Unlearning the new Mantra ; Why follow?

I seem to be spending this particular period of my life thinking over my existence. Is it worth something or rather anything? Am I here to perform something substantial? Or should I continue breathing away my life just the way I have been doing since I had a mind of my own? What if I do not want to flow with the river and wish to make my own path which may not be as exciting as flowing with the water?

Since times immemorial we all have been under the aegis of our guardians. Someone once rightly told me that in an Indian environment you’re always kept under a protected guard by your progenitor, always avoiding us from committing any foolish act, thus stopping us from thinking. Forcing us to enter a framework already established by supposedly experienced insane mortals. The result being every child in this particular environment follows the child ahead of him (ahead in the sense of queue and not intellect), none of them bold enough to take the much needed risk to break free of the shackles

The concept of lateral thinking seems to be fading in the hazy nebula. Edward de Bono though trying his best to propagate the concept.

The inherent attribute of man which has led to the globalization and technology was risk taking ability. Rigid Mechanical Framework can never lead to innovation. But the day we start exploring world outside the module we might achieve the much needed thought progression

Some of the compartmentalization was evident in ancient India as well. When a carpenter’s son was carpenter; a blacksmith’s son was blacksmith; a vaidya’s son was a vaidya.

Improvement of the human race takes place when a blacksmith’s son questions his forefathers and the environment why he can’t be a goldsmith or a soldier or for that matter be nothing and live an ascetic life

This ‘break the shell’ bug does not bite every individual. Hence the mind numbing size of individuals getting their degrees and diplomas in a particular concentrated field is very high. The grim reality is not the astronomical size of concentration in a particular arena, but the reason behind it. Almost 40% of the population ended up where they are not because they wanted to be there but because everybody else was heading there so none care to question other people’s authority

Till the day we do not commit foolish acts, lose fights, lose money, face criticism and end up bruised we do not learn. Learning is a gradual process and if observed the largest proportion of our knowledge has been acquired outside the framework, especially when we questioned the system and refused to follow something because the world follows it. Hence today’s mantra would be to unlearn.

The power of ‘WHY’ is immense.

Season has well and truly begun

The management entrance test season seems to be in full flow with 3 exams down and 5 more to go. With SNAP coming up this Sunday and XAT, FMS, NMAT, CET to follow the coming months may well decide my destiny

I have well put the debacle of 3rd Dec behind me. It started on a bad note with a tiff with mom, which left me in an irascible state. I started my grumpy ride towards my centre hoping that my slot would get an easier nut to crack. After a horrendous start to the D-Day I found some relief in the train. Unusual as it may seem it took a brawl in the local compartment of train to cheer me up. And believe you me it was hilarious. Pardon my attitude, such sadistic pleasures do not excite me but I was really irritated with my mom’s reckless behaviour on the morning of such a crucial exam in my life. The best part was that it was one of those typical fights in which no blows were exchanged instead both the parties engaged in what we call “Bol Bachan”. These fights are not new to mumbaites especially those prone to trains.

I reach the centre bang on time to meet my friend who seemed to be armed with all the essentials to crack the exam. The next 2 hrs were spent by us discussing the strategy.

I was thoroughly impressed by all the snazzy gadgets at the centre-Lenovo LCDs, Biometrics, Digital Cameras etc. Just when I was going gaga over the professionalism shown by prometric came the bomb, our systems crashed. Then started the long agonizing wait on the chair for 6 hours with no provisions of food or water. I had selected the morning slot of 10-12 since I am a morning person and can concentrate better in the morning. Ended up giving the same exam at 3:30 slot, which ended at 6

Calls started coming immediately (Not the GD/PI’s sadly but telephone calls) but by that time was exhausted to talk to anyone, worn out to discuss, tired to blame prometric, dog-tired to give CAT again. The feeling was that of relief, relief that it was over

Just when I thought it was over got the worst attack of migraine that night and could not sleep till 11,did later only after the doctor administered sleeping pills and some strong doses of pain killers. Guess the exhaustion took its toll over me

When the going gets tough

Concentration levels are falling by the day and depression levels are rising by the day.I am searching frantically to get some paltry support and inspiration from the dear ones around me.But sadly fail to find any.All I find is criticism,disbelief and discouragement.This may be one of the most trying times of the 2 decades seen by me.Going through absolute lack of focus and boredom even after self abnegating myself from every act of hedonism

Sometimes it feels as though the whole world is plotting against you .Simple steps are feeling like burning coal .Probably this is that very period of my life. Everyday seems to be a battle with myself ,a battle to channelize my energy into one force ,a battle to forget past failures and rise up to the occasion ,a battle to sustain high levels of self belief and avoid quitting ,come what may! It makes me remember of an old classic -

Don't Quit

(one of the old classic motivational poem)

When things go wrong as they sometimes will;

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;

When the funds are low and debts are high;

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh;

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must but don't you quit.

Accepting the challenge and fighting against all odds is the trait of a true fighter .I will not give up ,my dream is my passion and I cherish it .I will give everything that is required to guard it .I will not go down without a fight!

This is an extract from the hour long speech by Jessie Owens

 (World famous Athlete) on winning his first Gold
 medal in the Olympics

 " To those of you who laughed at me, thank you.
 Without you I wouldn't have cried.

 To those of you who just couldn't love me, thank
 you. Without you I wouldn't have known real love.

 To those of you who hurt my feelings, thank you.
 Without you I wouldn't have felt them.

 To those of you who left me lonely, thank you.
 Without you I wouldn't have discovered myself.

 But it is to those of you who thought I couldn't do
 it. It is you I thank the most,
 because without you I wouldn't have tried."

POLITICAL IRONY AT ITS BEST

20th November,Today's Date will be remembered as one of the black days in the Indian Media history .People who supposedly fight for the "Marathi Manoos" rights have ironically bashed up the very "Marathi Manoos" working in the news channel IBN LOKMAT.The particular political group beat up the media journalists of the channel.The Chief Editor Nikhil Wagle was not spared of their fury as well.Mumbai has been a well publicized playground for such acts of violence and vandalism.Who is responsible for such acts? Minions who are acting on mere indications of political bosses? The Media themselves for creating such uncompromising situations by making offhand statements ? The Ruling Party-Congress who seem to be an artless witness? Or We the People - who are well aware of the situation but choose to be ignorant?

Mr Ashok Chavan,CM of Maharashtra stated that the perpetrators of this crime would be taken to task.If this task would be taken up during the ruling party's tenure is to be seen. Coming straight to the point, not 1 not 2-3 but a mob of 25 party workers attacked the office of the media channel IBN.When a senior representative of this party was asked to comment on this issue he replied " this act was not a planned one but a spontaneous one and its a result of the channel misquoting an article by the head of the party on Sachin Tendulkar " Spontaneity !!!! -Is that all the excuse you can come up with? Well I do not understand the spontaneity in pulling the receptionist at the desk by her hair, boxing her in the stomach,beating the very marathi manoos working for the channel with stumps and iron rods.That's a disgrace to the Maratha culture not SPONTANEITY!The particular party is also a follower of the Great Maratha Warrior Shivaji & Ex-leaders.Had Lokmanya Tilak,Shahu Maharaj and many great Fighters who fought for the Maratha cause, seen this vision of immorality? A Maharashtra filled with political parties which purport vandalism of property and insolence towards women? Never! These men were gentlemen and you lose your manhood the moment you treat women the way these political hooligans did today.Is it Democracy or Mobocracy?

  Its pretty inexplicable that the same clan which has given ingenious to the world in the form of Shivaji Maharaj,Sachin Tendulkar ,innumerable talented marathi actors ,scientists etc. can fall to such a pathetic state to gain some cheap political mileage.Contrasting as it may seem, when this act of misdemeanor was being conducted another True Indian was out there battling to spare India the embarrassment of losing their 1st Test Match in India to Sri Lanka.He is a Maratha,a True Maratha and a True Indian.

The Sobriquet of 'The Battleground of Europe' is betowed on BELGIUM and it wouldn't be long before the same is conferred on Mumbai. Why has Mumbai out of all cities in this Country been sensitive to all these issues?1st the Terror Attacks ,then the specious fight for marathi rights which was betrayed today by this party.The Financial Capital of the country,the residence to some of the world's most powerful corporate houses ,celebrities ,one of the worlds best police services and yet when we are subjected to atrocities we show tolerance or rather Ignorance? The question is Why?

P.S - I am not a 'Marathi Manoos' ,you would have guessed that by now but have immense love for Marathi people and Mumbai.Its only the case of few bad apples spoiling the entire clan.My mother tongue is not native to Mumbai and yet have spoken only marathi with my parents from the day I was born.That's not all,many of my non-marathi friends speak with me in marathi and vice-versa,call it preposterous,bizarre or fake.Its not the language its the thought which needs to be conveyed and I think I do it efficiently.