I love dadu’s tales of the good old Calcutta of the ’50s. Today, Calcutta has hardly anything new to offer. Why did the city die? Even dadu resorts to silence on such questions. Today I see one more city going the Calcutta way- Mumbai. I read Rajiv Gandhi had once made a similar statement for Calcutta, but no one could save it. Maybe it was too late then. But now there is time for our leaders to save Mumbai.
There have been long debates on the problems with the Indian education system. Through some of my earlier posts I too have mentioned my opinion on the issue. All said and done, then why is the change not happening? Why doesn’t the student directly start questioning the teacher? Why is the ice not broken yet?
I am completely disgusted by the Sena-SRK drama going around. Here we have Shiv Sena, with their electoral fortunes and their relevance eroding heavily, they thereby taking a swing at anyone and everyone; SRK being their ideal target. Sena has targeted his latest film with typical made-for-media attacks on theatres screening the movie. SRK is making petty noises but still sticking to his guns. Eventually both sides benefit.
I had some questions in my head which disturbed me for quite sometime.
Sometimes the bubble view of the world comes crashing down on you leaving you gasping and confused. I wanna hide away from the reality. The reality of the fact that the goal is too is and the way we are confronting the problem is too flimsy. I want to hide away from the fact that I am a failure - if in nothing else - in people. I wanna hide away from the fact that I have been unsuccessful in getting my acts straight and walking full pace on my road to salvation.
I strongly believe that after having selected engineering as our profession, we must start focusing on mastering and doing everything to learn as much as possible to enhance our domain knowledge, backed up with practical training. I think one of the main reasons for this thrust is the gradual shift of the IT companies of the country to higher level of outsourcing work that it aims at now.
I was recently watching an interview of Aamir Khan on Aaj Tak. The journalist interviewing him was asking him ridiculous questions like which actresses you want to work with, etc; pouring much unnecessary masala into it. Aamir Khan was giving well thought answers- that made sense. There was a clear distinction between the intellectual levels of Aamir Khan and this journalist, who was making a mockery out of himself. I asked myself- “Is this the state of Indian media today, or am I a part of the minority that hates such things on television?
Its exam time and all we can think about is books, notes and coffee. On this context, as a self realization (which every student goes through during exams), I must say that the most discussed topic among hostelites is the inferior quality of education and the teachers who literally don't know to teach. My country has the oldest custom of education I desperately want to prove them wrong. I must say, if given a chance (and paycheck) would love to take up teaching as a profession. I teach my room mate and I believe I'm pretty good at it.
I really liked the idea of making voting compulsory for residents of Gujarat recent elections to a local self-governing body. It indeed is one of the bravest moves taken by a state government in a long long time. Even states Himanchal Pradesh are willing it implement it. But a few questions will be asked like voting is a right and not a duty. Compulsory voting is against Article 14 & 19 of the Indian Constitution. One good thing about the bill is that it allows negative voting if the voter does not wish to vote for any of the listed contestants.
I have been a part of Sankalp for more than two years now. I see my thoughts coming into action here. I see the youth of my motherland constantly working for the cause of 100% voluntary blood donation- the blood revolution. 30 odd people, who have given their blood, sweat, tears and lives to serve for the cause- their nation. People who are highly inspired by the great men and women who sacrificed their lives for "freedom", for "revolution". The future of India rests with the youth. They are the salt of the earth. WE are the salt of the earth.
THIS MORNING I overslept. I spent the weekend teaching a workshop on the East Coast and then caught a flight home that landed at midnight. By the time I collected my luggage, got to my car and drove home it was 2 a.m. I didn’t mind. I still felt exhilarated from the workshop and the happy, joyful response, which emanated from the people who attended. Their love carried me home on such a vibrational high I didn’t feel tired at all. That is until the alarm clock went off at 7 a.m.
Let us declare that the state of war does exist & shall exist so long as the Indian toiling masses & the natural resources are being exploited by a handful of parasites. They may be purely British capatilists or mixed British and Indian or even purely Indian."
-Bhagat Singh
(In his leter to the Punjab Governor;
"No Hanging, Please Shoot Us")
