize.

Combinations of words

A dazzling completeness of beauty: If your heart is sincere and intention noble, write anything - the result would be a dazzling completeness of beauty.

Sweet and peaceable: Few men are so powerful that they even make their married lives sweet and peaceable!

Curious proclivity (proclivity = n. inclination): John had a curious proclivity for horse riding since his infancy.

The class is over.

Free English Class

***

Free English Class

On this blog I posted an essay on speaking well. But as this topic is very vast, so it was impossible for me to fit all the ideas in a few hundred words. Therefore I will keep on providing some speaking tips.

You would have noticed that when the article “the” comes before a vowel - correct speakers pronounce it as “thee”. For example, “thee earth”, “thee airport” etc. mind, the spelling of “the” will not change; I am putting ( double E) only to make the thing clear.

Presumably, many of you would be already knowing this, but if anybody learnt it today, this point should be taken a proper care of. Bring this into practice and after a couple of days you will become habitual. Don’t think that this is too difficult a task; for, after practicing a few words, you will become familiar with this peculiarity and you will effortlessly use the correct pronunciation of “the” even with the words you are speaking for the first time.

Words of the day

Rumpus: n. A noisy clamor. As soon as the issue of nuclear deal came up, the house echoed with rumpus.

Foothold: n. A secure or firm position that provides a foundation for further development. Google, through its internet browser Chrome, is trying to establish a foothold on the web.

Disgruntle: v. to make discontented. The corrupt condition of the world is disgruntling the common folks.

Idioms of the day

In words of one syllable: To explain something in a very easy and common language because the person you are explaining to is stupid. Warnings should always be explained in words of one syllable so that people of less intelligence can easily understand them.

I dread/shudder to think: Something that you say when you don’t want to think about a thing because it is too dangerous or too worrying. The medical report of my mother was to come and I was shuddering to think about a serious problem.

Holy shit: A surprise or very unpleasant. When the world is failing to find a solution to curb the rising temperature, a lot of energy is getting wasted on needless events like Olympic Games. What a holy shit!

Combinations of words

Rumpus and malcontent: As the fundamentalism is seeing a rise, the world is filling with rumpus and malcontent.

Drowsy tranquility: The temple was well apart from the city in the drowsy tranquility of a humble village.

Cold formalities: In this modern lifestyle, even respecting anyone comes in the category of cold formalities.

The class is over.

English Learning

***

English Learning

Several times I have given emphasis on writing for yourself. You will be shocked to know that if you remove the autobiographical element from the literature, you will be left with a few insignificant pages. This clearly establishes how important it is to write for yourself.

A general rule is that the more you practice, the quicker you excel. I provide writing tips and some rhetorical expressions here - but remember your progress depends on your practice.

Words of the day

Odds-on: adj. (Informal) More likely to win. From the very beginning it became clear that Barrack Obama is the odds-on for the president post of the US.

Artisan: n. A person skilled at any craft. Joe is an excellent artisan - the windows he trims look very attractive.

Rollicking: adj. Carefree and very cheerful. It was a rollicking moment when after solving our financial problems we fixed our marriage date.

Idioms of the day

A four-letter word: A short word that is very offensive. The moment news of Obama’s victory flashed, many Americans started chanting several four-letter words in joy.

If you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Something that you say which means if you aren’t able to face difficult circumstances, you should leave. Tom was with his sad neighbour to encourage him, but driven by his negativity, sadness struck him as well. A simple rule is that if you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

A greasy spoon (informal): A cheap and small restaurant which chiefly serves fried food of low quality. Eating meals at a greasy spoon should be avoided because it is injurious for health.

Combinations of words

Aching desires: It has often being noticed that aching desires of humans compel them to achieve success.

Burdensome business: Looking after the kids and working for the whole day is really a burdensome business.

Clear insight: Many prefer reading The Hindu because it provides a clear insight on all the current issues.

Over with the class. But I want you to write at least a page everyday.

On the Art of Speaking

***

On the Art of Speaking

“You must be confident” is the famous sentence everyone blurts out whenever you seek advice of progressing at speaking. Curiously, most of the people fail to tell that how to build up this confidence, and, even the seekers don’t bother to question how to gather the thing called confidence. So, let’s see how can we style ourselves confident.

In this piece since I will try to shine some light on improving speaking, so I will be limited to it. Nevertheless, if the readers cleverly transferred some of these confidence-building ideas to their respective fields, they will be benefited.

Practice

By practicing one catches the errors and works to become perfect. In order to sound polished, most of the great speakers used to devote some time to reading aloud. So pick up any passage of your interest, read it aloud, and then recapitulate it aloud as well. The words you find new or difficult to pronounce in the passage, look the meaning and pronunciation of them in the dictionary.

There are a lot of dictionaries that are coming as software. A great feature these dictionaries offer is that one can listen to the correct pronunciation. The words you find difficult to utter, key them in the dictionary, and carefully listen to the pronunciation. Jot down these words anywhere and keep on speaking them till you feel you have properly fitted them into your mouth.

I come across many people complaining that there is nobody to speak English with. Rejoice, as this recapitulation practice will fulfill that need and you will become a fluent speaker. I too improve speaking by the same practice.

Listening to good speakers is also a good idea, but as there are several slang, paroles and dialects in English, so like others I won’t warmly suggest it. However, one must always listen to good speakers in order to grasp the expressing technique, which is very crucial.

Be Expressive

The best technique to be expressive is to deeply understand the topic you are discussing, because by doing this, your voice would naturally jell with the nature of the topic. Another very crucial point is to understand the words and try to form the images of those words in your mind while practicing. You must do this only while practicing and not when you are in public otherwise your concentration will skirt. In time, these expressions in your words will come effortlessly. This will bring liveliness in your speaking, and your words will leave a totally different impression on your listeners.

Vocabulary

Always be eager to learn new words. Building up a good vocabulary will make you fluent at speaking as you will have many words in your mind to express your thoughts. Agreed, you may not use even half of the words you learn, but even the unused half will play a very crucial role to ease your speaking.

If you don’t have a good vocabulary, you will often slip into yawning gaps accompanied with embarrassing hems and haws. Remember, a good vocabulary will boost your confidence as well.

Idioms and phrases, besides adding a relish to speaking, show your familiarity with the language and leave the listeners spellbound.

Logic and originality

Be passionate for speaking, but like others I don’t accept the idea of going crazy for it. Don’t misuse your time and energy by acting on the illogical suggestions offered in many personality-development courses and those available on many websites.

Be original by neglecting such needless innovations. We are so much gifted that if we remain original the world will place us on top of all the admirations. A child charms everybody because of his originality. Things go wrong when as an adult he resorts to artificiality to do the same.

Tailpiece: it is knowledge and practice that implants confidence in you. The more you will learn and practice the subject of your interest, the more confident you will feel. In your way of speaking well you will find a host of obstacles. If you have confidence, you will break each and every obstacle - but lacking it means each and every obstacle will break you.

English Class

***

English Class

It is cheerful to read the ideas of others and pen them saying they are my own ideas! Have you ever tried this? A touch of philosophy of that false seriousness. This is my own idea!

At this age when nobody has time to give a damn to each other, often people feel lonesome. But, if you started talking with your writing, you will never feel lonesome. You will get a medium of poring out your emotions, which is one of the most fundamental needs of humans.

Writing will accompany you whenever you wish without any excuses. Since this outlet will be the language of your heart, your writing will become pure. This is the place from where creativity begins to gush forth.

Words of the day

Traipse: v. To tramp about; to walk for fun. When we were holidaying in Nainital, everyday we used to traipse around the forests.

Boorish: adj. Rude and clumsy in behaviour. Well reflecting his nature, the body language of George Bush is boorish.

Unflinching: adj. Showing neither fear nor indecision; firm. The success of Virrappan was due to the unflinching support he was getting from the villagers.

Idioms of the day

Half-baked (informal): Not thought about or planned carefully. I feel you must calmly think before you begin your work, as this appears a half-baked plan.

In the heat of the moment: If you do anything in the heat of the moment, you do it without thinking because of your anger or excitement. George says several times he has overlooked Sara’s curses thinking she utters them in the heat of the moment - but now he cannot bear more.

A stone’s throw: Very near. Since the airport is only a stone’s throw from your house, it is very noisy.

Combinations of words

Frequent visitor: Karan was a frequent visitor of the Marriott Hotel as he liked the service of its employees.

Poor dissembler (dissembler = disguiser): Tim is a poor dissembler, his parents always catch his wrongdoings.

Abbreviated visit (abbreviated = short): After every mishap the abbreviated visits of the politicians to the hospital has become a fashion.

Yap, yap! The class is over!

English Learning

***

English Learning

You have to be original at your writing. Don’t think that your sentences are appearing common. The purpose of writing is to clearly express yourself so that others can easily understand your thoughts.

You might think it strange, but I have noticed that if you simply write a sentence which is being written millions of times, it looks fresh and original. “I like you very much.” This sentence is very common, yet it sounds sincere, sweet and original.

I feel that, in order to be creative, one must not care for creativity. Simplicity is the essence.

Words of the day

Verve: n. Energy or enthusiasm in the expression of ideas. It was unclear whether it was John McCain’s frustration or positive attitude which added verve in his speech. The verve of a writer is exposed when he undergoes any hardship - take the example of Milton’s blindness.

Squawk v. 1. To scream. The moment Sara heard her son is unwell, she squawked in tension. 2. To complain noisily or irritably. Most of the people keep on squawking against the system, but rarely they are bothered to change it.

Transmogrify: v. To change into a different shape or form, especially which is fantastic or unusual. Unfortunately many women think that by transmogrifying their appearances they look pretty.

Idioms of the day

The heat is on: If the heat is on, you are very busy or troubled. The heat is on because my exams are beginning from the next week, and I have to earn money in order to pay my landlord.

Alarm bells start to ring: If anything starts to set alarm bells ringing, it makes you worried as you see an incoming danger. Your continuous backache is enough to start alarm bells ringing, better, you must stop spending so much time on computers.

The promised land: A place which offers a lot of opportunities. for energetic people, the whole earth is the promised land.

Combinations of words

Ambitious project: Writing a book would be a very ambitious project as already you are focusing at other fronts - reconsider it, John.

Amiable and pleasant: As the teachers of small children are often amiable and pleasant, so the schools become homelike.

Hatefully perverse (perverse = wicked, stubborn): Charles, when you beat your servant, you appear hatefully perverse. Few children become hatefully perverse because of their parents’ mismanagement.

The class is over. Off you go!

English Learning

***

English Learning

Still if you have not found anything to write on, listen to the tone of your life it is demanding you to plunge yourself in any adventure.

Come on - buck up, folks! Before beginning with writing learn to live as this writing demands the best from you and snatches it out from you. Enjoy the life - see the beauty of it and pen it without any artificiality. Write what you really feel; don’t waste your brain in making it up.

Go on writing even if it is very difficult to keep going. People will mock at you, editors will reject your works. But Keep your pen darting, go ahead. Styling yourself progressive contrast the initial failures with the weapon of optimism and show you have a manly heart.

Words of the day

Outgun: v. To defeat (whether militarily or otherwise). Nazis, due to their excellent weapons were outgunning their opponents. Obama is outgunning McCain in several states.

Perilous: adj. Involving danger or full of danger. Reporting from a war zone is a perilous, yet an enjoyable task.

Ostrich: n. 1. A swift bird which cannot fly, the largest bird etc.. 2. A person who avoids difficult situation by not facing them. Prince Charles appeared an ostrich when he suggested the Brits to have organic food at the time when people are struggling to have Pot Noodle.

Idioms of the day

Verbal diarrhea: Someone who talks a lot. Children often have verbal diarrhea and thus make a sweet company.

Be in a spin: To be very confused an worried. It was joyful to see the girls of my college being in a spin as we were preparing for the picnic.

Be back on the rails (this is British): Restart to make progress. Life is all about bringing yourself back on the rails after every misfortunate stroke.

Combinations of words

Complexities of life: As we grow up, the complexities of life keep on unfolding which make us wiser and life becomes sweeter.

Fiery of temper: John, fiery of temper, went on shattering the blocks of his way into bits till he reached his goal.

Roundabout approach (roundabout = adj. Indirect): Teachers often tell that we shouldn’t have a roundabout approach for studies.

The class is over. Run!

English Class Attached - From the Dark Zone

***

English Class Attached - From the Dark Zone

Few months back I came over a news report for which I had been direly craving for long. That news brought to my knowledge that Retinitis Pigmentosa, an eye disease in which the vision loses till you become blind could be curable in the near future. Suffering from the same disease, earlier I kept a close eye on all the science and technology news because I was eager to see if they have discovered the method to cure it. And they did.

It is AMAZING to think that you will be able to see again after several years. The joy to think that you can see your parents again is unspeakable. How much the old age has changed them? How you yourself look like after entering your twenties? Will you take a bike and whoosh off to see the same school building where you spent your infancy?

You will fool around on those old roads like the typical idiots! You will see the same trees, same sky, same birds etc. all those common things which due to your blindness have become more beautiful than you can ever tell yourself.

Your imprisonment vanishes. You feel free as a bird to fly where ever you wish to. Such thoughts flood your mind when you learn that you will regain your sight.

But the next moment you realise that your blindness which has molded your nature will die away. Again you feel as if you will lose a part of your body. You have to restyle your soul. How can you leave your blindness which has provided a totally different outlook to you?

Regaining sight becomes as an attack on your character. There, again, you find your life on the cusp of another twist. When the news which you were so passionately yearning for heralds you are messed. And unbelievably, suddenly it strikes you that in the past time you have actually learnt to appreciate and love your disease.

Admittedly, leading a blind life isn’t easy. Darkness terrifies you and you have to pass depressive nights. You have to learn to survive despite the failures of your career. You get short shrift from the people and you are often humiliated.

Yes, you are blind, but you have a human heart which has its emotional and physical needs. as the needs of your heart and body become intolerably urgent, you feel that running from nature is impossible. But anyhow you have to overcome your challenge, because that is your helplessness – you have to live.

This is a robust experience, because you feel as if you have limited your problems which you would have never done were it not for your blindness. You admire your adventurous life. You live the moment. You are in reality. Then how can you leave it?

Agreed, blindness mercilessly thrashes and crashes, and agreed, no one will dare to experience it because it casts insurmountable terror in the hearts; but it isn’t hateful for blinds. It is something like a religion for few.

I am sure that the boom of this discovery will attract but a summary attention by those who have found their darkness lovable. And especially those who have not seen this world (I mean blind by birth) will find it quite irrelevant. Besides their emotional attachment with blindness, even psychologically it would be difficult for them to accept a totally alienated world of sight.

I am shocked to see my strange response over such an amazing discovery. I got darkness when I was running from it; and just see the irony of fate that I can get sight when I do not need much of it. However, partly for the sake of my parents and partly to return to my natural form, let welcome it.

But I will heartily miss my humble, and yet fiery beloved in that sighted world. My blindness will keep on influencing me for my entire life. It is deeply imprinted on my heart. How would I shed my simple and awkward ways? I am bemused that where will I fit myself after returning to the sighted life.

That is unpredictable. I might suffer from nostalgia. But whatever, that too would be an uncommonly joyous experience – full of life.

***

Hi Folks,

I hope you enjoyed this essay . Here are the things I found difficult in it:

Words of the day

Whoosh: n/v. 1. A sibilant sound. A speedy movement, a rush. Will you take a bike and whoosh off to see the same school building where you spent your infancy?

Insurmountable: adj. Impossible to overcome. Agreed, blindness mercilessly thrashes and crashes, and agreed, no one will dare to experience it because it casts insurmountable terror in the hearts; but it isn’t hateful for blinds.

Nostalgia: n. A bittersweet longing for the past situation. 2. Homesickness. I might suffer from nostalgia.

Idioms of the day

As free as a bird: Totally free to do whatever you want to without any worries. You feel free as a bird to fly where ever you wish to.

Give short shrift: anybody or anything you ignore because either you don’t like him or because you feel annoyed with him. You get short shrift from the people and you are often humiliated.

Combinations of words

Direly craving: Few months back I came over a news report for which I had been direly craving for long.

Intolerably urgent: as the needs of your heart and body become intolerably urgent, you feel that running from nature is impossible.

Irony of fate: I got darkness when I was running from it; and just see the irony of fate that I can get sight when I do not need much of it.

Today’s tip is to write in a flow, and flow comes when you are passionate about anything. What concerns you? Go ahead and give an outlet to it.

The success of all the writers rests on this, and this is called catharsis. We all are bound to channelise our emotions; the wisest is he who finds the correct channel. It doesn’t matter which art you want to excel at, you will need this outlet.

Some of you would be waiting for me to post the essay on oratorical skills I promised to. I will post it, please give me some time. As I want to refrain from making bromide tips and as I want to bring something new and creative, I am taking time. Excuse me, I can write a common essay in one hour, but I truly hate such a work.

English Class

***

English Class

I presume that you all would be practicing the words I furnish here. Be good at practice because I want you to catch up a very good progressing speed .

Words of the day

Murky: adj. Unclear with mist, fog, smoke etc.. As a kid seeing the trains going on flashing, bustling and clearing the murky winds of the path was very encouraging for me.

Schadenfreude: n. Pleasure taken from the difficulties of others. Schadenfreude is that disease of heart which is unforgivable.

Kilter: n. Good condition. Mark misused his bike a lot and now it is going out of kilter.

Idioms of the day

Born with a silver spoon in your mouth: Having opportunities due to the influence of your family and not because of your efforts. It is better to have a passion to succeed than to born with a silver spoon in mouth.

Hem and haw: To delay giving an answer by clearing throat and talking in an unclear manner. I want a direct answer - stop hemming and hawing - or I will make an example out of you. We cannot be sure that a person is guilty if he hems or haws while replying.

Get down to brass tacks: To begin talking about the most chief or important part of a subject. I am afraid we won’t be able to chatter as we are running out of time so let’s directly get down to brass tacks.

Combinations of words

Adverse experience (adverse = adj. Unpleasant, unfavourable): Every adverse experience fills you up with a special courage to face the world.

Aimless confusion: When the parliament came under attack it appeared as if the whole nation has been thrown into an aimless confusion.

Warmth of passion: My husband has the warmth of passion I was in dire need of.

So I am over with today’s class. Do you want to learn English? Then be passionate to practice it. I hope you aren’t like the person who loves swimming but doesn’t go near the water.

Free English Class

***

Free English Class

Have you started writing for yourself? Try it, I bet you will enjoy. I write for myself and feel very good. It appears as if I am communicating to someone who understands, encourages and cheers me.

Now I cannot see, but I keep a pen and a copy on my bed, and before going to sleep I write whatever moves me. I don’t even care whether my pen is working - I just write my thoughts.

Love writing, it will be your silent friend, a humble companion which will accompany you whenever you wish. It is faithful, and I feel that you, too, will find it faithful.

Words of the day

Eavesdrop: V. Listening to the private conversation of others. People who do eavesdropping are hateful cowards.

Rankle: v. To irritate. Rankled by the loud noise I made my room soundproof. There are a few sick-minded fellows who take pleasure in rankling the elderly people.

Nascent: adj. Emerging, growing, a beginning of anything. In Sept. 2007, the nascent Arctic melt opened the famed Northwest Passage - the shipping route between Asia and Europe. The nascent climate change has begun to trigger hurricanes and floods all over the world.

Idioms of the day

Leave no stone unturned: To do everything to achieve a goal or find someone or something. Ambitious people leave no stone unturned to translate their dreams to reality. George left no stone unturned to find his friend from the forest. Maria’s jewel was so expensive that she left no stone unturned in searching it.

On tap: available and ready for use. The bonus to study at a good college is that you get the modern technology on tap.

A bone of contention: Any topic which is argued about for long. The real bone of contention among the educationists was whether to include Astrology as a subject in the UGC curriculum or not.

Combinations of words

Ingrained love (ingrained = adj. firmly established): When I embraced my girlfriend, she cried like a silly child - because she has ingrained love for me.

Political and sociological: The political and sociological conditions of the world are undergoing a change.

Careless joy: We were in a careless joy eating peanuts and ragging each other at the picnic.

Ok, now practice these words and idioms. I will be very happy if anyone learnt a new thing from this blog.

Free English Class

***

Free English Class

In writing, neat effectiveness is very important. After writing a piece, carefully proofread it and see which word or phrase will impress your point deeper on your reader, and fit it.

Mind, proofreading shouldn’t be done in any hurry. Many miscue it to be an easy task, but, this is a rock from where even people having the best eyes fell.

Probably, proofreading immediately after you are over with your assignment might make you skip the errors. So, take a coffee break to change your mind, and then calmly go through your write-up. A responsible person who could spot errors in your piece would be better than anybody.

Proofreading isn’t difficult if you have an easy and alert mind.


Words of the day

Glitzy: adj. To invest with showy quality, artificial. Most of the Hindi news channels are glitzy, not newsy. Children tend to run after glitzy things.

Rapprochement: n. Reestablishment of friendly relationship. Until and unless the leaders of Israeli and Palestine sincerely negotiate, thinking of a rapprochement between the two countries is impractical.

Slick: adj. Slippery, smooth. Slick as the footpath was, I was afraid of slipping.

Idioms of the day

Be spoon-fed: Providing too much information and help to someone. Girls who aren’t spoon-fed by their parents make good wives.

Trot out someone/something : To draw the attention of others to someone or something, so that they can praise or see it. My child was looking very sweet in his fur coat, so I happily trotted him out before my husband’s friends. Friends, just see Tim is trotting out his goggles not knowing how bad they are!

Go into overdrive: To start working very hard and effectively. The media go into overdrive during the elections trying to capture each and every news.

Combination of words

Fantastic display: The show was a fantastic display of glamour. Many people fantastically display their foolishness by speaking on the topics they are unaware of. Are you one of them?

Cutting directness: In this increasingly ambitious atmosphere politeness is rarely seen and cutting directness is everywhere. By your cutting directness you might well earn a lot of name and money but not peace of heart.

Overflowing emotions: At the airport, as an old mother and her son were reunited, their emotions overflowed.

Frances Bacon said: “Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.” So, write to become an exact man.

Free English Learning

Free English Learning

Today’s tip is to write. They say, “I don’t have anything to write.” Tell them, “Write that you don’t have anything to write.”

It is impossible that you cannot find anything to write. I go on writing several pages and my fingers give up yet the ideas keep on gushing.

Have you ever tried writing your daily happenings? You might enjoy it. Don’t care a toss about style or grammatical errors just develop the habit of penning your thoughts and write for yourself. You will find your writing is your companion. How lovely would it be, I really cannot tell.

I am craving to write a lot more here, but I have to kill my desire - as your time is important.

Words of the day

Lynch v. illegally killing anyone, especially by a group. In America, the blacks were being often lynched if they crossed the limits set by the whites.

Circumvent: v. To surround, enclose or entrap. The police properly circumvented the thieves which was the chief cause behind that successful operation.

Twaddle: verb and noun. Useless, foolish talk, chatter. Twaddling is an obstacle for success. George’s speech was a twaddle.

Idioms of the day

A pipe dream: A plan or an idea which would never happen as it is impossible. Curbing carbon emission without resorting to simplicity and recycling is a pipe dream.

Cross swords with someone: To argue with someone. If people of two ideologies come together it is more likely that the swords will be crossed.

A bolt from the blue: Any event which surprises you because it was unexpected. The polls were showing that the Conservatives will win the elections, so victory of the Liberals was a clear bolt from the blue for me.

Combinations of words

World of fantasy: You are not going to become a feature writer overnight, come out from your world of fantasy and live in reality.

Unrequited love (unrequited = adj. unreturned, one-sided): Patiently bearing unrequited love makes us more human.

Distinctness of vision (distinctness = adj. clearness): As most of the political parties have their own media, the person who has distinctness of vision will only get to the truth.

Well, I hope that you will write everyday - let it be only for 15 minutes.

English Class

***

English Class

I provide big words here, however, it must ever be remembered that these words must be used when you feel the real need of using them. Imprint these words of C. S. Lewis in your mind: “Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say 'infinitely' when you mean 'very'; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.”

Words of the day

Proponent: n. An advocate or a person who argues in favour of something or someone. It is shameful that In England the proponents of child abusers are arguing that the new laws are needlessly tough.

Tip-off n. An information which is secret, advance and tells the hidden plans. Getting a tip-off, the police raided the old house and found illegal weapons.

Comeuppance n. A well-deserved punishment. Hitler’s suicide was the comeuppance of his cruelty.

Idioms of the day

Wrap someone up in cotton wool (this is British and Australian): To protect someone a lot without letting him to be independent. Parents shouldn’t wrap up their children in cotton wool otherwise they will never grow up.

A wet blanket (informal): A person who does or says something which stops the enjoyment of others. We all were enjoying the movie but our cable operator appeared a wet blanket when he suddenly interrupted the broadcast. I will call Mr Lawrence a wet blanket because he accused Mr Joseph of cheating which spoilt the party.

Spell out something: To explain something in detail. My sir spells out each and every aspect of the subject.

Combination of words

Hubbub of chatter (hubbub = n. Noise, confusion): Oh, assemble a couple of women, and you will go mad by the hubbub of chatter.

Animated by victory: The whole nation was animated by victory when India won the cricket world cup.

Broil of politics: It is cheerful to catch up with the broil of politics after working for the whole day.

I must simply add that the best way to remember words is to use them while speaking and writing. Remember only a few hundred words and know well where and how to use them; and your writing and speaking will get a smart fluency.

English Lessons

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English Lessons

I hope yesterday’s English lesson was easy. I have heard that clever planning, positive thinking and a desire to progress makes everything easy. With this cheerful note in mind, let’s begin today’s English class!

Words of the day

Putsch: n. A sudden attempt by a group to overthrow any government. Musharraf emerged as a brave person after the putsch in which he dethroned Navaz Sharif’s government.

Cagey: adj. 1. Careful. As the tea was tasteless so it was cagey to avoid saying anything on it. 2. Clever. It won’t be correct to say that all the cagey students belong to great schools.

Telegenic: adj. A physical appearance and body language regarded to be very impressive for television viewers. In the U.S. as political debates are televised, so the telegenic politicians get advantage.

Idioms of the day

Rule the roost: A person who makes all the decisions as he/she is the strongest of all. Being eldest of all my cousins, I rule the roost.

When it comes to the crunch: When things become serious or any crucial step has to be taken. Whatever the western media say about the Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin, he makes clever decisions when it comes to the crunch.

A powder keg: A situation which could soon become very dangerous. The unforgivable negligence of politicians and people for global warming has placed our planet on a powder keg.

Combination of words

Acutely conscious (conscious = adj. aware, mindful, alert, attentive): Journalism isn’t an easy task, you have to be acutely conscious. In order to qualify for the IAS, you need to be acutely conscious.

Captivating speech: George, by his captivating speech at the function, got a celebrity treatment. Choice of common words is crucial for a captivating speech.

Flickering hopes: However sad John may feel, his hopes always keep on flickering. The sweetness of life is present in flickering hopes.

So this was today’s English lesson. Devote half an hour to practice, and don’t think it difficult because there is nothing difficult but thinking makes it so.

English Lesson

***

English Lesson

As I mentioned in the introductory post yesterday that now we are going to do the study of words, idioms and combination of words, so today will be our first lesson.

But, before we could begin, I must tell that these English lessons would be divided in three parts: the first one will deal with words, the second with idioms and the third with combination of words. So are you ready?

Words of the day

1. Crosshairs: n. A centre of attention. Abhinav Bindra’s gold meddle in Olympics put him in the crosshairs. As there is an urgent need of fine speakers and writers, learning English is on the crosshairs of everybody.

2. Spoilsport: n. One who spoils the enjoyment of others. For smokers, our health minister Mr A Ramadoss is a real spoilsport - he has banned smoking in public places.

3. Tantalise: v. To excite someone by showing anything desirable while keeping it away from his reach. The key of taking work from a selfishly greedy person lies in tantalising him.

Idioms of the day

1. Bury the hatchet: To forget the memories of enmity and reestablish friendship. It is always wise for parents to bury the hatchet for the sake of their children’s wellbeing.

2. Spell trouble: to be the cause of a possible problem in the future. They say that excessive work can spell trouble for me, but my positive attitude will prove them wrong.

3. A low ebb: A poor condition. When my boyfriend deserted me, I found myself at a very low ebb - but you don’t get time to mourn - as the life goes by!

Combination of words

Before beginning with this relatively new portion, I must make it clear that if you learnt these combinations by heart, and acquired the art of perfectly fitting them, your sentences will leave a totally different impression on your listeners and readers. To tell a secret, when I read anything, I keenly look for these combinations and pick them up from there. I use them when I feel it necessary because it adds a new flavour and maturity in the sentences.

1. Dubious success (dubious = adj. Doubtful, uncertain, questionable): John’s success seems to be dubious, because he started his business only before a year, and now, besides having a wonderful house, he owns three cars.

2. Causelessly frightened: Allis, it is only a lizard, you are causelessly frightened.

3. Angelic softness: George says that he isn’t marrying because not even a single woman has the angelic softness he craves for.

This was today’s English class. Now, I will take the liberty of advising you to make a separate file of the words used above, and, at any occasion, use them. Practicing them by making your own sentences would be very good for writing.

Your speaking will improve very fast if you would take the trouble of recapitulating the aforementioned words aloud. I will explore the topic of speaking well in a separate note in the near future.

I hope that you all are practicing well. Remember, one can just show the way, success only comes when the seer walks on it.

Plan for Improving English

***

Plan for Improving English

On this blog I have provided several idioms and intentionally used some words so that it could add to your vocabulary. In addition, I wrote an essay outlining how can you begin writing and how to get mastery over this art, which, I dare to hope, you would have found useful.

From today, I will try to make learning more intelligible and interesting. I will change the pattern of learning English by employing myself at a bit deeper study - which is of words, idioms and combination of words. It requires no effort of thinking that this study will quickly implant confidence in you, and remember, it is this confidence which lies at the heart of a crisp and impressive communication.

The aim of all the writers and speakers is to attract the audience and be understood. Correct phrasing and the ability of best suiting the words to the thought implies perfection and beauty. A fine, clear diction touches the heart and enlivens the soul and offers you the satisfaction which you regard above all the joys.

It must not be supposed that learning English is going to become difficult or dull. On the contrary, the real taste, beauty, delicacy and charm of this language would delight you more than you can ever think.

Let me disclose that I started learning English a little before three years. Now, whatever I write and speak, it is due to the easiness and joy which was offered by this language to me. Workshy as I am, I never walked on the old difficult path, instead, I made an easy path of my own.

My humble effort goes - a signpost showing you the right path of clearly and fluently expressing yourself. I am confident that my effort will yield fruitful results.

Meaning of some words used above:

Crisp: adj. Marked by clarity, exactness and liveliness.

Diction: n. 1. Choice and use of words in speech or writing. 2. Degree of clarity and distinctness of pronunciation in speech.

Enliven: v. To make lively.

Delicacy: n. 1. Something pleasing and appealing. 2. Fineness of appearance, construction, or execution.

Workshy or work-shy: adjective not inclined to work; lazy.

Signpost: n. An indication, sign or guide.

Damn The Terrorists

***

My letter in today's Hindustan Times:

Use words responsibly 

In her article Opening the Book, (October 10), Renuka Narayanan has well-captured the misuse of Islamic references. The media must refrain from using words
like jihad casually, because such injudicious usage only plays into the hands of the terrorists. It would perhaps be more accurate if the media start using
fitna instead of jihad for terrorism. Jihad means struggle, so let it be known to these ostensible ‘jihadis’ that the real jihad is waged against the self
and does not mean murdering innocents.
Shadab Husain, Lucknow 
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=ViewsSectionPage&id=9535be97-12d3-4337-9a8b-e082ca19130f&MatchID1=4813&TeamID1=6&TeamID2=1&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1212&PrimaryID=4813&Headline=Pak+chickens+come+home+to+roost

Free Audio Bhagwat Gita

***

Download free audio version of Bhagvat Gita - Sanskrit-to-English translation here!

This is the link of the first chapter

http://rs466l3.rapidshare.com/cgi-bin/upload.cgi?rsuploadid=99604896836302318

If the link doesn’t work, please copy and paste it in your browser. [1. Press the (Windows) key. 2. Press the letter (I). 3. Press (Control + O). 4. Paste the copied link and hit Enter and you will be good to go!]

I will be uploading all the chapters within a couple of days - so keep on visiting!

I thank Mr Rakesh Jain of RSVI who provided such a wonderful CD to me!

Remember spirituality is most needed today and it is the key to success!

I am planning to bring some great English Classes and tips on speaking effectively in the very near future. Mind, those tips would be novel unlike the bromide tips which are coming from the age of Methuselah! Meanwhile, the daily idiomatic updates would continue.

Postscript: Those who visit this blog also visit

http:// freestuff4indians.blogspot.com/
Excellent blog! Give it a click you will find an audio file of chirping of birds etc.! It is refreshing and cheering!

Today's Idioms

***

Good morning. Because my teacher Mrs Robinson told me that we should never begin a sentence with “because”, because, “because” is a conjunction, so I left beginning the sentences with “because” and then I stopped obeying her. Because you see, some junior school rules should not be carried on for ever.

Because today after a long time we are here to learn the idioms, so I am happy and eager to learn them.

Today’s idioms

1. Muddy the waters: to make the problem more confusing and difficult to understand. Arushi murder case brought disgrace to the police because instead of solving it, they muddied the waters.

2. A strong stomach: the capability to watch very brutal and horrific scenes without being disturbed or upset. With lawlessness rampant all over the world, you need to have a strong stomach to watch the news channels.

3. Blot out something: To do something in order to change your attention from anything which disturbs you. I drank a fresh cup of tea so as to blot out the unpleasantness of the fight.

Please learn these idioms by heart by using them.

How to Improve Writing Skills

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How to Improve Writing

If you really are in love with any art, then congratulations - it won’t take you long before you find yourself progressing with the speed of light at it. This is because love rules, and it compels you to rule as well. This neatly clarifies that, in order to excel at any art, the condition is love - writing skill is no exception.

Some tips

In order to improve your writing, reading the best books and keenly observing the style is a must. Take a proper care to choose the topic which pleases, gladdens, and cheers you up. Beware, This is a very delicate stage where lot of us slip. The material you choose shouldn't be misleading or indecent. Never seek guidance of anybody in asking which books will be the best for you because nobody would be able to answer this question better than you.

Simply read what you like. For example, if you are interested in science fiction, pick it up. Sit easily, take a cup of coffee and just go on reading for pleasure. You will enjoy reading more than anything else. This is really that place from where love for language enters your life.

To my amazement, many educated people give a lot of importance to grammar and spellings. Agreed, mastering the rules of grammar and spellings is good. However, deeply stamp it in your mind that these things aren’t of foremost importance - since they might well make you correct writer and speaker; but your skills might lack taste and your readers will be happy to take flight from you.

Reading great books like Hamlet, Paradise Lost, Origin of Species etc. sounds great. But if they don’t interest you, don’t force yourself to read them. Your writing will be your reflection and if you learn from dullness and disinterestedness it will be mirrored. I must remind the condition is love, not bookishness.

Well, now the question comes up that what and how to write.

Beginning with writing is very easy: start with the topics you are well aware of and which interest you. If your favourite topic, for example, is empowering the poor farmers of India - write on it. At first, you might find it difficult to clearly express yourself - but no Problem. Even if you aren’t able to write clearly, leave it.

The secret is breaking the block into little pieces, so begin with small steps. Think small, write small. Write how you feel when it rains. A fresh cup of tea. How you felt when your exams were over? Death of a friendly neighbour. The rudeness of the shopkeeper. Did you enjoy the picnic? Meeting a curious person. The topic list is huge, you don’t have to go hunting.

Be original, expressive and creative at your writing. Never try to go beyond the limit of simplicity. Your writing should be direct, simple, precise and you must write what you really feel and want to say.

For simple, clear and refine style you may refer to the Coverley Papers of Joseph Addison. I feel, he is the master of writing on small topics, and after reading his essays you will get a better understanding of what is being said in the two aforementioned paragraphs.

To be informed of the present English I will suggest news analyses of Vir Sangvhi and Rajdeep Sardesai as their communication is excellently easy. You can find them on the edit pages of the Hindustan Times.

English is a language which, is exploding all over the world with a whooshing pace, and it is, as well as being a sedate language, is also very useful in the present modern era of technology, and can be used almost all over the world at the present time; but for many it is just a language to show off their superiority over other people. The aforementioned sentence is wordy, tasteless and leads you nowhere - so never attempt to write such sentences. But a beginner often tries to adopt such a style and uses big words and resultantly sounds pedantic. Remember, big words are only used when the small ones cannot convey the meaning like the usage of “pedantic” in the previous sentence.

Importantly, English is a very humble language. Never miscue it to be fashionable or glamourous, because whoever does it, he miserably fails.

Lastly, the beginning of your piece must appear curious to your readers; middle should be in a clever order and tasteful so as to seize the complete attention of the readers throughout your piece; and end, solid.

Today's Idioms (October 6, 2008)

***

Hi Friends!

Yesterday my aunt called me so I went to her house after two years. As I was on a bunk, she scolded me a lot and said she will fix me with one of the girls as if it were a punishment. I said “please do it pronto!”

I have jumped back to vomit out some new idioms. Here they run!

1. A sea change (this is literary): A total change. The explosion of internet has brought a sea change in all the enterprises over the world.

2. Pep up anything or anybody: to add more activity or cheerfulness. John is confident that keeping a positive outlook he will pep up his website’s popularity in the near future. We were having a pretty good time at the picnic, but the arrival of our sir really pepped us up.

3. On automatic pilot (this is informal): When you do anything on automatic pilot, it means you are very efficient at it, and can do it effortlessly, because you have been doing it for long and have gained mastery over it. John started hacking email accounts of others several years back and now he can do it on automatic pilot.

Here slips

Shadab

Today's Idioms (October 5, 2008)

***

Hi Friends

A very cheerful morning.

Today I am very happy because you are writing to tell me that this blog is useful and you enjoy reading it. Mr Bhavesh Dhanack from Dubai, Ms Vejia Lakshmi from Bangalore, Dr Saima Faridi and Mr Anand Sharma from Delhi are a few who have encouraged me a lot by being regular visitors of this blog. Keep on dashing off your comments whether on this blog or privately!

My special thanks also to Mr Akhil - a blogger
http:// freestuff4indians.blogspot.com who told me several points about blogging.

Oh, let me begin otherwise you will say I talk a lot, boy!

Today’s idioms

1. A prima donna: Someone who desires to be treated with a lot of attention and isn’t easily happy with anything. Come on guys let’s push off because these girls are real prima donnas.

2. Meet your Waterloo: A person meets his Waterloo when, after being victorious in the past, is defeated by a more powerful man or is overpowered by a problem which is very difficult for him to tackle. Triple H was fighting good but as The Great Khali arrived he met his Waterloo. I don’t think that being a breadwinner and continuing my education at the same time will make me meet my Waterloo.

3. On the dot: Punctually. I had to reach my school at 6:55 am on the dot because delay even of a minute meant a proper thrashing from the prefects.

Off with the idioms.

Let me again tell you that I am deeply honoured to read your comments - they are the loveliest words I read for long, so thank you very much, with best wishes, Shadab Husain

Today's Idioms.

***

Howdy,

I presume that some of you would be waiting for me to post the writing and speaking tips I promised to. Please bear with me, I will post them in the very near future. Importantly, those tips would be fresh - unlike the bromide tips which are coming from the age of Methuselah. You might enjoy reading them.

In the meantime, please go through these idioms and stamp them in your minds.

Let me confess to you that the words I use here is an attempt to boost your vocabulary. I hope you make the best use of it by jotting them down anywhere.

Today’s idioms

1. Last-ditch attempt: An attempt which would be the final since many attempts have already failed to solve the problem. I tried convincing him several times, but he isn’t believing me - today will be my last-ditch attempt.

2. The cut and thrust of something: An energetic debate, discussion or activity. When journalists like Rajdeep Sardesai host a show, everyone enjoys the cut and thrust of argument.

3. A pep talk: An encouraging speech delivered to cheer up people to do hard work or to defeat the opponents. Hitler was a matchless orator - his pep talks enthused the Germans.

Well, these were the idioms I brought for you. Were they interesting? No? Do respond.

Cheers

Today's idioms

Hi Friends,

As it was Eid, my friends and I traipsed around the city the whole night, and ate a lot - so am feeling very lazy and dull. So let’s quickly learn today’s idioms.

1. Not give/care a toss (this is British and informal): To not be bothered about something or someone. I clarified the misconceptions he had for me, now I don’t give a toss to what he assumes. I don’t care a toss about what others think about me: I do what I feel is true - and I do it in my own fashioning.

2. That Monday morning feeling ( this is informal): If you get that Monday morning feeling, you feel sad that the weekend is over and you have to work. Today I’m pretty dull, but it isn’t an issue for it’s just that Monday morning feeling.

3. From/since the year dot: Since a very long period of time. Somalia is notorious for pirates since the year dot.

These were today’s idioms. Am going. Catching on with sleep!

Regards

My Contributions to the press

Hi Folks

Greetings for the festivals!

As promised, I’m furnishing some of the contributions I made to the press. I couldn't get all of them. Please skim over them, and if you have any comments, leave them in the space at the bottom.

Happy reading!


The Indian media must regulate itself, now
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=80bb0407-6d82-452e-97ef-cab9105d2492

It is shameful that the TV channels have never dwelt on the discriminatory system of education imposed upon us. Has any news channel highlighted the precarious condition of blind students? Has the media ever brought to public attention that they have no access to libraries? It is ironical that the likes of Shilpa Shetty get so much coverage while the real issues are overlooked. What a shame.


Voter turnout
http://www.hindu.com:80/2009/05/05/stories/2009050555310803.htm

As a young Indian, I was excited about the election but I did not go to the polling booth, first because I am visually impaired and I have heard from my peers that there is no privacy for people like us. Braille EVMs exist only in name. Secondly, a host of families from my neighbourhood came back frustrated as their names were missing from the voter lists.

Is the Election Commission aware that names go missing from the voter lists; houses are wiped off the map; people who are alive are declared dead; and the religion and even the gender of many people have been changed?



Needed, action
http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/11/stories/2008121155620801.htm

Though Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari sounded sincere (“The terrorists want to destroy Pakistan, too” — Op-Ed article, Dec. 10), it is clear that the sabre-rattling by the Pakistani military impedes his actions. Otherwise, why would he have taken a ‘u’-turn on sending the ISI chief to India? There are a host of accused and confirmed terrorists living freely in Pakistan. If he really wants to wipe off terrorism, he should be strong enough to defy all the forces that come in the way of peace. Indians and Pakistanis are acutely suffering from terrorism. It would be better for us if Mr. Zardari, instead of his emotive articulations, takes the required actions against the terrorists. We want business.


Use words responsibly
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=ViewsSectionPage&id=9535be97-12d3-4337-9a8b-e082ca19130f&MatchID1=4813&TeamID1=6&TeamID2=1&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1212&PrimaryID=4813&Headline=Pak+chickens+come+home+to+roost

In her article Opening the Book, (October 10), Renuka Narayanan has well-captured the misuse of Islamic references. The media must refrain from using words
like jihad casually, because such injudicious usage only plays into the hands of the terrorists. It would perhaps be more accurate if the media start using
fitna instead of jihad for terrorism. Jihad means struggle, so let it be known to these ostensible ‘jihadis’ that the real jihad is waged against the self
and does not mean murdering innocents.


Sex education
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/11/01/stories/2007110155771204.htm

I do not think the introduction of sex education in schools is wrong. Children become aware of the subject by the time they are 10 years old. They become curious about the changes that occur in them. Because of the conservative culture that exists in our society, they find it difficult to discuss sex with their parents or teachers. Due to lack of information and the cultural barrier, many of them become easy prey of paedophiles. We should always remember that the media power is such that we cannot stop the youngsters from seeking information on issues related to sex. It is, therefore, better for the elders to talk to them frankly and educate them on the subject. The hesitation to discuss sex in open classrooms can be overcome if women teachers teach girls and male teachers educate boys. But let us shed the narrow-minded outlook which has ruined many young lives.


Sex education II
http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/29/stories/2008012954600802.htm

Besides sexual harassment and forced sex, children also suffer from a sense of fear when they reach adolescence. They cannot communicate their fears and many become depressed. Suicide by a 14-year-old girl who began to menstruate and feared that she had a sexually transmitted disease, prompting Edward Chad Varah to start the Samaritans — a hotline to help those contemplating suicide — is a case in point. It is the government's duty to make sex education part of the curriculum to avoid such misinformation and restrict child abuse.


Child abuse
http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/30/stories/2007033002061002.htm

Parents must stop fighting shy of discussing sex with children. They should also refrain from frightening their children by invoking images of ghosts, superstitions, etc. Paedophiles prey upon such fears of children and prevent them from talking about the abuse heaped on them. Parents should remember that sexual abuse leaves an indelible mark on the minds of children.


Father, dear father
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/letters/article2132467.ece

After reading the articles and letters on fathers, I am in a better position to notice the sacrifices my father makes. I am pretty overwhelmed with emotions and guilt because sometimes I don't listen to what he says but now I see a change in my attitude.

The bitter irony of life is that when a stranger helps us, we express our gratitude and remember him, but we take for granted the person who is ready to sacrifice his everything for our sake.


Irrational protests
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/04/stories/2010030453930801.htm


Ms Nasreen has clarified that she did not write the article, of which a ‘translation' was carried in the Kannada daily. Immediate action should be taken against the newspaper for publishing an article that was both provocative and unauthentic. Freedom of expression, undoubtedly, is a crucial aspect of journalism. But credibility is equally crucial. Regrettably, the Kannada daily ignored all principles of journalism.

It is perhaps the first instance when Ms Nasreen has not intentionally come to the limelight. The newspaper seems to have used her name.


Memorials & statues
http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/04/stories/2009070455871001.htm

This refers to the editorial “Symbols over substance?” (July 3) on the Supreme Court’s notice to the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh for its spending on memorials and statues. Ms Mayawati has put up many memorials and statues for Dalit leaders and work on many more is on. But who stands to gain from them?

For most Dalit children, proper education is a farfetched dream even today. There are a host of memorials and statues in Uttar Pradesh but the living condition of Dalits is pitiable.


Dealing with ragging
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/18/stories/2009031855760802.htm

The Supreme Court’s act of issuing a show-cause to the principal and the registrar of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Himachal Pradesh, and asking them why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for the death of Aman Kachroo, allegedly due to ragging, is welcome.

From media reports, it is obvious that the college administration did not take Aman’s complaints seriously. We, the people, repose our faith in the judiciary and hope it will take stringent action against the guilty.


Punjab violence
http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/29/stories/2009052954810802.htm

The violence in Punjab following an attack on the chief of the Dera Sach Khand and the killing of Sant Rama Nand in Vienna shows the low level of tolerance among the people. I feel sorry for those who were stranded in airports and railway stations due to the violence although they were not even remotely connected with the Vienna incident.

The top Sikh leaders should condemn the violence and instruct their followers to desist forthwith.


Live and let live
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=102c1e7c-5847-4d4c-adf5-3da9905a0e2f&Headline=A+matter+of+pride+for+Kher

The apparent havoc unleashed by the Dera Sach Khand in Punjab shows a high level of intolerance. I feel deeply sorry for helpless commuters, particularly children, who have been stranded in such cruel weather — despite being far-removed from the skirmish in faraway Vienna. Ironically, a host of Muslim clerics are killed in Iraq and Pakistan in similar clashes but we have not heard about any such instance in India, involving Muslims who are often blamed for their so-called intolerance.

Get the media picture right
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=ViewsSectionPage&id=c0668a2d-3898-49d7-8446-630b6b29501a&&Headline=One+man%e2%80%99s+defence+is+another+man%e2%80%99s+survival

Apropos Vir Sanghvi’s Return of the Censor (Counterpoint, January 11), some television anchors might overdo things to push up their TRP ratings. But criticism of officials who didn’t intervene to prevent telecasts during the Mumbai siege is unfair. It is the public’s right to know how politicians and bureaucrats are carrying out their duties. Of course, restraint and decency is required on the part of channels. But before passing any restrictions, care should be taken to protect the fundamental rights of the people.


Make India safe
http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/29/stories/2008112955720904.htm

The gruesome terror attacks have shown how vulnerable we are. Blaming the police for these attacks is not correct. It must be accepted that it is physically
impossible for the police to check every vehicle and person across the country. The police did remarkably well by plunging into action and neutralizing
the terrorists. The nation fervently salutes them. The job of the intelligence agencies, however, leaves much to be desired.


Draconian
http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/20/stories/2008122052511003.htm

The editorial, “Two steps backward” (Dec. 19), rightly points out that combating terrorism needs the beefing up of the intelligence and investigative system, and the police force. Draconian measures have only proved counterproductive. When POTA and TADA were in place, innumerable people were detained. But how many among them were terrorists?

By amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and not doing much to improve policing, the UPA government has chosen an easy way out. Will draconian laws prevent terrorists who don’t care about their lives and remain eager to take as many lives as they can?


Anti-terror laws
http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/23/stories/2008092352450803.htm

Proponents of strict anti-terror laws argue that since the U.S. has strict anti-terror laws, there has not been any bomb blasts after the 9/11. Cui bono (who stands to gain)? May I say that in the U.S. the intelligence and police are accoutred with the best technology and weapons to combat terrorism? That the U.S. does not face insurgency as we do from Pakistan ? That the police in the U.S. don’t work as clumsily while solving a case like the Arushi Talvar murder? May I remind that in the U.S. politicians don’t play blame game when it comes to combating terrorism?

Needless to mention that the attack on Parliament and the Mumbai incidents happened when such laws were in place.


On Duckworth-Lewis
http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/26/stories/2008112655821006.htm

This refers to the letters arguing that the Duckworth-Lewis method should be changed as England lost the Bangalore ODI because of it (Nov. 25). The Indian team had no way of knowing that the match would be shortened to 22 overs, which is why it did not score quick runs. On the other hand, the England team was aware that it would get only 22 overs to bat. Thus it had an advantage over India. It was imperative to level this imbalance. Therefore, England was asked to score a few more runs. Where is the defect in the D/L method and where is the misfortune for England?


A systemic failure
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=100038b3-c685-4f1d-83a5-16c10ab65cba&MatchID1=4664&TeamID1=5&TeamID2=2&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1173&PrimaryID=4664&Headline=Not+rich%2c+nor+famous

Often sadness over a small failure prevents us from gaining real success. So is the case with those parents, teachers and children who are obsessed with examinations. Many great scientists and thinkers met with failures initially and even had irregular education. Had they became discouraged, we would never have known them. So, a possible approach is the key to success.


Quiet is healthy
(Sound pollution)
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/09/18/stories/2007091850061004.htm

That the government is not paying attention to the menace is well known. But even the people do not seem to be worried. We can make a beginning by following the old lifestyle. We can stop using vehicles to cover a small distance; refrain from the use of loud horns; and stop bursting crackers and playing loud music during marriages and festivals. Among us are children and animals who cannot even express their trauma.


Clean up your act first
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=e069cc59-6940-4afd-a1b0-d6044ee3476c&MatchID1=4628&TeamID1=1&TeamID2=6&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1165&PrimaryID=4628&Headline=Young+and+younger

Apropos of Sitaram Yechury's article Mercury rising (January 24), it sounds ironic when he says the main reason for global warming is the pattern of capitalist industrialisation in pursuit of ever higher profits. Wasn't it the Left Front government in West Bengal that gave hundreds of acres of land to the Tatas virtually free for their car plant? If the author wants to eliminate global warming, then he should force the UPA government to look for other energy options like ethanol or solar energy.


All in the mind
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=6dd5cb12-135b-49e5-b2fd-461439c2a157

The tone of Vir Sanghvi's article Team India (November 21) is truly humanistic. But it is the duty of common masses to spread harmony among people who are vulnerable. We should not depend on hypocrites to make us understand what is in our religion, rather we should try to stick to the scriptures and then examine the words. Those who believe in the Almighty and do good shall have their reward from their Lord and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.


Jaipur blasts
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/17/stories/2008051754671001.htm

It is necessary to enact laws like TADA and POTA to curb terrorism. But the misuse of such laws should be checked. The government, therefore, while enacting an anti-terrorism law, should provide adequate safeguards, including a monitoring body, to guard against its misuse.


Just a smokescreen
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=decdd196-4908-4d2c-bda1-824f851826cd&MatchID1=4643&TeamID1=1&TeamID2=6&MatchType1=2&SeriesID1=1170&PrimaryID=4643&Headline=You+can%e2%80%99t+ignore+Karanjia

Karan Thapar deserves praise for exposing the foul play. That the Health Minister is shelving the implementation of the pictorial warnings on tobacco products fearing he will lose votes in his constituency is regrettable. The presumption that skull and cross-bones will be offensive to Muslims is hypocritical.


Crime against women
http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/19/stories/2008031953021002.htm

With foreigners as victims, assaulters are assured of getting away easily. To minimise assaults on foreigners, particularly women, the administration should distribute literature to them warning them of the nature of risks they could encounter. They should also be cautioned against going to lonely spots on their own. The administration should hold frequent meetings with the people related to the tourism industry (hotel managers, taxi drivers, etc.) and educate them on the need to ensure safe tourism.


Media role
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/07/30/stories/2007073053881003.htm

The media role in keeping Dr. Haneef's case in the limelight is heartening. Admittedly, they forced the Australian government to review the case. But the Indian government is not free from accusations of discrimination either. The media should highlight illegal detentions in India too to make the country a safer place for the minorities.


The media's methods
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=5173b4f2-16cb-43a9-acd4-9d37740b22a7

Restrictions on the media will impact on the freedom of the minds of people. We should support the media for highlighting the truth. With corruption at all levels in society, the media remains our only hope to convey our concerns to politicians.


Voter turnout
http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/13/stories/2009051353461003.htm









A lot of people have condemned the low voter turnout in the election. But I fail to understand how a huge turnout will improve matters. What is the point in voting in large numbers for the same breed of politicians who are responsible for the existing state of affairs?

Campus violence
http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/17/stories/2008111755190802.htm


I do not agree that media persons were wrong in continuing to shoot the brutal incident. The job of the media is to report, not assume the role of the police. Had it not been for the media's efforts, many of us might not have even come to know of the gory incident.