Why do I Blog?

When I started blogging seriously about two and a half years ago, I didn't know whether I would continue to do it for a long time. I had written my first blog out of the sheer thrill that the incident gave, I wanted to express it so badly and tell the world what an interesting thing had happened to me. If I look at it now from a third person's view, I laugh at my action and wonder how kiddish of me to publicise something that didn't deserve so much of attention.I even remember, I had mailed my cousin in the US to see and comment on my blog.Since then my blogs have covered various aspects of life.I have enjoyed writing them and seeing others people's reactions for it.I have learned from credible sources that Writers always enjoy the appreciation from their readers appreciation.I have felt the same too.Many people mostly friends and relatives have come up to me and appreciated on blogs that I have written.I really felt on top of the world when they did so. After I started blogging seriously, my view in general towards the world has changed, I look at things in a more analytical way, a way which makes me question every incident/action of the world around me, which has helped me get answers to some complex questions. I have a rather strange habbit, whenever I write any blog,I always ask my brother to give his opinion about it, I feel he's my worst critic, he has always criticised me for my mistakes while writing.He has been very blunt about his opinion and sometimes his opinions have been very harsh and discouraging,I have been angered by his opinion,but they were all very honest. He even criticised me badly for calling myself the “Elite Vattam”. I was quite let down, but then I thought my next blog will keep him quiet. But that didn't come for a long time, until I posted my blog “What is humanity?”, he just said one single sentence in our very very brief conversation, he said “Eno hosa blog ella bardidya? It's good”( you seem to have written a new blog,it's good) these were his words.I was really awe struck, with no words,though I didn't express the joy inside me even a tiny bit, I just replied, “Hoon baribekalla, thanks”(Ya have written,thanks). Though my reaction was very subtle, my mind was filled with some strong happy emotions. It was an elated feeling for me. To sum up on why I blog, there are three things that I have realised that has kept me going are, primarily the satisfaction that I get out of writing,by letting my thoughts off my mind and into the words and then because of some kind and encouraging words that people have showered after they have read my blogs and lastly but definitely not the least to impress my brother he's been a critic and he has been a great role model for me. I have a few names to take this time round,I would like to thank a few people for their really encouraging words which has drived me into continuing my blogging spree, my friends Prateek(dude called me just to tell about my blog),Rajesh Dubal,my cousins Arun,Ajay and Vishal.My Kde friend Shantanu Tushar who helped me better the appearance of the blog.Thanks guys!and of-course my bro Santosh Vattam for all his criticism that helped me better my writing. This is Vattam signing off.

What is humaninty??

Recently one of my maternal uncle's passed away.It was something that no one had expected,it was so shocking.He died of a massive heart attack in a temple near the port town of Mangalore.He was 59 years old,a cheerful,fun loving and a very social person.He was always into some social activity or the other and he had a great devotion towards God.During the last year I had become quite close to him,whenever he called my mom,he made it a point to speak to me.
My heart goes out to his family members,especially to his 17 year old son who has to face his 12th board exams in three months time.I really didn't know what to say to him.I heard the news from my father and I was really shocked to hear it.I still remember speaking to him a few days back over the phone.At the end of the day I had to accept that he was no more and move on.
Amidst all this tragedy there was this tussle in his family where there was a divide on the way his last rites had to be performed,this was because,my aunt (his wife) belonged to a different cult,my aunt's brothers wanted to do his last rites in their methodologies while my maternal uncles (my uncle's brothers) wanted to do in their methodology.It was a very shameful tussle is what I came to know from my dad's words.While my aunt's brothers were the ones who had supported my uncle at all times,they definitely had a greater say in this regard,but my other maternal uncles were keen that their words were considered.My dad the diplomat in his imitable style like always came off as a hero by bringing an amicable solution to both parties involved.Cheers Dad!
Amidst all this,I wondered one thing,why is all this happening?Isn't there something called humanity?Agreed his last rites need to performed in a just way,but then there are some things which ought be given a little more thought during such tragic times.I really felt that any one of the two parties should have just let it go,so that the sensitivity is the situation is safeguarded and no one would be burdened to handle the already stumped family.I was shattered to witness all this,cursing myself in my inability to just ask the people to shut up who were making some unnecessary noise instead of consoling the family members the loss they have just had.I sometimes wonder in what civilised society I live which fails to understand the situation and react to it.Why the human being is bent on getting pushing his point of view when something more important and more sane is to be done.My paternal uncle had put an amazing line in his short story that he has written and published,which I wish to quote here "what is life when Living is extinct?",which truly accounts for the situation I witnessed,the living was really extinct.I wish the world changes soon like the very meaningful song from "The Beatles" called "Imagine" which talks about the world as a unified and a single place,even "lord Krishna" said the same thing Vasudaiva Kutumbakam which means universal brotherhood,which we have failed to achieve till date.I really hope that song is not just a song but reality.At the end of this I really am confused about the meaning of the word humanity."Humanity" what does it really mean?"is it just another word with just a dictionary meaning with no true meaning to it like so many other words in this language.What is Humanity???

This is Vattam signing off