Tag: India

Dream and strive ahead, it’s ok to fail!

by Sneha, posted in Motivation

“I dream and I am made that ways”, said the brain. Man replied, “No, you are not allowed to as you don’t think about difficulties, adventures, challenges or for that matter the failures before dreaming.”

Most of us have experienced the above scenario at one or the other point of life. The way we deal and react in the situation sets our journey. Our future rests on one small powerful decision. It makes or breaks us.

Why is the thing we fear about? Why many of us don’t dream? Why we are afraid of failures, shortcomings? Why we look forward to only a well settled plan and if there is a minutest problem, our world is topsy-turby?

Let us take each thing one by one.

Dream

It’s essential to dream. When we dream, we are indirectly honing the analytical skills of our brain. And so, the more it practices, the better it becomes. Initially, a dream may sound weird or out of the box, but it is ok. At least your mind is trying hard to utilise it’s potentials. Secondly you never know your dream may convert into reality with all perseverance and effort. Also, by constructive dreaming, one may get to know more about himself or herself. There will be more clarity in life. One can learn many things from experiences.

Fear of failure

Failures are the stepping stones to success. If someone is failing, the person is far better than those who are not even trying. For winning anything, one needs to step in the arena. When one will tire oneself, his or her sweat and blood will flow , only then the chances of success can develop.

Remember failures are one of the best mentors. They guide us towards our potentials, the areas to brush upon, new avenues to venture upon, our traits and personality, our mistakes. Failures are like the analysis in mid journey.

And journey is never ever restricted to one goal or path. Our life in itself is a journey. We need to understand that each day is a new day, a new beginning, a new chance to start afresh. Each day has one or few goals to deal with, each day we either win or miss few things. Our whole life is a combination of numerous uncountable goals to be dearmt or succeded about.

Don’t restrict yourself in the shanties and bondages of restricted thinking. I would like to write self written lines which often give me strength to rise again after each failure:

“ए इंसान, ये ज़िन्दगी का परवाना है,
यहां रोज़ संभलना और संभल के गिरना,
और गिर के फिर उठ जाना है।
मजबूरियां भी होंगी, कठिनाइयां भी होंगी,
किन्तु तुमको चलते जाना है।
चुनतियों को पार करना है,
और हिमालय की चोटी पर ,
अपने साहस का परचम लहराना है।

Here is a motivational video, please have a look at it. It is quite inspiring and reminds us to introspect. The best lines in this are:

“Imagine you are on your death bed and standing around your death bed are the ghosts representing your unfulfilled potential, the ghosts of the ideas you never acted on, the ghosts of the talents you didn’t use. And they are standing around your bed, angry, disappointed and upset. They say we came to you because you could have brought us to life and now we have to go to the grave together.
So I ask you today,how many ghosts are going to be around your bed when your time comes?”

Atithi Devo Bhav

by Sneha, posted in Culture

अतिथि देवो भव

“Atithi devo bhav (अतिथि देवो भव) is a common phrase used and believed in India. It is not just a statement but has its roots imbibed in the history. This hails from the Taittriya Upanishad where it is written “matrudevo bhav, pitrudevo bhav, acharyadevo bhav, atithi devo bhav.” The literal meaning of this is “be the one for whom Mother is God, be the one for whom Father is God, be the one for whom Teacher is God and be the one for whom Guest is God.”

Indian culture imbibes this great aspect of love and bondage amongst the citizens. We at India welcome our guests as the most revered people and extend our warm hospitality to them. This has always been  practised.

Historically, India was visited by many foreign travellers and explorers such as Megasthanese, Ptolemy, Fa-Hien, Hiuen-Tsang, Marco Polo, Nicoloi Conti, Ibn-e-batuta, Athnasius Niketin etc. They were welcomed and absorbed by the Indian fraternity. Cultural and literary exchanges took place among natives and travellers. Thus, the mix of cultures took place. It travelled great distances and knowledge got transferred, thus enhanced.

There are also few mythological beliefs behind this concept. The folk tales often describe a situation when a guest visits the host- “The host due to some reason, is rude and unwelcoming. Later, the hosts get to know that it was the Almighty or a deity who came at the doorstep of follower to test his dedication. So, the host repents for the behaviour shown.” The moral of the story is one must respect the visitor and pay due hospitality to the person.

India is a collection of different people belonging to different cultures, traditions and predecessors. Many have migrated from different places, just to live in this country. Yet all live in this beautiful country happily and in unity. They extend their customs and traditions. 

The reason behind this peace and harmony is atithi devo bhav. 

We, at India, welcome all with due respect. If a guest is coming at home, a whole lot of preparations are done to cater the needs of guests. There stay is made to be the most comfortable one. They are given a feeling of being at home. 

This ancient tradition of welcoming the guests is in circulation since years and is passed on from one generation to another explicitly or implicitly. When one visit someone’s house, the person is greeted by all the members present in the house at that time. Even a 3-year-old kid greets enthusiastically as an 80-year-old person. There is no veil of plasticity or hypocrisy. 

Everyone from a higher class to lower class are always equally excited to greet. Men make the arrangements for the guests to relax comfortably. Women make or get arranged delicious food for the guests. Children often run through the house helping the elders and thereafter greeting the guests, showing their toys, telling about their fun activities, also sometimes playing with the guests.  

This whole concept of atithidevo bhav when viewed with sociological point of view, it was a great significance in binding the social circle together. A society is a collection of individuals, their behaviour, customs, traditions and the harmony between them. If in a society there is a thread of brotherhood and togetherness, the existence of the society is more certain and long in comparison to others. This type of society gets a firm base and solid foundation to stand upon. India, due to its old and rich heritage of unity and togetherness has been one of the most ancient living societies. Its social norms are tied in a way to strengthen its bearing capacity. 

With the change from traditional societies to modern societies, much of the mannerisms are changing, yet the practice of atithi devo bhav is still living its life. One of the reasons is that it still passes the test of usage and is not rudimentary or orthodox in nature. 

Another very important reason for its existence is imbibing it via governance. The government of India has a special focus and promotion on this concept. India is a country which attracts millions of tourists visiting her. It may be natural serene beauty or heritage or cultural or business or personal or relaxation or educational or clinical trips etc. Due to this huge number of visitors as well as the related economical increase, it’s a huge benefit for India to tap. Atithi devo bhav is linked to the tourism industry and is being extensively used. It is also done to pay and motivate the natural love and respect for those visitors who are hailing from unknown cultures. This also acts as a social security feature of the unknowns in the nation. 

In this era of 21st century, this concept is no longer restricted to the boundaries of India. But atithi devo bhav has become a global term and culture. The foreign visitors who like this very concept are practicing it in their respective countries.

The Indians who are living in other nations have carried this culture there. They enjoy atithi devo bhav with their fellow mates and extend this unique culture across different nations. So, India being known for its peace, harmony and togetherness spreads its cultural wings to other nations, bringing in the feeling of togetherness and harmony among people.

We Indians welcome the anyone and everyone wholeheartedly with our love and warmth and saying “Atithi Devo Bhav!”

Who will walk on the right path?

by Sneha, posted in Climate

Declining status of air quality in India’s capital New Delhi and the neighbouring areas is the periodic phenomena that occurs in more or less same months every year. The causes and solutions are mostly known to everyone. Yet we are unable to manage and implement the solutions. These solutions are also eco-friendly and if implemented will be beneficial economically and culturally in longer run for the nation, it’s people and nature.

With the result only chaos prevails, the vulnerables are more prone and exposed to numerous fatal diseases. There is rise in those health problems which could be delayed or avoided, if timely and proper measures were taken.

There is a big question which most of us ask to one another. Who will walk on the right path practicing right measures? A blame game begins where we just pass the “ball of responsibility” from government to farmers to citizens to process to media and so on. So at the end nothing much is done, year passes and comes the next year posing the similar issues again.

Who will take the initiative? It’s high time that instead of passing the “ball of responsibility“, we become little bit selfish and take this initiative of “rectifying and avoiding the existing phenomena.”

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhis-aqi-levels-touch-500-mark-hit-severe-plus-emergency-category-6097771/

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhis-aqi-levels-touch-500-mark-hit-severe-plus-emergency-category-6097771/
Reference

Saving our Home: the Earth

by Sneha, posted in Climate

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) from number 13 to number 15 are directly related to Climate change. SDG number 13 is “Climate Action“; SDG number 14 is “Life Below Water“; SDG number 15 is “Life On Land“.

Many international conventions are functioning under Conference of Parties, which is a governing body and constantly working on the climate change and it’s related issues. But the sad fact is that there have been several meetings, conventions or conferences, we still are unable to act proactively to save the climate of our home ie the Earth.

Climate change is not a one time event or a slow periodic long time event. It is happening at a fast pace every nanoseconds. We are sometimes so busy in niche matters of our life, that we are unable to address the changes related to nature.

Those who are of minimum 20 years of age and above, just take out some free time and try to analyse is the weather of our vicinity is occurring at the same pace. Are the local plant and animal species retaining their counts or have entered in the extinct or threatened categories of IUCN’s Red list. Is the food production sufficiently available for all; are the healthy air and water quality parameters maintained; are the environment related health diseases have shown an increase; what is the graph of neonatal birth and death rates etc. There is a long never ending list and is easily visible all around us at any place.

It’s high time that our generation has to act in a sensible, learned, responsible and matured way to address both the already existing issues and the emerging ones. We have to act proactively rather than being reactive. Today our planet is at the edge of a sharp, deep cliff and majorly due to the non serious, disturbing human interventions and actions. There are many sufferers of this- one is the dependent flora and fauna species other than humans; two is the future generations to come.

Often there is a counter point to this debate of saving the climate and thereby Earth that “what can a single person’s action change?” There is a common saying in India “a single drop when collected leads to a sea.” This is exactly applicable here one person’s action will surely multiply to many and may be numerous. The only thing is we as a sensible individual must think, act and play our role to save this great planet which blessed us in numerous ways.

Lastly there is the following link where NASA has shown the images of climate change. Please have a look at this, what we have done and still are in the process of doing:

https://climate.nasa.gov/images-of-change?id=702#702-hurricane-dorian-devastates-northern-bahamas

A very small video clip is attached further. Now you decide what you want and wish to gift to future generations: either the NASA’s shown facts or this beautiful earth in the following video:

Source: National Geographic Channel

Saints: One of us or different beings?

by Sneha, posted in Motivation

“Being a saint! Oh, not my cup of tea.”; “Saints are different”; “To be saints, you need to leave everything, live in mountains and spend 20 years in austerity.”

We often encounter similar statements in our life. Whenever there is a discussion about whether saints are similar to us or how a person can be a saint. Due to lack of proper discussion, we go remote from the above topic and seal the question in an envelope.

We need to understand firstly that who is a saint? There can be numerous definations, but let’s keep it simple.

Any person who lives in present, is thoughtless, is above the cycle of joys or sorrows, speaks the truth, has love and compassion for all, is detached while living with people, is innocent, has no ego, is balanced and ethical in his behaviour, is creative, respects all living beings and nature equally, is away from all the ill habits, wrong practices, and greediness can be said as a saint. This defination may have many additions as per the individual.

Yes, Saints are different from others. But the journey to be one is not different. A saint is a saint not because he wears some different coloured clothes or lives in mountains, eats less, speaks nothing or very less. The person is a saint due to his attributes, characteristics, inner values, ethics, habits, behaviour etc.

We need to understand that each individual has two sides: the positive and the negative. A person with inclined more to his positive side is saintly than others and vice versa. In 21st century, any person with the above characteristics and still living a normal life amidst the world is a saint.

  • In a world full of greed, if a person is not greedy, he is similar to a saint.
  • Any person with equal and unconditional love, care, compassion for others, known or unknown is like a saint. Example: a mother’s love when extends to other children along with her own children, she becomes a universal mother.
  • If someone has the daring enough to say that the negative thing is wrong, is courageous enough to speak the truth, he is saintly in nature.
  • A person who dosen’t swing on the pendulum of past and future, and remains in present, is of course saintly.
  • A person who does not swim in the river of thoughts, and try and remain thoughtless, is really different. Just think, how many of us have absolute silence inside us, we always are entangled in a chain of endless thoughts?
  • Amidst the world full of shrewdness, falsehood, hypocrisy and artificiality, if a person is innocent yet intelligent and knowledgeable, is definitely different from others.
  • Any simple person or the one holding an important position, and yet not having ego for the work he has done or for some other reason, is saintly. These days, even when there is nothing, people have big superficial, virtual crowns of huge ego. They are unable to surpass “I, myself and mine.”

It’s not that we don’t know what all characteristics the saints posses. It’s just we don’t have the courage to accept and abide these practices in our daily life. We fear of what people will say or we may be excluded or neglected.

In present world, any human being with saintly attributes, living among the people is no less than a saint. Only the thing is he or she needs to discover himself or herself. He or she has to believe in himself or herself that, “These characteristics of mine are precious indeed. If l am having these attributes, I am the blessed person in this world.” Appreciate, adore and accept your values.

And those who aim to be one, don’t worry. There is one simple formula: “practice, self introspect and change.” That’s it! One day you yourself will feel that there is a change. It’s just about playing with the balance of positive and negative inside oneself. If one achieves it, drastic improvements are possible.

Do always remember:

You must not be cruel to others.

Practice, Self introspect and change!

October 2nd: Birthday of two Great Values

by Sneha, posted in Motivation

October 2nd, the great day when Mahatma Gandhiji, the father of India and former Prime Minister of India Late Shri Lal Bahadur Shastriji’s birthdays are whole heartedly celebrated.

Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.news18.com/amp/photogallery/india/mahatma-gandhi-100-rare-photos-you-must-see-1645549.html
Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/khabar.ndtv.com/news/career/lal-bahadur-shastri-jayanti-know-everything-about-lal-bahadur-shastri-in-hindi-2110014/amp/1%3fakamai-rum=off

Both of them showed directions to achieve a better future.

Who doesn’t know reverent M. K. Gandhiji, his weapon of non-violence is effective always. His four pillars ie power of non-violence, truthfulness, focus on self service, importance of villages in society are the building pillars of any nation. His perseverance and stress on these drastically helped two nations and many others indirectly, who followed these principles.

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastriji was a simple man with great virtues. His simplicity, dedication towards people, commitment to his work, humbleness in nature were a few qualities which stood him different from other good Prime Ministers. Being a very fair person, he never misutilized the amenities he got with his designation.

Both Gandhiji and Shastriji are reverently remembered even after so many years with the same or more fervor. It is not an exaggeration to say that they were not only two personalities but a whole bundle of many good characteristics and values. Those values which are present in every human being, knowingly or unknowingly.

We all have a “Gandhi” and a “Shastri” inside us. If we identify them, we make a better and sorted tomorrow for us and the society. If not, then we need to self introspect. These values were, are and will always be the key to problems of any society and its citizens. And yes, it may seem easy to just talk about them, but these are really one of the most difficult values to follow in life. A person need to have a lot of courage, valor and will power to pursue these values in his or her life. Many of the societies will get sorted and balanced if most of its citizens will recognise these values in themselves.

So this October we can give a thought that whether we just continue to celebrate their birthdays or let them be born inside us for a better tomorrow.

Get Set Go!

by Sneha, posted in Motivation

Arise, awake and do not stop until the goal is reached!

                                                                                 Swami Vivekanand

Long back, the above lines were quoted by Swami Vivekanand to motivate the people to rise again and not to quit. Humans are designed to take chances, learn and not to be disheartened with the shortcomings. Success and failures are the parts of life and go hand in hand. Both are necessary as they give learning in life.

With the declaration of UPSC results (or any other exam), some aspirants are disappointed and sad. It’s a normal reaction when things go wrong. But the need of the hour is to come out of this mode and discontinue this phase. This exam requires a lot of dedication, to such an extent that if one does not succeed, one feels that everything is lost. No, it’s not! One must know that any exam is not the life, instead the truth is that life has many facets out of which one is known as exam.

Before moving ahead, consider the following case. Suppose you are given a responsibility of installation of the new LED light bulbs in an area. There are two alternatives available out of which one is to be opted:

Scenario 1: You will install all LED’s on poles situated at one place, so that it will emit the brightest light.

Scenario 2: You will survey the area. Choose different locations to install all the LED’s separately, such that the area where the light of one bulb ends another bulb’s light reaches.

            In the above two scenarios, most of us will choose the case two. Why? It will shine and brighten up the whole area equally and fruitfully. Right?

Let us assume that those bulbs are the brilliant and intelligent minds who had been employed only in one profession, what positive impact and change it might have created? Certainly, a lot, but in a restricted setup. That is, all the development will take place in one particular area. It will make an impact but in restriction. Similarly, if everyone is an IAS or IPS officer, who will be an efficient doctor, engineer, teacher, entrepreneur, writer, NGO worker, journalist etc., society needs all of them.

            On the other hand, if the people are employed in different occupations, uniformly, as given in scenario two. What will be the scene? There will be holistic development. The different institutions of a system will work coherently. And so, the progress will be at fast pace.

This signifies that, if one field has closed its doors for you, it doesn’t mean the end of the world. There are many more avenues eagerly waiting for a person like you. Other sectors also need those brilliant minds with selfless service and noble missions. If you have a finer and nobler objective to choose as an occupation don’t worry, you will achieve it. But for that, you must buck up yourself. You must again stand and survey the possibilities. Have immense confidence in yourself, so that you can start afresh.

          Just think, if the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi ji would have been satisfied to continue only as a lawyer, could he ever bring the remarkable change in Indian history? He had a responsibility to take decision not only for himself but also for the masses. It was a tough task to do with dwindling probabilities. But the halts could not bound him in chains of sadness and despair, because he had the larger dream of “free nation” always twinkling in his eyes.

            If Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam in his childhood had thought that he would dwell only in the limitations of his childhood, just as an ordinary fellow, he might never have created history in the world of science and for the entire country. As an eminent scientist he introduced a new direction to the space programs and as an efficient President, he shaped the future of the country for a better tomorrow and inspired millions of young minds.

“Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place – that is, the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have perseverance to realise the great life.”

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

One can argue well these heroes are the matters of the past and may be rare among millions! What about the present time?

            Let us remember that Dr Prakash Amte and Dr Mandakini Amte have been living in interior part of Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra for 46 years. Despite being doctors with a bright future ahead, they chose to live very humbly among the unknown, the most neglected and downtrodden tribe Madia Gonds (living in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra and some parts of neighbouring states of Telangana and Madhya Pradesh). They had altogether different culture, lifestyle and language. The views of societal benefit and community development of both Amtes, their strong determination and the constant hard work reformed the tribal community towards a better and happier life.

       An engineer and education reformist Sonam Wangchuk founded Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) in Ladakh in 1988. After his graduation he went back and opened the above-mentioned school for the training and shaping the minds of future, the children. He introduced the unique educational system, based and linked with daily observations, structured upon the base of practical approach.

            The list is never exhausted. India is a land of many sung and unsung heroes who always stood up after failures, chose the roads less travelled, brainstormed the alternatives and brought prosperity in their chosen fields. Look around yourself and you will find millions of people in different fields (viz teachers, doctors, scientists, entrepreneurs, social workers, farmers, even a housewife etc) with noble missions, bringing about the change.

If the dream is big and noble, aiming towards a positive change, whatsoever may be the area, the impact will certainly be visible. The only thing is you require immense faith in yourself. You have the potentials to achieve great goals of life. Setbacks and failures are part of life. Even a child learns to walk only by falling again and again, overcoming his/her fears. Don’t be afraid of hard work and tough times ahead, because the field which you pursued so far was equally tough and needed hard work.

            Don’t give up as you have the potentials and the “right will” (one of the preaching of the Gautam Buddha’s Ashtangika Marg). What is desired, is self-belief and right action. Brainstorm afresh and choose the right direction, pursue it wholeheartedly and dedicate yourself totally. It is not as easy task, but not impossible either.

The journey is never comfortable for the heroes!

            It is true that many times you might feel demotivated, don’t worry, it is mere a phase, a cycle of life, will pass soon. “Waqt ye bhi guzar jayega!”

Be patient with time, “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” Meanwhile be hopeful and positive minded.

Don’t let your spirits be low, as your dreams are still waiting for you! The bright future is eager to welcome you.

Your dream still believes on you and is sitting alone for your company.

Rise, stand, run towards it with greater courage and determination and take your dreams with you to the future you imagined.

Always Remember:

 It's OK to fall,
 It's OK to fail,
 It's OK to encounter shortcomings.
 But, 
 It's NOT OK to not to rise again,
 It's NOT OK to not to try again,
 It's NOT OK to not to have another chance,
 It's NOT OK to consider yourself a sufferer.
 Rise upright,
 Be a Warrior,
 Be a Winner,
 And empower your dreams,
 Because they are waiting for you!

Let us learn from Sarojini Naidu’s always inspiring and motivating lines, whenever we find ourselves in tough times: 

                                     “Behold! I rise to meet the destined spring,
                                     And scale the stars upon my broken wing!”

                                                                                    Sarojini Naidu