10 Resolutions Indians Should Make for 2013

December end is generally the time when people start to ponder about the year gone by – the achievements, the failures, the highs, the lows, the people who support us during the lows, the good times shared, some bad memories, things to fall back on for a bout of laugh, political events, changes in economy of the country, sporting heroes, new friends made, people who leave this world and what not, the list is endless. This is also the time when most of the people start to make some New Year resolutions to bring about some changes in their lives. Though these resolutions are broken within a very short span of time, it doesn’t stop people from making those resolutions again or trying hard as long as possible to carry on with the resolution made.                                  

Here are 10 resolutions which Indians should make for 2013 in order to realize our dream of seeing our country as perfect and flawless. 

1. “Indian Men Should Stop Seeing Women as Second Class Citizens”.

We talk about gender equality, no discrimination between boy and girl etc. But in stark contrast, our country has cultural values which grossly undermine the ability and skill of women. They are not appreciated most of the times, assaulted both physically and mentally, humiliated by hypocrite and chauvinistic men who are the products of patriarchal system. The recent events reflect a sad tale which has raised serious concerns about the safety of the fairer sex. I am ashamed as a son, brother and the foremost as a citizen to have witnessed such an onslaught on females. This has to STOP. Without a woman in our life we are nothing less than egomaniacal morons running around here and there. To me that says it all.

2. “Stay Positive and optimistic most of the times”.

There is a lot of despondency filled in hearts of people for reason I’ve not been able to decipher till now. Every second day you see people bashing sportsmen, politicians and others on the web and in public life. Constant criticism does no good. There is a lack of patience which is driving people to criticize anything and everything. When something good happens we instead of being happy about it tend to say that it was just a flash in a pan. Want this situation to turn into something nice to fall back on.

3. “Substantially reduce the pollution levels in our cities”.

The pollution levels in our major cities have reached a crescendo; something needs to be done to address that issue. A collective and co-ordinated effort from citizens and government officials will help. Sharing a car with you colleague or with your neighbour, using public transport once a week, promoting activities that protect the environment are some of the measures that assist in reducing the pollution levels in our cities.

4. “Ensure greater safety and security for children, women and the aged”.

The crimes against women and elderly have been on the rise since last few years there is an urgent need to provide safety for them. Proper police patrolling and a good conviction rate will help in reducing these crimes. It is our moral duty to protect anyone when something wrong is happening if we adhere to this then crimes will be on the decline.

5. “Reduce corruption and graft in normal day to day life”.

India, and let’s not mince words here is a cesspool of corruption. The thought of stamping down corruption, deep-rooted in the fabric of the Indian society, has been beaten to death in many a film that depicts a hero valiantly fighting against the evils of corruption and its perpetrators. More often than not, it is violence that showcases itself as the solution to root out corruption. But in reality it is the duty of every citizen to challenge corruption. And there can be a way to improve the overall efficiency by maintaining high standards and adhering to those. The mindset of the people has to change otherwise all the measures would succumb to this malady.

6. “Improve the overall work efficiency”.

Many employees of the reputed companies often indulge in some time wasting tactics during the work hours. I agree that they need some time to recharge them but many times to which statistics bear testimony that Indian people working their own country are less efficient than those working abroad. So, if we can raise the bar for ourselves it would also enhance the economy of our country.

7. “Say a big NO to smoking, tobacco and other such addictive habits”.

Smoking is a big menace in our country be it urban India or rural for God knows how many years. It is very sad that many of our youngsters start smoking at a young age and then in middle age they turn into chain smokers. Metropolitan cities are seeing a spurt in demand for cigarettes which is very disturbing for me personally. Tobacco and pan masala are catalysts for getting an early death because of mouth cancer caused by those two products.

8. “Maintaining good fitness levels”.

There is an old adage which says “Health is Wealth” to which I agree to the core. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. A fitter population would always do wonders for the country.

9. “Learning new things and acquiring new skills”.

Learning new things helps us evolve constantly, and only makes us richer and more knowledgeable, so learning a new language or activity is a good idea, not only does it keep things interesting but also helps you acquire new skills that can come handy at any point of time. So, new skills add a new dimension to our CV and in this dynamic business and economic environment it would be very handy.

10. “Driving safely and inculcating a proper method to it”.

Indian Cities have become very difficult for driving anything. There is a rat race going on everywhere. Over speeding and drunk driving are common happenings here. Helmets have been made mandatory but barring a few people I seldom see anyone wearing that. Underage driving is also rampant which has made matters worse. The traffic sense has deteriorated and accidents have increased many folds. Many youngsters with inflated egos create problems with their zig zag style of driving.

Time for USA to change its firearms laws.

USA on 14^th December was confronted with a tragic incident when twenty children and six adults were shot dead by a gunman who opened fire at an elementary school in Connecticut. This sort of a shootout was 19^th in last five years. The onslaught at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown was carried out by a lone gunman, who was later found dead at the scene. Innocent people were killed because of this senseless mayhem. But the moot question remains as to why the guns are available so easily? Statistics reveal that USA has more number of retail gun stores 51,438 than grocery stores 36569. This envisages that guns can be procured without any hassle for even the 20 year olds. There was also a similar incident in August this year when many Sikhs were shot dead by a shooter in USA. Also, private citizens hold around 300 million pistols so it is imperative for authorities to ensure that schools, movie theatres and places of worship are properly protected. Gun control or regulation is the need of the hour.

USA has a very strange stand as regards to its arms laws which allows its citizens to carry a gun unless the person has been involved in a serious crime. And at the same time there can also be a case that the person may be a first time lawbreaker who is engaged in such a shootout and these sorts of events remain a bone of contention for people who are campaigning for gun control and is truly a worrying situation for everyone since the gun laws in this scenario are heavily skewed in the favour of such uncommon cases.

The supporters of this gun culture maintain a very strong view that the guns protect people more than they kill and that owning firearms is far too enshrined in American culture to give rise to any kind of recapitulation. There is of course no denying the argument that guns are a part of American culture—but not to question that culture seriously defies logic.

There is a strong need for gun regulation since the situation right now demands that some actions should be taken to control the access to assault weapons that are being used in such a devastating manner. About 10,000 people are murdered each year in the US through the use of a gun, with an average of about 17,000 people using a gun to commit suicide. This is an ugly statistic which also advocates gun regulation. USA can take a cue from Australia’s response after being put in a similar crisis in 1996. The Australian government at that time responded with large scale changes that resulted in a decline in deaths caused by gun related crimes.

Also, a kind of personal commitment and co-operation is needed from all the sections of the society to change the societal attitudes and perceptions relating to gun culture. History has been a testimony to the fact that any implementation of law in an efficient manner needs the support of its citizens. The gun laws in this case need to be more dynamic and flexible. 

President Barrack Obama needs to exercise all his authority, skill, ability, diligence to drive a change. This carnage must galvanize USA into action against the gun culture. The people of USA must take a call that whether the Newtown mass murders can provide the much needed impetus for changing the culture of gun related violence or not.

Sports Diplomacy vs. Feelings of a true Indian.

Earlier this month the schedule for the cricket series between India and Pakistan to be held in India was announced. The said series was approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs despite the fact that our enigmatic neighbour has done nothing but protected the perpetrators involved in the terrorist attack in Mumbai on November 26, 2008. The terrorist who was caught red handed is a citizen of Pakistan and he along with all others came to Mumbai with a single point agenda which is very apparent now after their ordeals. Every evidence implies just one thing and that is involvement of Pakistan in some capacity.

While it was very much on the expected lines that the ‘neighbour’ will not respond to the charges made but it was rather frustrating to see our own government submit the way it did. India has not forced or it has not pushed Pak to the wall. And on the top of it the nations join hands for a cricket series; it is like someone killing a member of our family and then we forgive him and join him for a party. Perhaps, I forgot that those running the Central Government are devoid of a body part called ‘Heart’, but what about the people who lost their lives fighting for the safety of the country. They have been dealt a rough hand here. That culprit ‘terrorist’ is still enjoying his life and sad thing is that government has spent crores of rupees for his well being.

I don’t understand this concept of ‘Sports Diplomacy’ for essentially sport is a game played between two teams representing two different nations. And if that nation has hurt the other one by way of terrorist attack you don’t play anything with that nation. Everything comes second to the national interest and the national interest was in not inviting the neighbour for a cricket series. The true Indian in me is deeply disappointed with the actions of government but then this government is notorious for ignoring the interests of people and doing what it does the best i.e. corruption. The apex cricketing body in the country BCCI also did the unthinkable by pushing the talks for an Indo-Pak series. BCCI has been very professional by gliding the questions raised to them to government but some very down the line they need to consider that a thing of national interest or importance is more significant than the revenues generated from cricket. Sunil Gavaskar has been very vocal against this series.

But, all said and done the series will be held as per the said schedule and I can say only one thing that people of Mumbai have been betrayed.  

Nothing like college days !

'Nothing like college days' if one could get a rupee every time one heard or uttered these words, there would be a fortune waiting to be made.
While this may seem a stretch of imagination, especially in those classic college moments - when the only choice is making the deadline, when your crush is now seeing or talking with other boy/girl, or that moment when you discover that your friend chooses someone else's company over your's. In these years, the rest of your life is shaped and making it just about the classrooms and books is demeaning the college experience. In college the canvas is unadorned, the slate bare and life innocent.

These memories last forever and have an everlasting impression on our minds and soul. But since every good or bad thing has to come to an end, these memories become a part of our day to day routine life. The collection of memories especially the good ones bring tears when all the reminiscences of the past are brought out, dusted and shared when you gather with college mates  many years later in warmly lit rooms, after a heart full of joy and laughter.

College life is some where between the energetic childhood and the adventures that adulthood offers. It holds a very small chunk of a human life but it has the power in it to define the person for the rest of their lives. Choices are made and re-negotiated in these few years; not merely about education but about anything in life. It can be about the beliefs one wants to live by. As different as the person making these choices, they tell you not just what kind of profession you will choose but what kind of a friend, lover, spouse and citizen of the world you will be. These choices are embedded in the things you allow into your life during these years.

The adventures and fun during this phase cannot be matched with any other moment in life. Also college life allows you to build your own path and charter your life towards success. Its the excitement of walking in the class with your friends amidst a frenzied atmosphere (for most of the times) that makes it memorable.
'See you tomorrow' or 'Chal kal milte hain yaar' is the best thing about being in college. We say any of those two and head back home thinking about how we are going to spend the next day.

The lessons from outside the classroom also create a room for itself. Observing the opinions and the dressing style of your friends, classmates and teachers, these lessons do help you to mature as a person. The teachers do strike a brilliant chord with students in college than in high school. This bonding helps the students to share their fears and concerns about their careers and life at large.

The College life throws all sorts of people your way. Some of them make you to adore them while many others are not remembered for long. But then the college life gives you the friends whom you want to grow old with and for friends who, no matter how infrequently we meet, give some hours to smile about. Also the teachers who enrich us more through their wisdom and knowledge than anything.

I can say it with all the conviction in the world that college years are a time of excitement, exuberance and many other adjectives that i couldn't think of. It is like all the freedom of adulthood without the responsibility. And yet, this is also the time for self doubt : Will I be able to get good grades? Will I be able to make it big in life?

A visit to the Historic Gandhi Ashram and much more.!!

October 2 is widely celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. I had visited the very famous Gandhi/Sabarmati Ashram on the anniversary and came back with lots of good things to talk about. However, I am too small a person to say even a word about the great man. You can have a look at the Ashram here.
The atmosphere was extremely electric and turbo charged with school students taking out a rally supporting the views of the great Mahatma. The place was brimming with energy which was very infectious for all the people present over there. There were many things such as pens, key rings, books imbibed with Mahatma's messages for sale as usual. Many visitors thronged the place which made the morning and the day even better with nice breeze blowing across the place which is on the banks of Sabarmati river. Here are few snaps which I managed to capture:

This one is probably the best place to just sit there and ponder about the various puzzles of life.

A view to right side of the Ashram.

This one's to the left and the bridge is visible very clearly which makes for an enchanting experience.

    Overall the Ashram contains every detail of Mahatma and there is a section of it which is used for teaching underprivileged children. The place is very delightful and you can be yourself; free from all the burdens, problems, rigid and complex ideas. You can stay there for hours, read a book, write some poetry or probably fret over some things.