The Unsung heroes

Read an article in rediff.com today. I was really moved by the way the author has written about the death of one of his erstwhile neighbours, Manish Pitambare, who was killed yesterday in Kashmir, fighting for the country. He mentions that Manish was a brilliant student who scored nearly 90 percent in SSC. He could have chosen an easier path of doing some degree and do some white collar job. But the fact that he was driven by his passion to serve the country and was not carried away by other materialistic attractions, really makes one feel proud about him. There are a lot of unsung heroes like Manish, but every one of them deserve to be praised for what they have chosen. My heartfelt condolences to the family of the deseased. I am really proud to be in a country where people like Manish lived.

The original article can be read from:

http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/nov/28obit.htm

Attended a Right To Information (RTI) workshop today in my college. It was conducted by Mr.Gaurang Vora, a practising Pathologist who is also an RTI activist. It was an excellent lecture. In fact, I am wrong in calling it a lecture..it is a interactive session on the subject.

We were around 29 of us and were very much enthused by the provisions of the act. It is really a welcome step by the Government of India, which has been taken after so many decades of independence. While the constitution provides for such a provision, it is almost 5 decades after which an act has been framed mentioning the guidelines and steps to be followed in obtaining the information. Kudos to all those activists who had slogged hard to get the Govt do something on this subject.

We were surprised to know the powers that we as citizens have in terms of our right to info. While apathy is still prevalent, this seems to be a step in right direction in curbing corruption. If one were to say that the Government servants are opposing this act tooth and nail, he/she is completely wrong because it is said that a good proportion of RTI applications are filed by the Govt servants themselves regarding promotions etc. This was a surprise news to me. At last, we got an Act which, unlike other acts, is a tool in the hands of the citizens rather than a tool against them.

Oh...it has been a long time since I had scribbled some thing here....this back pain is really showing its ugly face :( ...nywz

Last week, went to a orphanage/drug rehabilitation centre in Santa Cruz as part of my college's social responsibility forum to celebrate children's day.....was really a day well spent. We organized various events..like tambola, magic show by a professional magician, we showed them Jungle Book II. In between, involved them in dancing, singing etc. I really cant forget what one of them told me - " come on uncle, sit next to me and lets watch the movie together, and share my snacks"

While every one enjoyed the day to the core, one just could not resist feeling sorry about these souls, who r so young and addicted to drugs at this age and r struggling to lead a decent life.

I, for once, thanked God for all that I have got to lead a decent life. I really appreciate the services done by such NGOs in various fields like child education, AIDS awareness, sexual harassment, et al. One really needs a passion for such activities lest it wud be very difficult to devote oneself to such activities. I only hope that atleast a part of such compassion resides in me for the rest of my life so that I can do what I can on my part.

Again, the controversy over reciting Vande Mataram has erupted and is occupying the first page in newspapers ..I agree that it is our national song and there can be no two opinions on the need to respect it. It was first recited 100 years back and had incited such passions that people died reciting it and fighting the British raj. The Britishers just hated the song, considered it as a symbol of our national unity and punished people for reciting it. Hence, it is a well considered decision to celebrate the 100th year of its reciting.

But the issue lies elsewhere. From an issue of national unity and pride, it is becoming a national controversy thanks to our politicians and religious saviors. First the Congress Govt made it compulsory to recite it in schools on 7th september...then came the opposition from the religion side..alas??who will lose the votes of crores of people?? So the Govt made it voluntary to recite it... Now, how can the other side be quite?? They have raised objections to considering it as an assault on the national song.

With so many controversies created by this issue, I feel this way...It is our national song and no one should have objections to it..after all, from what I understand, only the first two stanzas of the five stanzas of the song were approved to be part of our national song which describe the beauty of our motherland. They get translated as

"I bow to thee, Mother, richly watered, richly fruited,cool with the winds of the south,dark with the crops of the harvests,the Mother!Her nights rejoicing in the glory ofthe moonlight, her hands clothed beautifully with her trees in floweringbloom, sweet of laughter, sweet of speech, the Mother, giver of boonsgiver of bliss "

I dont think there is anything communal in these lines. It will only be every one's pleasure to sing this song of national unity.

But the issue is should this be made compulsory?? After all, we all have childish behaviors...when we are told to do something, we will steadfastly oppose it and when we are told not to do something, we will ensure that it is done. Hence, it is no surprise that when this is made compulsory, some sections of the society felt it offending and when it was made voluntary, the other section is offended. While I still feel there is nothing to be offended in these stanzas, it is the egos of these poeple that is creating a ruckus out of this issue. The Government should have celebrated it advising its citizens to recite it. By changing stances, the Government has given opportunity to various sections to clash among themselves and further polarise the society on communal lines. Nothing happens on making it compulsory. It has to come from the heart. Why only educational institutions? why not each citizen?? Should only students only be patriotic?? Thus, instead of making it a proud centenary celebration, the Govt has made it a religious issue by its flip-flop handling.

Having talked about the controversy, one is reminded of the other issues. There is not much discussion happening on even important issues like corruption. We have to do a lot on infrastructure, on terrorism, on poverty eradication, improving education and so many other priorities. It is time we put our collective energy on these issues rather than making an issue out of something that should come out of one's heart.

The murder of the college professor Mr Sabharwal when he was supervising the student's election in Ujjain comes a shocker and sadly exposes the intolerance of the present student community and the impact of its politicization. I have always admired the teaching profession as one of the best professions one can choose (may be bacause my father is a teacher) although it hardly pays one well. I wonder what do these highly qualified teachers do at these institutions when, if they use their talent properly, they can earn as much or definitely more in the corporate sector. While there could be exceptions, I have always felt that these people are compromising on all these mainly to pass on their knowledge to others and at the same time, continue to learn by being in academics field.

I myself being a student have a not so good opinion about the quality of professors in my college. I have been and continue to be one of the staunch critics of my college professors and the way they teach. But all said and done, all they endeavor to do is to pass on what they know to us. Though criticizing, I don't think I have the guts (atleast now) to leave a lucrative job and join a teaching profession where it is very difficult to satisfy the student's needs. One also needs to be always updated on the subject as many students already know the subject in most of the cases and its important that they are driven in the right direction. For all these, there has to be a passion for the profession else one just cannot continue in it for a long time.

Coming back to the topic, the killing of the professor is just not a one-off incident of student intolerance and their high handedness. They feel that they are above law because they are considered the future of the nation. You cannot have a better future of a corrupted past. There have been many cases of violence during student elections . In my hometown of Chennai, I have seen/heard of a lot of incidences during what they call 'bus day', when invariably many buses are damaged resulting in lacs of damages to public property. And this ragging menace.

So, where are we heading? I am not sounding pessimistic saying that the entire future generation is corrupted, but it is high time such intolerant and anti-social activities by the students are strongly condemned and strict action taken against the perpetrators. If what we saw a couple of months back during student uprising against reservation can be a testimony to what will happen if students unite for a good cause, what we see today stands a testimony to what will happen if they take law in their own hands and go against the system. It is time for us, as students, to understand the dangers of politicization and polarization on filthier grounds.

Was just reading an article in rediff today...it talks about an IIMA graduate named Sarathbabu who had refused to be carried away by lucrative job offers and became an entrepreneur. He comes from a very very poor background who rose from being just another slum dweller to such a highly qualified person. The article narrates the ordeal throughout his life. It is very inspiring to read such news articles which actually gives one a confidence that there is no limit to what one can achieve if he works hard towards it. That he chose to become an entrepreneur and give employment to many more people speaks largely of his commitment to give something back to the society that has brought him up and that has given him so much. I salute his mother and his sisters who have helped him come up to this level.

The article can be read at http://in.rediff.com/money/2006/aug/31spec.htm

I am back from bed rest now...i really do not understand all these...i started doing those yogic exercises and was ok when i was at home in chennai....after coming back to bombay, i dont know why, the pain has started increasing...some ppl say it could be due to the bed, some say due to the extra pressure at college (that should be a sarcasm i am sure), some say due to bad chairs in class...whatever, i hope i find out the reason and get rid of this pain at the earliest.

But coming back to bombay and seeing this vibrant city gives a sense of enthu in you and i hope i catch up with the speed of this city at the earliest...

Today is the first anniversary of the July 26 floods in bombay. I was one of those thousands
of people who were stranded that day. I had to walk for almost 7 hrs in the floods (many
places wih waist deep water and some places even chest deep). It is an experience I can never forget in my life. When I think of how I managed to walk for so many hrs in such terrible conditions, I am really baffled.I cant but thank the almighty for having given me such a courage to handle that day.

One year from that, now I am finding myself in another challenge, albeit of a different
kind. I had a slip disc in my back some time back and yesterday, doctors advised me a 24 hr
bed rest for atleast a month. From some one who walked for 7 hrs in floods, to someone who
is not even allowed to sit for more that 10 minutes is something really saddening. Here too, I am confident of bouncing back from this crisis and be back with renewed vigour in a months time. I am sure God will give me the courage to face this too and come out undeterred.

Last saturday, one of my batchmates, Reshma suddenly died of heart failure. She was a brilliant girl with amuzing maturity. That she died at such an young age is really something so saddening. I hope her parents get the necessary courage to come out of this grief and concentrate on the future. I also pray that her soul rests in peace.

Yesterday, we had organized a blood donation camp in our college. Since I head the forum responsible for this event along with 2 other students, I had the opportunuity of getting closely involved in this event. The event, coming as it does after the gruesome bombay blasts, has become a huge success thanks to the enthusiasm showed by the donors. The volunteers had a tough time controlling the people who had come to donate. The success of the event clearly assures us that as long as these souls are around, none of our enemies could take us for granted.

The incident also helped me learn a lot in terms of organizing such an event at such a short notice. The energy levels of the volunteers was so high that if next time such a project is given at an even shorter notice, events could be organized successfully.

Scene: Chennai - CM of the state says that he will withdraw support if NLC disinvestment is pursued.

Scene: Delhi - within hrs, an announcement by the PMO that all disinvestment plans are temporarily laid off.

These dramatic activities bring to the fore the compulsions of coalition politics. This is one of the cases which highlight the PM is totally not in control of the situation. Does the PM believe that Mr.Karunanidhi will withdraw support to the centre on this issue, which could mean loss of power for his grand-nephew at the centre and which could derail a lot of his plans? I personally do not think so unless there are some plans of some third front or so, which is highly unlikely given the current arithmetic and the acrimony between various potential 3rd front partners. Then, why is PM giving in to such pressures? He did stand firm just a month back during the fuel price hike.

Whatever be the reason, if this continues, it will be very difficult to pursue reforms, which could take the country forward with respect to the competition. If this is the case of this ministry, i really wonder what will happen if Congress and BJP further lose strength in the Parliament and there is a hung parliament or a third front. No decisions could be taken cohesively, there will be a lot of pulls and pressures and the country just cannot move on. The regional parties will think only regionally, without a national mindset and this is a dangerous trend for the country. We cant afford another disintegration of the nation and it is time the public and the national parties like Congress and BJP realize the seriousness of this and come to a status where only a 2 party dominance will be there. Lest, god save us. We will have Anbumani heading the AIIMS, Arjun Singh the IIMs and Lalu Yadav, the CBI.

AIIMS is in the news, again for wrong reasons. But this time, I think the health minister has taken things too far, thus proving that he is incapable of handling such issues. That an eminent person was sacked as head of such a prestigious institution unceremoniously smacks of the immaturity of this cabinet minister ( think we should call him sinister). When one reads various news items on the subject, he cant but feel sorry for the deposed director. The meeting did not have this as an agenda and the minister suddenly brings this in the agenda, asks the veteran to wait outside for an hour and at the end of it, says that he is sacked. This is certainly not the way to treat such a renowned cardiologist, who has served the institution for over 4 decades. He should have been given a chance to explain his stance, but was not given. That too, when an enquiry committee is set up to study the functioning of AIIMS. Agreed, there could be 2 opinions on whether the doctors can resort to strike leaving the patients stranded, for whatever reason it be, but that does not mean the director has to be sacked without being given a chance. After all, we are a democracy.

There are various reports that the minister has been consistantly interfering with the administration of this institute. The minister's party ( PMK) is known for its caste based politics in Tamilnadu and it seems he is trying to replicate the same at the national level. One only hopes that these m(s)inister designs are thwarted and the reputation of the institution is reclaimed. It is very surprising that these are allowed by the PM. It is time he take some tough stand against these ministers who do not seem to be in control of what they are doing.

First day of my MBA 2nd year at NMIMS was a big disaster, mainly due to the heavy rains and some confusion in the seating arrangements. Anyway, that incident and 2 continuous days of rain ensured that I have given complete rest to my ailing back.

Today, our classes have started and we had a lecture of Mr.AK Purwar (former SBI chairman). He has become our faculty now after retirement. This man really talks sense. His almost 40 yrs of experience at SBI really came out in the kind of examples that he gave. He had numbers at his fingertips and was able to quote various examples at ease. His answering of questions also were admirable. ( I think he is speaking very slow, but it is ok, as long as he takes students along with him). The way he made the class participate and demanded answers from anyone was interesting.

Sadly, he concluded that he will take at the most 2 more lectures this trimester due to his busy schedule. I wish he takes more lectures.

Whatever, I am sure having such an eminent person in the faculty list will add pride to the institute and its students.

The other day, I was going from my company (where I am doing my summer project) towards my home. It is a 45 minute journey in a tempo traveler. The company is at Sriperumpudur, around 40 kms from Chennai. This place is always in the news nowadays, with some news or the other coming up on a new company setting shop here, (Nokia, Motorola etc). This place is buzzing with lots of activities and these new industries have also created lots of employment opportunities.

These are the positive fallouts of Government’s support to industrialization. While all these are happening here, I always thought that the infrastructure in and around these places will considerably be improved. While there are some improvements (thanks mainly to Golden Quadrilateral), I was shocked at the scenes I saw during my journey. Throughout my 25 km journey towards Tambaram, I cross many villages. And to my dismay, I found that scores of school children walk towards their homes from school in the evenings due to lack of timely bus services. And most of them are bare footed. While the Government gives free bus passes to students, unless bus services are provided on time, what is the use of these free passes? The Government need not introduce new buses in this dilapidated road, but it can at least arrange for 2 extra trips by the regular buses between 4 and 5 in the evenings and 8 and 9 in the mornings. That is all required. Finding these young kids traveling on top of buses is really a saddening event. And all these scenes can be seen in just 5 kms from all these gigantic factories. And it is a big picture of contrast. I have seen so many Government buses which are used as chartered services in the evenings by the corporates. Cant a few extra services be run in these peak hrs for school children?

In one hand, you find companies investing millions in your state and on the other hand, even basis facilities are incomplete in many places even near these companies. And all these in a so called progressive State of Tamilnadu. I can imagine the state of school children in other states like Bihar, MP, UP etc. One feels that we get bogged down with these macro information like total investment, employment potential etc that we fail to study the micro problems in detail.