Living the Indian dream...

July 4 1776, the day United States of America declared its Independence from colonial rule using an charter called the United States 'Declaration of Independence'. The US as we know it today; is based on the constitution formed then, by its founding fathers and they swear by it even today, in the 21st century, nearly 234 years after its Independence. The founding fathers gave every American; an inalienable rights of Life, Liberty and Pursuit of happiness and people to this day call it living the American dream. Elections are fought and won on the ability to provide a conducive environment by the candidate to his fellow Americans to live the "American dream". Its this simple concept called the "American dream" that unites 350 million Americans under one roof; they are no more blacks and whites, immigrants and locals they are only Americans. They are proud of the fact that they are a beacon to a democratic world and they preach and practice it.



India was liberated from its colonial masters some 60 odd years ago. We are still a young democracy and have not yet perfected the art. There are sections of public life that are conducted as part of dynastic politics or personal fiefdom. There are many a loop holes in our "system" and no one denies that; but we are a great country despite these shortcomings. The constitution came into force in 1950 and our founding fathers put a lot of thought into the draft and kept it a live document rather than a snapshot of the past, meaning there have been constant amendments based on change of times. There are so many provisions of our constitution that we know not of, so many rights given to us that our masses don't exercise and the political class have done very little to sell brand India to its masses. Why are we so proud of America and its "system" while know very little of our own. We do not bother to know who our leaders are and what do they stand for, when the elections are held; but we know every single detail about the US president including his personal life and its gory details. Why are we so unwilling to contribute to our society and create and build brand India but more than willing to contribute to the research and economy of western nations. Its a sad state of affairs and being a proud Indian, I feel pity that 1.2 billion people are failing a great nation. We are split into people who are unaware of what they can do to help India and people who are unwilling to do anything for India.



Commonwealth games is an excellent example of the same. People like Suresh Kalmadi and his cronies knew what they had to deliver and on what timeline, some 8 years ago, yet they messed it up willfully. They failed their nation because they were unwilling to do what was required. The rest of us were so apathetic about athletic sports that we were unaware how we could help. Even now, we do not care to go and cheer our team when they are competing. Its people like us that allow the Suresh Kalmadi's to stick to an important post of IOA president for freaking 15 years, milking it dry of funds. I don't remember the last time India has won a medal in athletics, mostly because of lack of infrastructure and proper coaches and add to that corrupt officials who are willing to siphon off all the funds allocated for the players. The sad part is, this is not all that is wrong with us. There are so many ways corruption has crept into our systems that now we have began to accept it as a way of life. When was the last time we went into a government organization and got through without paying a bribe? That's the problem, accepting that we are corrupt and living with it. We, the citizens of this great country have done a great disservice to our nation and are diluting its brand value oversees. People look at us as smart and industrious; but in the same breath say we cant be relied upon and are easily corruptible.

The first thing we have to change, and quickly is refuse to be corrupted and take accountability of our actions. The moment you realise that what you do matters to the country and you are in a very small way contributing to the brand India, you will know how to differentiate the right and wrong. Chinese are fiercely patriotic in this field. They know the don't deliver best of the goods (quality wise) but every person swears by Chinese goods. They don't have best of the governments but they still stand by it and don't like to hear people bad mouthing their government. They don't have free hand to express themselves but they don't complain and find ways to make the best of existing circumstances. If they can be proud of a nation that does not even give them freedom to vote, then why not us. Why are Indians the first to bad mouth our systems rather than making an effort to change them. Why are we the first in line to abuse our rights and break our laws then use our positions to get away with it. Why don't we realise that we are the "system" and its deficiencies are our deficiencies. Just ask yourself, if we the people of India don't work for our country.... who will ???

So long....

Little victories......

Hello friends.. I recently heard a song which kinda made sense to me in many ways and I thought more people should hear about it that's why I am posting it here. Funny story, it gives out a different meaning to every reader depending on whats going on in your life. So enzoy.....

This time, I'll be sailing
No more bailing boats for me
I'll be out here on the sea
Just my confidence and me
And I'll be awful sometimes
Weakened to my knees
But I'll learn to get by
On the little victories

This time, I'll have no fear
I'll be standing strong and tall
Turn my back towards them all
I'll be awful sometimes
Weakened to my knees
I'll learn to get ; I'll learn to get by
On the little victories

And if the world decides to catch up with me
It's a little victory.



Here's to all the little victories of our lives that help us motor on despite all the setbacks and failures that we face. Cheerz :)

So long..

Whatever I do is insignificant... but its important that I do it.

Hello guys, been reading a lot lately and came across this particular quote and I found it interesting. Add to that, another quote I heard President Obama use a lot, "Be the change you want to see in this world" and you have a recipe for a short story. Frankly, I do not idolise Barack Obama and I find the story of his life pretty regular, even though it may seem like "living the American dream" to many. However, I do like his views, the articulate manner in which he puts them forward and certain motivational quotes he uses from time to time in his speeches. I would pick one of them and give my 2 cents worth on the same.


Every time I think of doing something out of the regular, I used to ask myself will it matter to anyone what I do? Will anyone notice that I did a good thing towards XYZ ; will the world ever know my story. Turns out, no one cares what I do and no one is interested in it.. then should I go ahead and do it? I think I should, cos its important to me. Anna Hazare, the eternal crusader against corruption or say the countless NGOs that are working in India today, worked / work / will work despite the fact that people like us show general apathy towards the cause they take up. They do it to validate their beliefs and most importantly to be the change they want to see in this world.


Sister Teresa started the Missionaries of Charity at Calcutta when she was merely an 20 year old Nun. She used to go into the slums on Calcutta and try and nurse the poor and homeless. She had a small group of people assisting her and at that point of time. She neither had the financial or moral support to go on in this manner. Imagine, how many people must have told her to go back to her home country and run an educational institution, as most Nuns do. Imagine being in a foreign country; not knowing the language and going into the city's underbelly areas (normally infamous for shady activities) and trying to shelter the homeless; feed the hungry; clothe the poor and nurse the sick at cost of risking personal security. How many people would undergo so many adversities to take care of people you do not know, who are not even your country men with no publicity and with no one even bothering to ask "why are you doing this". Today, Missionaires of Charity is a renouned organization; Mother Teresa is a world citizen and soon the Vatican will grant her saint hood. But am sure if you asked Mother Teresa, she would say that she would have worked with same enthusiasm even without any recognition towards her work. That was because, she never did it for others to recognise, she did it to validate her inner call, to give the love of God to his less fortunate sons and daughters... most importantly to show respect towards human life.


Brings me to the original point, when we decide to do something, never think about how it is going to impact others; how many people will recognise the work, effort etc.. Always understand, whatever you do will always be insignificant at a world stage, but you must still go ahead and do it.. just for yourself... and for a fact that "If every person tries to be the change he wants in this world.. together, we can make this a better place for all" .....

So long .....

An eye for an eye makes half the world blind...

'Retribution' is one of the strongest word in English dictionary not quite as strong as 'Forgiveness' , but still strong enough b'coz it is involved in a major chunk of criminal motives. We have always heard people commit horrendous crimes to get even with each other and that brings us to the original question, why is retribution so important to us ? In other words, why is getting even with each other so important that we end up losing our minds and in many cases end up losing our lives for it.

When someone does something wrong towards us, that person knows it and is in a way burning in the guilt of it, the retribution that we seek is only gives a chance to justify that person's action in the first place and gives them even more reason to hate you. This is a vicious cycle that will never end. Whats funny though, is that none of the parties involved dare to forgive and end the matter. Its a simple solution and it seeks your revenge too. The next time someone does wrong towards you, acknowledge the fact that the wrong was done and then forgive them. Trust me, the guilt of wrong doing burns in them and brings about a change of heart and change in attitude. Its not an immediate effect, but we all know that instant solutions have never solved the problems.

In an Interview to the Press in Karachi about the execution of Bhagat Singh (23 March 1931); Gandhi begins by making a statement on his failure "to bring about the commutation of the death sentence of Bhagat Singh and his friends." He is asked two questions. First: "Do you not think it impolitic to forgive a government which has been guilty of a thousand murders?" Gandhi replies: "I do not know a single instance where forgiveness has been found so wanting as to be impolitic." In a follow-up question, Gandhi is asked: "But no country has ever shown such forgiveness as India is showing to Britain?" Gandhi replies: "That does not affect my reply. What is true of individuals is true of nations. One cannot forgive too much. The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."


In today's world being a Gandhi and thinking like him is impractical, but if at one point in time we as a nation could forgive so many wrong doings of a foreign power then surely we can extend some bonhomie towards our own country men. Lets try walking past few bitter instances of life and dwelling on them, for life is all about living it up. If its impossible to forgive certain things in life, then we can surely let go of the person involved rather than seek mindless retribution. For once spake a great man, "An eye for an eye makes half the world blind"...

So long...