No, No... I've not given up. Not after all the mayhem,bloodshed and the war on my country. No, I've not given up. I'm just preparing my to-do list. This time I need time to think through the list.
Basic rules - action within my scope of control, timelines, accountability - all basic project management. But yes, this time its my country who needs my services.
I started with a small step - spreading awareness. Now, one would argue that's vague. But this is how I've achieved objectiveness
- Never remain silent when I, to the best of my knowledge, know that I'm hearing is incorrect - morally and factually
- Influence through written and spoken words. Start contributing to the local dailies of Assam. I will have to start small - graduate from my state to my country and who knows, to the world. And as Maa says, people in the cities have access to publications but its the people in places like Guwahati who need hope, assurance and ideas.
- Educate the uneducated Indians; not letters but ideals. My action - teach Manoj. Today I taught him about the geographical boundaries of India, earth's rotation & revolution. I want him to appreciate the world at large, and grow out of his small village. THis is my dream for every Indian
- Learn, learn, learn - Indian history, world history, politics, economics, international relations - with sis & Rajib. Answers to today's problems are often found in history. So, I will make myself aware.
- Make an attempt at Civil Services. If ISB happens, take social entrepreneurship seriously. Otherwise, start executing the plan. My hope preparing for IAS will atleast give me the foundation to know my country & world diplomacy/affairs better. I can always reconsider how best is to serve the country, make use of my life
- Intelligence, ability are gifts. Make use of them. And its a sin if I don't use, and more so, if I let incapable people lead me. Leadership is an attitude. And leaders are also responsible to rectify irresponsible leadership of mistaken-leadership
Keep motivation high
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Friday, December 05, 2008
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Decent democracy
The decent, peaceful transition happening in White House currently from President Bush to President-elect Obama has left me wondering - why do we lack decency so much? What's the root cause? Why do we need to tolerate leaders who are in the news for abusing reporters, airport officers, mud-slinging at opposition for the sake of opposing,criminals....? Why? Why can't our leaders be self-respecting, decent human beings? Why? Why do they have to be noisy, indecent to be political leaders?
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
My parents' dreams of me after Obama
I am still reeling in the news of Obama's success. In some ways, I consider this my personal victory. In some strange ways I could relate to Jesse Jackson's tears, and to the cries of victory in Times Square. Yes - one would argue what do I know of Jesse's struggle to claim affinity? Very right. Probably being born to parents who belong to post independence India, I've no clue. But I do identify the feeling, and in some watered down versions of it still face it everyday - if not directly, through the struggles and pain of the brothers and sisters of my community. We have such a long way to go, and yet we keep ourselves busy in wars of religion, caste, and our own narrow visions ramified in our own narrow worlds. We have such a long way to go - human life can be so much better.
And in the midst of all the excitement and emotional whirlwind, my parents say something...
My parents have not been as involved with the election campaign as I was. In general, for them the local Assamese daily carries all the news that they care about the world. The world outside that newspaper seems so distant for them, so far away, so un-real. I'm perhaps their only connection to the world. And I've been bugging them with so much talking about Obama that my poor parents were forced to educate themselves on the American election and specifically on Obama. Bless their good souls - how much they will do for me! And my sister - I converted each of them to my hopes, my dreams, my beliefs. Thank you - Ma, Deta, Moo and now, Rajib.
Anyway, without digressing - my dad calls me full of excitement in the morning. He was traveling to work from home - he works in another town in Assam, away from our home. He perhaps had the solitude to make this calls; he usually doesn't do this heart-to-heart talk with his daughter in the presence of Maa. " Majoni, you must be still busy reading about Obama, enjoying his victory".And then he prepares for the ultimate objective of the call, " He has proved if there is a hope, a dream and a belief, its possible. You just need to dream big and strong".I agree energetically as I have been long engaged in this mission of making them aware of what's possible in this progressive world. And then comes the thunder, "Majoni, you've to become our Obama. You must. The world needs, specially our corner of the world, needs such forces. You will be able to do it" And then as if I'm almost in between things, he goes ahead to predict road blocks," But our system is a problem. Honesty and sincerity are put to challenge in our system. You must have the grit. But I guess being from the old world, I can caution you of the probabilities." Just at that moment, the network got disconnected. Good it did. Thank you - Assam's winding roads through hills. I could not have taken more of it. There was too much going on in my head.
After a few minutes, almost like a plot of conspiracy unfolding, Maa calls." So how are you feeling?" In some ways, my parents treat Obama's win as my personal victory. I respond to that question with gibberish -so much to say, so many good thoughts in my mind. Then in her motherly censure, " How long will we keep admiring other countries, other leaders? When will your generation give us that hope? Rise up to the cause!" That's my mother. She doesn't waste two minutes to tell me that her moment of pride is in seeing me do something that will change the lives of the majority of the community for better, rather than seeing me live a comfortable life in a beautiful house. This has been her tone always. But it become stronger after she finished reading "Daughter of the East". Doing good to the masses is her religion. She follows it passionately.
Maa, Deta - you've expressed a strong dream to me today. The very fact that you believe in my ability is inspiration, responsibility enough. I don't know how to collect myself. But I will for sure. Thank you for the strength. My life means so much more than the frustration in office, frustration over the boss who limits me everywhere, frustration from the system - your words spoken today will me steer me through the journey and accompany me to the destination. The journey doesn't seem difficult any longer; the challenges on the way don't bother me for I can see the world beyond the mountains. Thank you again.
But to start the journey, I need to prepare. And the first step is to cleanse myself. I must teach myself to think about the good - the benefit of all, benefit of self too - all balanced, and symbiotic. Lift everyone else with me. But to be able to know of the possibilities, I must first lift myself - see the elevated plan.
Kopili, I hope you're reading my thoughts. That's our journey Kopili, to make the best of our life. To work hard. To have dreams. And to conquer the world - with goodness, with talent, with sensitivity towards one and all.
I feel so much better!
And in the midst of all the excitement and emotional whirlwind, my parents say something...
My parents have not been as involved with the election campaign as I was. In general, for them the local Assamese daily carries all the news that they care about the world. The world outside that newspaper seems so distant for them, so far away, so un-real. I'm perhaps their only connection to the world. And I've been bugging them with so much talking about Obama that my poor parents were forced to educate themselves on the American election and specifically on Obama. Bless their good souls - how much they will do for me! And my sister - I converted each of them to my hopes, my dreams, my beliefs. Thank you - Ma, Deta, Moo and now, Rajib.
Anyway, without digressing - my dad calls me full of excitement in the morning. He was traveling to work from home - he works in another town in Assam, away from our home. He perhaps had the solitude to make this calls; he usually doesn't do this heart-to-heart talk with his daughter in the presence of Maa. " Majoni, you must be still busy reading about Obama, enjoying his victory".And then he prepares for the ultimate objective of the call, " He has proved if there is a hope, a dream and a belief, its possible. You just need to dream big and strong".I agree energetically as I have been long engaged in this mission of making them aware of what's possible in this progressive world. And then comes the thunder, "Majoni, you've to become our Obama. You must. The world needs, specially our corner of the world, needs such forces. You will be able to do it" And then as if I'm almost in between things, he goes ahead to predict road blocks," But our system is a problem. Honesty and sincerity are put to challenge in our system. You must have the grit. But I guess being from the old world, I can caution you of the probabilities." Just at that moment, the network got disconnected. Good it did. Thank you - Assam's winding roads through hills. I could not have taken more of it. There was too much going on in my head.
After a few minutes, almost like a plot of conspiracy unfolding, Maa calls." So how are you feeling?" In some ways, my parents treat Obama's win as my personal victory. I respond to that question with gibberish -so much to say, so many good thoughts in my mind. Then in her motherly censure, " How long will we keep admiring other countries, other leaders? When will your generation give us that hope? Rise up to the cause!" That's my mother. She doesn't waste two minutes to tell me that her moment of pride is in seeing me do something that will change the lives of the majority of the community for better, rather than seeing me live a comfortable life in a beautiful house. This has been her tone always. But it become stronger after she finished reading "Daughter of the East". Doing good to the masses is her religion. She follows it passionately.
Maa, Deta - you've expressed a strong dream to me today. The very fact that you believe in my ability is inspiration, responsibility enough. I don't know how to collect myself. But I will for sure. Thank you for the strength. My life means so much more than the frustration in office, frustration over the boss who limits me everywhere, frustration from the system - your words spoken today will me steer me through the journey and accompany me to the destination. The journey doesn't seem difficult any longer; the challenges on the way don't bother me for I can see the world beyond the mountains. Thank you again.
But to start the journey, I need to prepare. And the first step is to cleanse myself. I must teach myself to think about the good - the benefit of all, benefit of self too - all balanced, and symbiotic. Lift everyone else with me. But to be able to know of the possibilities, I must first lift myself - see the elevated plan.
Kopili, I hope you're reading my thoughts. That's our journey Kopili, to make the best of our life. To work hard. To have dreams. And to conquer the world - with goodness, with talent, with sensitivity towards one and all.
I feel so much better!
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Believe in the light....its there...
What is this? A mockery of human life? What started in Bangalore, followed by Ahmedabad, then Delhi, Delhi again in two weeks Malegaon, Ahmedabad again, and now my very own North East. There’s a pain in my head that doesn’t seem to go. I’ve been praying and praying. God – the cosmic force give the world goodness, bless the world. I’m certain the prayers will be heard. Definitely heard. I’ve been driving my family crazy by forcing them indoors. But then – its the festive season. This is the time to visit friends and family and share the good times together. That’s naturally human spirit.
No. I’m not ready believe the other side. There will be peace. We must strongly believe in it.
When I was growing up, my worst fear was that I will be religious some day. I was young and defiance was my religion. I believed cosmic force is in me – I’m my hope, my faith, hence I’m religion. I believed “God” ? ( I wouldn’t even use the term for I didn’t believe in idols made of stone) is intelligence, wisdom, sensitivity, goodness – hence “God” was in me – and that was my religion. Somehow down the years – I “converted”, somewhat. The person who would never pray in the traditional, customary sense began praying. As I grew up, I needed those conversations – the onslaught of the world around me was becoming too much to handle with my so called “intelligence, wisdom”. I needed to have my moments with “God” who I still define as a cosmic force who surely “controls” the world in ways that I can’t define. I know there is some force.
Protect the world - that’s my earnest prayer. Protect my family. Protect everyone’s family.
Even when I was agnostic, I believed in the powers of the scriptures. For the fear of receiving the “biased” interpretation, I inferred my own lessons from the scriptures. And I believe in “Karma Yoga”. Whoever is distressed like me – try this, it works. Sink yourself in “Karma” – the good will come. Let the good cosmic rays radiate from you, good will come. And pray. Converse with the voice. Converse with the force. Stay calm. Its after all – intelligence, common sense that drives everything.
The good will come. That’s inevitable. Have faith.
No. I’m not ready believe the other side. There will be peace. We must strongly believe in it.
When I was growing up, my worst fear was that I will be religious some day. I was young and defiance was my religion. I believed cosmic force is in me – I’m my hope, my faith, hence I’m religion. I believed “God” ? ( I wouldn’t even use the term for I didn’t believe in idols made of stone) is intelligence, wisdom, sensitivity, goodness – hence “God” was in me – and that was my religion. Somehow down the years – I “converted”, somewhat. The person who would never pray in the traditional, customary sense began praying. As I grew up, I needed those conversations – the onslaught of the world around me was becoming too much to handle with my so called “intelligence, wisdom”. I needed to have my moments with “God” who I still define as a cosmic force who surely “controls” the world in ways that I can’t define. I know there is some force.
Protect the world - that’s my earnest prayer. Protect my family. Protect everyone’s family.
Even when I was agnostic, I believed in the powers of the scriptures. For the fear of receiving the “biased” interpretation, I inferred my own lessons from the scriptures. And I believe in “Karma Yoga”. Whoever is distressed like me – try this, it works. Sink yourself in “Karma” – the good will come. Let the good cosmic rays radiate from you, good will come. And pray. Converse with the voice. Converse with the force. Stay calm. Its after all – intelligence, common sense that drives everything.
The good will come. That’s inevitable. Have faith.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
India's poverty
One third of the world's poor lives in India.456 million is the number - 42% of India's population if you consider $1.25 per day as the poverty line.
India also has 828 milion people, or 75.6% of the population living below $2 a day, beating Sub-Saharan desert, considered world's poorest region with 72.2% living below $2 per day level, or 551 milliion.
Is anyone taking note of these numbers?
India also has 828 milion people, or 75.6% of the population living below $2 a day, beating Sub-Saharan desert, considered world's poorest region with 72.2% living below $2 per day level, or 551 milliion.
Is anyone taking note of these numbers?
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