Freedom 'Express'

Friday 15th August 2008 - The 61st anniversary of Indian Independence. Like every other independence day, I woke up in the morning, with “MERE DESH KI DHARTI”, “NANHA MUNNA RAAHI HOON”, etc. being played outside. After sometime, I switched on my PC and started my own special playlist of patriotic songs viz. Azaadi, Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera. Chale Chalo, etc. I watched Jodha Akbar & Swades, in parts during the day, after which I went out to buy some household stuff.

After returning home at around 7pm, sulking over a heavy bag I was carrying, I switched on the TV and was surfing channels as usual. My finger stopped at ‘CVO’, I channel which I rarely watch. There was a movie which I had always heard a lot of but never managed to watch at ease, ‘SARDAR’ by Ketan Mehta. ‘Sardar’ stands for Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the Iron man of India. The title role, potrayed by the veteran Paresh Rawal, is a career defining one in my opinion. The story revolves around the strategies, the process and the subsequent execution of the actual FREEDOM MOVEMENT by our leaders. Sardar Patel’s key role was to prevent AMASSMENT of WEALTH by the ‘big shots’ prevalent during those times viz. the Nawabs, Nizams, Peshwas etc. and establish democracy throughout. He was perhaps one of those leaders who had to travel personally to persuade these bigwigs. Hyderabad, Goa, Junagarh, etc. all other states were brought under the Union Territory of India.

But the real problem cropped after India is liberated, the partition, which is one of the worst nightmares of Indian history next to Jalianwala Bagh. Every person from the Indian National Congress who initially opposed the act, had to give in later to stop people from turning into cannibals. The ‘Mahatma’ too could do very little. Even some leaders from the Muslim league were never happy

The Partition was never due to religious non-tolerance or hatred between two communities. It was the sheer outcome of an EGO CLASH between two ideologies, where the common man on both sides has been bearing the brunt till date. The Muslim league finally succeeded in creating a separate nation called Pakistan for their people.

It was at that time when the ‘Kashmir’ issue first cropped up. Even, after having series of meetings with the Lord Mountbatten - the last Viceroy and the Muslim league, no decision could be taken. Finally, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who sworn in as the First PM of Free India said whatever decision is made, should be backed up and supervised by the United Nations. Sardar was however against it strongly. In his opinion, once India is free, no foreign party should even be remotely allowed to influence any of our personal decisions. But, Panditji went ahead and announced it on AIR. This created a rift in the ‘Party’ and lead to differences between Sardar and Pandit ji. Sardar was shattered and heart broken. He couldn’t take it anymore and slowly receded. He died soon after having succeeded in merging all states with the Union of India.

Today, the Kashmir issue has become one of India’s worst problems. We are still unable to decide on its nationality.

However, every leader tried to do his bit and what he felt would be the best at that time. Certain plans worked out, some misfired, others backfired, but bottom line being that we the people of India achieved independence, owing to this joint effort !!

We got to respect our freedom & its struggle. We may not be the best, but we definitely among the better nations of the world today. Instead of pointing fingers at the past, lets try making a better future!

JAI HIND!!

Craving for a stable mind !!

Life has changed lot in the past few months, since the time I have been shifted to a new site @ Worli. On the personal front, I got promoted, got an increment (though I am not too satisfied to be frank), got rid of working in shifts, etc. etc. Professionally, my responsibilites have increased, I directly report to the clients and now even the slightest of errors do make a lot of difference. However, trying to be much more meticulous than before, we fail to realise that the more we get conscious about our work, the more we become vulnerable to making mistakes. After all, to err is human. But, your clients by no chance are divine enough to forgive you.

The corporate world believes in "जंगल का कानून" . I remember watching Amitabh Bachchan's 'Agneepath', where he uses the phrase "जंगल का कानून ". It only means that every person at the top tries his best to suppress his fellow subordinates, only to have the upper hand always. Its a kind of ego satisfaction, leading to subsequent internal conflicts within a team itself.

Facing these kinda issues was slowly becoming a regular affair for me. I started getting miffed up with the happenings around, it came as a pressure add-on. I was literally craving for PEACE OF MIND. I decided to start reading, which I knew would definitely help.

I bought the 'CHANAKYA NEETI' & 'THE BHAGVAD GEETA - A MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE'. Chanakya or Kautelya is well known as "Management Guru of the Gupta Period". His principles in life for efficient administration are even included in the MBA curriculum. The book is very interesting, but the way it has been presented is a little essay-type. Instead of giving examples, the author has only enlisted Chanakya's lessons, which seems a let down.

The Bhagvad Geeta - by Swami Sukhbhogananda is beautiful. Swamiji has wonderfully wrapped the essence of the great epic in today's world with terrific analogies. The path of DHARMA is brilliantly hammered into your brain. It really refreshes you, both spiritually and mentally.

Talking of DHARMA, I would like to mention about 'DHARM' a film which I recently watched. The film is directed by debutante Bhavna Talwar and has the most immensely talented PANKAJ KAPUR & SUPRIYA PATHAK KAPUR as the leading cast. Its about how people use RELIGION to manipulate their personal interests, and what exactly is one's DHARM & KARM. Brilliantly executed, wonderfully shot, the film is a true masterpiece. It truly deserved an 'Oscar' nomination last year. I really wonder why do such films slip out of the jury's notice ? I am trying to contact Bhavna and applaud her for her efforts. The message conveyed thorugh the film is

"अवल अल्लाह नूर उपायः कुदरत के सब बंदे!! which means "It was the Almighty first and then his light; All human beings are part of his creation". This I suppose is a verse from the Shri Guru Granth Sahib.

Anyways, coming back, I started feeling a little better subsequently। One day, I happened to chat with Mr. A.C. Gomes, one of my colleagues in office. We were having coffee, when I happened to see a book lying on his table. The title read "WINNERS NEVER CHEAT" by 'Jon M Huntsman". I immediately grabbed the book and asked him "What is it all about, and where on earth did you manage to get this ?"Mr।Gomes told me its about morals and values which we learn in childhood but tend to or rather opt to forget as we grow. He also said he got it from a 'Paper Mart', in Bandra, that too at a negotiable rate. What a pity that today, morals n values are available at throw away price that too from a mart, funny isn't it ?

Mr.Gomes could see the eagerness in my eyes to read the book. He immediately lent it to me, allowing me to read it first. I am done with 4 chapters so far. The author Jon Huntsman is the CEO of chemical firm in the US. He's always been a man of strong principles throughout his life. He's always stuck to honesty and ethics in his business & personal life, which have never let him down. According to him, the idea of somehow making it to the top, resorting to unfair means, is only a justification or excuse which people give to hide their incomptency to compete. He says that in today's world people come up with more creative and sophisticated justifications for their non-ethical behaviour. He describes his experiences to prove how the RIGHTEOUS path has helped him SUCCEED with a stable MIND. His anecdotes on LAWYERS is notable. He enumerates few examples from Arunachal Pradesh, India as well.

Somehow, I am trying to gather analogies from all I have read/seen/understood so far, and trying to apply them in my life. To emerge winner from the 'rat' race of life, we need to work with a stable mind.

"इसी लिए तोह कहते हैं यह है रस सांसों की !! "