For last several years it had become my practice to observe the day-time fast on the Janmashtami day, which is celebrated today and tomorrow in my home state of Tamil Nadu.
(update - in Britain 60,000 people are expected to attend the celebrations)
In fact, I took up the practice when I was sailing and it was a startling to find out there were many sailors - officers and seamen - who fasted while on leave but were reluctant to do so at sea. It did appear that the reluctance was more due to embarrassment than any inconvenience.
Whether it was due to me who openly stated my intention to fast or whether my mates had decided finally that they would do on their own is not known, but to my knowledge, no less than two dozen officers and seamen scattered over the Indian Ocean and adjoining seas observed fast that Janmasthami day.
Every year since it was a unique experience to talk to other ships and know that someone or another had picked up the vow. Naturally, today should be the day of fasting for me.
But then, Anna Hazare has been fasting for last 5 days in Delhi and I do not agree with some of his demands. [A more mature and coherent argument against (and for) what Hazare’s demands by Mr. K.N. Bhat has been published today in Deccan Chronicle/Asian Age - do have a read]
A a result, to register my protest against some of the unjust demands of Hazare and his tactics, I have decided to break off the vow of fasting and feast today. Since Anna Hazare is fasting, I am going to feast.
Tit for Tat. Finger licking good!
(update - in Britain 60,000 people are expected to attend the celebrations)
In fact, I took up the practice when I was sailing and it was a startling to find out there were many sailors - officers and seamen - who fasted while on leave but were reluctant to do so at sea. It did appear that the reluctance was more due to embarrassment than any inconvenience.
Whether it was due to me who openly stated my intention to fast or whether my mates had decided finally that they would do on their own is not known, but to my knowledge, no less than two dozen officers and seamen scattered over the Indian Ocean and adjoining seas observed fast that Janmasthami day.
Every year since it was a unique experience to talk to other ships and know that someone or another had picked up the vow. Naturally, today should be the day of fasting for me.
But then, Anna Hazare has been fasting for last 5 days in Delhi and I do not agree with some of his demands. [A more mature and coherent argument against (and for) what Hazare’s demands by Mr. K.N. Bhat has been published today in Deccan Chronicle/Asian Age - do have a read]
A a result, to register my protest against some of the unjust demands of Hazare and his tactics, I have decided to break off the vow of fasting and feast today. Since Anna Hazare is fasting, I am going to feast.
Tit for Tat. Finger licking good!
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