Reservation

Why do you think one would want reservation, or demand reservation, or lets say, politely, request reservation?

Is there a need that gets pacified with reservation? Does the pace of work improve with reservation? Is there an improved assurance of something, some work to be completed? Does it simplify things? Why do we see reservation everywhere? Why?

This is my answer.
In a word.

FEAR

You fear that you are not going to get something with what you have, but you want to have it, and thus ask for a relaxation. In a world of competition, that is the world of incompetency.

There can be plenty of examples, and I will project my views on some of them. Open for like, dislike, "for"s, "against"s, discrimination dot dot dot.

Random beginning.


Why is there a "Ladies' Quota" in the Indian railway reservation system? I'm still bamboozled by this. I can understand ladies' coaches, usually in local/MRTS sort of trains, where women need some privacy. But in the general long distance trains I've NEVER seen a ladies' coach! So, why the reservation? If you think that "all the men fight their way to the reservation counter and book the tickets in a jiffy that we women don't get tickets" (understandably so, women are physically not as strong as men), then you must be looking for a reservation counter for the ladies. Fair enough? I feel so. Same goes for senior citizen. But for an elder, I would rather save him/her trouble and give a reservation.

Ah well, staying with "Ladies' Quota", what is your opinion about the 33% women bill? If you ask me, it was a big projection of the fear in the women. Either they are snubbed from participating openly, in which case they are weak and crying for help, or they are having a bit of ego issues against the men. Let me tell you this, if you are forcibly going to make a woman stand up to politics and face the world much against her will, she is not going to be effective. NOT AT ALL! You know that same old horse taken to the pond story (which I keep hearing from people everyday, like they ran out of inspirational stories), you can make her win the vote, but then she has to represent you all. Its not like the woman candidate represents the women of the society. So, why this bill? I, as a feminist, would love to see women come up in politics, take their own decisions in a sensible manner for the betterment of the nation. But, not by force. I do not mind what number they come in. 33%...50%...or even more? Its our country. And we are people. Why discriminate?



And what is this number? "33"! Are you fixing a cap on the capabilities of the women? Are you telling them - "ladies, you can't do more than that... you can't contribute more than 33% to the country"? You know so many great women who were better than men of their era. be it in politics or business or otherwise. You think there are no more Indira Gandhi 's and Indira Nooyi 's and Lata Mangeshkar 's and Rani Laxshmibai 's around? If men can stop bullying the ladies and black mailing, and if ladies can be that bit more determinent, I am sure we semi-blind people can see what we could not earlier.

Moving a touch upwards, the big topic - reservation based on caste and community.

the Constitution of India says "The Union of India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty and, to promote among them all, fraternity."

For one minute, close your eyes, think, think if that phrase has been justified yet in our country.

Who said caste system has been legally abolished? It is still in existence. Why, it is us who seem to be supporting it... Making reservations for each of them! First they are made to feel uncomfortable, then given luxury, and now they want more! This is not my personal remark against anyone, any community, any section of the society...but, against the system that has put an invisible barrier between people. Look at India now. We are 63 years independent. 63 years after uniting together to break from the divide and rule policy of the British. If we half a million people could battle all those years ago to free one of the most populous and largest country of the world from the hands of some pardesi fellows, why are we not breaking from our own blinding thoughts?

Don't raise an eyebrow at me. We are living in a generation where technology is ruling the roost, Indian technocrats are in demand everywhere in the world, maybe even on moon if need arises! But remember, in the same country, there are some communities who are fighting (I mean, real fighting, blocking roads, going on fast, suiciding, killing, bringing the roof down) for getting their community named under "Scheduled Castes" or "Scheduled Tribes" or "Most Backward Castes". People, look at these names... Aren't these discriminations in itself? Someone comes and tells a person - you are an OBC, and the man says "yes". I wonder what he might be feeling from within, if he ever gave a thought to the words that made up "O.B.C." .

Aren't we all born the same and die the same? Then why differentiate?
This is one tale which I tell to myself, if not, to a listener who can think rationally, just to portray the lack of competitiveness than can result out of reservation. this fellow "X" has the comfort of reservation, of some sort...

X is born, (lower hospital charges if at all any needed)
X gets easy admission into school
X has to pay less fees
X needn't score much to get promoted
X can afford to score less in finishing school exams
X has relaxations in college entrance exams
X has to pay less fees in college
X can afford to score less in college exams
X has reservation in companies' job opportunities.
X has easier way up the ladder, be it salary or promotion or what so ever.

Tell me, can a country be run by people who grow up the ladder like this?

All people face the same teachers, go through the same lectures, sit in the same class, live in the same hostel, and...and... the end product is, some people get the special treatment after claiming that they are not being treated properly and need reservation! there are states with 69% and 72% reservation in most govt institutions!

And anyway, X has the "extra option" of contesting in anything as a "general" candidate, putting the "general" people even more confused!
Fear...fear...fear!




Its time people were knows for their capacity, not their birth, or any materialistic or non-materialistic properties that gets associated to him/her at the time of birth.

If they need to be brought out into the open, open more schools...generate more jobs! If I'm going to generate power/electricity, I don't think I will be in a position to charge it differently for people from different caste/community, or pay the employees doing the same work differently. It just doesn't sound right! Give the opportunities to the poor. there are so many rich reserved and poor "general" people who are the end product of this new nation moving forward with ropes binding itself to that strong old tree.

We are pushing the pedals of a stationary cycle. the wheels may move, but not the cycle.

Reservation is endless. South African cricket team has a reservation for blacks in the team. And Indian cricket has regional quota to fill a squad. Colleges have regional quota. You want to get into a bus, you reserve it, as cheaply as possible - put a handkerchief on the seat and claim the seat as yours! Want to go to a famous restaurant for dinner, you reserve a table fearing it may get "stolen" before you get there. Car parking - there is a VIP parking... C'mon people - this is going overboard, discrimination for cars? And like those VIPs can't hear from the rear end of the auditorium, they are always given the first rows of the shows! Not like they get the respect that they think a first row dignitary would receive!

No matter what I talk or do, things will go on continuing like this. because, either people are not wanting to change, or too lazy to change, or think differently. But me being as open as I could, couldn't put this message off any longer!

With so much fear bringing up so much divide it is "India Shining". Just imagine how bright India will be if everything was eradicated and there was a sense of unity beyond caste, creed, colour, sex, region etcetera etcetera.

But, nevertheless,
Mera Bhaarat Mahaan

Perfection? or Satisfaction?

When you watch the image of a famous personality, your mind wanders... You have that bit of respect, the awe, the appreciation when you see someone who has a well established status in the society. You would say "Sachin is the best cricketer on earth...", or "Amitabh is the perfect actor on screen", "he has the perfect characteristics to lead the country", "he is the perfect businessman"... etc

One might wonder that perfection is the ultimate self, what one needs to be to survive with heads held high, what one needs to be to enjoy the respectful status in the society, what one needs to be to enjoy the living... I say, perfection is not what's needed, it's satisfaction that you need first.

Perfection is what others want to see in you. Satisfaction is what you must have in yourself!

Do you want all of Buffett's wealth, or do you want to lead a well settled life? Do you want Ratan Tata's industries, or do you want to lead your team to a satisfied annual result. Do you want the "perfect" life where there is no scope of improvement with only the fear of falling back or do you want to have the most satisfactory life, free from any complaints about it from your side?

You cannot be perfect. It's because, you cannot define your own perfection. You always know you can do better, you can push yourself for more. Have you ever done something which you think no one on earth can do better? Even if you did, why did you think so? Was it because you "thought" no one can eclipse that, or was it your best shot, and it was better than all your previous attempts? Of course, if you can do this much, you can always do better!

Bill Gate's who was the wealthiest person for a long time, never actually boasted about it. Nor did his competitors. Buffett, Gates, and many other multi-billionaire, multi-millionaire have promised a large percentage of their personal wealth to charity. Why? They were satisfied with their lives. They found the excess amount surplous of what they might need for generations together, and were keen to help out other beings who need it much more than the rich men may even need.

Ussain Bolt is the fastest man walking on the planet. He may as well rest for a couple of years and still see his name un-erased on the history books. But, he doesn't feel he is perfect. He knows there is always the scope for improvement. His records keep getting broken...by himself. And, though he has a penchant for excellence, for victory, he is a satisfied man. He knows what it is to win, what it is to rise from rags to riches.

Rajini, who was no richer than a bus conductor 35-40 years ago, is the face of Indian cinema today. But, have you seen anyone as humble as him. Just look at his face during any public appearance. Look at the calmness in his face, the sense of satisfaction, the humble heart that resides in his body is now in his face. Isn't he the highest paid actor in the nation, which is not that rich by itself? But he is not eating all the money. Many know about his generous activities, the prime-most of them being a school he runs for challenged children. Its the sense of satisfaction that he has with what he has achieved. He had a talent, and he has made the best use of it. He had the satisfaction, and he let many more have it.

We all say Sachin is perfect. But if you ask him, he would say "No, I'm not perfect. I'm only learning from everyone, from every match". We have not seen a better student of the game. We all know that the bars for excellence in the game of cricket, as regards batting, are set beyond the horizons by the immortal batting soul of Sir Donald Bradman. But, if at all there has been one single human who has come close to him, it has been Sachin Tendulkar. Not Ian Botham, not Sir Vivian Richards, not Allan Border, but Sachin Tendulkar. A true statement, coming from the legend of legends, Sir Don Bradman himself. Sachin knows that the world is not over. There is a better tomorrow. There is another record to be broken, there is another game to be played, another victory to taste. It took more than a dozen years for someone to equalise Saeed Anwar's record, and soon, it was broken by Sachin. Is he a satisfied man? Yes he is. Is he perfect? No, he is always getting better and better.

We want so many things to happen, so many things to be gained, so many things to be obtained... Materialistic, or otherwise. But, let us remember that, let us strive for satisfaction, not for what we or others term "perfection". What seems perfect to one eyes, is a whole level below perfection for another. So, its just you who ha to judge your mind and heart! You want to be a successful person? So be it! May you have the best things in life around you. If you feel you are satisfied, you will get the feel of what you believe one would get when he/she is "perfect". This is perfection in your own yardstick.

"Be satisfied with what you have" may not apply always, as you need that little something you aim for. But once you do get that, you will be enjoying the satisfaction! So much, that you may not be asking for much more that that. You may be working to graze further into the lawns of excellence, but this time it will be with the sense of happiness, satisfaction, contentment.

Be happy! If not, become happy!
Its a small pond, take a dip into it. You won't want to come out.

Happens only in India

India, the land of unlimited-ness, the land of one-ness, the land of cultural distinction, the land of unison, the land among seas and rivers, the land among deserts and snow-capped mountains, the land of saints, the land of businessmen, the land of farmers, the land of industrialists...the land of Indians.

India is that one distinct vortex of cultural mix, that spreads into its closest neighbours, so distinct, so unique, so good, so wonderful, that this place is named the Indian Subcontinent! There is no other region in the world spread across different countries, known under a single name for their culture uniqueness. No other. And at the core of the Subcontinent, is India. The only country in the world with two official names - India and Bhaarat are official names, as per the constitution.


Unity in diversity

India is a secular nation...declared, and largely followed. Where else can you find such a large mixture of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains ?

Where one celebrates the festival of others', where one festival means holiday to the whole nation, and joy to them all. Indian where your surname doesn't matter when you are one amongst others in the crowd. Where, skin colour doesn't matter when you walk on the streets. One doesn't think he is superior to another skin, nor does one feel inferior. That is the freedom people enjoy and love in India. A colourful nation Indeed! To remove any argument on why India is known as "Hindustan", which may cause some tension between communities - it was not named so. India, or, Industan means "the Land of the Indus". The British twisted the name, either due to their lack of pronunciation skills of Indian words, or due to their sickening intention of dividing the Indian community for their "divide and rule" policy, and hence Hindustan came up. Anyway, it doesn't mean "the Land of the Hindus", it still means "the Land of the Indus"


While in some or most nations, animals are almost never seen on streets. In India however, they are free to move anywhere, graze wherever they like, lie down on the middle of the roads. What's more. We worship them! Some do cause nuisance, but that has been put under our belt, and we live with it. I've seen cats, dogs, cows, rabbits, horses, donkeys, ponies, oxen, bulls, buffaloes, monkeys, chicken, roosters, rats, and even snakes! We may shoo it away, but we don't cage them in places like dog-pounds, nor do we always leash them. Many a times, we feed them with "goodies" !

A traveling Indian, or say, for that purpose, a foreigner in India, will surely have the language problem. India is a land of nearly 20 languages, most of them, exclusively spoken in India. A language for every 600-1000 km in any direction. One may not understand what the other speaks. But, one thing is for sure - the locals have a BIG heart to show the visitors. A complete stranger will know that he is getting the warmth in a place where there is a someone, a someone whom he/she hasn't met, doesn't understand the language, but understands the mind, the heart. A visitor, is given utmost respect and hospitality.



I was in Shimla a decade ago... We didn't know it was peak season, and didn't bother to book a hotel before-hand. The whole town was flooded with tourists, most of them resorting to park their car on the streets and spending the night inside it, or standing outside (October, was the month). We were beckoned by a "Dhaaba" 's owners, who offered us their room for the night and food. That was the coziest night and the most sumptuous dinner I've ever had in my life. In a town in Uttar Pradesh, a Sikh house owner wanted to rent his house only to a South Indian, and was he glad to rent it to us. When we left, he just found another South Indian! When you go to Punjab, I'm sure no local will let you leave his house without eating meals with them. If you don't drink lassi offered, they might even consider your denial sweetly offensive!



India is one place where we have our own versions of Hollywood, with "B" or "T" or "K" or some other alphabet replacing the "H" in it. Tell me, has anyone in the USA or the UK built a structure for any of their actors? Or even a character? is there a temple of worship for Angelina Jolie or Leonardo Dicaprio or Chris Nolan or say, James Bond? Well, in India, we do! there are structures where people idolise the Indian film stars.

All the Kapoors and Khans and Bachchans and Rajinis and Mohanlals and Chiranjeevis and the numerous actresses and the directors and singers live not in their body, but in the hearts of the millions and millions of fans, not just in India, but in every part of the world! We love them, so do everyone else. Their birthdays are the most celebrated "non-holiday" days on the calendar.

Cinema is one glittering star in the sky. But there is a twin star that shines almost as much as that - cricket! Cricketers are role models, they are brand ambassadors, they are the face of some organizations, they are demi-Gods. If cricketers ran the country, I'm sure everyone would listen. When a match is going on, everyone in the vicinity unites, waving the Tricolour, cheering for the team.

This one aspect of worshiping cricket brings out so many different aspects of the country. Just look at the craze for the game. There are temples, beliefs, superstitions, brands, products etc. It is the single call for unity. People from every religion, every region, every culture will unite for this one event...hugging each other, sharing joy, dividing agony, moving forward!

India is one place where you just won't hear the word "no" from people. Will you do this work? "Ok, sure". Will you get this for me? "Yes, I will". Can you tell about this? " yes.. this is...". No matter how busy an Indian is, no matter how tight his schedule is, no matter how incapable he may have been in doing that work, he.will.not.say.no! Why? Because we don't want you to lose the trust in us. We want you to know that whatever is asked, we will be happy to serve, though it may affect our freedom, time, schedule. Some rue their decision of accepting, while most adjust their time to rope this in, and work on this. If they don't know, they learn it. We all know that things get delayed a lot in India. This is one reason, people accept responsibility about which they are not sure about. The delay occurs because they take that extra bit of time to learn. If they were reluctant to learn, you may never see the completion. The other option might've been to just decline the responsibility, but that is not so Indian. so, the waiting game, is the result of the learning game.

So many other things happen in India, only in India - who can cook 20 different cuisines and call it by one name - "Indian cuisine". Indians visit a zoo and think they have seen it all, while the beauty lies in watching the Red Panda in the Himalayan foothills, the colourful pheasants in central India, the asian elephant in the forests, the Rhino in the North-East and the Blackbuck in the deserts, amongst others. Indians, by nature, are a bit carefree and "adjusting", which leads to some things like - irregular planning of things from methodology to roads to improper maintenance of the same!

All in all, Mera Bhaarat Mahaan! I'm proud that I can easily relate Bhaarat to my own name, and feel more Indian than ever. Whatever India is, howsoever it may have been, whatever it will become in the future "Bhaarat humko, jaan se pyaara hai".

This video is for everyone, Indian or not, watch it for knowing India!

What if ...

What if...?



What if... I were a sportsperson?
- I could've been on higher grounds, being watched, earned more money, seen my face on every corner of the street, had a fanfare, gotten proposals... and what not?

What if... I were a journalist?
- I could've been to the farthest corners of the planets, covering all the stories I wanted to cover, make a name for myself, let the pen and paper do the talking, voice my opinion, earn the respect I wanted to...

What if... I could have made it to LA for the last two summers?
- I could've been realising a dream... I would've been on the sidelines of the world's best sporting franchise playing in the finals, winning it... If I was so much excited halfway across the world, God knows how excited I may have been out there!

What if... What if... What if...

None of the above 3 pass across my mind, even if I have nothing to think of. The 3 are my dreams, but not a missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle... because, I am working on them, and am riding one dream at a time!

"What if" - the sound of it makes you (me, at least) crave for something, like you are missing something, like you are not happy with something... You always wanted the extra hand, you wanted the extra patience, you wanted the money, you wanted the fame, you wanted the place, you wanted the rank, you wanted her face, you wanted his muscles, you wanted that status, you wanted the, you wanted the, you wanted, you...wanted...

Come out of it

Look around you. You have the God gifted body, a wonderful heart, a beautiful mind and loads of people around you to remind you that you are living a glorious life amongst them. You are so unique, you have the abilities no one else can dream of! You are the one ultimate self, like no other across the face of mother Earth! There is just you, and the higher self! Nothing in-between...



Why do you want to put yourself in someone else's position and seemingly try to momentarily enjoy the thought? The moment you come out of it, you will start to lament your current position, hate your life.

Replace the "what if"s with "I will be"s and motivate yourself to reach that helm, and not sit like a hapless human being who can only "think" of doing so. Dreams are meant to be realized, if you are serious about it... So, unleash your dreams, make them come true. You will have the sense of satisfaction the very moment you start to work on that, of realising it! It does.



So, like Swami Vivekananda said - "Arise, awake and stop not until the goal is reached".

Stereotypes

India is a large country, filled with different kinds of people, scintillating colours, myriad landscapes, glorious festivities, huge number of languages, cultures and all... The most diverse country in the world. Lets see what we think of our fellow countrymates, across the imaginary borderline between the southern and northern part of the country... most of these, are from my personal experience, having been on both sides of that borderline, facing and raising questions myself...




Here is a North Indian’s sketch of a stereotype/typical South Indian:-

• Any South Indian, by default, is “Madrasi”

• They have loooooong names

• Their default one-line dialogue is “Aiyyo Raama”, or “Romba romba nalla nalla”

• There are some Northern states, then there is a Bangalore somewhere, a Hyderabad there and then a Madras in the south most part of India. Kanyakumari? That is also there somewhere.

• They stole the idea of “wada” from the “North”

• Saambar, rasam, kozhumbu are the same thing known by different names in different dialects

• Celebrate festivals too early

• Their main objective in childhood is to study

• By default, good in mathematics, become engineers

• Who is this Rajinikaanth? Chiranjeevi? Are you talking about flowers, sir ji?

• Tough to survive in South India

• Very hot place, how do people live in those conditions?

• Carnatic music? Its soooo tough yaar. Hindustani is easy, see so many people sing it.

• They can't speak Hindi, let alone Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali et al


















Here is a South Indian’s sketch of a stereotype/typical North Indian:-

• A North Indian, is mostly, a “Seth”

• They have un-pronouncable names

• “haan”, “nageem”, “boltha ka gotha hye”, “arrey yaar” . . . Only north Indian language – Hindi

• There is South India (South Indians know the 4 states), then there is a Bumbaai, and then a Delhi. Rest are there or there about.

• North Indians don’t know anything about “vadai”, medhu vadai, masala vadai, saambar vadai.

• Chapati, roti, naan, phulka, paratha? All the same, saar... We have twisted paratha, and copyrighted it as parotha/burotta.

• Celebrate festivals too late

• They do not care about primary education!

• By default, businessmen

• Amitabh Bachhan? Eh? Who?

• Impossible to live in North India. Saar, I don’t know Hindi!

• Winter in North? How can human live there? Sweater? I wear it when temp goes below 22 degrees

• Carnatic music is the best, you know aah? History says it! Hindustani aaa? I don’t know many people who sing it, saar.

• No way they can speak any South Indian Languages, they don't even know what languages are spoken here. madrasi is not a language, saar!




Unity in diversity. Thats India :-)



Mera Bhaarat Mahaan !