On Wednesday 23 Jan 2008 7:36 am, Suresh Ramasubramanian wrote: > I have every hope that Valsa was being sarcastic.
No personal offence intended, but it seemed to me that Valsa Williams was stating an opinion. Why would anyone want to hope that the opinion was sarcastic? Is it part of the Indian psyche of being modest that demands self deprecation when confronted with praise? As I frequently encounter in Bangalore: "Congratulations!!" "No No. Yella nimma daya. Nammadu enu illa" (No No. It is YOUR blessings that work, no effort from me" Hindus follow a form of dharma that teaches them, from childhood, to avoid great celebration of that which is good, and equally avoid great sorrow and disappointment at that which is bad. That dharma also actively advises against "ahankar" i.e conceit or pride. So Indian (Hindu) reaction to praise is often a counter quote of something negative so that karmic forces of good and bad are balanced. shiv
