From the Year of Choice 2007 to Year of Hope 2008

Dear Friend,

Year 2007 passed as dramatic as any other 46 years of my life. If you live an adventurous and successful life, it has to be like this. But as world is becoming better place every other day, our life too are becoming beautiful, interesting and successful. And I am sure this could be true for many of us. If we are able to reminisce past, manage our present and plan our future, life remain complex but sweet, sour and adventurous.

In the history of human kind, humans have never had so much aspirations, satisfactions, frustrations and misery as we have today. As I always try, I shall make it simple. Present situation, I call it an ‘abundance of everything’. I call this era as Abundance Era.

But the main question comes to my mind, what abundance we think, live, dream, encounter and face, what is its impact on our life? Are we able to digest these abundances properly without getting diarrhea? It may not be a challenge always but from my point of view, it could be a choice. I know many of you may not agree with me at this moment but you all will accept my view sooner or later. I shall explain the reason.

Life goes on as usual. Life complexities and privileges both enhances astronomically and most of the times simultaneously. We just need few basics to set right and that too not through hard conditioned learning but unlearning. It is within reach of everyone. We all can achieve growth and success. But over and above, we all should feel honored to live in a world full of choice.

“Unlearning is Devine Dear! It’s like Moksha, when we come out of every bond, wonderful thoughts, Good collection”, writes one of my blogger admirers Ashok Sharma, an author from Lucknow.

I shall be discourteous if I do not quote USA soon in my writings whose armies are dying everyday in Iraq, Afghanistan or even Pakistan. And they are just not doing this to bring missed glory for USA; they are doing these sacrifices to bring peace, tranquility and democracy across the world. How many of you want peace, tranquility and democracy on earth and do not know what to do? I think many of my blog readers fall in that category. They have abundance of information, knowledge and even wisdom but they are lost. They do not know what is right and what is wrong. My suggestion is simple, instead of following your own governments; you just observe and follow American government for their rightness, boldness and futuristic views. Just follow America and Americans. That’s what Swami Vivekananda did and that is what now Narayana Murthy or Indira Nooyi is doing.

Growth is always a complex phenomenon of human history. As an Indians we have seen wars, rulers and governments, but we have yet to see growth. We have seen deprivation, we have heard good words which keep us happy even as deprived people, but where is growth? We need wisdom and right approach to our social, economic and political growth. And that will come at cost of pain of change. We just can not be contented and grow. I can not tell you good words and make you grow. I have to use hard words. We all have to take hard decisions. We have to make hard choices.

War may not be choice many a time but it is necessity for peace and growth. I shall quote from Hollywood movie ‘Independence’, “We will not perish without a fight. We are going to survive”. It is true for today world. We have to fight to survive. That’s why Ex Prime Minister Tony Blair said, “We may live entire life without going to war. But I did best.”

As I mentioned in my first blog of year 2007, I am happy to confirm that world has moved an inch ahead in bringing peace and growth and I am very-very hopeful and satisfied too for the years to come.

Few of the messages which kept fire within ignited in this year 2007.

Dawn and Dew (Sulekha.com) writes

“I really hate Jassi though I never watched that serial even once! But what these directors must be showing, I know very well. They would demand a girl to be the symbol of sacrifice for their enjoyment and praise the girl or women "jaisi koi nahi!" You know I was once such a girl in the whole of my family circle and they called me the same way! But I realized their hypocrisy very soon though they are respectable people. I thought in my mind "When I grow up and get the right words to express myself just let me see how my smile at their stupidity would kill their conscience!" I really swore at the height of seeing their hypocrisy. They said, "Wow such a good girl! She washes our jhutta plates without being asked or told". I was not at all pleased and felt so shy at their comments. But in stead, I felt, "Why mister, if you feel that that's such a wonderful job why don't you take pride in doing it?" Now they see a sea of change after my marriage and they go dumbstruck and awestruck at my genuine arguments. Of course I put forth politely without failing to acknowledge their many goodnesses otherwise. They are good people. But as you said they are unable to come out from the quagmire of conservatism.

We need you and your voice sir. Go ahead!”

Do I have choice?

You can always read more of dawn and dew at http://dawnanddew.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/11/unlearn-before-you-learn.htm

And at the end of the year, I received another encouraging compliment from South Africa.

Wing Commander Rajappan writes at the fag end of this year

“Dear Wg Cdr KK Verma & family,

As the year is drawing to a close, I am sure you may be quite happy with your achievements in the past twelve months. I on my behalf and on my family's behalf extend hearty congratulations to you on your success. The reviews and comments which you are receiving stand as testimony to your popularity and the influence you wield on the intellectual community within India and abroad.

I feel proud to be your friend and consider lucky to receive snippets of wisdom from you. You have embarked on a mission to change the way people think and learn. Many a times, the learning what we received in our formative days and the values we imbibed become a hindrance to our new learning. You have tried breaking many myths and I wish you success in your future endeavors. You are the future Stephen Cove of India.

May God give wisdom, energy and the drive for bringing out many such works in future?

Your loving friend

Raja

HAPPY X MAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR”

The great year for the world which was 2007?

- India remained a strong democratic republic
- Indian growth remained intact in spite of dirty and cheap politics
- India by and large started learning few of ground realities from China
- China remained good competitor and emulator
- Pakistan moving inch by inch towards better and stable state
- Bhutto’s death may give wisdom and democracy to Muslims world
- Less bloodshed in Iraq.
- Less terrorists attack in India
- Indian Inc grew without any Institutional support
- Indian government survived
- Communist showed its dirty face in Nandigram
- China unlearning communism day after day
- Russian remains far-far away from real democracy
- Euro challenged dollar…
- Billionaires became more commoner

Indians have come a long way towards development and prosperity. This is time when Indians need not rely on perceived notions of the past. Indians can never earn glory on the past achievements. Indians will have to shape up the future. And this has to be achieved through focused effort, hard work and systematic wisdom creations. Wisdom has to be created and harnesses based on recent technological and social changes. Become bold and shape your future. That is what I do and that is what I tell others to do.

Life is full of ups and down and I am happy to witness all these as a simple Indian. I am happy to share all these with all my friends and readers across the world. It is pleasure to live life experiencing the finest.

It's my life full of events

- Got published my first book “Unlearn Before U_learn”
- My daughter played junior national squash
- I meshed up my investment because of unorganized, dangerously aspired and probably a cheater at heart person like Mr Amrendra Tripathi
- My wife completed her Post-Graduate course in medicine and recovered from bullying by her colleagues
- Received few intimate and forceful reviews of my ‘great’ (thinking) work
http://matheikal.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/11/unlearn-before-you-learn.htm
- Joined Centre for governance with Mr Prabhat Kumar Ex-Governor.

Future remains hopeful

- Hope to have more sensible world
- Join and be the part of human growth
- Be able to undertake innovation
- Enjoy world peace
- Have part of abundance and enjoy them
- Become part of construction
- Remain enemy of destruction
- Contribute in civil governance

Life does not give too many luxuries of times to keep trying few extremes. We all have twenty four hours a day and we have to make choices to build ourselves or preserve our traditions at the cost of growth, success and peace. This is the time of true professionalism. I do not think that we should live life as a traditional keeper. God has sent us here and in 21st century to be creative and innovative.

Every individual has the power of creations. Only thing, creation demands time, space and effort. It demands resources. It is within all of us.

We all can be innovator and we all should be. The technological resources which we have at hand would be of no use if we don’t create or innovate. We have to do it. We have to unlearn old beliefs, traditions and systems. We have to come out of clutches of our wrong perceptions, belief and expectation. We have to create own path, new road, new avenue and new opportunities. It is all within us. We can do it.

Innovation is the key to growth. We have not seen the growth, success and happiness what western people have seen just because we have not been able to innovate and create. The soundness of all the happiness and prosperity depends upon creations and innovations. Unless we learn to innovate, unless we unlearn to keep following, copying and Xeroxing, we will never be able to innovate. We have to innovate to achieve our dream. We have to innovate and create to make ourselves prosperous the way we expect. And it is not difficult. It is all within us. We have to do it.

Today, wherever I go, I see, I read, I find people doing, working and propagating things, knowledge and products developed by some westerns. How far these proud Indians who feel themselves great can keep doing like these? You have to create your own. You can not keep making some westerner famous and rich. You can not keep doing and working for westerners. You have to do it for yours. You have to it within you. The New Year presents you with new resolution, new opportunities and new direction. Make it happen!!

We have very different era. Here, we are forced to do new things on daily basis. We are forced to accept new things. We are encountering new things most of the time. We are doing new things most of the time unknowingly but what I communicate that we all should do these intentionally and with full conscience.

I must thank all of you for being there for me through out year 2007. I consider you the best of the society and I hope you continue getting the best.

New year 2008 is waiting for us to create, innovate and march forward!!

Happy New Year…. Have great journey 2008!!!

Take Hard Decision in Lighter Moment!

Subsidies Must Go To History Books

It is believed that the man speaks his mind. As a Finance Minister, it was believed that he is the only Finance Minister in independent India who knows what he does and he does what he knows. But those were the golden moments of this man when he was sheltered and protected by Narshimha Rao as Prime Minister. Gone were the days. He speaks less now because of his orphanism but even today, whenever, he gets free hand, he speaks his mind.

He spoke again without getting noticed by many especially media experts when he shouted openly against all who are saviors of poverty. I call them saviors of poverty because they make policies which are helping poor to remain poor. Popular policies are keeping the poor deprived for centuries. This has to be understood by the policy makers as well as citizens. West Bengal is very right example. So Manmohan Singh, Indian Prime Minister spoke in clear terms. He said what is hurting Indian growth. He said what is needed.

"Subsidies not reaching the poor": Manmohan Singh said.

I think we spend far too much subsidies in the name of equity, with neither equity objectives nor efficiency objectives being met," Singh said while speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG).

Conveying the clear message of unlearning past, he said, "I think we need a new wave of creative thinking on these issues. Old ways of thinking have run their course." As a Prime Minister, he may not have time and support to carry out administrative and policy reforms, but he feels these needs for the development of the nation.

Singh regretted that "mixed economy' often becomes "mixed-up economy" and called for adopting new middle path for development that combines the efficiency consideration of the market with the equity considerations of the liberal economy." It is an open education for all communist way of thinkers that old ways are not going to serve humanity in 21st century. We have to find new ways.

Manmohan Singh admitted that the experiment with "mixed economy" in the early decades of independence had been disappointing. The country was unable to achieve growth more than 4% for decades. This happened when Industrialization and Automation through Electronics were at the peak all over the world. The nations which followed competitive and capitalist policies were the winners. India remained the losers and was satisfied to maintain its poverty.

Today we are spending 1 lac crores on subsidies and if they are not serving purpose, we must find the ways and means to divert this wastage. Manmohan Singh proposes to give focused attention in agriculture sector and energy sector issues. Energy sector is still worth talking but he wastes the time of the nation and its people when he tries to convince that such an approach was also necessary to address the major concerns pertaining to rural-urban divide and interregional imbalance. For that we need to focus on many other important issues.

Government needs to take some hard stand on issues pertaining to eradication of poverty. The careless talking and exposition of frustration by government agencies and that too Prime Minister is demoralizing for the people of this great nation. Prime Minister must do things which he can do. And certainly he would like to see subsidies disappearing from developed India.

We need to unlearn old ways fast to catch up with the new things are being developed everyday.


Take Hard Decision in Lighter Moment!

Time To Look Within

In India, it is almost a fashion to abuse Hinduism on the name of secularism while on the other hand, protect Muslims and other religions on the name of minority. This might have been good philosophy in the last century when people were happy to get their basic rights. But this is not the case in 21st century. Are you satisfied with your basic rights? I say no, no way. Basic rights are the thing of past. People want their basic amenities and basic privileges to grow and prosper and be happy.
Last week when Muslims protested and wasted their time to protest against Taslima, one of them who dared to write things for Muslims, I felt the miseries of deprived communities. Even leaders make use of the weak emotions to fulfill their own aspirations at the cost of growth. But it must be understood by all educated and informed people that you can never be rich by keeping even deprived and fools poor. (This is my researched statement.) West Bengal and Indian governments have to realize this. They can not keep deprived poor for long just because they are not well informed and emotional. Indian government has lost its credibility when keep focusing on trivial issues.

Similar was the case in Sudan, just over a week ago it was hard to imagine how the international reputation of the Sudanese government could sink any lower.

Accused of sponsoring the killing and rape of hundreds of thousands of its own people in Darfur and then of blocking the peacekeepers who might protect them - barely a week passed without a threat of sanctions or a new UN resolution.
But thanks to the Gillian Gibbons saga, Sudan has managed to transform its public image from pariah state to something approaching a laughing stock. Wisdom prevailed at last. But the sequence of events must be of interest to all educated Indians.

Sept: Gillian Gibbons's class votes to name a teddy bear Muhammad
25 Nov: She is arrested for allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet
27 Nov: Gordon Brown says efforts are being made to release her
28 Nov: Mrs Gibbons is charged with insulting religion and inciting hatred
29 Nov: A Sudanese court finds her guilty of insulting Islam and sentences her to 15 days in prison and deportation
30 Nov: Angry protesters in Khartoum demand a harsher sentence
1 Dec: Two British Muslim peers press Sudanese officials to pardon her
3 Dec: Mrs Gibbons is pardoned by Sudan's president and freed from prison

Gillian should never have been arrested in the first place, let alone held in jail - she had done nothing wrong says Inayat Bunglawala Muslim Council of Britain

In the name of people and their emotions, shrewd leaders are making their way to the top like 19th and even 20th century but in this era of pure democracy as Imran Khan of Pakistan said once, people need better and sensible leaders to take futuristic decisions.

The mob demanding the execution of Gillian Gibbons — for allowing her seven-year-old pupils to name a teddy bear Mohammed — may have been government prompted. In any case, it represents the latest example of one type of Islamist aggression. Most Muslim-majority countries have rules against insulting the Islamic prophet — most notoriously, clauses 295 and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Islamists capriciously use such laws as a weapon to hound free-thinking Muslims and non-Muslims. And I feel that Muslims leaders are doing this at the cost of the growth of Muslim communities.

In 2002, for example, 105 people were killed in riots in Kaduna, Nigeria, following the publication of an article suggesting Mohammed would have approved of a beauty contest. These incidences across the world, including what happened in West Bengal, are the shame for civilized society. Mobs are howling for the death of Taslima Nasreen, the Bangladeshi author critical of Islam. If India has to developed, it has to learn to respect intelligence. It may be true that India can be ruled by not so intelligent people but can not be run without it. Statements coming out of the West, from the Salman Rushdie affair in 1989, to the Danish cartoons, to Pope Benedict's speech in 2006, have inspired multiple violent eruptions.

These Incidents point to two of the deepest problems in modernizing Islam. One is permitting freedom of speech concerning Mohammed, the Koran, and other aspects of religion. The other concerns the right of Muslims to leave Islam. These twin transitions must be accomplished for Islam to leave its current backward and oppressive situations.

The way Hinuds have been marginalized in their own nation, it is not good for anyone who respects democracy. But thanks to the broad heart and social brought up of Hindus, the country like India, China and others are growing astronomically. We all need to take a lesson or two from emerging events. This is the time of consolidation. This is the time to look within.

Can this informed world be made fool like this at the cost of their basic amenities? Why do not we move from our basic right to basic amenities? Indians need to look within. All deprived people across the world need to look within. All those people who feel emotional about growth of deprived and poor should look within. This is the time to act not just react.

Take Hard Decision in Lighter Moment!

Taslima - A India Prestige

Why should Taslima stays in Rajasthan house? Why Modi should invite her to Gujarat? Why an industrialist and reformist like Buddhadeb fears Muslim fundamentalist to oust Taslima? There are many such questions in this country which disturb me where secular fundamentalists reside and rule.



Society has its own way of evolution. I do not have doubt about the evolutionary processes of human beings. Every human being wants time to grow. Every human being wants time to get educated. That's why even learning took 1900 centuries to be made as basic human rights. Education was not prevalent just three generations back. Today when even educated Muslims and secular Hindus talk and discuss about right and wrong of Taslima, I feel pity on the evolution process of human being.



Can human beings learn things faster? In this 21st century and a more clearly global world, why should we take so much time to learn good things? Why we are still continuing with so many bad and fatal thinking and actions? We have some serious problems of fatal thinking. That's why an author like Taslima is insulted. The only known female author in 21st century who had courage in poor, illiterate and deprived Muslims are being treated badly. Why poor do not learn more than doing fatal worship at the cost of their own life?



Taslima has become 'Harijan' of Muslims. What an irony of an educated society? Every body wants to study, get educated and learn but no one wants to unlearn conservativeness and ugliness of society. How can you insult educated author in a civilized society? After such incidence, can Muslim society ever think of producing a vocal and outspoken author for generations and decades?

Is it surprise when Muslims are struggling to get democracy in Bangladesh or even Pakistan? Why should anyone? In a society where you force educated and learned to run away from pillar to post, you will have to die of bomb attacks. You can dream of democracy and good governance but you can never get. You have to be controlled and manipulated by Western power or developed powers. A conscious Muslims and secular Indians must awaken to face the challenges of growth and wisdom.

It is shame on the part of West Bengal and Indian government who call themselves on one hand secular and on the other hand work for terrorists. Can not we respect law and order? Are law and order in India for majority only?

On the other hand what is happening in Malaysia or even Burma? They are the result of brutal ness. All educated and claimed secular people must speak against fundamentalists. The people who believe in human rights and democracy must come out and fight these fundamentalisms at the core of their heart. Why do not Shahrukh or Shabana speak in favour of Taslima? Why we have so much distinction between M F Hussain and Taslima Nasreen?



It is a golden opportunity for India to respect the democracy and individual freedom of people across the world. Taslima is the symbol of liberty, knowledge and humanity. Taslima must be preserved for dying terror world. If MF Hussain can live in UK, Taslima can stay here in India?.



I am surprised why Mayawati or Jayalalita have not offered Taslima a place in her state especially when center is in doldrums. But sooner or later Indians irrespective of caste, creed or religion will welcome such dignified scholar on this land which is going to be developed shortly. India will develop by welcoming such intelligence at their soil. India will become developed at the cost of conservativeness of its neighbours.



How can India hide its boldness? India must have courage to face fundamentalists. This is an opportunity for India to provide full protection to Taslima and make her a symbol of its secular philosophy.

Take Hard Decision in Lighter Moment!