The problem of Bank Robbery-

Every alternate day we find cases of Bank robbery in many parts of the country. This turned in to a major headache for the executives of the Banks. A bankers meet was convened to find a solution to the problem.

Each and every member present were eager to put forth their proposal in this context. One elderly person was silently observing the total proceedings without uttering a word. The gentleman who chaired the meet was keenly noticing this. At last he drew the attention of the members present and requested the elderly gentleman to speak a few words and present a proposal, suggesting remedial measures for solution of the problem.

The gentleman stared at all and with all seriousness said that we should issue a public notice in various newspapers and news channels to invite all those who had looted the Banks for a discussion. All were taken aback on this peculiar suggestion. He further told that we should also assure them that no harm will be caused to them nor the police would arrest them. The chairman eagerly asked please clarify your point. He very calmly told that we would suggest them to get their loan proposals sanctioned under various Govt. sponsored schemes, which obviously they would not repay and the amount would be written off in due course.

Wonderful idea, is it not? They would rob the Banks of the funds which would be in a legal way, then what is the use of raising arms and looting banks which is definitely a risky step. So my dacoit breathern what about utilising this novel idea for your prosperity?

BAS bhi karo Ae BOSS

There are 2 classes of people in the society. One is of those who are accustomed to carry out orders and the other one only orders whom most of us call BOSS. It is also a fact that BOSS represents the organisation and his personality, character, attitude etc puts a great impact on the name and fame of the organisation.

I would describe my experience with 2 types of BOSSES, though I always hate anyone to accept as my BOSS. First of all ,I feel there is only one BOSS who controls the whole cosmos and secondly I totally disagree to the traditional saying "The Boss can never be wrong"

Long back in 1983 when I was in North Eastern, I had the opportunity to work with a gentleman who was the head of our region. One day he came on an official visit to our locality. The Manager of our branch smartly dressed went to the Airport to receive him and extended his hand for a handshake when our Regional Manager reached the lounge. He on hearing that the gentleman was the Branch manager asked him what for he is there because it a business hour and he is supposed to be in the branch. Out of nervousness the Manager told that Sir, I have come to receive you with my MARUTI Car. Remember in 1983 Maruti was a new car on the road and the owners boasted of their position for having a Maruti Car. The Regional Manager told I have seen enough Maruti Car, now just go back to your branch and send the office jeep and the driver to pick me up.

Now friends, do we find such executives in the Bank to day? I think no and that is why the condition of the banks is so pitiable.I would like to cite another example of a BOSS. During my tenure in Odisha we had another Regional Manager, who without any valid and strong reason had kept a credit proposal file pending for quite a considerable period of time. One day I asked him Sir, what for the file has been kept pending. To my utter surprise, he told are yaar aur 1 ya 2 saal hai mere retirement men. Agar yeh loan doob gaya to meri khat khadi ho jayegi. Mujhe nahin padna hai is jhamele men. A few months later another young man succeeded him , who also kept the file pending. His explanation was also very interesting. He told mera abhi 10 saal baki hai bank men naukari ka, Agar yeh loan doob gaya to mere promotion ka kya hoga?

So dear BOSS ab BAS BHI KARO. Agar OONCHI kursi par baithte ho to dil men himmat bhi paida karo faisla lene ki, varna langoti bandhkar jangal men chale jao babaji ban kar. It is immaterial in which post you are working but it matters a lot how effectively you are working.

What does entertainment mean ?

When I was a child, the source of entertainment for me was the company of my playmates. With the passage of time books replaced the playmates.But to-day when I go to collect a statistics most of the people irrespective of their age and status say that their source of entertainment has now been either the cable/satellite channels or the internet. A few decades ago films which was the only source of entertainment has now been pushed to the backseat.

If as a sensible man we go to dissect the matter, we must try to find after all what does entertainment mean for these people? Entertainment does not necessarily mean making people laugh by any way. It was a practice to picturise popular novels, stories etc as serials for channels. When Doordarshan was the only channel we had watched some very memorable serials which are still remembered by the viewers, where as viewers very soon forget the serial once it is off the air. It also so happens that some serials are withdrawn because of poor TRP.

If we review the present day serials most of the stories have the same story line and the characters are totally unrealistic. It is also a fact that the producers show a disclaimer that the their presentation is a work of fiction, hence we must not hope any logic or rationality in the presentation.The most important point behind this situation is this that most of the people involved now in the entertainment media lack creativity, talent and above all professionalism. That is why most of the channels show either films or film based programmes. Another easy way to plan a programme is to plan a reality show, which has nothing to do with reality. Talk show have become so monotonous that viewers would like to see the participants not talking at all. I still remember the programme PHOOL KHILE HAIN GULSHAN GULSHAN, the first talk show hosted by Tabassum which has still maintained its freshness and charm even after so many decades.

So dear producers and directors if you lack ideas it is better that you should spend your money on the development of the country rather than ruining the rich culture and tradition of the country.Please remember misuse of money is a great insult to MAHALAKSHMI, the Godess of wealth and making of useless serials is a great insult to SARASWATI, the Godess of Vidya & Art.

Now I understand why TV set is called IDIOT BOX

I remember during the summer holidays, while we were in schools we used to pass our time in a lot of creative activities. Our parents used to spend money according to their budget and there was no question of wasteful expenditure. We used to collect waste materials and give them some shape unlike the modern age children who spend most of their time either with TV or with Computer.

I had seen mostly in the media TV set is termed as IDIOT BOX. I was unable to understand the logic behind it. But with the passage of time the concept became crystal clear for me. To make my thought more communicative, I must say MERE AKLA PAR PADA PARDA HAT GAYA . When persons who are INSANES(ulti khopdi) instead of being INSAANS( a true human being) such as the great(?) Rahul Mahajan, Rakhi Sawant are treated as celebrities, all nasty deeds are shown in the name of KHATRON KA KHILADI, most of the channels show the same films repeatedly, serials which highlight extra marital affairs, intolerable violence and all sort of nuisance dominate the screen, all unrealistic things are shown in the reality shows what better word can you find other than IDIOT BOX?

One more thing that forced me to think that I.B is the most appropriate term for TV set is the result of India has got talent KHOJ 2 telecast on 2/10/2010. All the finalists with innovative ideas and concepts were discarded and the team which sang some oldies in a new form( we may call it remix version) were declared the winners. What happened to the Indian public? I must ask each one,please tell me honestly, do you think the Shillong group deserved the award? And who were the judges in the show, the persons who do not have sufficient assignments in hand in the film world, think it is a better choice to pass the time in such programmes. Sajid, Kiran and Sonali do you think that the group that bagged the award was better than the rest? It is a sin that you have committed by selecting the Shillong for the finals. Can they be any way compared with Diwakar-Sonia / Manas & Group/ Harihar Dash and above all Mandal and group. These boys under all adverse situation and without any minimum required infrastructure proved their worth and I was so sorry for the boy who was singing for the group.His voice was so enchanting and sweet and his performance so lively. Dear judges you ask yourselves are you not responsible for this disastrous result of IGT - KHOJ 2? If such is the Khoj I suggest you to stop your KHOJ henceforth or else the viewers would tell India lacks talent and the real talents will not be interested to participate in the show in future. The channel should also think seriously on the matter.

Do we treat the name of GANDHIJEE as a commodity?

I have never seen Gandhijee because I was born after Gandhijee left us. But as far as I remember there has not been a single day in my life when I have not heard someone uttering the name of Gandhijee. However I feel that the name has more been a trademark for most of the people for petty benefits in th society and the country.

I do not find any political party in the country which do not utilise the name to impress the voters,though in practice they are far away from the principles of Gandhijee. I also do not find any NGO which does not claim to be follower of Gandhian principles, though their main target is money making and luxurious way of life as reports say. I would try to prove my points as follows;

1. Gandhijee was a staunch supporter of SWADESHI, but we believe in globalisation which ultimately would ride over our economy and the possibility if again being in chains can not be ruled out.

2.Gandhijee had told that we can claim ourselves to be independent when a lady can move freely on the streets even at night. All of us know in what way the women are being treated even in broad day light, in spite of MAHILA COMMISSIONS functioning at the centre as well as at state level

3. Gandhijee strongly advocated for TOTAL PROHIBITION, but the Govt. stating that it is a great source of earning revenue for the state, is reluctant to impose prohibition.

4.Gandhijee advocated for HINDI as the national language, where as ENGLISH still dominates the Govt. offices

5.Gandhijee had advised all to follow the teachings of GEETA, but most of the people are keeping themselves away from GEETA lest they would be termed as COMMUNAL

6.Gandhijee had asked all to use KHADI(handloom dress). Our present day leaders have totally forgotten KHADI. They have understood the word as KHA DI (eaten up) and have gradually swallowed each and everything they found around them

Hence friends, where does Gandhijee exist? Only is speeches, books and papers. This idea struck me because when I finished these lines, the clock showed 12.00 midnight of 2nd October, the birthday of Gandhijee. Are you serious on the matter. If yes, please propagate these ideas among your friends and acquaintances.

industrialisation globlisation - a nightmare for the commonmen

It is often noted that at various occasions and places, the people not only in our country but also throughout the world, are habituated to talk on a particular topic till such time,when they find another topic to discuss. Two topics on which our people are talking at present are industrialisation and globalisation. We have heard, please note not listened to, so much on this topic that now it seems like the monotonous TV commercials. The fact behind this is that the common people have not been benefited in any way as far as I know with these rotten themes.

First of all if we talk of globalisation, one simple point that should be borne in mind is that some men and women make a family, some family make a village or town and in this way the whole world is constituted. If every person or family honestly, truthfully and sincerely take care of their interest along with caring for the interest of others definitely the problems prevailing in the world would come to an end. But it is an alarming fact that each and every person, including the so called great persons whom we call leaders and who claim themselves to be the saviour of the mankind are out and out self-centered and that is the root of all evils. If this be the attitude of the people of what use is this vague term globalisation? Our old scriptures have taught us the eternal lesson as VASUDHAIV KUTUMBAKAM. But with our so called progressive outlook which has turned more and more narrow with the passage of time we have discarded the saying and have invire worries and anxieties for ourselves.

Secondly on the matter of industrialisation, all of us know very well that simply setting up industries can not help us for leading a happy and healthy life. The increasing number of industries is also a major reason for the global warming which has posed to be the greatest problem the whole world is facing now. The greatest and most effective machine is the human being produced by the greatest industry which some us name as GOD and some other as the nature. Have we not turned deaf to the problems relating to nature and environment in the process of indsutrialisation? As far as I remember the problem is discussed everywhere in the modern society and as per the files preserved in the related department of the Govt. social forestry and plantation drive has been a major step during the last 3 decades, of course without any noteworthy results. Every TOM-DICK and HARRY throughout the length and breadth of the country are busy in this plantation drive just to get the photos taken on the occasion to be published in the print and electronic media. Had there been a little bit of sincerity in the effort at least 50% of the geographical area of the country would have turned in to forest by now.

I would conclude with an age old story. Every one of us has read the story of KING MIDAS,the greedy fellow,who was granted a boon that whatever he would touch would turn into glittering gold. This was later on considered as a curse by him when he touched his darling daughter out of affection just to see that the girl had taken the shape of a golden statue. His food also turned gold when he touched the dishes served for him. We are running after industrialisation in the greed of financial benefit only and neglecting the agriculture sector, which is the only source to feed our family. Fields meant for cultivation are now being utilised for setting up industries and high rising buildings. Farmers are leaving their own land to work as labourers in far off places. Cases of farmer's suicide are also reported in various media every day. It may so happen that one day we would be crying out of hunger with bundles of currency notes in our pocket to buy food but with no food stuff any where around us to buy.

Let us not be so blind that one day we would have to repent for our own misdeeds as KING MIDAS had repented long long ago. I pray such time should never come in our life. Would you like to join me in my prayer?

Hum Kahan Ja Rahe Hain ?

Though I was born after independence, I have heard from elders that Gandhiji had thought of RamRajya in the country after independence. But the situation now prevailing in the country proves that probably the condition of the then Lanka in Ravan Rajya was better than the our condition. What after all is the reason? Definitely too much greed for money and running after materialistic pleasure has given rise to this situation.

A few days back two decisions/ suggestion of the Government were highlighted in the media which is definitely detrimental to the larger interest of the people, the society and the country. The first one, center suggested some relief measures for the Maoist activists in the concerned area in the form of granting financial benefit to those who surrender(a) immediate grant of 1.5.lakhs without arms and 2.5 lakhs with arms(b) Payment of Rs.3000/- per mensem which they have termed as STIPEND. If this suggestion is implemented we can can not rule out the possibility of more and more unemployed youth taking to arms and surrendering after a few days/months to get the proposed benefit. What for then the boys and girls go to school and college, will it not be a nice option for them to turn Maoist activist? Has anyone thought of the dark side of this suggestion.

Another breaking news that shocked me was that the Govt is thinking of legalizing BETTING (SATTEBAJI). The logic behind the suggestion is said to be the anticipated income out of it. Has the Govt. turned BANIA(Trading community) which thinks only in terms of profit and loss? We have seen that no Govt. has yet been able to implement total prohibition as it gives enormous revenue. If earning money is the sole motive of any Govt. then what is the harm in legalizing prostitution, murder,rape, dacoity and bribery and other allied activities, with th condition that the criminals would be paying some percentage of their income to the Govt. as taxes. When every crime will be legalized then there will be no need of Police and the Courts of law which would help the Govt. in curtailing expenditure and the country would rise to the zenith of success in the eyes of such visionaries. After taking stock of the present situation of the country I remember an old Hindi movie song- KOI NAHIN HAI TUJH BIN MOHAN BHARAT KA RAKHWALA. Definitely the lyricist had a great foresight to write this song some 45 years ago. Oh God! there is no more time to rest in VAIKUNTHA,please for heavens sake come down and save the country, if at all my voice reaches you....

Who says we are independent?

We boast of our status being the largest democracy in the world. But the fact is not exactly what we show in pen and paper. We still have 2 classes in the society as was during the rule of Britishers, Moghuls and other invaders. We do not have groups of SHASHAK(the rulers) and SASHITA(The ruled) but the SHOSHAK(the exploiters) and SHOSHITA(the exploited).

Someone who does not use a helmet while riding a 2 wheeler or one who touches the zebra crossing at traffic squares is fined as per rules. But those who carry deadly weapons and kill people mercilessly without discrimination are allowed to move freely and do whatever they wish. A person who is honest is put to a number of troubles at every steps as he can not please the concerned person by offering bribe for petty matters but a dishonest man manages to get anticipatory bail when he is caught by the vigilance for all his misdeeds. It is my personal experience which may sound unbelievable to most of the persons. I was badly injured in a road accident and turned orthopaeodically handicapped in the year 1988. A case claiming compensation of Rs.1.5 lakhs with the MACT was filed within a week. But my case is yet to be settled after 22 years. I was made to believe that I have to pay a certain amount to the concerned persons out of the compensation amount. As I refused to oblige them my case is still in the condition of TRISHANKU. My question is this that there must be someone in the office who discharges the duty as the overall in charge. Is it not his moral duty to see what for my case is not settled till now? This is just a handful of sand out of the vast sea shore on the country. One can very well imagine how and why people are deprived of justice in this country. Some of my friends advised me to meet the higher authorities in the case. But I know that the higher I go the amount of commission to be paid would be on the rise. In spite of this we continue to singing in praise of our democracy and raise slogans like MERA BHARAT MAHAN. I agree that our BHARAT is definitely MAHAN but with our rotten behaviour we are spoiling the name of the country. I must add here that some of my friends who are connected with the profession of journalism also did not take any interest to highlight the matter. Please think are we really independent till now?

Fact and Truth

It has been my habit since my schooldays to say"You see, it is a true fact". Most of my schoolmates and colleagues after I entered into public life regularly raised objection to my comment. They used to tell " Try to learn good English , why do you always tell TRUE FACT, because fact is always true. But due to my perception of the life and the human behaviour in the present day society, I could never agree to their views and continued to tell TRUE FACT.

One day one of my good friends told, yar, either you abstain from using this vague term or I am going to leave you for ever.I was stunned at his reaction and had to tell him what for I say TRUE FACT. I told him;

1. We are made to believe that we have made progress in every sphere of life, after independence and that is a fact. But we still have a lot of villages in the country which do not have roads, water and electricity supply, schools and hospital and that is the true.
2. We are made to believe that the market price is under control & people are happy and that is a fact. But even a higher middle class family thinks a hundred times while going to the market & loses balance in making a balanced budget for his household ,parents have to sell their off-springs for small amounts so that they can feed their family and that is true.
3. Whenever there is some disturbances & a law & order situation arises somewhere, the media tells situation is very much under control and that is fact. But the killing of innocent people continues,who have have no one to lament over their death and that is true.
4. We are made to believe that the Doctors are serving the suffering humanity and that is a fact. But most of the Doctors, barring a negligible few are found most of the time in Nursing homes only to earn money, that too unaccounted and that is true.
5. We boast of our progress in the field of education , show our respect to the teachers on September 5th every year stating that they are the makers of the nation and that is a fact. But most of the teachers at all level pass their time in coaching centers and that is true.
6. We celebrate the anniversary of Bank nationalization every year and present figures relating to the socio economic development of the country to pat our own back and that is a fact. But the Banks are still under the control of the capitalist class and the benefit meant for the common-men are channelized to the pocket of middlemen and dishonest Bank personnel and that is true.
7. We are made to believe that the COURTS OF JUSTICE are NYAY KA MANDIR and that is a fact. But there are several instances when persons are set free even after committing numerous crimes with the help of their power, position & of course money and that is true.
8. The champions of democracy claim that HUMNE RAJTANTRA KO KHATAM KAR DIYA and that is a fact. But in each and every party you can easily find people who had been the rulers of princely states in the past and that is true.
9. Every party pretend to be the follower of Gandhiji in public and that is a fact. But every party keeps itself miles apart from the principles of Gandhiji, i.e Swadeshi, Prohibition etc and that is true.
10. All politicians say that our country is the largest democracy and that is a fact. But the percentage of polling in various election shows how many persons believe in democracy and that is true.
11. Our constitution says that we have got a right to equality & there would be no discrimination on the ground of caste,color,sex, religion and that is a fact. But at each and every step of our day to day life we have to face discriminatory attitude at all places and that is true.
12. We have accepted Hindi and other languages recognized by the Constitution as our Official Language and that is a fact. But our responsibility ends with the celebration of Hindi Divas once every year and trying to prove our supremacy with our WRONG usage of English and that is true

My friend interrupted, hugged me and told, " My dear friend now I am convinced that what ever is fact may not be true but whatever is true is bound to be fact. Yes, fact is the outcome of documentary evidences and proof but TRUTH is eternal and it can not be distorted". I was happy that at least someone on this earth accepted my views. Do you agree friends ?

showing a mirror to a blind

For the past 2 days all the news channels and newspapers are over-busy on reporting of the irregularities connected with the Commonwealth Games. The readers and viewers are also very much interested to discuss the matter as if they are going to change the whole scenario in a moment. But what is the use of sowing seeds in the desert and wasting water to nourish it?

If we go through the records of the past there have been a number of scams and financial irregularity ion the country after independence. Much hue and cry is made on the issue for a certain period of time and once another scam comes to light, not only the people but also the Govt. very easily forget the older issues. You may appropriately say that it is thrown in to dustbins.The list of such blacklisted persons is very long but we still accept them as the crusader for reasons best known to us.Whenever a new Govt. is formed the first thing it tries to do is to find the irregularities of the earlier Govt., inquiry commission is set up, joint parliamentary committee is formed and after a few years the result is a BIG ZERO. Can any one tell me whether any stringent action has yet been taken against the erring persons? Wasting of precious time and public money is the only aim of these commissions and committees. Had this money and time been utilised for some productive purpose the situation of the country would have turned much better by now.I still remember the recommendations of the JPC on the Hawala case was not implemented in spite of the fact that the members of the JPC were from different political parties.

So would not be prudent for the public, the press and the GOVERNMENT AS WELL to overlook this episode connected with the Commonwealth Games, because we have already set a trend that misuse of public money is the birth right of a handful of people in this country. After all they have been granted boon by the Almighty.

Lastly, who says that the concerned persons have done anything wrong, after all it is COMMONWEALTH and they are COMMONERS, so they have a right over the funds of the commonwealth. Oh God, did not you say "Yada yada ho dharmasya-----" How long would you rest in peace in VAIKUNTHA, after so much GLANI of DHARMA in the country? God, are you listening to me or you have turned deaf in the noise of bullets and bombs in the land?

Is Hindi really our National Language ?

It is a pity that even after 6 decades of independence we can hardly find a person who uses his mother tongue in the country with pride. We very well know that the percentage of English knowing persons in the country is very less, but we are not in a position to make our heart free from the fascination most of us have for English language. Hardly we can find someone who puts his/her signature in his own language. You may not believe me but I have seen a person putting his signature in English and that too in CAPITAL Letters. I was working in a Bank. One day while passing a cheque for payment I found that the specimen signature of the account holder was in ODIA but he had signed th Cheque in ENGLISH. On inquiry I was told that he did not know English when he opened the account and now that he has learned how to sign in English he thought it would be wise for him to SHINE by SIGNING in English. This is the mindset of our people and our leaders keep on preaching sermons on DESHBHAKTI. A community,clan or nation is identified with its language, culture and way of life. When we lack sincerity and honesty in all these aspect is it not foolish on our part to expect DESHPREM from the common people?

The Official Language Policy,Act and Rules were framed long back. White elephants in the name of implementation of these policies are being patronised by the Government at all Govt Offices and PSUs, but the development is restricted to the files and reports only. The Parliamentary Committee on Official Language visits offices throughout the country but the inspection is made

complete after going through fabricated reports in Air conditioned Conference Halls of Star Hotels of the locality. No one takes the pain to inspect the actual position at offices, where sincere Official Language Officers are treated like bonded laborers. I have come across a number of persons who are forced to look after other departments, neglecting their own duty as per the order of their so called BOSSES. Is it not violation of Constitution? Parliament is the apex body in our democracy but how many of our leaders use Hindi or their own language in the house. On the other hand we have noticed MPs raising objection on the use of Hindi.

Their is saying in Sanskrit"Mahajana Jena Gata Sah Panthah". According to this unless those people whom we consider or treat as our ideals in the society should take initiative for popularisation of the languages of the country or else we would continue to be ruled by DESHI SAHEBS in place of the ex-rulers GORI CHAMDIWALE SAHEBS. Should we not think seriously over the matter?

Lastly I want to make a point clear. Someone may think that how is that I have written the BLOG in English. So it is my ill luck that in spite of trying several times I could not find any way to write the BLOG in Hindi. Secondly I do not oppose English or any other language but I condemn the attitude of accepting English as a superior language and treating our own language as the language of the rustic lot. JAGO DESHVASIYON JAGO.

How vigilant is our vigilance?

Every now and then our leaders and other prominent personalities keep on preaching the masses to be honest and truthful. But have they ever thought whether they practise what they preach?

We have a vigilance department at the centre and at all state level but the cases of corruption is going on day by day. If the vigilance agencies are working properly how come that so many cases of corruption are coming to light with a lot of more cases remaining behind the curtain.

It is also a fact that the number of corrupt people are very few. But it is unfortunate that they dominate the scene. The personality of a man is judged by his financial status and not by his character. During our school days we were taught that "If wealth is lost nothing is lost, if health is lost something is lost and if character is lost everything is lost". But in this modern era the vehicle is running in the reverse gear. Nobody bothers for maintaining a good ideal character and very few people think of honesty,integrity and sincerity as an integral part of human character.

A couple of days back one watchman of the state Government was found to have property disproportionate to his assets. He owns 3 buildings in the capital city of Bhubaneshwar apart from a farm house of several acres, a posh and modern guest house in Puri leased out to some company. He is also the owner of 3 luxury cars and has got several lakhs of rupees in various banks. Though it is unbelievable but is it not true that he did not create these assets overnight. When he was busy in accumulating all these assets what were those people doing who are supposed to keep a watch over such people. I suppose they were also having their share in this process. We may think of Madhu Koda who was in the headlines for such cause sometime back. Should we not think why he was not exposed when he was in power?

This is a solitary example, we may come across many such incidents throughout the country everyday. This clearly proves that our Vigilance agencies are either not working properly or alternatively working under pressure. Only GOD knows who is responsible for such state of affairs, which endangers the country's economy. When we think of this disastrous action of a handful of people, who have firm belief that they can escape with money power, as has been seen a number of times, we can only sing a old Hindi film song- "KISE DOSH DEN JAB MALI HI APNA CHAMAN JALAE" Oh God save our garden from such treacherous people. Amen......

The lesson of life

I still remember those days when I was in the upper primary in schools. Our class teacher taught us many important lessons that were not restricted to the courses of studies. One sentence he used to utter always echoes in my mind even today. He used to tell- "Schools and colleges give you only certificate and degrees. But the really knowledge that you get is in the practical field of life. So always remember that the world is the greatest school and the life is the greatest teacher" I am going to narrate an incident that is related to the theme.

One morning I was sitting in the balcony of my house after the routine morning work. A lot of people were on the move in the street. Elderly people who had overeaten during their youth were trying their utmost to get rid of the fat they had accumulated. Those who dig well everyday were desperate in finding avenues to get some income for the day to maintain the family. I noticed that a stone neither very small nor very big in size was lying at the center of the road. Careful people were trying to avoid it and make their way with an indifferent attitude. Some sensible gentlemen(?) who usually move in groups were very much happy to find a topic of discussion. They started cursing people who were responsible for the matter. They further commented that when no one was bothered to remove the stone from the road as it could give rise to traffic hazard. Probably they forgot that they could have easily removed the stone to a safer place. A young boy who was on morning walk with some of his friends hurt himself when he was hit, as he did not notice the stone. He called names to some unknown people for the incident. But it was a pity that the stone was still lying on the road.

Suddenly I remembered my teacher's words and went down to remove the stone. While coming back I was thinking is not the path of our democracy full of a number of such stones that endanger the life of individual , society and the country? Are we conscious to think of removing such stones even in dreams?

We think that our responsibility ends with the casting of a vote in the election once in 5 years or even earlier as per the demand of the situation. We should not forget that only conscious citizens make a democracy successful.Life has a lot of lessons to teach us if we are keen on learning.

Honesty has nothing to do with financial stability

We have heard since our schooldays that truth is stranger than fiction. I experienced the reality of this quote some time back. I was in a hurry to reach my office one morning when my car showed some problem. As I was not having enough time to call a mechanic, I preferred to hire a cycle rickshaw for reaching office in time.

I always try to study people, from various walk of life and put the reality of their life in pen and paper which I enjoy. I noticed that the rickshaw puller did not have anything on his body which we could call cloth /dress. He had one torn lungi on his waist and a gamchha(towel) on his shoulder. On inquiry I came to know that a cunning man, whom most of us call clever(?) had taken the rickshaw by availing of a Bank loan under the poverty alleviation programme of the Government in the name of the rickshaw puller and was charging Rs.25 per day to allow him to pull the rickshaw. Since the man was not educated he did not know what foul game are playing played under such programmes of the Government and how the HAVES are deriving all benefits that is meant for the HAVENOTS. I felt that I was also a party to this sin as I was also working in a Bank. To console my aggrieved heart I told him to stop pulling that particular rickshaw from that day onwards. I told him that I would arrange a loan for him and what ever money he was paying now daily to that nasty man, he should deposit in his loan account.

I was taken aback to see that the man started weeping. I asked him the reason. He told that none on this earth had ever thought of his welfare. The tears are out of the joy that someone who is totally ignorant about him was thinking about him. He further expressed his inability to avail of the loan. I was curious to know the reason. He told that the Pandit of the local mandir had said " give whatever you have to others but never take anything from anyone because the ATMA does not get PEACE with a burden especially when it is related to money". He again explained if he dies in an accident which is very common now on our roads, his ATMA will never rest in peace if he fails to repay the Bank loan. My head bowed down on listening to the reply of the poor(?) rickshaw puller. When multi millionaires in this country in connivance with bank people are playing all tricks in finding ways for not repaying bank's loan, is not this rickshaw puller an exemplary character for the society? Why after all should we tell that poor man are not honest?

Out of compassion I paid him Rs.15/ when I reached my office. The gentleman, yes definitely he should be termed a gentleman, politely gave me back Rs.5/- and told that the reasonable charge is Rs.10/ only. Is it not unfair on our part to look down upon such great characters only because they are not equivalent to our status in terms of money and other material pleasures?

antonym and synonyms- a change in the thoght

While we were in schools, much stress was given on learning of Grammar of all the languages. Since English is being given a preferential treatment at all levels in our country, the teachers were also very much concerned about teaching proper usage of English. I remember SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS made very interesting study in those days. Whenever our English teacher asked any question on this topic there was a competition between all of us to be the first to answer.

However after completion of study and on entering public life, I noticed with much pain and agony that what we had learnt in school and colleges had proved useless in the practical field. We have all forgotten the true meaning of different words that we use. Most of us have only one point in their life that is "building of career and achieving success at any cost". We never pay any attention to what our heart and conscience tells us but are eager to listen to all the just and unjust, whatever it may be, instructions of the boss. We do not have time to take our children to the Doctor when they fall sick but are very much concerned on the ill health of the pet of the boss.

I must come back to the point. I wanted to tell how we have started misinterpreting words. I give below some examples

We do not differentiate between humility and flattery. That is why one who can flatter very soon occupies top and important posts.

We do not have the sense to know the difference between Ego and self respect. That is why one who has self respect has to suffer throughout the life.

But in spite of this there are people who know what are virtues and what are vices. Only because of such people who are very few in number now a days, the country is still running. May GOD help us.

An interesting comment on Global warming

Most probably since the last 3 decades we have been accustomed to hear, please note not listening to, a lot of lectures to be more perfect sermons on protection of environment, global warming and social forestry as a means to combat with this menace

A lot of NGOs are happy with increasing their assets by arranging seminars, symposium etc which are graced by eminent personalities expressing their concern over the situation. Some other agencies with much pomp and ceremony are active with their campaign of social forestry and plantation drive, the sole objective of which is to get their photos published both in the print and the electronic media.Huge amount of public money is also spent on this account. But have we ever thought that after so many plantation ceremonies where have the trees vanished? If we go according to files, taking in to consideration the number of seedlings planted during the last 30 years the country by this time would had been turned in to a dense forest.But what is the reality today, 10months out of the 12 months in a year is hot. We were keeping the fan on during the summer only when we were kids, whereas it is impossible to stay comfortably without the AC even in the early part of winter.

One day while sitting in the office during lunch break,I was very much disturbed at this state of affairs,when the sweeper who was an illiterate man came to me and asked me why I was so serious. I told him the reason and just out of curiosity to know his reaction asked him can you tell me why the world is so hot? He told politely I have never gone to schools and do not know much about all these but I have heard people telling that increasing number of concrete buildings, motorized vehicles, rapid industrialization and above all deforestation is the root cause of this disaster. But Sir, frankly speaking all these points are baseless and are meant to be-fool the public. If you ask me I would tell when each one of us has developed a trend of negative thinking how can poor GOD keep the world cool. Only when we start believing in peaceful co-existence and develop a sense of caring the interest of our fellowmen then only the world would turn cool.I was surprised at the great thought of an uneducated man who is definitely wise then us, what I think. Friends this is a true incident in my life. Would you please care to think on this and add your might to spread the message to others?

Bank Nationalisation- a mirage in the desert

When Banks were nationalised in 1969, the greatest publicity that was made was " Bank's money which were in the hands of a handful of people will now be available to the common men" All those who are sensible never believed in this false promises, because a dialogue from a popular Hindi movie goes as "Promises are made no to be kept"

Have we ever thought that when we do not believe in nationality then who cares for nationalisation and that is a simple logic. Most of us especially those who claim themselves to be intellectuals are in all praise when it is a question of America, Russia, China, Japan and even smaller countries. But they are in the habit of finding faults with our own country. They probably forget that they also have certain amount of contribution for this situation.

Having served in a nationalised bank for long 36 years, I have closely and keenly observed all the irregualrities followed with all sincerity in the Banks. The result is growing numbers of frauds, economic irregularities and large number of loss making branches. It is an unbelievable fact that those who are responsible for this are often in the good books of the bosses and they go on rising in th ladder of promotion whereas those who speak of principles are taken to task. I have found people who request the authorities to get the a posting as per their wish but they should be made the branch manager only. One can very well imagine the motive behind this request. I have seen a branch of a leading Bank which had sanctioned loans 10 times to the amount of deposit. No one either the inspecting personnel or the administrative heads have pointed their fingers at this and one fine morning the branch was closed down. A cashier

of a branch of the same bank in Odisha has pocketed large sum of money which he had received across the counter from the public and had handed over counterfoils to them . The complaints lodged by the public with the administrative office went to deaf ears. Ultimately the public locked the branch and sat in DHARNAS when the said cashier absconded. But no one visited the branch though it is hardly 60 kms away from the state capital. Loan waivers, OTS schemes are very cunningly handled to benefit the persons who are close to the concerned officials

These are a few example of a leading bank in th state. The whole scenario can very well be imagined by people with sensible way of perception. Even then we beat drums and blow

trumpets and claim that bank nationalisation has been very successful, which is far away from reality.Mr. F.M can you hear me ?

Are we really honest?

In the modern time most of us expect others to love the motherland and be ready to sacrifice for its sake. But what is the reality? Hardly do we find someone who discharges his duty with honesty, sincerity and integrity, be it a salaried Babu, a powerful bureaucrat or the almighty(?) politician. After all what is the reason behind this devastating situation? Definitely the only answer is the increasing power of money.

Everyday we come across news items published in various newspaper or t.v channels that such ans such was caught by the vigilance for having assets disproportionate to his/ her income. Bu what is the outcome. A huge amount of expenses in the name of inquiry and the result is "WOHI MURGE KI EK TANG"

The dangerous trend of loan waiver to defaulters of Bank loan, relaxation to non payment of various taxes has encouraged the evil forces and discouraged the honest. People who put forth their demands peacefully and in a democratic way are beaten up mercilessly by the police whereas those who consider violence as the only way are invited with full honour for discussion.

If this trend continues that day is not far away when we have to consider Democracy as Demo(n)cracy. Harimohan Jha, a popular writer from Bihar had rightly stated PRAJATANTRA-Mutthi Bhar logon ke liye MAZATANTRA aur baki sab ke liye SAZATANTRA. In spite of this all of us pose to be the greatest nationalist and patriot.Oh God, please show the right path to all those who are responsible for this situation. I hope GOD would accept my prayer

Should we not remove the mask from our face?

एक युग ऐसा भी था, जब फ़िल्मी गीत समाज के लिए कोई न कोई सन्देश देते थे /  अब तो यह बेहूदा और सस्ता मनोरंजन का माध्यम बन गया है / एक गीत थे पुराना "दूसरों का दुखड़ा दूर करनेवाले -तेरे दुःख  दूर करेंगे राम" / उसी गीत को आधार मान कर उसी धून पर एक नया गीत पढ़िए ,जो देश में बढ़ते जा रहे काले  धन की समस्या पर है / मित्रों से अनुरोध है कि इसे प्रसारित करें कुछ तो अंतर पड़ेगा  ही 

विदेशों में काला धन रखने वाले -  आएगा न यह धन तेरे काम

क्या नहीं यह धन धूल समान  -    आएगा न यह धन तेरे काम --------

क्या क्या चालें चली रे तूने  , खुद को खुदा तू कहने लगा 

क्या क्या गुल खिलाये तूने , चमन पे पतझड़  छाने लगा 

दिल में झाँक के देख ज़रा तू (२) देश को कैसे किया बदनाम , विदेशों ------

धन तो है रे चंचल छाया , आज यहाँ तो कल है वहां 

उसके पीछे  गँवाया जीवन , इतनी समझ तुझमें है कहाँ 

आये यहाँ जाने कितने ही  - छोड़ गए एक दिन यह धाम, विदेशों में-------

कर उपकार तू दुखियों का  रे  ले ले दुआ ग़रीबों  का 

औरों का जो भला करता है ,बात क्या उसके नसीबों का 

अच्छा कर्म जो करता जग में , जिंदा रहता है उसका ही नाम, विदेशों में ----

अपने को समझा भाग्य विधाता , तुझपे विधाता हँसने लगा 

अक्ल पे तेरे पड़ा था पर्दा , तू सच कब यह समझने लगा 

तू तो है एक माटी का पुतला, सब के दाता हैं  एक  वही "राम", विदेशों में ----