Do we really crave certainty?

Uncertainty is most commonly cited as the main source of worry and anxiety in our lives. ‘Fear of the unknown’ is a commonly used phrase. Why, then, do we fear death the most, when death in the only certainty in life? May be because of the uncertainty of when?

So is certainty the solution? Is full certainty going to be the source of ultimate happiness? I am afraid not. If all things were absolutely certain – imagine a situation where you know the complete schedule of your future – life would be boring; where is the joy of living in that?

My hypothesis is that certainty is desirable in things required for basic survival. The definition of ‘basic’ may vary from person to person – for some, certainty of food or shelter is enough; for some, certainty of monthly paycheck is bliss; for some, certainty about love and care is essential. It depends on where one is placed in the hierarchy of needs.

What about certainty in terms of results of our efforts? What if there is a knowledge bank, which tells me – if I follow such and such plan, I will get such and such results – life would be so peaceful, no? I doubt it. If all our efforts are destined to bear the desired fruits, then I fear the fruit won’t be valued much (basic demand-supply theory – the fruit is just too abundant).

On the other hand, the uncertainty surrounding the result keeps us on our toes. Uncertainty then becomes a source of creativity – would the plan work, how do I test it, should I tweak it – questions like these create a sense of dynamism.

If the plan eventually does work, we would feel a sense of ownership of not just the result but also the ‘tweaked’ plan – one more way to do it, adding another possibility to the already existing ones - which is now our contribution to the knowledge bank. And that, I believe, feeds our self-worth, for the joy of living is in the joy of giving.

UPSC Marksheets (2014-15)

Roll No: 024048

Name: VIKAS PRAJAPATI

INDIAN FOREST SERVICE EXAMINATION - 2014

SUBJECTS	MAX MARKS	MARKS
CHEMISTRY PAPER-I	200	080
CHEMISTRY PAPER-II	200	078
FORESTRY PAPER-I	200	094
FORESTRY PAPER-II	200	087
GENERAL ENGLISH	200	151
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE	200	080
WRITTEN TOTAL	1400	570
PERSONALITY TEST	300	192
FINAL TOTAL	1700	762

Result: RECOMMENDED (AIR-12)

CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION - 2014

SUBJECTS	MAX MARKS	MARKS
ESSAY (PAPER-I)	250	112
GENRAL STUDIES -I (PAPER-II)	250	071
GENRAL STUDIES -II (PAPER-III)	250	068
GENRAL STUDIES -III (PAPER-IV)	250	069
GENRAL STUDIES -IV (PAPER-V)	250	085
OPTIONAL-I (CHEMISTRY) (PAPER-VI)	250	151
OPTIONAL-II (CHEMISTRY) (PAPER-VII)	250	149
WRITTEN TOTAL	1750	705
PERSONALITY TEST	275	157
FINAL TOTAL	2025	862

Result: NOT RECOMMENDED

Indian Forest Service - Profile and Recruitment Process

(Reproducing a feature that I wrote for the Employment News, published in its "30th May - 05th June 2015" issue)

Introduction to Service

Indian Forest Service (IFS) is one of the three All India Services (AIS), which works for conservation, protection and development of forests and wildlife, along with an aim to enhance livelihood opportunities of forest-dependent communities of rural and tribal areas. Thus, the mandate of IFS is a unique blend of environmental conservation and socio-economic development, which are essential components of the emerging sustainable development paradigm.

UPSC Interview (CSE-2014)

Exam: Civil Services Examination - 2014

Date: May 7, 2015

Time: 11:10 am - 11:35 am

Board: Vinay Mittal Sir

My Profile:

Place of Birth: Surat (Gujarat)

Home State: Rajasthan

Education: Dual Degree (Computer Sc. & Engg.), IIT Delhi

Job: 1 year in management consulting
Optional: Chemistry

Extra-curricular: NCC, SPIC MACAY, and Volleyball

Hobbies: Chess, Reading non-fiction books

Interview Summary:

CM

•  Less pay than private sector. Would you be satisfied?
• What were you doing for last 2 years?
• What is SPIC MACAY?
• What initiative did you take as Secretary of SPIC MACAY in IIT Delhi?
• Tell me about musical instruments of India.
• Did you participate in the Republic Day Parade?
• What did you do in the Republic Day Camp?
• Why didn't you continue NCC in college?What kind of government is there in India?
• What constitutional provisions suggest that India has a federal system?
• What is cooperative federalism?
• What is competitive federalism?
• A recent scheme which reflects competitive federalism?

UPSC Interview (IFS Examination-2014)

Exam: Indian Forest Service Examination - 2014
Date: February 4, 2015; Afternoon

Board: D K Dewan Sir

Duration: 22-25 minutes

My Profile:

Place of Birth: Surat (Gujarat)

Home State: Rajasthan

Education: Dual Degree (Computer Sc. & Engg), IIT Delhi

Job: 1 year in management consulting
Optionals: Chemistry, Forestry

Extra-curricular: NCC, SPIC MACAY, and Volleyball

Hobbies: Chess, Reading non-fiction books

Interview Summary:

CM

• You worked in private sector, then you started preparing for civil services. Now you want to come into forest services. Why?
• It is commonly heard that “Bureaucrat is all powerful”. Do you agree? Why did this notion develop?
• What is ICJ? Where is it located?
• What’s the difference between IMF and World Bank? Where do they get money from?
• How to eradicate corruption from this country? [long discussion]

PK – the Concept and the Controversy

Amid all the brouhaha, I watched the movie ‘PK’ last night. In my opinion, the movie doesn’t contain anything so offensive that warrants such forceful protests seeking a ‘ban’ on it. The few scenes involving an actor dressed as Lord Shiva, which were mentioned in some TV debates, were not disrespectful to Hinduism. However, if one watches the movie for the sake of getting offended, that is quite another matter.

What the movie does is to offer its viewers some ‘food-for-thought’ regarding the role of religion in one’s life. Instead of taking a stand against any gods or religion, the movie denounces the commercialization of religion by the self-styled godmen who claim to act as messengers of god. In the land of Sant Rampals and Nirmal Babas, this message might threaten such godmen who use the ‘fear of god’ to exploit the commoners.

While the alien PK expresses bewilderment at the seemingly contradictory traditions of various religions of India, the major attack is on a Hindu godman claiming to be in direct communication with the Almighty. This has prompted some to tag the movie as anti-Hindu, as if the fraudster baba was a true preacher of Hinduism. The key reason why the film focuses on a Hindu baba and gods is that it needs to connect with the audience, which is largely Hindu.

If one looks back at the history of religious traditions, Martin Luther’s Protestantism in opposition to Roman Catholic Church stands out as one of the strongest movements against religious orthodoxy. The consequent Age of Reformation was a precursor to the Age of Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution in Europe. The resulting economic growth converted the ‘barbaric’ European civilizations into a region of economically developed nations.

Although the Renaissance movements looked up to ancient Greek and Roman glory as a source of inspiration, the thrust was not on revivalism of age-old concepts. The socio-religious reform movements of 18^th and 19^th century in India too utilized evidences from ancient scriptures, but were targeted at elimination of existing social evils such as sati. Some contemporary practices too, prevalent in the name of Hinduism, need reasoned scrutiny and reforms. The current Indian society is in need of another round of socio-religious reformation, not another revivalist movement.

While the Protestantism movement could reform Christianity through a direct challenge to the highest Christian authority of the Pope, the absence of any such central authority in Hinduism presents a challenge. One approach might be to initiate a series of bottom-up movements (such as this) within the various Hindu sects, against their respective decadent practices. As Vivekananda equated ‘service of the God’ with ‘service of the mankind’, the intention and purpose of religion needs to be reoriented in that direction.

As PK says in the movie - let us accept and have faith in the God that created us and the universe, and reject the Ones that have been created by some of us for our own convenience and selfish reasons.

No More Confusion Please!

Recent few days have seen protests by a group of Civil Services aspirants, demanding change in the pattern of Civil Services examination, particularly scrapping of the Paper-2 (CSAT). Responding to these demands, the Central Government has urged the UPSC to postpone the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, which is scheduled to be held on 24^th August. In the meanwhile, a committee has been constituted to look into the concerns of the protestors. [1]

This news has brought fresh uncertainty in the minds of very many Civil Services aspirants. The notification for this year’s examination was released on May 31^th after a 15-day delay, presumably to take approval of the new Government. The forms have been filled up now, and the Prelims are only about 1 month away. The examination process which had begun after the Government’s approval is now being disrupted by the Government itself.

Moreover, the UPSC is an independent Constitutional body with a mandate to conduct these examinations. The ‘request’ by Government to postpone the examination looks like undue interference in the functioning of UPSC, and undermines its Constitutional independence.

However, the genuine concerns of the protestors need to be addressed to ensure fairness towards aspirants from all backgrounds. Given that any changes done once are likely to be institutionalized for at least a few more years, the pattern should be changed only after thorough analysis and due consultation. With the limited time available this year, this doesn’t seem possible and any proposed change is likely to be hasty.

The key demand of the protestors is the abolition of CSAT, which, they claim, is biased against the students of Humanities background because of its focus on analytical skills, reasoning and comprehension.[2] But wouldn’t removal of CSAT at this stage be unfair to those students, who have already diverted significant amount of their time and energy towards preparation of CSAT?

Reasoning and comprehension skills are tested in the recruitment process of even clerical jobs. The importance of such skills cannot be ignored in the selection process of the to-be policy makers of the country. The pattern and syllabus of an examination should be decided on the criteria of requirements of the future job profile, not on the basis of the candidates’ profile.

Introduction of CSAT was a part of the larger reform in the outdated recruitment process of Civil Services Officers. Setting the clock back on any such reform in haste may shut the doors on further reforms, as objections to any change in status quo will always arise.

The Government should, therefore, effect changes in the pattern only from the next year onwards and announce those changes well in advance. I hope that the Government will take care of not only the few hundred protestors, but also thousands of other aspirants who are going to be affected by any rushed decision in this matter. Hope better sense prevails!

Abki Baar Modi SAARCar

Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi has invited the leaders of all SAARC nations to his inauguration ceremony, thus opening a new chapter in diplomatic relations of India with its neighbours.

All of them, barring Pakistan, have confirmed their participation and would be represented by their Head of State / Government, except Bangladesh (Sheikh Hasina is on a visit to Japan). Given that the South Asian leaders have not gathered at one place in a long time, their confluence in this setting will reiterate India’s pre-eminent position in the South Asian region.

The emphasis on SAARC in Modi’s first diplomatic move is likely to rejuvenate interest in the almost dysfunctional regional group. With the SAARC summit scheduled to be held later in the year, Modi has an opportunity to drive the agenda as per his vision for South Asian economy and geopolitics. If India can lead the way towards strengthening the cohesiveness of the regional group, it can stem the drift of India’s neighbours into China’s strategic embrace.

The invitation to Pakistan, however, has met some resistance from experts due to recent skirmishes on the LoC. These objections are apparently hasty, because the meet is not of a bilateral character. Pakistan comes as a part of the SAARC package, whether we like it or not. Any exclusion of Pak from the SAARC grouping would have begun Modi-Sharif relationship on a wrong footing. Nawaz Sharif is also likely to visit, as he risks being sidelined in the South Asian club by being absent. Throughout the election season, Modi has been seen quite apprehensively across the border due to his anti-Pak rhetoric during the campaign. This meeting will give both Modi and Sharif a chance to understand each other and clear any misgivings at the outset of their relationship.

Despite Jayalalitha’s strong reservations, Sri Lankan President has been extended an invitation. The message to regional political groups is loud and clear that India’s foreign policy cannot be dictated by a particular State. With the strong mandate received by BJP in the General Elections, it is time for the Centre to reclaim its rightful control on the foreign affairs, which are in the exclusive domain of the Central Government.

The significance of a friendly neighbourhood has been recognized since the Nehruvian years, and it can be achieved only through closer economic integration and political cooperation among South Asian nations. This invitation to SAARC leaders is only the first step towards that end.

इंसान की पहचान

पहली बार हिंदी लघुकथा जगत में प्रवेश कर रहा हूँ| आशा है पाठकों को पसंद आएगा| कोई सुझाव या सुधार हो तो ज़रूर प्रकट करें|

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संजय आज बहुत खुश था, परीक्षा का परिणाम जो घोषित हुआ था| कक्षा में प्रथम स्थान तो नहीं आया, पर हिंदी जैसे कठिन विषय में उसके कक्षा में सबसे अधिक अंक थे| जब पिताजी दफ्तर से वापस आए, तब उसने उन्हें भी यह बात बताई| उत्सुकता में पिताजी ने उसकी हिंदी की उत्तर-पुस्तिका पढ़नी शुरू की| भाषा पर अपने बेटे की अच्छी पकड़ देखकर उन्हें बहुत गर्व महसूस हो रहा था|

पुस्तिका के अंत में उन्होंने देखा कि संजय ने “इंसान की पहचान” विषय पर निबंध लिखा है| अंतिम पंक्ति थी – “इंसान की असली पहचान उसे जन्म से नहीं, बल्कि उसके कर्म से होती है|” उनके पुत्र ने कक्षा ८ में ही एक गंभीर विषय पर इतना प्रगतिशील निबंध लिखा है, यह सोचकर उन्हें विशेष प्रसन्नता हुई|

शाबाशी देते हुए पिताजी बोले, “बेटा, इतना अच्छा निबंध कौनसी किताब से तैयार किया?”
“पापा, यह विषय किसी किताब में तो नहीं दिया हुआ था|”
“फिर ये सब विचार तुम्हारे दिमाग में कहाँ से आए?”
“पापा, एक दिन आप अपने मित्रों के साथ चर्चा कर रहे थे कि कैसे आज भी कई लोग चुनावों में सिर्फ जाति के आधार पर वोट डालती है, और इस कारण जातिवाद की राजनीति करने वाले नेता जीत जाते हैं और अच्छे उम्मीदवार हार जाते हैं| कैसे सरकारी नौकरियों और शिक्षा में जाति के आधार पर आरक्षण का लाभ ज़रूरतमंद लोगों को नहीं मिल रहा; साथ ही, अनारक्षित वर्ग के योग्य लोगों के अवसर कम होते जा रहे हैं| आप लोगों की इन्हीं बातों से प्रभावित होकर मैंने निबंध में ये विचार लिखे थे|”
“शाबाश, बेटा!” संजय की परिपक्व सोच सुनकर पिताजी का गर्व दुगुना हो गया|

समय बीतता गया| कुछ वर्षों में उसकी कॉलेज की पढाई भी पूरी हो गयी और एक प्रतिष्ठित कंपनी में उसकी नौकरी भी लग गई| इस बार जब वह दिवाली मनाने घर आया, तब उसके पिताजी ने उसकी शादी की बात छेड़ दी| उसने सोचा, “यही मौका है पापा को शालिनी के बारे में बताने का!”

बड़ी हिम्मत से उसने अपनी बात रखी, “पापा, मुझे एक लड़की पसंद है| मैं चाहता हूँ कि...”
पिताजी ने उसे टोकते हुए पूछा, “हमारे समाज की है या नहीं?”
उसने कहा, “नहीं, पापा| पर आप एक बार...”
पिताजी ने फिर टोका, “क्यों समाज में हमारी बेईज्ज़ती करना चाहते हो? भूल जाओ उसे!” बस इतना कहकर वे गुस्से में उठकर चले गए|

पिताजी की ऐसी प्रतिक्रिया सुनकर वह चकराया सा रह गया| तुरंत उसे बचपन में लिखा एक निबंध याद आया और उसने सोचा, “बचपन की नादानी में शायद गलत लिख आया था| इंसान की पहचान उसकी योग्यता या कर्मों से होना बस एक भ्रान्ति है, क्योंकि घर-घर में आज भी इंसान की पहली पहचान उसकी जाति है|”

Mission CleanUp 2014

The world’s largest democracy will participate in its biggest festival – the General Elections – over the next few weeks. While the outgoing Government has an unenviable record of high inflation, policy paralysis, and numerous scams, the 15^th Lok Sabha was also the worst performing in the history of independent India. In this grim situation, these elections present an opportunity to restore the sanctity of the institution of Parliament; and the power to do so lies in the hands of the political parties and the people of India.

For our constituency, we have a list of candidates to pick from. This list is the first opportunity to test the legitimacy of the tall promises that parties and their leaders have made. Did the assertion of ‘zero tolerance to corruption’ get validated by rejection of tainted leaders? Did the promise of ‘good governance’ translate into a clean and committed candidate? If yes, you are fortunate to have narrowed down to the worthy options. If no, then you realize the credibility of the promises and can avoid getting fooled into them.

Political parties have made another set of choices, contained in a document called Election Manifesto explaining their ‘vision’ for the future. If one’s ideas resonate with a political party’s proposed direction, it is natural to develop a liking for the particular party. However, if the party’s candidate is not clean, it would be better to not vote for the person and grant legitimacy to his/her claims of public support. It would be a service to both the country and the party. The country will be spared of another shady legislator, and the party’s agenda would be saved from being usurped by the few with foul intentions. Given the centralized decision-making process and lack of internal democracy across Indian political parties, the elections are the only opportunity available to the party supporters to send a message to the party leadership about the unacceptability of tainted individuals as party candidates.

The parties have already expressed their choices through their candidates and manifestos. Now, it is our turn to make a choice. Make an informed one. Vote responsibly. Vote for the better candidates. Jai Hind!

Live Life King Size!

हर पल यहाँ जी भर जियो,

जो है समां, कल हो न हो|

A road accident yesterday brought an abrupt end to the lives of four youngsters from IIT Delhi; that too when they were on a journey celebrating friendship and creating memories. Tragic incidents such as these make me want to believe in the theory of ‘rebirth’. The only way I can find solace is to think that these beautiful souls, who have left us in mourning, will bring laughter and happiness into some other lives.

I didn’t know them closely; one of them was just an acquaintance. Nonetheless, the terrible news brought back the realization that how ephemeral life is and how precious our moments in this world are. It is so pointless to waste these precious moments holding negative thoughts in our minds towards the people around us. A wise man once told me, "Wherever you go, the thing that will matter the most will be the people around you."

So, the best way, I believe, to pay our respects to the departed souls would be to celebrate this gift of life. Let us use our time here to spread happiness around us and bring smiles to as many faces as we can. क्योंकि, बाबू मोशाई, जिंदगी बड़ी होनी चाहिए, लंबी नहीं |

A Letter to Arvind Kejriwal ji

Dear Arvind Kejriwal ji,

After the trust of the public, you have now won the trust vote in Assembly also. Kudos to you for making history by going from the chief agitator to the Chief Minister of Delhi in just about a year.

A week ago, just after the oath-taking ceremony, you proclaimed that the ‘aam aadmi’ of Delhi has become the CM. While I appreciate your idea of Swaraj to put the power back into the hands of the aam aadmi, you need to recognize that you, being the Chief Minister now, are no longer an aam aadmi. With the authority to take decisions that impact the lives of millions of Delhi-ites vested in you, you are an important person. I won’t call you a Very Important Person (VIP), since you despise that label; and rightly so, given the extent to which VIP culture has infected our daily lives, from traffic lights to temple queues.

It is understandable that you seek to maintain the deep connection with the people that resulted in the exceptional electoral verdict for AAP. But I feel that you have gone overboard in propagating your ‘aam aadmi’ image. Starting from the metro ride to Ramlila Maidan to your rejection of the 5-bedroom apartment as your residence, this is appearing merely symbolic now. By all means, stay in a government bungalow, but also ensure that its gates are open to everyone irrespective of their social or economic status. Whenever somebody would agitate outside your house, if you could offer them water in glasses to drink, and not in canons to bathe, you would more strongly reinforce your ‘aam aadmi’ identity. If you can remain sensitive and responsive to concerns of the common people about their lives, they won’t bother about the number of bedrooms in your house. Living in a big house doesn’t stop one from having a big heart.

However, my sincere hope is that anti-corruption drive, and not shunning the VIP culture, becomes the major highlight of your Government. If you could send the culprits responsible for CWG scam to jail, you would do more justice to the aam aadmi’s sentiments than by riding auto rickshaws to work. Remember that time during Janlokpal agitation when Union Ministers challenged you to get elected and pass the bill yourself. Now that you have accomplished the more difficult first part of the challenge, you have the opportunity to demonstrate the practicability and efficacy of the Janlokpal model. Only a more effectively-working Lokayukta can highlight the weaknesses of the Government’s Lokpal model, which everyone except you has welcomed and celebrated.

You, your party, and now your government, have been receiving disproportionate media attention. Vasundhara Raje, with a three-fourths majority in Rajasthan elections, or Shivraj Singh and Raman Singh, returning to power for a third term, might grudge you for stealing their thunder. But too much of anything is counter-productive, as you might be starting to realize. Even the irregularity of your bowel movements is now being made ‘breaking news’, but that should not distract you from the ambitious mission of “vyavastha parivartan”.

The country has witnessed how you have shifted the political discourse away from personalities to issues, and now you may even set the agenda for 2014 General Elections. Aam Aadmi Party has opened the doors of politics to people with no political lineage, money or muscle power. But the process of systemic change should not stop at cleaning politics, but further extend to overhauling the administrative machinery from the lowest levels of bureaucracy to the highest echelons of power.

Putting transparent governance mechanisms in place would have more far-reaching impact on quality of people’s lives than providing free water or cheaper electricity. And while we are at it, it would be desirable for the want of transparency that your government puts in public domain the deliberations that went into the decisions of water and electricity subsidy, along with the larger action plan on improving the accessibility and affordability of water and electricity. That would not only enrich the raging debate on the implications of these ‘populist’ measures, but also indicate a long-term vision and not just short-term political considerations.

Sir, you now carry the burden of aspirations of many who have placed their trust in you. While some might like to see you fail so that they can shout: “I told you so”, a larger section of the public wishes to see you succeed in what you have started. You have become a symbol of hope for the people who have time and again been let down by the political class. Don't you become just another politician now! Don’t you let us down!

Yours truly,

An Aam Aadmi

One Evening at Raisina Hill

[Disclaimer: This is a detailed account of a personal experience, and may contain minute details uninteresting to you.]

After witnessing the outrage over Twitter against the heinous incident of rape and attempted murder in the capital city of India, I found myself to be in the same place for 4 days. I could not loose this opportunity to witness, participate, and engage in one of the largest spontaneous uprisings of young boys and girls that I can remember. So there I was, walking out of Central Secretriat Metro Stn at 6pm on Saturday, observing the various shades of Indian youth trying to assert themselves.

While I moved towards Rajpath, I saw one young agitated guy trying to damage an already fallen police barricade, and running came another one (his friend, possibly) stopping him furiously, and asking him whether he is here to damage public property or demand justice and safety of women. A smile appeared on my face, as I saw a small but significant example of self-correction and self-restraint. The barricade was lifted and put on side of the road, and I moved ahead.

As I walked towards Vijay Chowk, the centre of all action and attention, I saw many small groups of young boys and girls - the same ones, I guess, who you can see hanging out at CCDs and McDonald's - raising slogans at their own pitch and pace. What united them was the call for exemplary punishment to the rapists and a safer Delhi for its daughters and sisters. With time, more people trickled in and the small groups merged into a larger one - sitting peacefully on the cold surface - some had candles in their hands, some had banners, while some like me were empty-handed contributing just by voice and actions.

Moving further ahead towards the aisles of power that be (Rashtrapati Bhawan, North Block and South Block), I heard small circles of protesters giving heated statements to media personnel - some of which made sense to me, while some didn't. As I moved closer, I was stopped by a group of policemen. Showing that I was unarmed and meant no harm, I was allowed to walk around. And I was standing in front of the last barricade - separating the two Indias - young, energetic protesters on one side, and battalions of police and paramilitary forces with heavy bundobast of water canons, anti-riot brigades, tear shells & guns on other side protecting the seats of power. Shouts of "Sheila Dixt Haye Haye" were suppressed spontaneously, and were replaced with slogans of "We Want Justice".

Amid all this, everybody heard some sort of "Akashvani" - the summary of Home Minister's press conference was being read out by ACP Mr. D C Shrivastav, further asking that the protesters should end the protest since their demands have been listened to. A few girls also joined from top of police van, saying that they were randomly selected from the protesting crowd to meet the Home Minister, and were asked to convey his message to the public. The public lost its calm and asked aggressively why Home Minister could not come to address the public himself - genuine question in my opinion, "Why do our leaders and representatives need messengers to interact with aggrieved citizens, and expect us to feel satisfied with it?" They must be really afraid - I thought.

I joined a group of young men talking to ACP D C Shrivastav about the status of investigation in this particular case - DNA tests, identification parade, medical reports - and that law would take its "due course". Everything looked calm and quiet, until a rogue element started hurling abuses at the ACP. The ACP called upon to catch hold of the person, which the police force took as a signal to jump the barricades and beat the protesters - even those peacefully sitting. I saw policemen hitting out at mediapersons' cameras and pulling out their wires as they captured their faces. I stood there amazed at what just happened in a matter of few seconds.

I was pushed away by 2-3 constables to go back home and not come back, as the protests are over. I started walking slowly, but the constables were not satisfied with my unafraid demeanor and I received a blow of the cane on my legs asking me to run away. I turned and shouted at them angrily. I was joined by some others, and within next few minutes, the police was back behind the barricades and the protesters were back to the same spot. We identified the policeman who beat me, and asked for his identity. The "fattu" man hung his head in shame and ran behind the wall of his fellow policemen not to be seen again. The crowd became agitated asking for the reasons of the sudden crackdown. The slogans turned from being anti-rape to anti-tyranny. Most policemen claimed innocence saying that their baton has not hit one single innocent person throughout the day. What chameleons - I thought!

With time, the protesters regrouped and situation became normal. With increasing cold at 10pm, only some highly determined ones held ground while others started moving back. The police contingents also started dispersing with orders to report back at 6am the next day. Things attained normalcy in some time and while I walked back to Metro Stn, agitated and tormented inside at the state of the nation, wondering what kind of crippled democracy India has become, whether this is just a low in the story of India and whether the Indian youth will fight back for a brighter future. Only time will tell.

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.