Thank God I am human!

No inspirational talk this time; no narration of any touching story....just felt like thanking the Maker through this note. Last night in my goodnight chat with Him...I thanked him Him for making me a ‘Human being’. Yes, I feel lucky in this front, I am a human and hence can EXPRESS my love, my feelings, my emotions and fire in me in a more profound manner than any other living being on earth. Why such a random thought at this end? I was not keeping well since the last 2 days and today I feel fresh and energetic once again; well the crocins and alerid D’s did their duty, but guess what really comes unto me, reviving me to ‘me’ – is the midas touch of my friends and loved ones....a simple sweet word of ‘how are you feeling now?’, ‘can I help you in anyway?’, ‘you will be alright soon’, ‘I am there for you’.....a warm hug.....a simple prayer....And yes I got it all in ample not only since last 2 days, but since the time my memories permit me. I am myself- not simply because of a substance in me, my passion, my hobbies, my work, but also because and very importantly because of the sweet sweet friends the maker has gifted me. Have always tried to grasp a little of every sweet person attached to me. Sometimes wonder, how unfilled my life would have been if HE wouldn’t have poured these blissful friendship – their love and warmth onto me. A BIG BIG BIG thanks to HIM for creating such angelic beings called ‘friends’ and making me a ‘human’ so that I can feel and also express the warmth of ‘friendship’ and ‘love’ in all possible ways....

Thank you friends for ALWAYSSSSSSSSSSSS being there and making me feel BLESSED!

Would like to end the note with a small wish and prayer of giving us the power to feel the warmth and love showered onto us in any form and to spread the same far and wide that could wipe out all possible hate- redness blackening this beautiful world.

People, don’t you feel lucky?....so why wait for anything?, lets rejoice, lets smile and spread the this viral infection of smile, love, warmth, hugs, kisses and friendship farrrrrrrrrrrrrr and wideeeeeeeeeeeeeee :) LETS EXPRESS!

Cheers!
Ritu

Why do they serve us?

A poem written by my 23 year old cousin, Chinmoy a chopper pilot of IAF:

Why do I still serve you?

How you play with us, did you ever see?
At Seven, I had decided what I wanted to be;
I would serve you to the end,
All these boundaries I would defend.

Now you make me look like a fool,
When at Seventeen and just out of school;
Went to the place where they made 'men out of boys'
Lived a tough life …sacrificed a few joys…

In those days, I would see my 'civilian' friends,
Living a life with the fashion trends;
Enjoying their so called 'College Days'
While I sweated and bled in the sun and haze…
But I never thought twice about what where or why
All I knew was when the time came, I'd be ready to do or die.

At 21 and with my commission in hand,
Under the glory of the parade and the band,
I took the oath to protect you over land, air or sea,
And make the supreme sacrifice when the need came to be.

I stood there with a sense of recognition,
But on that day I never had the premonition,
that when the time came to give me my due,
You'd just say,' What is so great that you do?'

Long back you promised a well to do life;
And when I'm away, take care of my wife.
You came and saw the hardships I live through,
And I saw you make a note or two,
And I hoped you would realise the worth of me;
but now I know you'll never be able to see,
Because you only see the glorified life of mine,
Did you see the place where death looms all the time?

Will I tell my son to follow my lead?
Will I tell my son, you'll get all that you need?
This is the country you will serve
This country will give you all that you deserve?

I heard you tell the world 'India is shining'
I told my men, that's a reason for us to be smiling
This is the India you and I will defend!
But tell me how long will you be able to pretend?
You go on promise all that you may,
But it's the souls of your own men you betray.

Did you read how some of our eminent citizens
Write about me and ridicule my very existence?
I ask you to please come and see what I do,
Come and have a look at what I go through
Live my life just for a day
Maybe you'll have something else to say?

I will still risk my life without a sigh
To keep your flag flying high
but today I ask myself a question or two…
Oh India…. Why do I still serve you?

Well, this was Chinmoy speaking out his heart……do we realize how many sacrifices these brave souls render each day to guard us from the exterior frights across borders? I fear, some day each IAF or BSF personnel will ask themselves before pledging their lives for the country – “does India deserve to be secure?” When we were having a carefree pre college party life, some of them were called upon to test every sinu and nerve in their bodies preparing them for any eventualities to turn the “boys into MEN for the nation”. When we are busy building our career and enjoying family life, they are already there at the borders, the bumpy terrains, be with burnt skin at the desert or ripped nerves at the glaciers. Yet they are there doing their DUTY, living every moment of uncertainty to guard US, the so called “civilians” of the country.

The hounding of north Indians in Mumbai, recent riots in J&K, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Delhi blasts were I guess not enough for the religious fanatics of this country, when we had to see the ugly lynching among Christians and Hindus at Orissa and Karnataka. And what do we do in this mess? Condemn the government for playing vote bank politics, question the security of MY community MY state MY sect and go for rallies? Imagine if decades ago Indian fought against the British to free only “their community”, perhaps we would nt have celebrated the 60th independence day till date. We have to remember that unless we stop segregating ourselves in the imaginary lines, unless we stop putting the other ‘faction’ down, we all are indirectly responsible for snowballing events like the above. Lets pay our dues to the blood the Gandhis and Bhagat singhs have shed for a ‘free’ India; lets give some respect to the soldiers who are giving their TODAY for our TOMORROW. Can we all pledge:

 that we will never be a part of any act that has the tendency to divide humanity in the name of ANY faction be it caste, creed or religion?
 that we will not partake and dare to walk out of (if you cant stop it)any discussion that condemns any community or faction?
 that we will identify our selves and our friends primarily as ‘humans’ and ‘Indians’ rather than anything else?
 that we will teach the kids the “oneness of God” and to equally trust and respect each fellow friend irrespective of any sect?

Today Chinmoy turned 24, and as a Bday gift to my little brother, I salute the Indian Armed Force and wish them innumerable glories and successes. Also pray and pledge on the above 4 points for my nation. Are you there with me?

If we cant spread the message of love, lets at least stop the hateredness. Remember there can be a GREAT INDIA ONLY WHEN ITS ONE INDIA and together we can build this.

Jai Hind!

The 'Home of Hope'

Sharing with you something that’s very close to my heart. An experience that has touched my soul….something that whispered again to my mind that ‘angels do exist’.

It was 2006 winter. Scrambling though the TOI on a lazy Saturday afternoon on lefthand corner of the second page was a small article that caught my attention. It was about an ex auto driver, who has now dedicated his life rescuing and rebuilding the lives of the destitute and dying people on the streets. He started by picking a couple of homeless sick people in his auto-rickshaw to his home where he used to cleaned them, give a bath and took care of them till they died in dignity . The numbers started increasing and the help rendered by his fellow auto drivers and some voluntary donors was not enough. In course of time, he gave up his work and with help of ‘The India Campus Crusade for Christ’ got half an acre of land and started his ‘Home of Hope’ which was then a 60 beded living space. A sudden urge caught me to meet this person and to be of some help to this brave soul.

I did a bit of homework. Shared the article and the story with my colleagues and close friends who generously donated 2 bags full of old clothes. Gathered a bit of my savings, bought chocolates and was all set to see the ‘Home of Hope’. My friend Rajesh volunteered to accompany me. On a Sunday afternoon we set on his bike towards ‘Doddagubbi Village’ on the outskirts; a place which was less knows to the localites, nor was found in the Bangalore maps. With couple of rounds in Lingarajapuram, we could luckily catch Raja on the phone who navigated us on the phone. Finally deep down on an abandoned land we found the ‘Home’. Raja was on his way to pick a destitute and said he will be back in a couple of hours. We had a mental picture of a typical old age home, where in old people either on wheelchairs or their beds, sitting chit chatting, would be happy to see us, we would distribute chocolates and have them share their feelings and have fun. But the scene was different. People lost in their world, lying here and there hardly moving, someone staring at you, someone wandering at a snail's pace in the field, a patient on the wheelchair looking at the flies on his wound barely having the strength to wade it off and so on.

Suddenly an old man rushed towards us, taking the bags; “I will help you”. Another young guy came greeting; “hello sister, hello brother…please come to the offiice”….He introduced himself as Ramesh the care taker. We were somewhat at ease; introduced ourselves and were in conversation with Ramesh and another man in the small room called ‘office’. We were amused to know that Ramesh, the humble sweet guy was once upon a time an aimless criminal. He was caught of stealing Rs15 lakhs from an MP. Post his term in jail, his family kind of discarded him and he was on roads. Somehow got in touch with Raja and now was diligently serving the sick which he said was his purpose of living now. “This is my temple sister, I would marry only if I get someone who is ready to serve the residents…I am here till my last breath” said Ramesh. There was an old table and a desktop computer on one side and a huge poster on the other side with some smiling faces of the patients. Looking at the poster inquisitively, before I could ask, Ramesh said “that small girl is Gracy. We found her in a public dustbin in an unconscious state when she was some months old. I saw her old picture…an extremely malnutritioned baby with some kind of excretion on one eye. I asked “Can I meet her” Ramesh smiling: “Oh yes! Kumar! Can you call Gracy?...she recently joined school” Then came a sweet shy 4 year old girl. One of her eyes had to be removed but she was as healthy as any kid of her age should be. Showing her the chocolate box, I asked her to called her friends to have the chocolates. Soon there were 4-5 kids in the room. We started watching a CD which was about some patients; the transformation from the inhuman condition on the streets to the descent healthy way of life they were leading now. Gracy and a girl Lisa were sitting on my lap enjoying the chocolate. Raja was shown taking off a dead finger of a patient in surgery knife. Me and Rajesh absorbing the bold scenes were praising Raja and suddenly one kid shouted : “See Aunty, deadbody!” Raja was shown carrying a patient for cremation in his arms. That gave me goosebumps. Then saw a familiar face on the video. A wailing beggar lying on the street with an infection on the toe and loads of maggots on it. OMG! we were amazed to see that it was Kumar, who greeted us initially, who took our bags and also called Gracy! He was shown doing gardening in the video. Ramesh: “You know, Kumar is getting married!” Rajesh: “But he doesn’t look that young…how old is he?” Ramesh laughing: “Well he is 40! but happy..” that lightened our mood a bit. Ramesh started showing us the home.

Gracy took the charge of distributing chocolates among the residents. Among the kids who started fighting for the left over chocolates, was a slightly mature, quite face trying to control them. She was Blessy, Raja’s eldest daughter. We started with the ladies section: 3 small rooms jammed with beds. It was nice to see some smiling faces, some shaking hands, some ‘Hello’s’…and then a beautiful fair grey haired lady dragging herself on the knees smiling: “Hello, I am Vijay Laxmi” Myself : “Hello Aunty, how are you…did you have food?..you speak good English” In a small conversation, holding back her tears she narrated how she was discarded by her well settled son and daughter in law after her limbs got paralyzed. Raja who was in Chennai on a tour saw her on the streets, helpless and brought her here. Controlling my emotions, I hugged her and said that we are like her son and daughter and will come here again to see her. Vijaylaxmi Smiling: “Thanks!....Raja is God to me.”

Men’s section was one big room with around 30 beds lined up, a nurse dressing a wound of a patient, two other patients watching the same without a word, and then a man sleeping on the floor with one hand cuffed with the bed. Ramesh: “He is a mental patient and violent on other patients at times..thats why we have cuffed him..but he would be fine. We had other patients too like him, but now they are sitting peacefully in this room, some in the garden.” To our question on how many AIDS patients were there in the Home, Ramesh: “We had six of them. Two died last week..we have two adults and two kids now”.

Blessy and other kids took us to the child section which was just above the men’s section adjacent to 2 rooms which was the residence of Raja and family. The little girls started showing me a broken lipstick and some dolls, while a boy started teaching Rajesh the tabla he plays. I was looking for Raja’s other 2 kids, Blessy “They have gone to my grand mothers house, they go there every Sunday..” Rajesh asked her why didn’t she accompany them; to which the 6 year old replies.. “Papa was not there and Mummy is also busy cooking, so I stayed back…we need someone to look after the patients too”. On asking what does she wants to become in future the brave one replies “I want to become like my father, help the poor and sick and take care of this Home” Highly amazed by Blessy’s courage and affection of other kids, we were planning to play cricket with them…that’s when Raja arrived in his van.

It dragged attention of each and every patient who were in some position to move as if everyone was waiting for him. The kids ran downstairs. Kumar, Ramesh and some were busy carrying the new patient. While they took him for wash, Raja coming towards us “Sorry sister I was late”. He took us to the office room. The experience of talking to this heroic personality was just too overwhelming. No one who has ever met this person can imagine that he was once an aimless rowdy who had taken to bad habits like stealing, drinking and gambling at a very young age. He had even run away from home and had lived on the streets for two years. He started driving auto-rickshaw for meeting his needs and one day his auto became the ‘Rakshana Rath’ (faith chariot) to pick the destitute from the streets. Hence he is popularly called ‘Auto Raja’.

We asked him how does he manage to carry those minor surgeries and dressing; on whether he studied medical, to which the humble man replies smiling: “I was a drop out at class 3 sister”…”no one gave me any training; its only Gods blessings on me…” Handing over the cash envelope we said: “You are a blessing to thousands of people Raja…the courage and dedication you show is beyond the capacity of educated people like us” Raja:” Thanks Brother, Thanks sister, its very kind of you”. Exchanging few more kudos I said “Between you have a wonderful brave daughter…” Raja laughing: “Oh Blessy…yeah she even fights and wants to do the dressing of the patients”. With this light note we were bidding goodbye to the residents, especially Vijaylaxmi, Ramesh, Blessy and other kids.

On the long drive back home, we barely spoke to each other. While Rajesh was almost dumbfounded and low looking at the ‘other face’ of the so called glamorous ‘silicon valley of India’; I was deeply touched and inspired by the courage and unbounded compassion of Raja and the conviction of people like Ramesh and Blessy towards the cause. The experience was like a devout food for the soul.

I was again at the Home after a couple of months with friends Purab, Priyanka, Jaya and Dheeraj. We managed to take some useful objects like bedsheets, phenol, slippers and some toys and sweets for the kids. Unfortunately Vijaylaxmi had passed away just a week before. The number of kids had doubled and soon the regrettable feeling of not seeing Vijaylaxmi was surpassed with the games and fun we had with them. Happy to share some pictures of my second visit.


Thanks a lot for going though this long article. I see vastness of God, his love and compassion in a small package - the humble Raja….For angelic heroes like him, the dreams of brave Blessys, for the dedication of people like Ramesh and for the peaceful soul of all Vijaylaxmis of our land, I pray and hope for a free and vibrant India. The current need for Home of Hope is huge sum of money to construct their new building. Don’t you think: Together we can and should make a difference?
For those who want to visit the home please see: http://www.newarkmission.org/ and
please feel free to contact me through this blog.

The missing block...

Somewhere in 1990’s when I was hardly 11 years old, I was strongly impressed with the spirit of a village girl named Kalyani. Every time, I saw her, I believed more in dreams, in hard work and determination and in power of the fairer sex. Her courage of taking the road ‘not taken’ and her conviction to sustain against all odds was just too inspiring.

Well she was not a movie celeb or any social leader but a TV actress of the soap – 'Udaan'. For those who faintly remember, Udaan was a story of a girl from a remote area, on how inspite of difficulties and societal barriers manages to make a mark or herself in the police force. With her hard work and sheer determination she becomes an ‘ASP’. Kavita Choudhary (Kalyani) was not only the lead role in the serial but was the writer of the same inspired by her older sister Kanchan Choudhary who went on to be appointed as Director General of Police of Uttaranchal, becoming the first Indian woman to head a state police force. It was one the first serial to showcase “women empowerment”.

The current age television is jammed with 100 odd channels, with 1000 odd programs, but I seriously miss the “idiot” box that existed before the arrival of “cable” network. Even with the interrupting white screen – ‘Rukawat Ke Liye Khed Hai’, the entertainment quality of Doordarshan those days was not ‘dooor’ (far) from the interests of all age brackets. Think of the first detective serial ‘Karamchand’ (the carrot, Pankaj Kapoor and Kitty) or the mind boggling series of ‘Vyom Kesh Bakshi’ (smart and superb actor Rajat Kapoor adding iciing on the cake); the comedy rippers like ‘Dekh Bhai Dekh’ and ‘Zaban Samhal Ke’, meaningful, ‘close to real life’ dramas like ‘Humlog’, ‘Buniyaad’, ‘Nukkad’, ‘Yeh Zo Zindagi Hai’, ‘Gul Gulshan Gulfaam’, ‘Mungeri Lal Ke Haseen Sapne’; kids favourite shows like ‘Spiderman’ and ‘Vikram aur Betal’, youngsters pet ‘Fauji’, ‘Circus’ and ‘Indradhanus’…the mythologies – ‘Ramayan’ and ‘Mahabharat’; witty ones like ‘Chanakya’; knowledge busters like ‘Surabhi’. And of course my all time favourites – Mogli of ‘Jungle Book’ and Swami in ‘Malgudi Days’ (based on the short stories of RK Narayan).

Don’t you feel nostalgic even when you accidentally hear the fillers: ‘Ek Chidiya Anek Chidiya’? And who can forget the famous – ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara’? Why? Well all these are associated with our sweet carefree childhood days; yes of course; but also because they contain something called ‘SUBSTANCE’ in them. They are so close to our heart, because of the ‘Value’; ‘the message’ they give in their own unique ways!

Where is today’s Television industry heading to? Not only Ekta Kapoors K-tastrophies, almost every channel is 50% flooded with the weeping bahus and the wicked sasu maas and nanands even sleeping with 1 kg make-up and 10kgs of jwellery. Again aren’t we over obsessed with the reality show concept? Yes they do give opportunities to fresh talents, but why each channel needs to copy the other and make our world so cliché? Is that all this 500000 year old rich diverse unique civilization portrays about? With this cut throat competition of increasing TRP’s what the channels are forgetting is some thing called ‘value’. When we can be so creative in our ads, why can’t we show meaningful stuffs catering to the majority of middle or lower class, the youngsters and more importantly kids - the budding stars of tomorrow. It’s high time that we start thinking out of the box and unwrap the true rising ‘Kalyani’s’ of today, the beautiful Himalayas and Gangas. Shows that instigate creativity and knowledge among kids, that which deals with the current age success stories and problems the country is facing. That which encourages youngsters towards entrepreneurship and also their societal responsibilities. I am sure we can never be deficient of refreshing novels or real life success stories to base the serials.

Again coming to media, I find the missing block with one and all. Don’t you think there is excess political reportage and too much space is devoted to the antics of the country's Bollywood and social elites, ignoring stories about an India in transition? Along with a bomb blast in a city, ‘Dhonis new hairstyle’ too becomes ‘breaking news’. Majority of the channels in the verge of competition are ‘sensationalizing’ the issues. What’s lagging is again some ‘substance’ and ‘responsible reporting’. Mr Abdul Kalam states in his website:

“Why is the media in India so negative?

Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements? We refuse to acknowledge them. Why? We are the first in milk production…number one in Remote sensing satellites..second largest producer of wheat and rice.

Look at Dr. H Sudarshan, he has transferred a tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news, failures, politics, murder, caste war, why why?”

I am not saying media has not done anything constructive. We have all witnessed its role in cases like Jessica Lal’s case. TOI with lead India and India Poised episodes has taken a lot of initiatives. Current age reporter Rajdeep Sardesai in recent media meet asks broadcasters to sharply distinguish between "what is in public interest and what is of public interest".

Well this is just the beginning. We have to go a long long way to catalyze the shrinking ‘meaningful journalism’.

Can we have at least one success story every day? Can we have a dedicated space for children – to encourage them write and think out of box, to encourage them read meaningful scientific and motivating stuff? Can we talk more about the unexplored mesmerizing tourist destinations, about the fading artifacts? Dedicated episodes and pages that makes each India proud and at same time more responsible towards things like cleanliness, energy saving and social activities. Can we have at least one tip each day to the rural voting mass on how to improvise their crops or improve the healthcare?

Apart from healthy politics, something radical which can move us from the ‘third world’ definition to a ‘power’ is ‘KNOWLEDGE CONNECTIVITY’ and ‘channelizing of the 'VALUE SYSTEM' to the lengths and breadth of the society’. The entertainment and media has a gigantic role to play in this movement.

India believes in its media; strongly associates even with the entertainment industry. With uniqueness and substance, it can make enormous impact in our lives and to the nation.
As per PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates, the country's media and entertainment market is expected to grow 18.5 per cent a year to reach $36 billion by 2012. It’s already one of the most lucrative industry vis-à-vis the world in terms of variety and size. Let’s pledge and pray to make it the BEST in the world by adding the fading block called ‘SUBSTANCE’.

Jai Hind!

An untouched mesmerizing Himalayan beauty – AULI

Located in Chamoli district of Uttaranchal at a height of nearly 3000 metres with a vertical drop of 500 metres, Auli is a new entrant in the tourist map of India. A place where natures beauty comes alive with a combination of pleasure and adventure, the dense oak and pine forests and the snow capped slopes.

Apart from the mesmerizing beauty, what makes Auli a wonderful tourist attraction:

This less know place is best known for skiing! - Covered by a thick blanket of snow from December to March, Auli offers skiers some excellent slopes to ski on. One can enjoy downhill skiing, cross country skiing and slalom on the slopes of Auli, which has hosted the National Winter games in India !

Spectacular viewpoints - The slopes, which are as high as 9000 feet above sea level, are covered with dense deodar and oak forests offer a panoramic view of many a famous Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dunagiri

Wild Life and Trekking – Devoid of any commercial activity, there is a place just three kilometres from Auli called Gurso. Its is a huge beautiful meadow spread out, a mixed forest type, oak and conifer, and is 3056 metres above the sea level. Twelve kilometres from Gurso, is another beautiful meadow, Kwani bugyal. The place is at a height of 3350 meters and is quite popular with trekkers and campers. Even otherwise, you can find the snow floored alpine forests almost everywhere at Auli.

Pilgrimage - Just 16 kilometers from Auli, Joshimath is a beautiful attractions. The place has ancient temples which date back to as long as 8th century, when spiritual leader, Adi guru Shankaracharya had established a few of these shrines. Joshimath is also the base camp and gateway to Badrinath and the world famous 'Valley of Flowers'.

Ropeway fun– Most places near and to Auli can be covered through ropeways, which are not only fun to travel but one can easily enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the snowfields lined with forests.

Evening attractions – After the skiing and enjoying the snow and the wild in the day time, one can have relaxing evenings in the bukhari-warmed huts and resorts (bukhari: a quaint, wooden stove). People generally pass their time listening to folklore and reveling in the local music of Garhwal in the lamp-lit rooms or besides the bonfires

How to reach? - The nearest airport is Dehradun, about 298 km away. Rishikesh, about 235 km away, is the nearest railhead. Regular road services are available from Delhi, Dehradun, Rishikesh and Hardwar to Joshimath, 16 km away. From Joshimath one can hire jeeps to Auli. One can also trek the five kilometer between Joshimath and Auli. For further information, contact the GMVN office at Rajpur Road, Dehradun or the UP tourism offices located all over the country.

Where to stay? - Simple hotel accommodation and tourist rest houses are available at Joshimath. It is linked with Joshimath with a 3.9-km-long cable car linking, besides the 16-km-long motor able road.

Indian Youth – the Indomitable Power

Back in 1970, Dr C V Raman, at the age of 82 had once given the following message: “I would like to tell the young men and women before me not to lose hope and courage. ..I can assert without fear of contradiction that the quality of the Indian mind is equal to the quality of any Teutonic, Nordic or Anglo-Saxon mind. What we lack is perhaps courage, what we lack is perhaps driving force, which takes one anywhere. We have, I think, developed an inferiority complex.. We need a spirit of victory, a spirit that will carry us to our rightful place under the sun, a spirit, which will recognize that we, as inheritors of a proud civilization, are entitled to a rightful place on this planet. If that indomitable spirit were to arise, nothing can hold us from achieving our rightful destiny."

Well, for decades, Indian Youth were the yuppie crowds trying to find their footing, but today I see the spark on. A global survey conducted by Swedish research and consulting firm Kairos Future in 2007 reveals Indians as the ‘happiest lot of the world’. The young middle-class Indians are much more satisfied with all aspects of their lives compared to other nationalities. The CEO and the founder quoted: Indian youth are also strikingly more optimistic about their own future and also about the future of society. The general picture in other countries is that young people tend to be personal optimists but societal pessimists,”

Todays Indian youth has always been proud of their nationality. The blue jeans and funky T-shirts may have replaced the Kurta and saree, but the immense love and repect for THY mother is now giving way to a loud voice and action. The lava has started emerging. Be it the Jessica Lal case, the Nitish Katara murder case or quota protests, the courageous lot have braved and bared the water cannons and resurrected till their voice was respected. Adding to this are catalysts like Rang de Basanti, young leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Sachin Pilot, aspiring presidents like Mr. Abdul Kalam, who believe in India 2020 as - a Nation that is one of the best places to live in.

As the honourable Kalam, the Indian youth too dream of India with creative and effective leadership in Parliament, a transparent system, a place where best of healthcare is available, with a thin divide of haves and have nots. In his popular website Mr Kalam states: “I would like to put forth that the ignited mind of the youth is the most powerful resource on the earth, above the earth and under the earth. I am convinced that the youth power, if properly directed and controlled, could bring about transformational changes in humanity for its progress, meeting its challenges and bring peace and prosperity”

We can now witness the young voices in each and every aspect of the country; be it the N-Deal or the more important grassroot level issues like health programme, social ills, dowry, accidents, AIDS or even medical negligence.

To quote, I have 2 small stories, some of my greatest inspirations.

Story 1: On a night of May 2003, while enjoying a cup of tea Rajat and his friends (engg students from MSRIT) came across a person who was desperately looking for blood donors. On investigating in the hospital, they found that he was a non resident of Bangalore and was struggling since last 5 hours. The blood bank had blood, but it was insisting on the blood to be replaced. These students immediately gave blood but by the time they were back from the blood bank the patient had died. The distressing lot took this emotional recharge as a responsibility and started blood donation camps. Today their Sankalp India Foundation has successfully networked with the major bloodbanks in Bangalore and ensuring that no one dies due to shortage of blood. They have come up with the 1062 campaign – a toll free number to request for any kind of blood during emergency. Story doesn’t end here. These brave souls have majorly served people in calamities like tsunami and earthquakes. They also keep coming with events to instigate participation of people in National Festivals, prevent disrespect to the National Flag and ensure that the Martyrs are not forgotten. (read more at : http://sankalpindia.net/)

Story 2: The idea of conducting English classes for the slum children occurred in October 2004 and this was the starting point of what is now a mini movement called DreamIndia2020. A bunch of youngsters spotted some slum children playing infront of their houses. The enthusiastic lot joined them and in the course of game and conversation discovered that the quality of education available to them from the local government school was far below standard. Realizing the sense of responsibility, this group started with providing English education those 15 slum children on an abandoned govt. land, getting which was also no childs play. Inspired by president Kalam’s 2020 vision, this group fought all odds to publicize their newsletter, from adding 1000’s of copies in the newspapers to personally handling over early morning in the parks. Today Dream India 2020 includes a group of 100 plus volunteers with centers in 6 major cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore. Today this group has gone to all extremes to try and improvise the quality of education to not only slum dwellers, but to other neglected masses like mentally challenged kids to those affected by aids. Their activities include the length and breadth of funding the education for unprivileged lot, to persuading the parents to send their kids to school to small projects to raise voice against societal ills like child begging. (read more at: http://dreamindia2020.org/login.do)

All the people involved in these drives belong to the same work hard party hard Generation X who are either students or employed fulltime in service and manufacturing industries – mostly software engineers. The X factor in them is courage of convictions and ability to face lot of opposition and problems to get their job done for the society.

Jawaharlal Lal Nehru said: 'Freedom comes with responsibility'. Thousands and thousands of youngsters like the members of Sankalp and DreamIndia are now in the shoes of the freedom fighters, brawling in their free time to liberate our India from the societal shackles.

With immense pride of being a part of this generation, I dream of the return of ‘Bharat – woh sone ki chidiya (the golden bird)’; a liberated free, most powerful nation that’s the best place to live in on the universe in a couple of decades. For young souls mounting, a little contribution of each one of you, will soon lead to the outburst – ‘Superpower India’ will no longer be a dream.

For all those who read through it, be it young at age or young at heart, take a moment and take a blissful deep breath of YOUR lovely India. Awaken your senses. To conclude, would like to quote Ester Hicks – Be easy about it, have fun with it…there is nothing that you are supposed to do…only that YOU WANT TO DO!

Jai Hind!!