Today is the New Year's day according to the Hindu calendar.
The festival Yugadi (a.k.a Ugadi and Baisakhi) supposed to signify the good (sweet) and bad (bitter) parts that constitute life. It is symbolized by exchange of bitter and sweet edibles with elders, friends, and even with those you've had a fight during the past year.
This joyous lamentation is depicted beautifully by poet Bendre in his Song of Yugadi:
As the flowers of Yugadi rejoice
in their daily birth, daily deathMan laments his only one childhood
only one youth.
Yugadi is also the day the construction of the town chariot begins in Honavar for the annual Car Festival.
Revenge Killings Lead Nowhere
As the Government of Israel and people of Palestine engage in revenge killings, I am reminded of a profound message:
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
-- Mahatma Gandhi
