Why is India still a ‘Third World’

Allan Bloom once said, “Education is a movement from darkness to light”; is it so?

36% of the scientists in NASA are Indians, 34% of the Microsoft employees are Indian, we have 4^th largest army in the world, India has the second largest pool of Scientist and Engineers in the World, we export software to more than 90 countries, 66% of our total population is youth below 35 years of age and in spite of all these and many more we are still considered as the THIRD WORLD.

If I get into the ‘why’ debate, it can be manifold but for me the major reason for us still being a so called developing nation (which in itself is a paradox), is lack of indigenous ideas. In my course of life, I have come across people from almost all spheres and strata of the society. As per my observations and as proved by the above mentioned facts, Indians by no means lack talent and abilities. We have the capability of executing any given plan, materialising any strategy but what we lack in is - formulating them. Name a software or a gadget and we shall develop it faster and better than people of any other country in the world, show us an industry and we will master it, give us a sport and we play it better than you. What we are not able to do is - generate ‘new’ software, create a new gadget, come up with a new industry. Basically we are lacking innovation. Why 34% of the employees in Microsoft are Indian but not one of them could create a similar sector? Why in spite of 36% of the employees in NASA being Indian, we are not the first one to reach Mars or Moon? There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve – the fear of failure.

This is all mainly because we are becoming good followers, great performers but we need a guide, we need someone to tell us what to do. For me this degradation in the Indian mentality can solely be blamed on our education system. From the very start we are taught to learn and spill it in the exam. Our education system hardly ever gives us scope to be innovative. I remember during my school days nobody would dare to come up with a creative idea for the fear of failure or losing out on marks. None of us would try something new, give it a shot, at least make an attempt to think out of the book. Everyone would merely study what was there in black and white and vomit the same in the answer scripts. Creativity has been crushed by this system. This I say because it is not that we do not have the capacity to be indigenous or innovative, but this very ability has been destroyed. In a recent judgement, the Supreme Court of India stated - It is unfortunate that today education, in our humble opinion, appear to have failed to achieve its objective It will have to be stated that we are yet to reach the preliminary level of achievement of standardised literate behavior.

Now when I sit and think, I realise my initial days in the University of Glasgow, where we were divided into groups and were asked to develop a completely new product, design the business ideas and generate plans to materialise them. If my memory doesn’t ditch me, all my Indian friends in the class actively participated in the course work, helped the group in developing the plan but none of us could take the credit of coming up with the idea of the new product. But after a year’s education, when at the end it this same set of students were given yet another course work of similar sort, this time we all could come up with our own innovativeness. Hence a good education system did help us nurture our abilities which were somehow unmoved for so many years.

The competition has become so fierce that we are scared of generating ideas, we fear of losing out in the race. So tough has life become that we don’t dare to experiment. We are happy to lead the life by the formula. The zest to learn something new, to try and perform something different is almost lost. We are simply waiting for others to create things and then we follow or adapt the process. The fear of failure has got on us like a deadly virus. I wish we can change the pattern of education, I wish my countrymen can overcome this fear of failure and have the courage to be innovative. That I guess is the only way we can break out of this ‘third world’ tag.

why do we work?

Last weekend I came back home from office pretty late and was all tensed with work load. We were to go out for a family dinner. I was in no mood to go out and wanted to stay back. This was not the first time I was in such pensive mood due to work. It had become a custom in the recent past. Well nonetheless we went out for dinner, came back home and when I was about to go to sleep, papa called me to his room as he wanted to talk. 

I went to him and he taught me the most wonderful philosophy of life. He started firmly by asking "why do you think you work?" pretty ordinary question I guess. I replied saying "we work to earn money, to get successful or may be because it's fun to work." 

Papa: Not exactly. We work to lead a better life; we work so that we can earn enough to enjoy the pleasures and luxuries of the world. We work so as to have a fun filled peaceful life. Nobody has forced us into work. You are doing it by choice. If work is putting you under such pressure that you are not able to enjoy life, you feel tensed every time then the basic ideology of working is defeated. It indeed is important for you to apply your brains at work, get involved, give your best shot but at the same time do take advantage of the worldly pleasures. Go out and party. Enjoy the life. The tension and hardships related to work should be left back at the office. Once you are home, don’t carry your strain with yourself. We work to live we don’t live to work. To work is not the ideal of life. The basic objective is to lead a nice life. Now to lead a nice, comfortable and happy life, work is necessary that is why we work. If work is not allowing to lead that kind of a life then stop working because you aren’t reaching your goal.

This wonderful piece of advice from him apparently has changed my life. A complete turnover I must say. Such a beautiful thought which was so nicely and calmly described by him.

should we change with the change in situation ?

One who changes with time is not a man. Again, one who does not change with time is not a man.

To start with the first one, a person whose attitude and perspective changes with changing situation is certainly not a man of honour.  For instance, if with sudden change in one’s life he or she becomes arrogant, selfish and starts behaving differently; then, the person would not be held with high esteem. Such change can be anything, an upliftment, a failure, a loss or success. If a man succumbs to a particular situation and allows the circumstances to rule his/her nature and mode of living, the character would certainly not be admirable. Hence, this section of the debate says - come what may, the basic soul, the innate qualities of a man should not change.

The second side of the debate says, if we don’t change with the changing circumstances we cannot be considered as a man. We’d rather be programmed robots or any such non-thinking, non-living object with practically no brains to adapt. Now, this contradicts the first thought, where changing is rather unscrupulous. But if we don’t change, we aren't growing and if we aren't growing we are not living.

Speaking for the motion, it might be at times necessary to change or adapt oneself according to the scenario but then, in the process we just happen to lose something in ourselves which was good and noteworthy. Whereas on the other side they say, “we might lose something good, but we may gain something even better”.

Having considered all the thoughts bumping into my brain cells, I can conclude in the Shakespearean way as he once said “people don’t change; only their costumes do”.  What I mean to say is with changing time and circumstances, the basic characteristics should be retained while the peripheral qualities might be adapted and modified to suite the demand of the situation.

Might be a bit out of the context but this reminds me of my school Principal, Mrs. Kak, who would always tell us that there is a kid in us and come what may , growing age or changing life, we should always let the toddler in us alive. For according to her, only kids can live and enjoy life and the day the child dies we shall not be living but just be ageing. 

Why being in love is important

To be in love is the best feeling/emotion that God has blessed the mankind with. And no, this is not about loving your parents, siblings, cousins, relatives or any such other person. Of course all of them do have a very important role to play in our lives but then, there is this someone special whom we don’t get as a relative since birth but whom we choose from the crowd of a zillion. A standout soul that makes us feel that we are complete. We have all at some point met this somebody who is different from the rest, for whom we care, who looks familiar at the first sight, for whom we get this urge to be with, someone who means so much to you that their mood effect yours, someone purely magical. 

There are many opinions that float around us regarding the consequences of being in love. They say it distracts you, curbs you, weakens you, some even say love can be the greatest cause for your commercial failure. For me, being in love is completely different. Being in love actually gives you the strength and reason to do and achieve something beyond your grasp. Romance in life helps you feel good about yourself. When in love, you get this urge to prove yourself, stretch your abilities, broaden your horizon. William Shakespeare was rightly quoted saying “Love asks me no questions, and gives me endless support”. And all of this has nothing to do with whether or not your loved one is with you. It is not romantic to be with whom you love; to be in love itself is romantic.

 Never should we run away from this awesome feeling of being in love for the fear that we may lose, or even worse, never get to be with the beloved. As Groucho Marx once said “It is better to have loft and lost than to never have loft at all”. Only a person who has been in love can understand life, the marvels and beauty of nature. From personal experience I can say when I am not in love, when there is no such special one in my life, there seems a great void, an emptiness that bites your soul. The world around appears dull, everything is so spiritless. You have nothing to live for.


Finally I would conclude saying Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile. So do not run away from love. Love someone, be loved by someone and life would be a fairy tale.

Think you are smarter than 5th grade? Think again

On this 312^th birthday of the City of Joy, a leading daily organized a heritage hunt in here. Me and three of my friends- Sumesh, Devansh and Sailesh were quite excited about the entire thing as we enrolled ourselves for the hunt.

It was great fun as we drove across the city and explored some of the places that probably we’d have never come across otherwise. The journey started at 8 in the morning and by 1 P.M. we were done with it and reached our final destination. The prize distribution was scheduled at around 2.30 P.M. hence, for the next hour and a half we were to enjoy the beautiful place. We were done with the lunch and were sitting in the garden enjoying the sun, when a kid walks in and sits beside us. It all started with short discussions about the hunt and the quiz we had in the morning. Then we started talking about his school and the subjects he was studying.  He turned out to be a class five student; the conversation took a turn when we opted to check our IQ. So I asked him put up questions from what he was studying just to see how knowledgeable we are?

So here is the scenario, there is round table, on one side of which is a class five kid putting up questions and on the other side of the table are four management Graduates from ‘ the best college’ in India, not just that, the group consists of Devansh, a chartered accountant and a Company Secretory; Sailesh a Chartered Accountant with work experience in Citi Bank and YES Bank; Sumesh a Computer and Mobile App designer with a professional degree from NIIT and Me, an MSc from University of Glasgow. All claiming to be very educated with profound knowledge. This guy or as we say ‘the kid’ started shooting questions at us, History, Geography, biology, maths and what not and believe you me for 7 out of every 10 questions that he asked we either gave a wrong answer or did not have a clue at all. He kept coming up with new questions and we failed again and again to live upto it. How embarrassing could that be to sit in there with dumb faces in front of a ‘class five’ kid. If good things do come in small packages then this one surely was one awesome thing that happened to us.

When we started off in the morning we were sure that the treasure hunt would be real fun but we never knew that something like this was in store for us. This incident today did remind me of the famous saying from The Great Isaac Newton – “To myself I am only a child playing on the beach, while vast oceans of truth lie undiscovered before me.” We all might have a lot of knowledge and degrees but still have so much more around us still to be learnt.

Looking for a job? Try this

I was standing in front of the town hall waiting for someone when a descent looking guy walks up to me points at my laptop bag and says – “ hey, nice bag. Where did you get this from?

 I gently replied “I got it free with my lappy.”

Him  – “hmm nice, can you say where can I get such a bag ?”

Me – “any bag shop. This isn’t something very unique should get it easily.”

Him – “ yeah sure, but then a laptop bag would suit me best. Do you think if I approach the HCL store I can get one from in there without buying a laptop?

Me –“don’t know but should not be tough if you pay a bit to the sales man and get one from back door.” (giggles)

Him – hahahahhha

Admiring the architectural beauty of the town hall, he suddenly cropped up with another question.

Him – “so, do you work in a service industry?”

Me –“ nope, I am into real estate.”

Him – “ok. I actually got a call from NK realtors a few weeks back for a job but I wasn’t in Calcutta then hence could not respond. Do you think a person with no experience in real estate can get into its marketing?”

Me – “yeah why not. It’s not that technically complicated. You can be abreast with the knowhows in a few weeks.”

Now it started to take the heat.

Him – “so where is your office?”

Me = “Gariahat.”

Him – “can I get your visiting card?”

Me – (thinks for a while) “ na sorry it’s exhausted.”

Him – “ that’s ok. It should be getting weird for you. It all started with the bag and now I am asking for your visiting card.”

Me – “ perfectly ok. That’s how relationships build.”

Him – “Are Saturdays a half day at your office?”

Me – (by now I was sure he was looking for a job and had no special interest in my bag L) “depends. If there is work one has to stay long, else can leave early. (just to set him aback I added) Sometimes we call in staff even on Sundays if the workload demands. :D :D

Him – “that’s a bit too much don’t you think? Where exactly is your office?”

I explained to him the location, admiring his unique way of seeking a job.

Him – “ is this your second or third job?”

Me – (job??) “ nope first one.” ( I was quite liking this conversation by now)

Him – “how is the management of the company?”

Me – “ its really good. We have a very healthy work atmosphere.”

Him- “ ah if I ever meet your boss I shall say you were all praises for firm. Hahahaha it all started with a bag “.

Me – “ that should be quite obliging. Yes indeed all started with my nice looking bag.”

Him – “ but really do you think a person with no experience can get into real estate?

Me –“ yes sure. Its not complicated at all. Ok I go to go. “

The person I was waiting for arrives and I am all set to leave when he looks at the bag and repeats himself.

Him – “ your bag is really good.”

I gave a smile and moved on. I really found him interesting. The way he initiated the talk and gradually approached the major motive of his was fascinating. It reminded me of Jim Cambell ( my career advisor at the Uni) who would always say – “ 80% of the jobs are hidden and you have to dig deep to find them.”

This surely was a nice way of looking for a job.

James Bond V/s Sherlock Holmes

   

                      

John Buchan once said “every man at the bottom of his heart feels he is a born detective”. May be this is the reason why two of the finest detectives ever penned by the mankind thus remain to be the superhero of every man. No matter how powerful and charismatic the ‘batman’ ‘superman’ or ‘he-man‘ be but the style, the intelligence and the smartness of Holmes and Bond overshadows all the supernatural powers.

I have been a fan of Sherlock Holmes ever since class VII, when I first read the story of the Silver Blaze. What impressed me most about the detective from 221b Bakers Street was, the observation power, the sharpness of his mind and his wittiness. Sherlock Holmes first appeared in 1887 in A Study in Scarlet. As industrious as the state of England may be but still in the late 19^th century he had to primarily rely on his own abilities to solve cases due to lack of technological advances and gadgets. Not to forget he would consume cocaine as he believed it makes his brain stronger and sharper. Though Dr. Watson was strictly against this habit of his he continued to do so. Don’t know if it actually helps but it would be foolish to question his mental abilities. The basic concept of his dressing that includes a hat, a pipe, a long coat with a belt and a looking glass has been a trade mark detective costume for ages now.

                                         

The knowledge of chemistry, the skill of disguise and the ability to judge human nature helped Holmes crack the toughest of the mysteries much quicker than anyone can even with the help of the most advanced gadgets. The best example of which could be found in the Dying Detective where he knew exactly what the symptoms of the disease thus caused by the poison was, reacting to which he was even smarter in dressing himself up in such a way so as to look being infected. The apt use of belladonna and vaseline made him look a convincing malingerer thus defying the culprit. 

His simplicity and effortless ability of analysing the situation has been his USP in solving the anonymities of the Read Headed league, the Sussex Vampire, the speckled band and many more. Nonetheless the quintessential inputs of his medical knowledge by Dr. Watson cannot be over-looked including the time to time monetary help that he had been making to Holmes.

                                             

The other British counter-part, better known as double O seven has equally impressed me with his sheer style, brisk movements and intelligence. Unlike Holmes I haven’t read Bond stories but have sincerely been watching all the movies based on them. The manner in which he uses his gadget might make Madame M go bizarre but he himself and all his fans just love to see him do so. From Bentley to Aston martin, from BMW to Routemaster, he has mastered it all. Be it driving on wheels or with the remote as he did in Tomorrow Never Dies, his cars love him as much as he does. So is the case with his Beretta and Walther which made him the greatest small arm’s expert. Some where I once read that Ian Fleming wanted the name of his character to be dull and unromantic hence he gave it a very simple name ‘James Bond’. Wonder if he had ever thought the name ‘Bond as in James Bond’ would become the most stylish name ever making the character one of the biggest Casanova the world has ever seen. Unlike Holmes, Bond would not take drugs instead was intoxicated by women and of course vodka martini.

                      

                    

     

On one hand where we see the brilliance of his fist movement and awesome use of gun in the Golden eye and Quantum of Solace, movies like the World is Not Enough and Casino Royal proves his cerebral abilities.  

Nonetheless, just to justify my belief of a woman brain being sharper and having better decision making power I would like to point out that both these super brainy lads were outclassed by a woman each. Irene Adler whom Holmes always referred to as ‘the woman’ had outshined his master brains on several occasion. Similarly, Wai Lin of Tomorrow Never Dies had bettered Bond in both briskness and intelligence.

Having said that it still makes it so very difficult to choose between the two greats as to who was better. Both the British counterparts have had their share of fan following all throughout the world and have proved being worthy of it time and again. Where Holmes captivates a reader to maximum attention, James Bond is a visual delight. Though I am not much of a reader myself and hardly can a book capture my attention for more than ten minutes, Sir Arthur Canon Doyle indeed has created such a brilliant character which I can never resist reading. On the other hand, where the likes of Mission Impossible and other super hero movies are mere time pass for me, Bond movies are always a must watch for the plot it generates and way it is executed.