Do we love our leaders ??

“At the stroke of midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, then an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.”

I don’t need to give details about who said this and when. I am sure every Independence day speech or a write-up would start with this. But my intention here is not to remember the person who said this, but to question why we remember these lines only during Independence Day or Republic Day.

Come August 15 or January 26, you have these long speeches about national leaders who sacrificed their lives for our independence and their significant contributions to independent India. It is that time of the year when we always “feel proud” of our national leaders.

But, I have always wondered how many youngsters would be able to relate to these iconic leaders. Veteran theater personality Poornam Viswanathan, said he choked when he was announcing about Nehru’s Independence Day speech.

Unlike Viswanathan, I fail to get the same feeling for our national leaders. For most of us who were born in the post-independence era, freedom fighters were introduced to us in our history text books. We studied the Dandi March, Non-Cooperation movement and other movements to score those marks to pass. I am not denying the fact that many actually liked reading it, but my question is how many of us relate to those stories. History to me is just a representation of facts by the powerful. It is more difficult to practice what they said than just speaking about them. Our politicians never fail to quote them but rarely put their thoughts into practice.

Are these national leaders really valued for their contributions? Of course, for a political party, paying respects to them is all about building a statue for these leaders and gain political mileage.

So who is to be blamed? Where do we start? I believe we can never relate to our national leaders and be emotionally attached to their views, simply because we haven’t undergone the trials and tribulations of these leaders. My argument here is not about questioning their sacrifices. The current generation might learn about these leaders, but beyond that will they be able to evoke the same feeling as our grandfathers had for Gandhi or Vallabh Bhai Patel?

My cousin once told me history and leaders are just about names.

The current generation interprets the word ‘Independence’ differently and not as the leaders thought it to be. Do you think remembering these leaders just on Independence Day make any sense?

Independence Special - An Analysis of India's BIGGEST sins

At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom – Jawaharlal Nehru on 14 August 1947

Cut to 63 years after freedom and we wake up to an India that our martyrs never dreamed of. Today, India has become a land of more wrongs than rights as our nation is symbolised by abject poverty, corruption, a huge population and lack of transparent governance, to name a few ills.

India is free; so are we, but have we really valued the freedom that has been granted to us by martyrs who fought valiantly so that we could be born free? Do we think it’s a part of our legacy that has been passed on to us through the years?

Freedom is not about being free, it is a great responsibility. Freedom does not give us the right to misuse our rights, but it gives us the power to make better choices. This Independence Day, let us stay away from the usual festivities and pledge to free ourselves from the ills that exist in our society to build a better India. For this, we need to get rid of the six deadly sins.

Sin 1:

When it comes to corruption, we are second to none. Year after year, Indians have consistently hit rock bottom when it comes to the global corruption index; from an ordinary peon to our highly decorated babus, everyone has their hands full with bribes or ghoos as we fondly call it.

I can’t remember a single year when we were not hit by a money-laundering scandal; this year too, the Commonwealth Games organising committee has been in the news for misappropriation of funds. What a shame – Commonwealth Games could have been a great way to show the world that we are well-equipped to organise global events but what we achieved is quite the opposite. Be it the IPL or the Commonwealth Nations, corruption is prevailing even to get recognition for a person’s talent. It’s time we said no to corruption.

Sin 2:

We take pride in calling India a democracy, but from time to time our country has witnessed violence in the name of religion or caste. Violence has very much become a part of our lives as we readily resort to force when things don’t go the way we want them to go.

What is more lamentable is the fact that India projects itself as a progressive nation when we still have killings in the name of honour and female infanticide is still rampant in many parts of the country. It’s a shame that our leaders still play the caste card to garner votes when development should be the agenda. We need to get rid of the bias that deprives us of peace and tranquility.

Sin 3:

We need better governance for our country to be on par with the best. We all know of the Naxal threat that India faces today, but have we really contemplated the cause behind their uprising? The reason is simple – even as India prides itself on its growth rate and on how it is fast becoming one of the most important economies in the world, an important facet of that development remains skewed.

We need effective leaders that can banish such ills and make people feel that they all are a part of our fabled growth story. How long can we have leaders like Mayawati who mindlessly squander people’s money on some statues? The need of the hour is to banish leaders like these by voting them out of power. So next time you think why vote, just recall Mayawati and her statues.

Sin 4:

We need to stop ignoring the wrongs that are happening around us. As a thumb rule, we Indians are a self-centred lot and things simply don’t bother our conscience as long as our homes are in order. Why are we like this? This has to stop; we have to wake up to our duties as we are a vital cog in the wheel as far as the nation’s betterment is concerned.

We have utter disrespect for the law of the land as we tend to be mute spectators as we see children being employed or a accident victim lying helplessly on the road. We have to shrug off this callousness and apathy for a better tomorrow.

Sin 5:

When it comes to greed, we are second to none. I am not saying that others are not affected by the greed bug, but Indians stand out. I am really not being harsh or unpatriotic – take the example of private hospitals where the patient is fleeced of his very last penny or held to ransom until he pays the bill.

Even our institutes of learning are here to make a fast buck. These institutes may or may not provide you with quality education but what is for sure is that the fee will burn a huge hole in your pocket. Traders in India for sure know how to make a windfall, as most of them have mastered the art of hoarding, leaving many to die of hunger. All they care is about the moolah.

Sin 6:

It’s a shame that thousands of poor farmers are forced to commit suicide year after year. A widening spiral of debt and despair has forced at least 200,000 farmers to take their own lives in India over the past 13 years. Such is the economic disparity in our country that the rich are becoming richer and the poor poorer.

Ours being an agrarian nation, efforts should be made to see that our kisans should have access to the best of the facilities at their disposal. For India to prosper, the real ‘Bharat’ has to have a piece of the pie called prosperity.

If we work towards eradicating these sins, then we can truly celebrate our Independence Day – Jai Hind!

BE THE BEST “YOU”

Warren Buffet once observed, “There will never be a better you than you” – A Brilliant Insight from a brilliant guy.

There will be never be a better me than me. Amd there will never be a better you than you. Some might try to copy the way you think speak and act. But no matter how hard they try, they will only be a second best- you. Because “you” are unique. Only one of you alive today, Among the billions of us. Makes you realize you are pretty special. No , very special. And that there really isn’t any competition.

And so today, what will you do with you as you march out into a world that needs people playing at extraordinary with their lives more than ever before? Will you exert more of your hidde potential? Will you liberate more of your natural creativity? Will you uncover more of the your authenticity? And will you be more of the you that you are meant to be? Just wondering. Because there will be never be a better time to be the best you than today. And if not now, then when? Makes me think of what the philosopher Herodotus once said “It is better by noble boldness to run the risk of being subject to half of the evils we anticipate than to remain in cowardly listlessness for fear of what may happen”

“THERE WILL NEVER BE A BETTER TIME TO BE THE BEST ‘YOU’ THAN TODAY”

Excerpt from “The Greatness Guide” by Robin Sharma

Simple Mantra for any relationship

A boy and a girl were playing together. The boy had a collection of marbles. The girl had some sweets with her. The boy told the girl that he will give her all his marbles in exchange for her sweets. The girl agreed.

The boy kept the biggest and the most beautiful marble aside and gave the rest to the girl. The girl gave him all her sweets as she had promised.That night, the girl slept peacefully. But the boy couldn't sleep as he kept wondering if the girl had hidden some sweets from him the way he had hidden his best marble.

Moral of the story:
If you don't give your hundred percent in a relationship, you'll always keep doubting if the other person has given his/her hundred percent..
This is applicable for any relationship like love, friends,
employer-employee relationship etc., Give your hundred percent to everything you do and sleep peacefully.

Is Fuel Really Costly ??

I filled up my vehicle’s fuel tank, and I thought that Fuel has really become Expensive…

But when I compared the same with the prices of other “Liquids” and made some calculations, I felt a little more better..

Here are some of them.

Petrol: Rs 54/- per litre

Coco Cola: 330 ml can – Rs 25/- => Rs 76/- per litre

Nariyal Paani: 200 ml – Rs 25/- => Rs 125/- per litre

Pantene Conditioner: 400 ml – Rs 165/- =>Rs 413/- per litre

Parachute Hair Oil: 100 ml – Rs 21/- =>Rs 210/- per litre

And this one is the real KICKER,

Lexmark Inkjet Color Ink: 21 ml – Rs 950/- =>Rs 45238/- per litre

So, Don’t curse the fuel rates now..Be glad that your vehicle doesn’t run with coconut oil,ink cartridge or coke etc…

Just chill that Non-Renewable energy is coming of cheaper than the renewable J

A Simple Way To Make A Good First Impression

It costs nothing, but creates much. It enriches those who receive,

without impoverishing those who give. It happens in a flash and the

memory of it sometimes lasts forever, None are so rich they can get

along without it, and none so poor but are richer for its benefits. It

creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in a business, and is

the countersign of friends. It is rest to the weary, daylight to the

discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and Nature's best antidote fee

trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it

is something that is no earthly good to anybody till it is given away.

For nobody needs a smile so much as those

who have none left to give!

At a dinner party, one of the guests, a woman who had

inherited money, was eager to make a pleasing impression on

everyone. She had squandered a modest fortune on sables,

diamonds and pearls. But she hadn't done anything whatever about

her face. It radiated sourness and selfishness. She didn't realize what

everyone knows: namely, that the expression one wears on one's

face is far more important than the clothes one wears on one's back.

Actions speak louder than words, and a smile says, "I like you, You

make me happy. I am glad to see you." That is why dogs make such

a hit. They are so glad to see us that they almost jump out of their

skins. So, naturally, we are glad to see them.

A baby's smile has the same effect.

An insincere grin? No. That doesn't fool anybody. We know it is

mechanical and we resent it. I am talking about a real smile, a

heartwarming smile, a smile that comes from within, the kind of

smile that will bring a good price in the marketplace.

There's far more information in a smile than a

frown. That's why encouragement is a much more effective teaching

device than punishment."

The effect of a smile is powerful - even when it is unseen. Telephone

companies throughout the World have a program called

"phone power" which is offered to employees who use the telephone

for selling their services or products. In this program they suggest

that you smile when talking on the phone. Your "smile" comes

through in your voice.

According to me, people rarely succeed at anything unless they have fun

doing it. I dont put much faith in the old adage that hard work alone is the magic key that will unlock the door to our desires.

You don't feel like smiling? Then what? Two things. First, force

yourself to smile. If you are alone, force yourself to whistle or hum a

tune or sing. Act as if you were already happy, and that will tend to

make you happy. Here is the way the psychologist and philosopher

William James put it:

"Action seems to follow feeling, but really action and feeling go

together; and by regulating the action, which is under the more

direct control of the will, we can indirectly regulate the feeling, which

is not.

"Thus the sovereign voluntary path to cheerfulness, if our

cheerfulness be lost, is to sit up cheerfully and to act and speak as if

cheerfulness were already there. ..."

Every body in the world is seeking happiness - and there is one sure

way to find it. That is by controlling your thoughts. Happiness

doesn't depend on outward conditions. It depends on inner

conditions.

It isn't what you have or who you are or where you are or what you

are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think

about it. For example, two people may be in the same place, doing

the same thing; both may have about an equal amount of money

and prestige - and yet one may be miserable and the other happy.

Why? Because of a different mental attitude.

"There is nothing either good or bad," said Shakespeare, "but

thinking makes it so."

Abraham Lincoln once remarked that "most folks are about as happy as

they make up their minds to be." He was right.

Take this from me, It really works -

Whenever you go out-of-doors, draw the chin in, carry the crown of

the head high, and fill the lungs to the utmost; drink in the sunshine;

greet your friends with a smile, and put soul into every handclasp.

Do not fear being misunderstood and do not waste a minute thinking

about your enemies. Try to fix firmly in your mind what you would

like to do; and then, without veering off direction, you will move

straight to the goal. Keep your mind on the great and splendid things

you would like to do, and then, as the days go gliding away, you will

find yourself unconsciously seizing upon the opportunities that are

required for the fulfillment of your desire, just as the coral insect

takes from the running tide the element it needs. Picture in your

mind the able, earnest, useful person you desire to be, and the

thought you hold is hourly transforming you into that particular

individual.Thought is supreme. Preserve a right mental attitude -

the attitude of courage, frankness, and good cheer. To think rightly

is to create. All things come through desire and every sincere prayer

is answered. We become like that on which our hearts are fixed.

Carry your chin in and the crown of your head high.

The ancient Chinese were a wise lot - wise in the ways of the world;

and they had a proverb that you and I ought to cut out and paste

inside our hats. It goes like this: "A man without a smiling face must

not open a shop."

Your smile is a messenger of your good will. Your smile brightens the

lives of all who see it. To someone who has seen a dozen people

frown, scowl or turn their faces away, your smile is like the sun

breaking through the clouds. Especially when that someone is under

pressure from his bosses, his customers, his teachers or parents or

children, a smile can help him realize that all is not hopeless - that

there is joy in the world.

"People who smile, tend to manage teach and sell more effectively "

:-)

An American - Indian Marriage Contradiction

Two men, one American and an Indian were sitting in a bar drinking shot after shot.

The Indian man said to the American,"You know my parents are forcing me to get married to this so called homely girl from a village whom I haven't even met once.

We call this arranged marriage.I don't want to marry a woman whom I don't love...I told them that openly and now have a hell lot of family problems."

The American said, "Talking about love marriages... I'll tell you my story.

I married a widow whom I deeply loved and dated for 3 years.

"After a couple of years, my father fell in love with my step-daughter and so my father became my son-in-law and I became my father's father-in-law.

My daughter is my mother and my wife my grandmother.

More problems occurred when I had a son. My son is my father's brother and so he is my uncle. Situations turned worse when my father had a son. Now my father's son i.e. my brother is my grandson.

Ultimately, I have become my own grand father and I am my own grandson.

And you say you have family problems.. ? !