Dharnas Undemocratic?

I find the terming of picketing of MPs houses and offices across the nation as undemocratic to be grossly misconceived. While the critics propose democratic process as the solution to this problem, they seem to have forgotten the basic premise of representative democracy. If our honuorable Members of Parliament, as representatives of the people, had reached out to the people of their respective constituency to recognise the popular view on this crucial issue of Lokpal, this act of 'dharnas' in front of MPs would have been unnecessary. Just because of the growing disconnect of the representatives from the people, such acts become necessary to ascertain the mood of people who they most proudly claim to represent. In general, the people's representatives must stop toeing the lines of party "high command" blindly and give voice to the people's will in their respective constituencies even if it doesn't conform to the party thinking, as is observed in other mature democracies like US.

Letter to Editor (The Hindu)

I wrote a letter to the Editor of The Hindu today. I don't know whether somebody in the editorial team of The Hindu will read it or not. Reproducing the letter here nonetheless.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sir,

This is with reference to the recent "Lead" articles published in The Hindu on 23rd and 24th Aug, 2011. Not only do I not agree with the analysis and arguments presented in the articles, but also I find these articles to be based on incomplete information.

Ms. Arundhati Roy's article "I'd rather not be Anna" has been refuted based on facts in the following article (not written by me):

http://clearvisor.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/why-i’d-rather-be-anna-than-arundhati/

I hope you would find the arguments in the above blog substantive and would give ample space to its fact-based analysis in your esteemed publication, so that the large readership, which your newspaper enjoys, does not remain misinformed.

Mr. Prabhat Patnaik's article "Messianism versus Democracy" is theoretically sound but makes grossly mistaken observations about the happenings at Ramlila Maidan. He claims that the "occasion is not used to enlighten the gathering" about "the differences between the Government's Lokpal Bill and the Jan Lokpal Bill". Nothing could be further from the truth, as not only the stage of Ramlila Maidan is used to educate the masses of the differences in provisions of both the bills, members of 'India against Corruption' movement have used print media (The Hindu also, at times), the electronic media, social networking (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube) and even printed pamphalets distributed to doorsteps by volunteers to explain their suggestions to a large section of the society. On the contrary, the 'democratically' elected government has not attempted to defend the provisions of its own bill by any such means and even on the floor of the Parliament. Apart from that, the stage of Ramlila Maidan is used to immediately impress upon the masses about the progress of dialogue with the Government, while the Government's representatives continue to make muffled statements about their stand on contentious issues.

The Hindu, particularly its editorial page, has a large number of followers which is respected for its non-partisan views on the matters of concern to the nation and the world. Due to the prestige associated with The Hindu, the articles published almost decisively transform public opinion on various issues. Therefore, I would like to request the editorial team of The Hindu to publish the articles only after adequate verification for factual correctness, and not based on just the esteem of the author. I am not advocating that various perspectives of an issue should not be brought into public knowledge, but the arguments in any debate must be based on truth and authentic facts, not misinformation or inadequate information.

I sincerely hope that The Hindu will continue to function as a responsible media house bringing quality news to its readers, and take corrective measures to prevent the few aberrations such as the ones pointed out above.

With best regards,

Vikas Prajapati

Dual Degree Student,

Dept of Computer Science and Engineering,

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi,

Hauz Khas, New Delhi - 16

Rang De Basanti

An epic movie with extra-ordinary direction, acting, songs, background music - simply everything. But technicalities apart, there are some unforgettable lines throughout the movie bursting with patriotic and nationalist feelings, which keep me pumped up. Recounting some of them here.

"अब भी जिसका खून न खौला, खून नहीं वो पानी है

जो देश के काम न आये, वो बेकार जवानी है."

"I always believed there were two kinds of men in this world, men who go to their deaths screaming, and men who go to their deaths in silence. Then I met a third kind."

"कोई भी देश perfect नहीं होता, उसे perfect बनाना पड़ता है. पुलिस में भर्ती होंगे, military join करेंगे, IAS बनेंगे, politics का हिस्सा बनकर इस देश की सरकार चलाएंगे. ये देश बदलेगा, हम बदलेंगे इसे."

"जिंदगी जीने के दो ही तरीके होते हैं. एक - जो हो रहा है, होने दो; बर्दाश्त करते जाओ. या फिर, ज़िम्मेदारी उठाओ उसे बदलने की."

So, in case someone has given up on India feeling that the future is dark, stop and think again; for each one of us can make a difference, and together we can do a lot more.

Signing off with a poem, every line of which is a quote in itself:

सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
देखना है ज़ोर कितना बाज़ू-ए-क़ातिल में है।

ऐ वतन, करता नहीं क्यूँ दूसरी कुछ बातचीत,
देखता हूँ मैं जिसे वो चुप तेरी महफ़िल में है

ऐ शहीद-ए-मुल्क-ओ-मिल्लत, मैं तेरे ऊपर निसार,
अब तेरी हिम्मत का चरचा ग़ैर की महफ़िल में है

वक़्त आने पर बता देंगे तुझे, ए आसमान,
हम अभी से क्या बताएँ क्या हमारे दिल में है,

खेँच कर लाई है सब को क़त्ल होने की उमीद,
आशिकों का आज जमघट कूचा-ए-क़ातिल में है

है लिए हथियार दुश्मन ताक में बैठा उधर,
और हम तैयार हैं सीना लिए अपना इधर।

ख़ून से खेलेंगे होली अगर वतन मुश्क़िल में है
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है।

हाथ, जिनमें है जूनून, कटते नही तलवार से,
सर जो उठ जाते हैं वो झुकते नहीं ललकार से।

और भड़केगा जो शोला सा हमारे दिल में है,
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है।

हम तो निकले ही थे घर से बाँधकर सर पर कफ़न,
जाँ हथेली पर लिए लो बढ चले हैं ये कदम।

ज़िंदगी तो अपनी मॆहमाँ मौत की महफ़िल में है
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है।

यूँ खड़ा मक़्तल में क़ातिल कह रहा है बार-बार,
क्या तमन्ना-ए-शहादत भी किसी के दिल में है?

दिल में तूफ़ानों की टोली और नसों में इन्कलाब,
होश दुश्मन के उड़ा देंगे हमें रोको न आज।

दूर रह पाए जो हमसे दम कहाँ मंज़िल में है,
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है।

जिस्म वो क्या जिस्म है जिसमे न हो ख़ून-ए-जुनून
क्या लड़े तूफ़ान से जो कश्ती-ए-साहिल में है

सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
देखना है ज़ोर कितना बाज़ू-ए-क़ातिल में है।

Sea of Inspiration

Here are the two most motivational poems I've come across, which induce exceptional positivism in me every time I read them.

Invictus

(William Ernest Henley)

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishment the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

If

(Rudyard Kipling)

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

If there are more poems with such inspirational impulse, please suggest some.

Getting into the Groove

For the last 15 days, I've been a part of a new kind of learning experience, for which I had signed up about a month ago by shedding more than half of my account's balance. Yes, I'm referring to joining coaching for Civil Services exam, specifically the subject Public Administration. The subject is academically alien to the background that I belong to, but still I can relate to most of the concepts being discussed, which pertain to organisational management in general, due to several practical experiences. These theories and ideas have a wider relevance in the current world, where everybody, in one way or the other, is trying to channelize the resources available towards a goal. Thus, I'm led to believe that the scope of our education should be expanded to include such universally required skills.

Besides the charm for this entirely new field of study, the environment of the coaching institute is also new to me. A class of 450-500 students in a single room coming from insanely diverse backgrounds chasing one common goal. A room where my past and present are unknown and immaterial to the people around me. This never happened earlier - not during IIT, not during JEE coaching and certainly not during schooling. Personally, I'm enjoying the luxury of being untagged and the opportunity to start afresh. Then, there is this constant reminder also from the sea of people around me - about the kind of competition that I face in my journey towards the dream.

Coming to the technical details, enrollment in the coaching and sincere compliance with the schedule entails getting up as early as 8 am, 7 days a week for the next 3 months. Certainly challenging at the first look, after comfortably missing 10 am lectures in IIT. But it has helped me streamline my schedule by providing a reference point.

So, as I get into the groove for the long journey that awaits me, the challenges are numerous. Hitting a harmonious balance with the "major" project is the foremost, specially when the adviser is uninformed or possibly misinformed about the reasons of my conversion to Dual Degree. Another one is the tough choice to let go of the sport that I'm so passionate about, but I would take that call when the time demands. Right now, the focus is on harnessing the inspiration derived from the monumental feat of Mr. Kashish Mittal.

PS: The X-ed Minor Project appears to be over. Done with the project presentation and report. :)

Mr. Lonely

Days are passing by without any action, as if life has come to a standstill. Moreover, I am not sure of the reason of me staying back at IITD right now, though the excuses are many - volleyball camp, extended minor project, civil services preparation. But, I can't really find out the reasons out of the excuses, because I don't observe any progress on any of those fronts. Besides, I have been feeling lonely too in the last few days. I don't know whether the loneliness is due to the lack of progress, or vice-versa, but I carry the sensation of loneliness from the moment I wake up early in the morning to the time I somehow fall asleep every night.

On the field, I'm not sure of the purpose for which I'm burning out my muscles every morning at 6 am, when some of my "experienced" mates find it to be the least priority activity in their life at present. Whatever energy I can conserve out of the workout (read burnout) doesn't appear sufficient to keep me awake for rest of the morning. The extended minor project has hit a roadblock because I've no clue what am I aiming to accomplish. Additionally, probably due to thinking more than required, somehow I find myself so much entangled in the thought of civil services preparation itself that I can't pick a loose end of the string to start off.

And without doing anything worthwhile today also, except watching a hilarious (but elongated) movie "Pyaar ka Punchnama", I've no option but to sign off without any expectations of something exciting from the coming day.

CS07, Farewell to Thee!

Batch of 2007CS, IIT Delhi

Here is a short write-up on similar lines with the short "speech" I made during the CS07 farewell yesterday, with a few extensions of ideas and better expressions:

In this farewell, I could have been on the other side of the line (with the ones passing out, and not with those staying behind for another year). But, I chose to get "dualized" and sometimes, I am presented with reasons to consider that decision to be a mistake - another year of academic load, another year at IITD but without many of the friends. Well, the internet ban in the nights from the next semester is another major concern.

As I look at myself today, I find that as a person I've grown up the most in the last four years of my life. I entered IITD as a young kid, who hadn't faced the world alone much. After four years, I would like to believe that I've matured a lot as a person. The major contribution to that comes from the people around me - the students and the professors alike. The students coming here from diverse backgrounds have something different and special in each of them, and there was something I could learn from most of them. With friends, the experiences have been mixed - some funny incidents, some tense moments. Similarly, the time with profs has also been a mixed bag. Jokes have been cracked in classes, and nights have been spent on assignments.

Now that four years of awesomeness have passed, I doubt the next year will match up with those standards. The Bharti Bldg will remain the same, but with the people inside it, who actually matter, gone, it would be nothing more than just the dept building. The GCL will reduce to a large room with hundreds of computers, and will no more be a fun place to hang out.

B.Tech. people, you'll be missed. As CS07 batch starts to scatter, the google group will be silenced (the last week has been phenomenal), the hostel corridors will look emptied, faces in GCL won't be so familiar any more. Though in a shrinking world, it is most certain that we'll remain in touch through various means, life will never be the same; because as per my experience, long distance relationships don't work out so well.

So, as the lovely people of this rocking batch enter another phase of their lives, I wish them the best. Guys, it was an honour serving with you, "May the Force be with You".

"Forever" - Really?!

"Friends forever". I could never understand how long is 'forever'. As per laws of the universe (or Gita), everything that has a beginning has an end. But, how close/far that end should be. Death is an obvious option, and of course, "till death do us part" is a common oath taken with another social contract (marriage), but friendship is meant to be free from all such bindings. So, as all things are meant to end sometime, friendship too has to have a similar behaviour - an ascent to the peak, then stagnation for sometime there, followed by the inevitable fall. Why so? Because priorities change, and so do affinities. Therefore, as one friendship wilts, the seeds for other ones are sown. Then follows a competition which ends in survival of the fittest. God-damn you, Darwin!

A Week of Victory and Hope

The last 7 days or so have been unprecedented. Never before in my life have I seen two different reasons for people to come out on the streets within a week. Last Saturday, the world witnessed the long-awaited world cup victory for Indian cricket team, which India celebrated with unseen fervour. If I believe hearsay (I missed it myself), about 50,000 persons gathered at the India Gate on the same night itself to celebrate the resurgence of India in the world of cricket. Right after, when everyone expected a week full of lull and boredom (IPL4 was still a week away), something happened which touched the Indian people from within. An almost unknown Anna Hazare pledged a fast unto death to demand a joint-committee to draft an almost forgotten Lokpal Bill. As all the euphoria that followed, some very remarkable and unparalleled things happened.

Firstly, Anna Hazare represented a beacon of hope in an otherwise helpless society who had given up in front of the rotten system and had accepted corruption as a way of life. Government’s acceptance of all demands of Anna gives people hope that a strongly determined will of the people can ring bells in ears of the deafest of regimes. A well-inspired movement can enforce participation in even the most insensitive of representative democracies. I am filled with optimism that it is still too early to give up on the Indian system. Indians are seeking a worthy leader and as and when they would find one, the support would be voluntary and overwhelming.

Secondly, this crusade was driven by the eagerness of the common man, even the silent middle class, to leave their comfort zones, to sacrifice their petty interests and come out in support of something they believe in. Being present at Jantar Mantar on both days when the fast began and the fast ended, I observed around me united support to fight the common cause of resentment, coming from across societal, geographic, economic and generational lines. Before this, the cynic in me thought that the only motive that connects every Indian is cricket and no other reason would be important enough to strike the chord in all of them. But, the cynicism had to make way for positivity.

With the official notification of a joint committee to draft a strong anti-corruption law, the struggle towards a better future has just begun. I hope with a bit of apprehension that the enthusiasm and oneness that people displayed during a short protest doesn’t get diffused in the long run, and the faith in power of united effort to change and improve the system is not lost. 

हो गई है पीर पर्वत-सी पिघलनी चाहिए,
इस हिमालय से कोई गंगा निकलनी चाहिए।

आज यह दीवार, परदों की तरह हिलने लगी,
शर्त लेकिन थी कि ये बुनियाद हिलनी चाहिए।

सिर्फ हंगामा खड़ा करना मेरा मकसद नहीं,
मेरी कोशिश है कि ये सूरत बदलनी चाहिए।

मेरे सीने में नहीं तो तेरे सीने में सही,
हो कहीं भी आग, लेकिन आग जलनी चाहिए।

 (by Dushyant Kumar)

My right in My IIT

A long time has passed, when the first thought to file an RTI in IIT Delhi crossed my mind. But, I assumed that it would be a clumsy affair and I would have to face similar unfavourable attitude in RTI cell as in some other offices (e.g. Accounts section) of IIT Delhi. So, the idea of an RTI was nipped in the bud itself by the pessimistic part of me.

But, some recent developments in my surroundings rekindled that thought and I convinced myself to actually do it this time. So, I collected all the required information essential to file an RTI - the Public Information Officer, the method  to submit the nominal fee (Rs. 10 only), some sample RTIs; and then proceeded to draft an application (which is nothing more than a list of questions on a plain sheet of paper) requesting for the information.

Next was the part which I was most reluctant about - dealing with a public office in IIT Delhi, being a victim of the inefficiencies of Accounts section on many occasions. But, it was a pleasant surprise when the lady responsible to register the RTI application greeted me with a smile, and politely cleared all my queries regarding the procedural details of RTI application. And thus, my first RTI applications (yes, there were two) were received and would hopefully be replied soon (not more than 30 days in any case).

Thus, in very short, the method to file RTIs in IIT Delhi is hassle-free, thanks to the supportive staff in RTI cell. Just draft your precise questions in plain english on a normal paper in a prescribed format addressed to the PIO of IIT Delhi. Submit the application in the RTI cell (opposite Diro's office) with the fee submitted through the usual challan forms. And you are guaranteed a response in maximum 30 days.

So, the next time you speculate about some information hidden from you in the IIT system, go ahead and file an RTI. Put an end to the rumours and get definitive answers. Let the age of 'information' prevail.

PS: I appreciate the support extended by young Nitesh Mor in filing the RTI by generously contributing the postal orders required.

The Decade that Passed By

This post is already about 15 days late than expected, thanks to the art of procrastination, but nevertheless, better late than never. Another decade in my and everyone’s life went by, but being born in ’90, my age can be roughly counted in decades. Thus, I turned ‘2 decades’ old quite recently (brownie points for remembering my b’day). So, I thought of reminiscing a bit on the turn of events in the past decade in which I can say that I grew up the most – having seen three different phases of age in a single decade; starting from a kid, going into adolescence (teenage) and turning an adult. So here it is - my last 10 years summed up in a 'few' lines - approximately my journey from what I was to what I am now.

2000-01 (Class 6-7):

Shifted school from AECS#2 (primary) to AECS#4 (secondary). Suddenly, turned the junior most in the school from the senior most, and frequently surrounded by tall fellows from higher classes. Also, the year of Kaun Banega Crorepati. Even, tried madly for KBC Junior.

2002 (Class 8):

Returned to AECS#2 due to some reshuffle in school system at Rawatbhata. Separated from some really dear friends of the childhood. Haven't yet been able to reconnect completely with them thereafter, but made some new friends and learnt to move on.

My sister moved to college. No more competition in ownership of TV and no more fighting for one thing or the other. But, realised soon enough that we miss people and learn their value only when they move away.

Gave to myself and gave myself to Volleyball – which would no longer be just a game to me in years to come, but that’s a long story – sometime later. Travelled for sports tours, away from home for the first time – one activity essential to grow up.

Lucky to get a great School Principal in MNVP Naidu sir. Faced some tough competition in academics – thanks to Ashwin. Taught me how to compete healthily and constructively.

2003-04 (Class 9):

Spent almost 4 months (2 of them continuously) away from home going through drilling (literally) NCC camps. Achieved the dream of an NCC cadet – attended the Republic Day Camp – 2004. Haven’t yet lived a tougher, more disciplined, and still more exciting life than those days. Still miss some of the people I lived with then, I wish there was some sort of Facebook then too.

Had my maiden flight in the Microlight (a 2-seater plane for NCC cadets). Developed a strong desire to become a fighter pilot in Indian Air Force through NDA. A bad idea keeping in view my fear of heights, but, the mind keeps taking crazy dives.

2004-05 (Class 10):

Return of Volleyball which turned out to be a nightmare. Got injured (a facture in right metacarpal) days before the tour. Turned selfish by still going on with the tour and wasting a place in the team (I still count it as one of the biggest mistakes of my life) and paid later in the form of complications resulting in a surgery. Actually, what attracted me was the venue of the sports meet (Kakrapar, Gujarat) which happens to be my birth place, where I spent the first 4 years of my life; just wanted to see it again.
Despite an ailing right hand due to the fracture, managed to do well in the board exams (with an astonishing 99 in Hindi, mainly due to an excellent teacher in Mrs. Rama Sharma ma'am). Cracked many other competitive exams (NTSE etc.).

2005-06 (Class 11):
Came to know about something called IIT-JEE (believe me, I didn't know about it earlier). I feel fortunate to be picked up by Sri Chaitanya Academy on a 100% scholarship, because otherwise I wouldn't have joined a coaching and cannot predict where that would have landed me.  Experienced hostel life - late night studies, later night masti, poor mess food, petty quarrels, gossips about girls, crushes etc. Fun-filled days in general, too much pressure sometimes.
Visited HBCSE for a week through KVPY (and later for Olympiad camps). Got to meet some bright people of my age (who're going to be big names in near future) . Felt elite for the first time.

2006-07 (Class 12):
Rented a room outside, Maa moved in, pretty organised life, almost at home. Big aims in eyes, consistent efforts, some ups and downs, but finally a year ending in extra-ordinary achievements - AIR50 (JEE), Silver medal (IChO), decent 92% (CBSE), all of which, I believe, became possible only because of my Mom.

2007-present (IIT Delhi):
This phase, I think, has contributed the most to my growth and maturity (whatever I exhibit at times). Not only because I turned officially adult during this time, but because it gave me real freedom and opportunity to make many crucial decisions for myself - some of them I got right, many of them wrong. Made some really close friends - friends for life. In fact, this phase of life is an era in itself. It would be an injustice to try to shrink it in a few lines. Would dedicate a complete post some day, may be after I turn an alumni.

So, that's it. A pretty 'short' memoir of my life in the past decade. I hope to make the next one more memorable and if possible, more diverse.