Be a part of the change

So much has changed in our lives. 

There were days when whole colony or street came together to watch a Ramayana or Small Wonder serial. Kids would endlessly play in the hot sun in their summer vacations. They would climb trees,steal guavas or mangoes, play pranks on each other. Relations were given so much importance. Simplicity was considered beautiful. People would be generous, social and less self absorbed. Their homes would be open to anyone at any point of time. People from out station would prefer to come and halt at their relative’s place than in a hotel. The hosts would go to railway station or bus stand to pick up and drop the guests. Friendships were to die for, no second thoughts given. Loyalties and caring nature was the main attitude of the hour. People would look forward for festivals to cook sweets and savories for the family and everyone would be involved in putting up a good festivity. Though incomes were less or seemed less, for time like now, people were peaceful in their heart and mind. Fathers, however tired they would be, would take out their kids on cycles or scooters to nearby parks or any entertainment places.

With change of the decade and then the century, priorities changed for people. Money and status took over their minds. Every new and shiny thing started occupying the empty corners of the house. With increased incomes, humbleness and caring nature were replaced by ego and greed. People became more addicted to materialistic pleasures than actual people around them. Life got busy and now there is no time for socializing. Half of the time, people think of reasons to turn down any invites made to any functions. Hectic schedules, demanding careers stress people to the extent that they just fall into daily pattern of eating, sleeping, and working. Fun, pleasures of family time is limited to the weekends. More money has added to more tensions of life even if the couple earns handsome money for the family, they don’t have time to enjoy it. Kids no longer play outside. They are glued to television or Xbox or laptops, made available to them on demand. Five or six  years old kids  teach  parents how to operate a new smart phone. Kids and parents have become tech savvy, wanting to interact socially on virtual world than the actual world. God bless, Mark Zuckerberg for creating Facebook, else we would not have been in touch, are some of the comments from actual people. Whatever happened to thanking Alexander Bell for patenting of telephone? Simple invention but huge impact. No Iphone or tabs make you feel precious the way, we would wait for the calls or long distance trunk calls. So much money is being invested in making world a better communicative place, but on virtual basis, not on actual one.

Simplicity, humbleness, love, sharing has vanished into thin air.  Jealousy, greed, pride, overtly craziness to succeed, has taken over human simple emotions. Money now buys everything except peace and presence of mind. In my parent’s time, one person’s income would feed two-three families, but now two people’s income barely manages to self sustain. A great thinker said, “ you must earn money enough to take care of you, not much so as to take care of it.” For want of more money and stability, families have become dysfunctional. Everyone have their own shifts and time of eat, sleep and pray. No one has time for other person’s schedule, interest, or genuineness at heart to listen other person’s woes, unless it turns out to be a wonderful topic of gossip. There are lots of hidden faces in today’s world than the actuality.

Sometimes, I admire how quickly humans learn to adopt to any changes. No wonder, every one grows day by day , year after year. But I thought, with that comes the openness of heart and maturity seeps in. But every single day, someone or other proves me wrong by some act of theirs. People now have grown impatient with their own closer ones. Tolerance level has gone down the drain. Continuous comparisons, rudeness, mockery seems to be the new “COOL” attitude. See the thing is, we were raised to have a respect for all and tolerance to the highest peak.

Something to think about

If you are reading this article, please stop. Take five minutes time, to see what has happened to you and your near surroundings. People now take actual vacations in search of simplicity and peace of mind. Travel arrangers actually sell packages in name of  soul searching, peace of mind and what not. Why can’t you do it for yourself, from wherever you are right now? Do a good deed, once in a week. Help an old man/woman cross the road, give a cold water bottle to someone who is thirsty on the street, give food to an old beggar instead of money, try to go easy on your maids when they don’t turn up. Just take time to make your loved ones feel special, spend time with each other actually in a coffee bar, or cozy corner of the house.  Think about others feeling before putting yours on top. 

What happens is when you do that good deed, all your tensions vanish just like that. You feel good about yourself and also end up helping someone.  We can only change others or our situation, when we are ready to change within ourselves.

Be part of change, for better future.

See if you can do that anytime, and how you feel afterwards.

                                 
Share your experiences about good deeds and being part of the change, in the comment column below.

Do take time to read my latest cooking blog : http://lickthyplate.blogspot.in/

Independance

Today is India’s 66th Independence day celebrations. I would like to wish all my friends, family, fellow Indians a very "Happy Independence Day".



What is the general thing which we all do on this day? Everyone has their own ways to celebrate this day. Some like to download colorful flags and famous quotes and circulate amongst their peers, families and friends; some get up early and watch the flag hoisting on TV;kids are sent to school to attend the compulsory flag hoisting ceremony. I remember in my school, there were some plays or excerpts from the freedom movement which students would perform, like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, etc etc.


But I can’t just help but wonder are we really thankful for this day? What are we really thankful for? Or is it just another day off where you can spend time with your family.

I am thankful that in-spite of being such a huge nation, we have great family value system, respect for elders, high tolerance levels, freedom to speak,think and express; where all religions feel they are safe in this country;huge achievements in fields of science, technology, business; standing tall and proud in the world economy. Everyone is talking about India.

This day we were free from the outsiders-British Raj. Today take few moments to think are we really free? British left the country but there are so many things which we as Indians have shackled ourselves yet, even after 65 years.

Are we true Indians? Or are we just south Indians, north Indians? For people in south everything above them is north and for people in north, everything below them is south. What happened to West and East directions? Have we freed our minds from this bias?


Are we free from the thought that girls and boys have equal right to education in the country? Are we open to the thought that boys or girls both are same & equal?


Are we free from the biases we make on day to day basis based on a place, person, personality, caste, traditions, and cultures? Are we free from the thought where we think my culture is better than others?

Are we free from the thought that we should not intentionally or unintentionally hurt each other’s sentiments based on their disabilities or different abilities?


Monday morning mass prayer in schools maintains us to repeat in chorus the Pledge. According to our pledge, we say All Indians are my brothers and sisters. Do we actually do that? Only hypocrites would say yes… If yes, then how does one justify the every single day horrific incidences any girl has to go through in terms of eve teasing, rape, torture, dowry demands, kidnapping, etc.


Are we free from the quota system prevailing in our country? Biases-decisions-quotas systems based on religions have created a big divide in the whole social and academic system. Equal rights and equal opportunities have seemed to diminish. 

Is India free from the stressful experiences which young adults have to go through in terms of expectations to excel and perform in each and every field like academics, sports, linguistics, etc?

Why are institutions been created which support their own caste, sub caste, religion? Why are they allowed to just uplift the needy of only their caste? When God is screaming out loud and saying I am the eternal truth and I am One!!!!!!!!!!! Why do we not believe him? Why can’t there be a community based institutions which helps all and identify various causes than castes to support that group.

Are we broad minded/open minded to see every single person as fellow country man and rush to their help when they meet with accident, mishaps or are in desperate need?



We hear epic speeches from our previous prime ministers or chief guests at our school and college, but do we actually sit and think how I can continue or contribute to free my India from these shackles?
Honorable freedom fighters gave their lives so that we can live happily as on after freedom, but we are just merely insulting their sacrifices  by doing all the above. They wished for a united India wherein no outsider could ever again take control of our motherland. But little did they know that the social evils and great divide has shackled India again and it will take a herculean effort to see this dream being achieved.

Google Doodle for Indian Independance

So Who can do this? Who can bring a change/make difference about these? You and Me........ As the saying goes "Har acche kaam ki cheez, ghar se shuru hoti hain" (All good things begins from our home first). 

Inculcate the behavior of indifference and humanity. On small or daily basis try to do something in some way which will help others to think like you. Teach children not to make biases, to be friendly with everyone. Educate them and encourage them to appreciate the vast culture of India.

Try to volunteer in any nearest social events/cause which you stand for. Open your mindsets and accept everyone in-spite of where they come from. Do not encourage discussions which show one culture as more better than others. All cultures are great, evolved over time and is Indian pride.

Next time, if you see someone has met with accident, do not hesitate to help them or provide with first aid. 


Do not enter into bad evil-practices of dowry, female foeticide where a girl child is involved. Remember today you are doing it, tomorrow someone else may do it to you. Your mother,daughter,sisters are important part of your family. Without a women, you do not have an existence in the world. Where you offer prayers to various goddess and call her mother; remember to honor and respect all women in the same way.


I support the bills (Manipuri bill) and the shows (Satyameva Jayate) which put focus on country's internal issues. These are evils within our country which is in way of much more greater achievements which India can see, but is not being able to do so.

I am proud to be INDIAN. For me Goodness and humanity is the only religion I can follow.

Prosperity is waiting, what can you do for it?

Who are you?