Technology cannot replace Manpower

A father and his 23 year old son, Rahul were driving in their BMW, equipped with the latest GPS systems, a new music system, and even LCDs.  The son felt like changing the music, and asked for the required button. The father replied to Rahul that the new music system is voice controlled, and Rahul changed the music with his voice. But such voice control made Rahul ponder a little and he said to his father – Dad , technology has come so far, from the landlines to smartphones, from pigeon to ping, and we from manual key locking in Maruti to voice controlled music system. I think one day, technology will overtake manpower and man won’t be required to work. The thought of Rahul amazed his father, who thought for a little, and combining his experience and observations in life, replied – “Rahul I respect your views, but I think otherwise, why don’t we have a healthy discussion on this”. Rahul replied in affirmative.  The father asked Rahul to start by giving examples where he thinks technology will replace manpower. The conversation starts.

Rahul : Dad, first is clothing. Most branded clothes made today are designed with the help of complex softwares and even the later stitching part is being done by machines. So, I am right.

Dad : Son , you are right , but partially. First softwares are made by humans, machines are taken care by humans, and…

Suddenly, the discussion is interrupted by a lady selling some beautiful traditional handicrafts and hand made clothes. The father got what to say.

Dad : See son, the miraculous beauty in this clothes. Do you think, such intricate and awe inspiring designs  which requires human intervention at a mammoth scale, can ever be delivered by technology with such precision.

Rahul thought may be dad is right, and technology can only supplement the human efforts. But, he had a really better example in his mind.

Rahul : Dad, I give you on this one. But, what do you think about the evolution of automobiles.  Big brands like BMW, Audi, Merc use such costly and complex technology to bring out the unique designs we see. And with GPS, music with voice control, TVs in our own car, we can see how deep technology has come into automobiles.

Dad : Good Rahul, but think a little. Even when the technology progresses to being its best, may be close to when a robot will drive instead of me, how will that be possible. From programming the robots, to monitoring the systems, be it in the car or in the factory where cars are made, from correcting the softwares when they crash , and treating the machines when they wear out, everything will require manpower. Also, Rahul what do you think Merc, BMW and Audi different ?

Rahul : The best I can think is their unique designs and the creativity being put in each model.

Dad : Exactly, if technology becomes everything , wont that unique selling point be lost. Most big companies will have access to the best and same softwares, and that might result in everyone bringing out almost identical products. I believe it is humans, which make an Audi or a BMW different, and not the technology. Again, what if a company develops a technology to harm others products, who will protect ?  The man.

Rahul : Dad, you are awesome. I feel you are right. But, my teacher taught me about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics ,and the way they can simulate human. Surprise me on this.

Dad : Sure son. Humans will need humans, no matter how much the world progresses. You will want to fly to meet your friends, your sister, and have a vacation. Will it be possible for a completely robot controlled flight or a train to do that. There are so many uncertainties – be it the birds, or the poor weather – or the sudden hijack or a terrorist attack  – due you think AI will be able to manage everything perfectly. A robot pilot and the integrated AI system may be trained to deal with 30 things, and still the 31^st might come. But humans can do this, because God has given us the ability to think rationally and make decisions accordingly.

Rahul : Dad, I have no option but to agree with you. But please give me examples from the common life and not the commercial aspects, something we can relate to in day to day life.

Dad : Rahul, sure. I’ll give you three examples. First, just see the artist there and the crowd surrounding it. I have been seeing him there for past 10 years, and he comes everyday, and manages to pull that stunning crowd. He is so passionate that he intends to draw everything himself without the use of a machine, which he believes will make his work monotonous. A newer and efficient technology may give him better returns initially, but the crowd will start getting off gradually. Result, the machine will fail where man succeeds. Second, do you remember the fight we witnessed at a toll last week, and how the toll people managed to put that off. Technology wont be able to do that. In so many such type of events, man is superior to machine.  Third, me and my friends prefer canteen made food and coffee in the office. Once, the canteen boy went and we had no option but to resort to machine made food and coffee, and we just turned mad after 10 days.  More than the taste which the canteen boy brings, it is that little talk and smile which recharges us. Can Technology and best robots do that ?

Rahul : No, dad, I simply say, you nailed it and proved me wrong. But, I want a conclusion to this discussion. Man will be needed for ever, and technology will also progress. What does that mean, conflicts ?

Dad : Excellent thought Rahul. See, man will always help himself perform more efficiently by making use of better technologies. But besides being an economic man, he is a social and an intelligent animal too . He knows when and where to stop. Technology will help to raise the status of a man, and the nature of economic work will change with time, moving towards more and more skilled work.  But, man will still remain an integral component of production, no matter how extreme technological progress becomes. Technology will become a facilitator, but never a controller. Technology might reduce the need for manpower, but certainly cannot replace it.

 

Character of an institution is reflected in its leader

A ship will sail only as far as its Captain will allow it to.

The phrase attempts to bring out the importance a leader commands in an institution. A leader with poor conscience and moral values will seldom develop an institution which serves or operates morally. A leader, who lacks the will or the calibre to make good decisions, will leave an institution which acts in a lackadaisical manner. On the contrary, a swift and able decision maker, one whose actions and intensions follow the same line is bound to carve out a team high on integrity and decision making.

History says it all

The history is well adorned with examples where the person at the top most authority has depicted the nature of the society or the institution he is himself a part of. The Feudal lords in Europe, the Czars in Russia were fond of a lavish and profligate lifestyle caring absolutely little about the society. The result being that the society degenerated both economically and socially. Corruption, burden on the peasantry class was exorbitant. Similar was the case with Church as an institution in Europe in the 16th century. The leaders of the Church installed fear of God, dissuaded people from rational and critical thinking, punished bigotry, the result being that Church as an institution started to lose appeal and fell in the eyes of the common people. The cumulative authoritarian attitude of king and church was very well evident in the dark ages witnessed. The same got replayed in Indian History. The later Vedic Age, and the Later Mughal Age, especially from the time of Aurangzeb witnessed a decline in social, cultural and educational status, solely because of the ignorant and unscrupulous behaviour of its leaders.

On the contrary, emergence of visionary, rational and ethical leadership put the society on the path of progress. Be it the capitalistic classes in Europe, the rise of Napoleon, Bismarck, Abraham Lincoln, or Lenin in Russia, all reformed and rejuvenated the society and paved the way for progress, and the resultant society which developed was fearless, rational and demanded fundamental human rights. Similar was replicated in Indian when leaders like Gandhiji, SC Bose, Dadabhai Naoroji, Sardar Patel took the responsibility. The vision, intention and action of these leaders reflected the society which was awakened and soon to feel the warmth of independence, which did become evident in the next few years.

And so does the politics convey

The value of leadership was very well visible in India even in the political arena. The institution of constituent assembly in India was seen trustworthy, reflective of the needs and desires of the common people because of the virtuous and rational leaders it found in BR Ambedkar, JN Nehru, and many others. Parliament as a reputable institution has seen the best and the worst, mostly because of the nature of the leadership. The Parliament in Britain in 17-18th century or the early provincial and central legislature in India were perceived as authoritative, orthodox, mainly because of the leaders leading it. The same Parliament was seen as a true representation of the common people of India when the leadership passed to visionaries like JN Nehru, BR Ambedkar, Sardar Patel , Shyama Prasad Mukherjee etc. The same institution of Parliament in India again saw the criticism from the 1990s onwards because of the decline in value structure of leadership. As an example, Mr. Narendra Modi talking about zero tolerance on corruption, skilling the youth, reaping the demographic dividend, promoting the spirit of cooperative federalism, doing away with irregular laws and regulations reflects a government dedicated to practising the constitutional ideas of federalism, being more considerate about the youth and the business community. Even the seriousness of opposition in the parliament is well reflected in the leader it had chosen.

Institutions like the Army and the judiciary are amongst the highly respected institutions in India and that had been possible only because of the strict, disciplinary, and cooperative culture being preached and practised by the leaders at the most superior positions. Police , CBI, and bureaucracy though provide a frame for the proper functioning of the country, have been often accused of embezzlement solely because somewhere the foundation went wrong and leaders have , to an extent, failed to change this perception.

The Corporate world repeats the same

The value a leader has for an institution is duly seen in even the corporate culture. Companies whose leaders are known to be philanthropic, ethically right, dedicated to employee welfare are seen as a progressive company with low attrition rates. Eg : Tata group or Wipro in India. Whereas, leaders of the firms or MNCs which fail to muster respect from its own employees is not perceived in good light and people tend to prefer former over the latter. The love for work a boss shows not only motivates its employees, but also acts an ideal for them , which evidently reflects in the growth of the company, few of the examples being Facebook, Microsoft and Apple.Inc.

And the smallest institution – the family

Family as an institution is a wonderful example of how gross an impression a leader can leave. The head of the family if disciplined, honest and self-esteemed has a will definitely pass those values to his children. As is often said –

“A family that eats together stays together”

and the role of the head of the family becomes of paramount importance in keeping together a family. A general observation is the discipline the children in an Army family have, as compared to a child of a non-army background.

The miscellaneous examples

The reputation of religious and self-proclaimed Godman institutions also rises or falls with the character of its leader. For eg – the possible involvement of such Godman in licentious activities have, to an extent, eroded the trust people had in these institutions. Sports, especially cricket in India has seen highs and lows in a parallel pattern of the qualities and leadership the captain has shown. A popular saying in sports is –

“A team is what his captain is”.

The value of leader in an institution is indispensable. His conduct will not only reflect the character of the institution he heads, but will at the same time ensure whether the institution will sail or sink, for “A ship sails only as far as its captain allows it to.”

The best things in life are free

I cried for a costly pair of shoes, until I saw a man with no legs , and I realized how futile my demand was – Anonymous .

These words meticulously capture the problem plaguing the society today, it values very little what it have and keep fretting for what it wants. When most of the precious things one needs for his development are freely accessible , man keeps chasing things which might quench his temporary thirst for pleasing himself and the society.

The beauty of the nature – the rising and setting of sun, the mellifluous chirping of birds, the calm aura at the beach, the noise of the waves, the fresh air, the clean running waters of the river, the beautiful blooming of the roses , all come without spending a penny. But still his heart and mind wanders for the opposite, be it the artificial air conditioners or the expensive lighting, he does any and everything so that the world does not dislike him. The sense of security we enjoy in today’s world is free. Barring a few pockets on the world map like the Middle East or some areas in south Asia, there are hardly any places where someone would come and shoot you for no reason. There’s no fear of those marching enemy armies all the time that used to horrify people a few centuries back. Instead of enjoying this security, man chooses to complain for little things.

What would life be without family and friends? You can sleep on a bed of gold, but with no one to share joys and sorrows, would one be happy? Everyone knows the answer is no, but most people take these two extremely important aspects of life for granted, only to earn the money they might never spend in their lifetime. Where a call for 5 min would be a better healer for his mother, he chooses to spend dollars on her medicine. Where a meal together once in a week will keep the relations at the consummate level, he chooses to throw parties for his friends and family, and finally be absent there. That proportion of the population which has access to good quality of food and water has started to lose its value and seek more joy in overpriced popcorn in a multiplex or a madly priced dinner at a 5 star hotel. Only the population which struggles to earn the minimal food, water and shelter understands its real importance today.

Health is wealth – as cliched as it may sound, but still very few understand this even today. Man today struggles to go and walk for 15 min a day only to deteriorate his health to a point where only death or treatments costing exuberantly can save them. Man today is madly in a rush to make millions at any cost. But will they ever trade their hands and legs for even a billion rupees. So, already being worthy of billions and still madly chasing those millions, only to one day loose those billions. Really, the most precious things come at zero cost.

Warren Buffet has rightly said- look at the value in return of your investment rather than its cost. But Majority population chooses to spend on the biggest TV sets, large home theatres, the latest iphone and the best SUV, little realizing that these costly possessions can provide happiness only temporarily. On the contrary, even the best books and education cost so little that once the return on them is calculated, it turns out it was a profitable investment. Man decides to keep himself engrossed in costly and worthless affairs, when the best source of happiness could be a talk with their children, or a day off from work, or reading a book.

So is celebrating the favorite festivals free. To celebrate the best Holi, Diwali , Eid , or Christmas, all one needs is some loving people and a few bucks. What man chooses is a mere display of one’s bank balance by offering gifts costlier than their peers. What a privilege it is to not pay for living in a country with a democratic setup and a well written constitution, as is the case in India. Most of us take the freedom that comes with ‘ free fundamental rights ‘ that only when they are curtailed, say in emergency, we start to appreciate its importance. To smile is free, so is to cry. Instead, man chooses to think what all may or may not happen in future and get worried about it. No doubt getting worried is also free, but in the long run, one has to pay for it in the form of medical bills.

The single most important thing that on requires to become professionally competent is his skills. Education, or getting skilled, surely requires investment early in their life, but the returns are so good that the whole cost comes to being no cost, so it is free. What matters for many is getting a degree at any cost, rather than real education. A fake degree costs badly and guarantees no real happiness. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. The more you simplify, the more you’ll achieve.Simplifying life is easy and free. What man mostly chooses is to make his life more and more complex at whatever cost it comes.

In the wake of rising stimulation and complexity in life, man has slowly and steadily proliferated the urge to fit into the society’s vision of happiness and success – wearing the same clothes, buying the same phone, driving the same car, not because it makes them happy, but because it makes them more acceptable, Man accumulates expensive possessions, expects unnecessarily, doesn’t get that and becomes sad and this reflects in their health in the long run. Only if people remove this social mask and get free from the fear of not being accepted, can they truly discover what gives them real happiness – that is a few friends over a dinner rather than a over budget and overcrowded party, that is might be an old song on a radio and not the complete playlist on their 64GB iPod, might be the most comfortable pyjamas rather than the branded pair of jeans.

The best life is created by working relentlessly on the basics rather than complicating the life. The former is free but the latter isn’t.

(Credit : The credit for the topic is to http://www.insightsonindia.com )

What Remains is only the hope

Continued from my last post. So, the exam for IAS (Civil Services Preliminary Examination) was done on 23rd August 2015. My first attempt. It was one and a half year work that was needed to be converted into marks that day.  Will I ?? This question will haunt 90% of the serious aspirants for atleast next 40 days till the results are announced.

Why only hope is what remains now

Given the uncertainty attached with some questions , I am somewhere hanging in the position where some answer keys please me , some dishearten me . It is merely a matter of 4-5 questions which will decide whether I will be writing Mains (the next stage of the IAS exam) in December or will I have to start preparing for next year again. So, the only thing that remains is, that little ray of hope. The Hope that cutoff will fall somewhere that will land me safely. The hope that all the disputed questions will rule out in my favour. The hope that hardwork will be seen somewhere and rewarded 😛 . And finally, the hope that it will come out good once the results are announced.

Each answer key (from different coaching institutes) is different on some questions. So, while a moment is good when my answer matches with the answer-key , the gloom shadows the mind and the heart when the answer keys portray something which I don’t like. So , these days are swinging and wobbling my mood and heart each hour.

But finally , everyone knows who is the final interpreter (no, not Supreme Court of India 😛  ),  its UPSC, which will finally decide the fate of so may aspirants with its decision on the NOT-SO-STRAIGHTFORWARD questions.

The Really unknown future

What course life would take in the next few months, is really a mystery as per now. What if I clear, what if I don’t, what will be the cutoff, what will I do till the next year prelims. So many questions keep rocking the mind everyday, in fact every hour. Its just a matter of some trigger which is good enough to make me rethink on everything once again.

Learning and experience brings realization

With myself now hanging in the middle, I am in a  much better position to understand what and how the people who have given many a number of attempts , and still not losing the hope of  making it into the service one day would feel . Maintaining your poise amidst such vacillations requires a lot of mental toughness.

And I shall continue

Irrespective of what the results come, I have to prepare for the Mains in December. I have to continue, I have to persist, amidst all speculations and all predictions 🙂 🙂

Took too long to return

Phewww!!! Last post was on Sep 5 2014. Nearly after a year I am writing something. Just the normal pressures of college and placements and coaching for IAS left me with very little time to give to this blog, though this does not qualify as a worthy excuse at all. So, I am to blame for my absence for such a long time.

A lot happened in this less than a year time framework. From the first experiences of interviews in college for campus placements, saying good bye to the college on Dec 31 2014, joining in an IT company for internship, making some humorous friends there , learning something about professionalism and its importance for a company, experiencing real life , the frequent Up’s and Down’s with the gym, leaving the internship in between for some inexplicable reasons to go back to the college once again , making some new (or not so new) friends there, again finally saying goodbye to the college and then an intense preparation for UPSC Exam (or IAS as the normal people understand ). Finally the exam done on 23rd August 2015.

Now , what is left is just hope. Continued in my next post 🙂

Teachers – The Real Makers

The Second Parent

Happy Teachers’s day to all the wonderful teachers out there across the globe. I remember how in the primary schools we were taught  – “School is your second home and teacher is second parent”. Too early to grasp such philosophical things, I neglected that anyway. May be , the maturity level at that time didn’t allow to dig deeper into this thought and let us just take our teachers for granted. But as the time passed by , the respect I sheltered in my heart for my teachers just augmented incessantly.

Allow me to quote something wonderful by William Arthur Ward –

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” 

The Greats in my life

I have had experienced all types of teachers in my life , from the mediocre ones to the greats. And while I could nag about the paucity of great teachers in my life, as many of friends did and still do, it was the presence of mediocre and the good teacher which really made me understand what a great teacher is. Yes , William rightly said , the great teacher inspires , and to add to that he not only inspires but also explores, explores the deepest levels of potential that a student has. Today, on this special day, I would like to make a mention of some of such great teachers I had.Please don’t construe that only these teachers were my actual mentors, but rather each and every teacher that has ever given me even the infinitesimal knowledge, share the credit for what I am today. But some teachers are different , they leave an everlasting impact on your mind, and those for me, are great teachers.

The Greatness Began with Hindi and Sanskrit

Beginning with Mr. Shamsher, my hindi and sanskrit teacher from 6th – 8th. A voracious reader. Had his own  peculiar style of carrying books, never worrying what others think about him. He taught in his own unique flavor. With him teaching , even the most complex of thing looked damn simple. Someone who passed this famous test of Albert Einstein –

If you cant explain it simply , you don’t understand it well enough.

And he explained it simple, super simple. Thank You Sir. You are amazing.

When Science was Redefined

Next in the list is Mrs Dhamija, my Science teacher in 9th and 10th. India needs teachers like her. More than focusing on the completion of notebooks , her emphasis was always on making the child learn. I can profoundly reminisce his words, “Complete you copies anytime, just learn right now.” Another unique quality which she imbibed in me was the value of the morning time. She would say , “This is the morning time , dont waste it. I will give you the last period to do anything you want”. Super Practical in her approach, she cared for everybody. From the best in the class to the average.One of those wells of inspiration which never empties. Thank You Mam.

Social Science was no longer Cramming

And how can I forget, Mrs . Suri , my Social science teacher. What made me realize her importance was her absence. For a week, she was on leave. And all those five working days, completely sapped off from my interest from the subject. I sill remember , how the whole class felt when she returned , it was bliss. She was strict and had her own style of getting the work delivered from the students. She would scold, may be even humiliate. But what came out later was both for the good of the teacher and the student. The way she planned the whole schedule , be it of the syllabus completion or the revision schedule , was something far-fetched. “Dive into the depths , broaden your horizon of learning and understanding “, was something so common to hear from her . thank you Mam.

And More

And some more, probably it will be too long to mention about them all, so just mentioning their names and the subjects they taught me.Thank you all.

1. Mrs Vandana – Maths Teacher in 5th
2. Mrs Shivani –  Science teacher in 6th
3. Mrs Nidhi – Maths Teacher in 7th.
4. Mr . Krishan Gogia  – Maths Teacher in 8th. Humorous and wonderful.
5. Mrs Rajni – English Teacher in 10th.
6. Mrs Pawna – Maths Teacher in 9th and 10th
7. Mrs Sabarwal –  Sanskrit Teacher in 9th and 10th
8. Mr.  Ranjeet Shahi – Chemistry Coaching Teacher in 11th and 12th
9. Mr. Sanjay Mishra – Maths Coaching Teacher in 11th and 12th.
10. Mr. Mukesh – College Professor
11. Mr. Naveen Aggarwal – College Professor
12. Mr. Vikram Kaushal – Taught Polity in Coaching of IAS. I wish he teaches me again.A reservoir of knowledge
13. And the last , I don’t know his name .He is currently teaching me history for IAS.

 

 

 

 

Something to cheer for Dhoni ??

India in England

Indian Cricket team goes to England with a hope to win.Win first the test matches, for they have an unusual record of losing test matches on foreign soil. India under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni has managed to win only 1 out of the last 14 or 15 test matches played on foreign soil.And this win was recently in the Mecca of Cricket, Lords. After the first test drawn in the 5 Match Series, a 1-0 lead did fuel the hopes of Indian Team to avenge their backbreaking defeat back in 2011.

Crushed in tests

But, who says life is fair. Indian team lost all the 3 subsequent test matches. To be fair and to give the England Cricket team their share of appreciation , India not only lost , they were crushed, squashed , squeezed, and you can add any derogatory adjective you want. Last two test games just concluded in two and a half days, with England winning by colossal number of runs and an innings. Indians were not defeated, they need not be. They simply surrendered. And the old memories of the defeat back in 2011 surfaced back again, perhaps with the added salt on the wound. The batting performance descended to a new low, fielding looked flat, reminiscing us of the old days of Indian Cricket when Indian fielding was looked down upon. If batting and fielding, the strengths of the team, were showing such awful days, what certainly can one expect from the bowling department, which continues to be a pain for India.

Next were the ODIs

Tests happened, thank God. Next was the one day series. Frankly speaking , after such humiliating defeat in the tests, no one , may be even the team might not have expected to make a comeback. Parallel to that ran some controversies regarding the suing of Indian Coach Duncan Fletcher.In all, everything was not right in the Indian Dressing Room , instead everything was wrong.Then began the ODI series. First one day washed off. I am not a very avid critic of Indian team , in fact, I rarely criticize. But the test performance just forced me to jump into those rare modes. I remember , talking after the wash out of the first  ODI game, saying, “Indian team must be happy that the game washed out , now only four left”.

Something to cheer

August 27 2014, second ODI. I guess not more than 2% of Indians would have hoped of a positive result, and I was definitely one in the majority group. Game starts.India 19/2. “They are gone, It’s the beginning of the end of the Indian Cricket “, I thought. But thinking before that , I forgot that, every dark cloud has a silver lining, and soon after, the silver line began to show up. Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma put a decent partnership, followed by Suresh Raina and skipper Dhoni. Raina scored a century and Dhoni a half century.India managed 304/6 in 50 overs.Then bagan the magic of spin by Jadeja, Ashwin and Raina. England managed to score only 161 and India won by 133 runs , for the revised target was 295 due to  rain and D/L method.

Time Will Tell

Finally, something to cheer. A game won. But really something to cheer?? Because India won the first test too, but stumbled after that like a pack of cards,and England too lost their first test,but came back so hard that Indian team was just left to tits and bits. And today too, the disappointment was clearly evident on their faces. Interesting, it will be , to see what happens. Will India Really make a comeback, or will these vivacious and pleasant  moments soon fizzle out.

 

A speech of hope

Here while India was celebrating its 68th independence day on 15 Aug 2014 , Everyone was also eagerly waiting for Prime Minister  Mr. Narendra Modi’s Speech here at the Red Fort. Eager because Mr. Manmohan could not bring those emotions out , which everyone knew Mr. Modi would.And they were right.

PM Narendra Modi looked indefatigable throughout in speech. Started by calling himself PRADHAN SEWAK instead of PRADHAN MANTRI (Prime Servant instead of Prime Minister), Mr. Modi could not  have wished for a better opener.The Nation was henceforth tied to his vivacity. I think , Congress would be thinking why they failed to start something akin to this. Although I could just present the whole speech here , but that would be redundant. Instead , what I will like to highlight the what caught the attention and brought hope, a hope that India will definitely change from here. Here goes the list.

1. Everyone built this nation:

Saying that the nation has not been built by the politicians only but the farmers, mothers , workers , saints ,maestros , teachers , scientists , doctors etc. Mr Modi did not forget anyone.

2. We move Together

Emphasizing the famous learning’s from the Vedic Period, “Sangachchhdhvam Samvadadhvam sam wo manansi jaanataam.”, which means  Mr. Modi emphasized that we move together  not  by virtue of majority, but on the basis of unanimity. He said,  “I salute to each party and their members for helping us in having a very productive session of Parliament”.

3. I was feeling Pained

That the newspaper flashing about punctuality of MPs and Ministers, is an indicator that what we had expected from our governments so far.This pained me. To face the global competition , we have to strengthen the govt. machinery.We have to work , work really hard.

4. Help Others beyond your benefits

He really won the hearts by saying this , “We should help others for national interest rather than thinking that it does not benefit be in any way”.

5. Cautioning the Parents

This was something so critical to talk at such a platform, but PM had to , so he did. Emphasizing for equal status for both boy and girl child , saying that the boy’s parents should ask him where he goes, because somewhere rapes are being done by someone’s son. Also the Maoists and terrorists are somebody’s children , so why don’t the parents inquire why they were taking the wrong path.

6. Nepal as an example

If Nepal can do it , that  is switch from violence to peace , why can’t we??

7 . The Emotional Appeal

Appealing to everyone that communal tensions , casteism, communalism, regionalism have only been a roadblock in our way to progress, Let us , for 10 years atleast put a halt on all these and discover how peace and brotherhood  will give us much more strength.

8. Shed off that old thinking

PM Modi said we must opt for a society which gives equal birth to both daughters and sons. The sex ratio 940/1000 was a clear indicative that we are still to move a lot forward in ensuring this equality. Mr. Modi also emphasized on the recently concluded Commonwealth games and women’s bringing 29/64 medals.

9. Have we  lost the meaning of word ‘Service’

Private Job vs Government Service. But has the meaning of word service lost its meaning.If it has , we have to revive that feeling again.

10 . Pradhanmantri Jan-Dhan Yojana`(Prime Minister People – money scheme ) .

I want to connect the poorest citizens of this country with a bank account.An account holder under this scheme will be provided with a debit card. An insurance of Rs 1 Lakh will be guaranteed, so that such families are covered with the insurance of One Lakh Rupees in case of any crisis.

11. Come Make in India

Mr. Modi invited everyone in the world to come to India and manufacture here. Sell in any part of the country but make in India.Here what he said :  From electrical to electronics, Come, Make in India, from automobiles to agro  Come, Make in India, from paper to plastic, “Come, Make in India”, satellite or submarine Come, Make in India.”. Who knows this step may act as a game changer in the long run for India.

Mr . Modi appealed to the youth that something like “MADE IN INDIA” should be our dream.

12. Zero Defect , Zero Effect

Mr. Modi’s speech clearly emphasized that he has utmost belief in the youth of the nation.He asked the youth why they were forced to import small items from other nations when their own country has the skill to produce it. He asked the youth and the ones in small businesses to conduct research and manufacture at-least one product which India imports. He also emphasized that Indian Products should have Zero Defect ,that is, they are flawless and so not rejected in other nations , and have Zero effect on the environment.

13. The Dream of DIGITAL INDIA

Like railways was believed to connect the India, he said, I believe today it is the IT sector. Therefore, it is my dream to connect the poorest of citizens with a broadband connectivity and promote e-governance. We should aim to move towards Mobile Governance where people can interact with the govt. with the mobile.

14. CLEAN INDIA Campaign

Citing the roadblock filthiness is acting in the promotion of Tourism , and that  Poor India women have to defecate in the open , Mr. Modi Launched a CLEAN INDIA Campaign on Oct 2 this year. He also gave a start to the campaign by saying that all schools in the country should have separate toilets for girls.

15. “Sānsad Adharsh Grām Yojana” (Members of Parliament Model Village Scheme)

Mr . Modi will formally launch this scheme on October 11 this year. This scheme expects from each MP to select one village of the constituency and make it a Model Village equipped with all facilities  by 2016. And then continue doing such work for the next years also. He also urged the MLAs to participate in that. What an idea !!!

16. THE 125 CRORE

This phrase had been the real highlight. Mr. Modi believes he alone cannot do anything. It is, the 125 Crore INDIANS which will do it.From eradicating Poverty to upgrading Manufacturing Sector, the 125 Crore INDIANS will do it. Clearly such a faith , really inspires and motivates you as a citizen of India.

Definitely such a speech was something unheard for a long time.Mr. Modi is a believer, an optimist. Someone who believes that it is the cooperation with the people ,  cooperation with the state govts. , cooperation with other nations which will bring the actual results. So, when this country had almost lost all hope of eradicating all social evils and modernizing the economy, Mr. Modi’s speech does provide a way , and if not a way,  at-least definitely a hope. JAI HIND...

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You may not Live Again (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)

I have translated the four best shayaris (poems )  by Farhan Akhtar from the movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara by Zoya Akhtar .Here is a link to the original poems of the movie:

1. 

Hovering ambiance surrounding like deliquescent heavens,

Soothing serenity enveloping the environment,

No trace of earth , no vision of heaven,

Drifting and gliding, leaves and branches, announcing about your existence,

I am the only one here, my breaths and my beats,

Such infiniteness, such solitude, and me , only me ,

my existence is now known to me.

2.

 

An oration  not finding way to the lips,

only observing through the eyelids,

querying for some words ,

Sometimes from you , and then from me,

wearing whom , it comes to the lips,

and intermingled in the arms of voice,

but  this talk , is a feeling in exuberance

a fragrance floats in the air,

fragrance which is voiceless,

something which you know, and also tangible to me,

not hidden from the world,

and not knowing what secret it is.

3.

Whenever the clouds of calamity engulfed,

shadows of sadness waved,

and the tears rolled to the eyes,

and the secluded heart jolted  ,

we solaced the hearts and asked,

O Heart ! Why do you weep?

This is innate law of the Universe.

That these trials and hassles are shared by all.

A little anguish is everyone’s destiny,

A little heat is everyone’s bit.

O Pal! Your eyes are wet inconsequentially,

 for every moments awaits resurrection,

and still , why do you lose such moments of life?

O heart !! Why do you weep??

4.

Living every moment heartily , you are alive,

Carrying lighting moments in your eyes , you are alive.

Free yourself like the hovering air breeze,

Glide like waves in deep waters.

Meet every moment with open arms

Let the eyes see something fresh each minute,

Carrying exuberant surprises in your eyes, you are alive,

Living each moment  heartily, you are alive.

No Longer a mere mortal

Guess what..I am no longer human, because I am no longer mortal. I am immortal..So, time is no longer valuable to me. Time can’t slip by my hands because I have infinite. All those preachy lines saying “Live as of this was your last day” are no longer applicable on me because I do not have one, yes I do not have a last day.

The Dilemma

So when I have all the time in the world, how does my life change?? Do I stop worrying about everything, or do I worry more??Do I need to set more goals, or shall I even drop the goals I have now??

Thinking about how to spend the rest of my life is itself a puncturing task. I should stop worrying about everything since I can do anything I want to do , at any time, may be today, or tomorrow or 10 weeks later or 50 years later.And, on the contrary, I must start worrying beyond the invincible limits because with more time in my pocket, comes more responsibilities. I must strive forward and look towards learning everything , and achieving beyondcredulity.

While I sit in these lush green meadows, contemplating on what to do, someone passes by me, deep in soliloquy. Although, too hard too prognosticate what he was upto, something did pass by my ears.The faintest of what fell on my ears was akin to this : “One more to go..one more to go in today’s to-do list..today i’ll have a good sleep”. And these few words were more than enough to clear off the dubiety in my head.

So, What did I conclude

I will choose the latter way, for work is what gives us the satisfaction.I will try to achieve the indomitable rather than sitting and waiting for the life to pass by and end, which in my case , is impossible.With my personal worries sorted a bit, something else occupies my monster mind.Another question dawns on me, why do people often wish for the immortality, when even the thought of  immortality is frightening.May be they haven’t thought on it , since I was sailing in the same boat a few minutes ago.A cool breeze is blowing across me, taking all my doubts with itself. BLOW O WONDERFUL WIND, BLOW!!!

Realizing how dull and monotonous an immortal life can be , I started sobbing, something  not very frequent to me. I wished, if I could be a mortal again. But then, that was something far-fetched I was thinking of.It wasn’t possible, not at all.The breeze had calmed, and I started walking with some strange heaviness in my chest and throat.The mood swings during this 1 hour finally concluded with an uneasy mood, the likes of which I haven’t experienced and will not like not to.

Suddenly, something blatant pierced my ears.I was back, back from sleep.It was a dream.Thank God!!!And as Every dark cloud has a silver lining, so did this one.While the dream was something which dismayed me, it was an eye opener, bringing to me that “Live your day as if it was your last day”.