Dhalta din

Suraj ko chupta dekhkar, pani mein bhujta dekhkar,
Mann mein hulchul si ho gayi, subah ko dhalta dekhkar.
Panchi ghar ko janne lage, patte bhi murjhane lage,
sharma ke dhupp bhi dhal gayi,chanda ko uggta dekhkar.

Sunsan galiyaan jag si gayi, bachoon ke nanhe kadmon se,
Mausam bhi mastaan ho utha,shamma ko jalta dekhkar.
Lehron mein raftaar aa gayi, dil mein umaang si chaa gayi,
Kehne ko din toh dhal gaya, par rangeen shaam hai aa gayi.

Milne ki khushiyon se ghuli, chehre pe kai muskaane hain,
kisne kaha umeed ka daman bus bhor hi thame hai.
Sapno ki raah dekhti, aankhon ko rahat mil gayi,
bechain dhadkan tham gayi, tumko ghar aata dekhkar.

WHAT capital are we building for ourselves???

Education in India is seen as one of the ways to upward social mobility. Education is the essence of life. The primitive man was no better than a wild animal but that same man has now become dignified and coherent to a great extent only due to education. Today, India claims to be the biggest supplier of human resource in the world but WHAT capital are we building for ourselves???
On the one hand we have IIMs & IITs that rank among the best institutes in the world and on the other hand there are number of schools in the country that don't even have the basic infrastructure. Moreover, the present Education system is not shaping youth with a significant Value system. They are preparing them as mere Job seekers, who think that their future lies in going abroad. Very few of the best brains like to stay and serve the country.
Good Education is one that makes you free, makes you experiment and makes you ask questions. Ultimately, it makes you realize what you are. But, on the contrary- youngsters in India do not have the freedom of selecting their career. They are forced to become engineers, doctors, MBA’s and IAS officers. It’s their family who decides their fate and forces them into a world which is far the opposite of what they dreamt of. And the outcome is –stress, lack of initiative, drive and self –reliance.
The ills of present educational institutes are no less. They don’t help child to become independent but just stress on completion of syllabus to pass exam. Education has turned into a business with private coaching centers mushrooming at every corner. To make the condition worse, there are reservations based on religion and caste. This system of reservation tells the backward class students that they don't need to work hard because they have a spoon fed seat in front of them. And many students who have scored more marks but belong to the upper class are not admitted because of fewer seats whereas the students belonging to backward classes are reserved.
In India, most of the institutions teach students everything. They make the syllabi so big that students even become inclined to leave the stream of education and service. They start considering other occupations. Institutions teach students everything but most of the students don’t learn most of the content. Why not let the students specialize in a particular field? The worst part of it is that they incline the students to mug up things, as the hierarchy of level of education increases. The students with practical knowledge lose marks just because they don’t like to mug up and the institutions want specific words mentioned in the text written in the books.
Today, education is not the career of choice, but it is the career of compromise. If you are a teacher, people sympathize with you. Education is one of the highest profit making ‘industries’ in the service sector, but its workers are paid much less.
Creativity and independent thinking is not encouraged. Mugging up and passing exams is becoming more important than learning concepts. This has to change.
What Indian Education System needs?
• Education which encourages innovation and creativity. Encouraging research activities. Giving more importance to practical learning rather than theoretical.
• Greater investments into education, public as well as private are required. We need world class infrastructure and best talents in all schools and universities of India. These resources should not remain limited to a handful of IIT’s or IIM’s.
• To curb corruption - this is cutting deep roots into Indian society and not sparing education industry.
• Selection of student should be merit based not caste or religion based.
• Curriculum should be more relevant to equip students to suit market demands.

Centuries Old.....Young issue!!

The 21st Century is just around the corner and with it will come many changes in today's modern society.
Is this what you believe in????
Actually, I also used to believe in it …but not now.
The dream of better society and a better world have been shattered by face of world coming in front of my eyes since past few years.
Last week’s news of increasing cases of Honor Killing, Deoband‘s fatwa against working Muslim women in India and young leaders supporting something as evil as Khap panchayat, made me mourn on ideals Indians are living on.
Out of above mentioned concerns Honor killing comes out to be the worst practice going on. As far as Deoband’s fatwa is concerned, I just feel like who needs a self appointed guardian of Indian Muslim. I really don’t want to give this any more air and the same is what I suggest to others. Further, there is this whole age old practice of Khap panchayat…though I bet nobody knew about it a week before. I realized that Honor killing and Khap panchayat are interrelated topics …so let me unfold them both together.
Just a couple of days back I was reading about an incident where police arrested the mother of Delhi-based journalist Nirupama Pathak on the charges of honor killing. It’s awful to realize that to be young and in love has proved fatal for many young girls and boys, just because this intolerant and bigoted society refused to accept any violation to its strict code of decorum. Many such killings are happening regularly in north India especially Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. These merciless killings are socially sanctioned by caste panchayats known as Khap panchayat and carried out by mobs with the consultancies of family members. The whole concept of honor killing arises from society where women are presumed as vessels of family honor and reputation. In a society where most marriages are arranged by fathers and money is often exchanged, a woman's desire to choose her own husband is viewed as a major act of defiance that damages the honor of the family.
The problem of “honor killings” is not a problem of morality or of ensuring that women maintain their own personal virtue; rather, it is a problem of domination, power and hatred of women who, in these instances, are viewed as nothing more than servants to the family, both physically and symbolically. The problem in the villages is the presence of their own belief system and laws never seems to reach there. The strong presence of a panchayat or informal court that consists of members of the same caste who decide all matters relating to their community is worsening the situation.
It would be wrong to say that honor killing only involves the killing of women. Men are equally victims of this practice, especially when it affects the reputation of a particular caste and community. Many grooms have been killed by the father or the brother of the bride.
Unfortunately, the legal safeguards who should protect women and men from such indiscriminate and unlawful act, are blinded by luster of money and are sitting in their offices just to manipulate the papers of cases.

REMEDY:
In my opinion the usual remedy to eradicate such practice, is to make efforts towards sensitizing people on the need to do away with social biases. Also, there should be no escape for those who take justice into their own hands. So far, there is no specific law to deal with honor killings. The murders come under the general categories of homicide or manslaughter. Hence, it becomes difficult to point out the culprit.
There is a strong need for government intervention in this issue. The government needs to enforce strict measures to stop honor killings. There should be a ban on all decisions made by these self appointed courts in the villages because they are taking innocent lives in the name of belief.
Concomitant attention must be paid for meeting basic human needs and solving problems stemming from poverty and illiteracy, as these are often the root of disturbing social trends.
Concluding by quoting the words of a wise man from Amnesty International:
"Change can't happen if it's just people working inside the system; they're overwhelmed. International campaigns and media attention give them some ballast and the ability to say 'Look, the world is watching what is going on here,' and provides support for making change in their own countries."

P.S: This is just my concern over the evil issue. Please, help make society better……share your views .

No one wants to be son-less!!!!

“Even today birth of girl child is viewed as a bad investment for future!!!!”
It’s the most beautiful day in life of every woman when she gets to know that she is expecting. But sometimes her expectations shape out in the ugliest way…in a way she could never have imagined.
Last week I was having a casual discussion with my cousin about how the women’s have really proved to be the pillars of the nation, how women in the past were deprived of education .they were not given any active participation rights and neither any privileges .the society was male dominated and was ruled mainly by ethics and morals. But now the women are enjoying the topmost supremacy and these have won over intelligence and mental capacity of the men. Suddenly our discussion was interrupted by my house maid Lakshmi and what she told us after that was shocking and made me cry over the plight of common women in Indian society.
She remembers the day when she came to know about her fifth pregnancy….she was at seventh sky, she wanted to rush to her husband and give him the good news. She ran barefooted but suddenly something inside her asked to stop….Her inner voice asked her...”What if this is also a girl?” “Have you forgotten about the last three abortions?” “Are you ready to bear it once again?” “Are you going to get this one also killed?” She moved to tears when she recollects the memories of her past. She narrates that she has been lucky to give birth to a boy as her first child and the only child till now. Her other three babies were aborted after sex determination tests, on knowing that the foetuses were female. With pain in her voice, she explains that my family feels that girls are a burden and after they are born, family needs to collect lot of dowry for her marriage and for poor people like us, it is not possible whereas sons are considered to be the only hope of old age and even after life and also they will bring in lot of money in form of dowry when they get married. Lakshmi said, “I knew that if this time also it is going to be a girl, she again have to go for an abortion.” But this time she was not ready to sacrifice her womb….this time she was sure she is going to give birth to a child....she was sure once a child is born whether it be a boy or girl her family will accept it. So, she collected herself and went to her maternal home in village. She didn’t tell her husband about her pregnancy. She was happy that now her child is safe. Her village had no facility for sex determination, so nine months passed without even consulting a doctor. Midwives are still popular at her place as she says. The day of her labor came and she gave birth to a girl child. But what happened after that is far beyond anyone can imagine. Her family refused to nurse her baby girl. To silence the infant's famished cries, the impoverished village woman squeezed the milky sap from some shrub, mixed it with castor oil, and forced the poisonous potion down the newborn's throat. The baby bled from the nose, then died soon afterward. Female neighbors buried her in a small hole near Lakshmi's hut. Lakshmi pleaded everybody present there for life of her child but no one came forward for help.
After listening to her story, I realized that India, a land that is regarded for its deeply cherished values and culture cannot escape its own social evils. The phenomenon of female infanticide is as old as many cultures, and has likely accounted for millions of gender-selective deaths throughout history. Women don’t go missing as young girls, wives or mothers but they go missing even before they are born. And it is the society that is to blame for this, for the real perpetrators of the crime are amongst us and they go scot-free every time.
The reason for this is unchecked technology combined with affordability that has made the practice of female infanticide a norm. People have completely shifted to female foeticide as a more ‘sanitary option'. But still we hear the news of few-days-old infants found dead in bushes, public toilets, parks or garbage bins. It’s like the aim of people hasn’t changed –no one wants to be son-less.
India a country where people worship more goddesses than any other in the world - female infanticide occurs at highest rate and we stand mute and indifferent. We refer India as “Mother India” but when it comes to having a girl child, even some of the richest couples refrain from doing so. It is really tough being a girl in a man’s world in India because here every right to live or be born is not granted to you.
Although all of us take pride in our Indian culture, we need to recognize that there is something fundamentally wrong with a culture that assumes the superiority of males, and that celebrates Indian women for being meek, submissive and sacrificial. One way you can help counter this mindset is by being proud of the women in your life, and by taking pride in yourself if you are a women .

For some or the other reason we always complain about shortage of time. I have heard people saying, that why there are only 24 hours in a day, they don’t get time for themselves. Well, that is not only a ridiculous statement we hear or say all the time, instead we always have bunch of such statements that we say to prove ourselves innocent and time guilty for all what we miss in life .
There was a time when I was sailing in the same boat, overworked, over scheduled and overwhelmed. My life was in a constant state of upheaval. That was a time when I was in 11th standard and was also taking coaching for engineering and medical exams. I was always so busy, never had time to even sit and chat with my family and friends. I was always irritated and stressed. Then one day my father came up to me and sat beside me, he just kept noticing me and staring me and this was enough reason for my anger to erupt. I shouted with highest of my pitch “What’s the problem with you, I already have lot to do. Please don’t disturb me. Just Go!” After doing so I realized that was wrong and was prepared for a scolding from my dad, but to my surprise he gave me a glass of water and asked me to calm down. He said, “ Let me tell you a story!” I was in no state to argue on this now. So, I sat there and heard his story.
He started. Once there was a high school science teacher who wanted to demonstrate a concept to his students. He took a large-mouth jar and placed several large rocks in it. He then asked the class, "Is it full?”
Unanimously, the class replied, "Yes!"
The teacher then took a bucket of gravel and poured it into the jar. The small rocks settled into the spaces between the big rocks.
He then asked the class, "Is it full?"
This time there were some students holding back, but most replied, "Yes!"
The teacher then produced a large can of sand and proceeds to pour it into the jar. The sand filled up the spaces between the gravel.
For the third time, the teacher asked, "Is it full?
"Now most of the students were wary of answering, but again, many replied, "Yes!"
Then the teacher brought out a pitcher of water and poured it into the jar. The water saturated the sand. At this point the teacher asked the class, "What is the point of this demonstration?"
One bright young student raised his hand and then responded, "No matter how full one's schedule is in life, he can always squeeze in more things!"
"No," replied the teacher, "The point is that unless you first place the big rocks into the jar, you are never going to get them in. The big rocks are the important things in your life ...your family, your friends, your personal growth. If you fill your life with small things, as demonstrated by the gravel, the sand, and the water...you will never have the time for the important things.”
After my dad finished up with the story, he asked me “So, what are the "Big Rocks" in your life?” and left.
This was one conversation with my dad which I will never forget. A short story made me realize importance of prioritizing in life.
I felt that you cannot be in control if you are constantly struggling to juggle events and lists. So guys stop blaming time and learn to organize things in your life. Decide what are“Big rocks” in your life: Spending your parents or your spouse? Taking the seminar or class? Making the time to set goals, plan or evaluate your progress?
When you are hassled because there is no time, remember the story about the Big Rocks and the Jar!

P.S:- Trying story telling for the first time…Hope you will like it….Comments are awaited!!!

It's no child play!!!

We all associate childhood with stress free life, playing, notorious activities and beautiful days of school life. But today when I switched on the T.V I was shocked to see a little girl, nine or ten years of age , pouting and thrusting like a Bollywood star and the worst was to see judges and audience laugh indulgently and applauding her act. Her heavy make-up, clothes and her gestures were far beyond her age but no one seems to find this bizarre.

NOWADAYS, on almost every TV channels there's a plethora of such shows which have kids singing, dancing, preening and primping. Often pushed by ambitious parents, worked to the bone by channels and sometimes subjected to unkind remarks by judges, it's not an ideal life; neither is the overdose of glamour and public exposure healthy for such young minds.

Fatal Consequences

Children who seems to be prefect on these shows have a hidden dark reality behind them. There is endless amount of practice they are required to do which leaves them physically tired. There have been instances of adults collapsing on the sets because of exhaustion, so we can imagine the plight of kids.

The time spent while rehearsing for reality shows is a lot. Studies are the most affected area of these kids life. Many a time these children have to compromise on their homework or preparation of exams because of these reality shoots. They spend long hours of precious time waiting and waiting for their turn in front of the camera.

There have been number of cases which throw a light on reality of these reality shows.

· A young girl who was a reality show participant suffered a paralytic attack reportedly because of the harsh comments of the judges on her performance in a reality show.

· An 11 year old allegedly committed suicide because her parents barred her from participating more in a dance reality show.

We object child labour and we are not encouraging children to do jobs in other fields. But when the children below the age of 12 participate in a reality show, it may attract the eyes of many people and the program may become super hit. Is this not against law? Is this not a form of child labour?

Who is responsible for this?

In my opinion parents emerge as culprits. There expectation are too high from their children in any competition, may be in school, class or any other extra-curricular activities. They want their kid to be master of all trades, they don’t seem to care about the interest, capabilities of their child. They don’t seem to be bothered that whether their wards can bear the tenacity and shock of their failure to be a topper or not. There are a very few parents who try to feel, understand and perceive their children’s inner voice.

Sometimes the reason for pressurizing their kids to participate in the reality shows is the allurement of the big amount of prize money. Sometimes, the children are not talented enough or passionate enough but still the parents push them to participate in these shows because of attractive amounts of money which they hope to win. And with images of gold in their eyes they become blind to the dark future of their own little ones.

Questions to be answered?

What kind of future are these children going to have?

Do parents perceive their kids as money making machines?

What’s sooo good about children oriented reality shows that every channel has one?

And many more….

But it’s not the first time the first time that somebody is talking about this immoral act and neither it’s a issue which we are encountering today. This has been in debate since long time but still shows are going on and as they say “The show must go on.” Sadly, the show does go on.

Should it really go on???? You decide and share it with me!!!!

Because of You!!!!

"No matter what great things we may achieve in life, somebody is there who helped us."

Most people don't know that there are angels whose only job is to make sure that you don't get too comfortable and miss life. They are our real life heroes who walk or work side by side ours just to help us,to motivate us and to keep us awake for life.
People who walk us home from school when we were little!
Who sat up all night when we were sick!
Who taught us how to paddle!
Who talked us into getting a degree!
Who told us how good can we be!

For me those angels ,those people are are my parents who loved and sacrificed for me, teachers who inspired me, mentor who cared for me, friends who understood me & partner who belived in me .

They all thought about me when others thought of themselves. They cheered for me when i was up and cheered me up when i was down. They shared my vision and established an atmosphere of trust around me in which I was able to flourish myself.
For me, the road back is long and some of those people are gone now.
But today I want to tell all those angels of my life..."THANK YOU" for making the difference . It all happened Because of you, I am what I am Because of you.

Come on people , today lets get together and thank all those who are important for you and your existence.
Lets tell them that they will be remembered forever.

*Dedicated to my DAD .I miss you dad and I know that you from heaven are there to guide me through my life.