a reflective moment

Before I get down to the serious business of the day, I am sitting in my office in (not self-imposed) darkness, without the lights, fans or air conditioning, using the time honoured "document as fan" method of cooling, and reflecting on this morning. Jayaraj arrived promptly in the auto and we joined the many heading in a thousand different directions down MG road (even though they're all supposed to be heading the same way). We chatted about Jayaraj's Australian friend Colin (originally from Melbourne and latterly of Perth) who has just arrived in Kochi, and the distances between Perth and my home town, Sydney (even more than from Trivandrum to Delhi, says I) - we had a little more time this morning because we were behind a lady in a red Suzuki who thought that the road rules still included the provision for a person to walk in front of the car carrying a red flag; Jayaraj and I agreed that she could probably get to where she wanted to go (across the road from the school as it happened) by walking.

I was given pause to reflect because I continue to be discomfited whenever I see the Hindu swastika symbol "appropriated" (to use a Fi word) by Hitler and his henchman as they spread their curse over the world through the 20s, 30s and 40s of the last century. More than 60 years on, it is still a potent symbol and I guess it will take a long time (if ever) before my immediate reaction is other than repugnance. This is more than merely ironic, when one reads the following:

"Swastik is normally believed to be an amalgam of the words Su and Asati. Su means 'good' and Asati meant 'to exist'. As per Sanskrit grammar the words Su and Asati when amalgamated into one word become Swasti (as in the case of Su and Aaatam becoming Swagatam meaning welcome). Thus, the literal meaning of the term Swastika would be 'let good-prevail'. Swastik is the sign of lord Ganesha and pyramids are embossed on it. This is an auspicious item to keep in the home to prevent it from evil eyes. It not only brings positive energy but also brings Good Luck to the person as well as remove all obstacles in all undertaking. From time immemorial the symbol of Ganesha , Swastik is being used as Luck Charm, i.e. It is believed where there is the Ganesha symbol, nothing bad can happen" (see http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/swastikyantra.htm)

And so the rest of the day unfolds .....