2KYOT C70 - Acquainting the Powerful - Kural 691

2000 Years Old Tweets ~ Thirukkural ~ Chapter 70 ~ Acquainting the Powerful ~ Kural 691

Until united with one of the four families that claim to be hers, Geeta will be more or less Bharat Putri (India's Daughter). It's practically impossible for an anonymous citizen to meet and spend time with the PM, President & a CM who doesn't see eye-to-eye with the PM in a single day - especially after straying away from one's motherland into a not-so-friendly neighbour nation.

So, how should one acquaint such high & mighty, if ever an opportunity presents itself, however incredulous as it may be - like Geeta's triumphant return to her motherland and the seemingly endless felicitation by the powerful beings of the nation?

Since nondescript citizens acquainting the high & mighty has happened all through human history (Kusela & Krishna, Kaudilya & Chandra Gupta, Kavichakravarthi Kamban & Sadayappar, Mahakavi Bharati & Ettayapuram King, Umaruppulavar & Seethakkathi...), it's no wonder that such a sensitive relationship didn't escape the keen eye of Thiruvalluvar.

691 அகலா(து) அணுகாது தீக்காய்வார் போல்க 
இகல்வேந்தர்ச் சேர்ந்தொழுகு வார்.

The way to acquaint the powerful is similar to the way one is with small fire created to keep oneself warm out in the cold - neither too close, nor too far.

@PrakashSwamy

P.S. This Kural also happens to be something Swamy's father - an old-school government employee, steeped in loyalty & obedience - used to quote often. Swamy & brothers will forever remain grateful to him for providing them good education, which is the foundation of their Life today.

Note: This post is part of Swamy's blog series on the epic book of Tamil poetry Thirukkural, thought to be written over 2000 years ago by the poet ThiruValluvar, in an enchanting Tweet long couplet format, which is amazingly relevant even in the digital space of today!
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Be Joyful & Spread the Cheer :)

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2KYOT C46 Avoiding Wrong Company K452

The top news items that are all over the media are both about return to motherland of two entirely different citizens for entirely different reasons.

Geeta's return is all about good - not just of Bharat's 'people's choice' government but also of our love-to-hate neighbouring nation's willingness & (rare) cooperation to make her return to motherland happen. 
Rajan's (pending due to formalities) return is all about India's 'decisive' government's quest against all kinds of evil - especially black money kind - and bring the perpetrators of crime under the ambit of the law that (supposedly) applies to all citizens.

Wonder how both stories are connected in more ways than one? As ever, Valluvar has the answer for this citizen conundrum too!

452 நிலத்தியல்பால் நீர்திரிந் தற்றாகும் மாந்தற்க்(கு) 
இனத்தியல்ப தாகும் அறிவு.

Flowing water 💦 will imbibe the land's attributes. Similarly, humans will imbibe the attributes of the group they being to!

Life isn't isn't just about who you are, but also about what company you keep!

@PrakashSwamy

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Note: This post is part of Swamy's blog series on the epic book of Tamil poetry Thirukkural, thought to be written over 2000 years ago by the poet ThiruValluvar, in an enchanting Tweet long couplet format, which is amazingly relevant even in the digital space of today!

2KYOT C55 - Good Governance - K549

The recent spate of incidents highlighting intolerance of one segment of people towards another, both citizens of the same nation, is a challenge many countries struggle to tackle. Racial hatred and protests continue in the US, long after Lincoln abolished slavery, despite having proudly elected someone from the once-enslaved community as President of the country, not once but twice. Religious hatred and violence prevails in many countries, resulting in preventable loss of human lives and stalling constructive progress necessary to uplift quality of Life.

With the elite intelligentsia returning their government given awards, protesting lack of decisive action from the government/s, media too has raised its already high-decibel pitch a few octaves higher. Here's a tip to the beleaguered government from Thiruvalluvar on its responsibility to act decisively.

549 குடிபுறங் காத்தோம்பிக் குற்றம் கடிதல்

வடுவன்று வேந்தன் தொழில்.

Protecting citizens from violence and punishing perpetrators of violence, without bothering about criticism, is the ruler's responsibility.

President Mukherjee's call against intolerance, Prime Minister Modi's endorsement of & emphasis to follow the same and Maharashtra CM Fadnavis' decisive action to provide protection for the book launch of former foreign minster of a not-so friendly neighbour nation are all steps in the right direction. All governments - including the central - should be as decisive in ensuring safety for freedom of expression and preventing any attempt by anyone to suppress it. 

@PrakashSwamy

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Note: This post is part of Swamy's blog series on the epic book of Tamil poetry Thirukkural, thought to be written over 2000 years ago by the poet ThiruValluvar, in an enchanting Tweet long couplet format, which is amazingly relevant even in the digital space of today!