Sunday, March 15, 2009
... the conclusion to introspection...
For last three months I kept pondering on the question "what can today's youth do to change the current political structure of the country?", but I realized that choosing to be a part of politics or the system is as difficult as making a donkey win a derby race! Your hurdle starts right at your home - your over-protective parents... not that they want to discourage your dreams, but they are concerned due to the fact that its an dirty and risky affair... One person alone can't afford to and can't really make a change... This reminded me of a hindi story that I had come across during my school days that had ended saying "One finger when alone is very weak. But when all five fingers join together they form a strong fist!!!t
I finally decided to work on strengthening the lone finger for now and wait for the others to join and form a fist...
I finally decided to work on strengthening the lone finger for now and wait for the others to join and form a fist...
Monday, December 1, 2008
An Introspection of Self...
Life seemed to be beautiful as never before with the career growth in terms of learning, responsibilities and monetary benefits I was getting. But, the terror strike on Mumbai few days back forced me to Introspect into my own mind!
Born in the 'Silicon City' of India and completed the preliminary education in the suburbs of Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, I joined the 2000 batch of Mechanical stream at Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering of the 'Mysore University' fame to earn a Bachelors degree in Engineering.
Though not the top-most, but featuring in the top 5 of the class throughout, I was happy to be one of the most liked students by our lecturers. Orchestras, dramatics, college fests, college magazine editing, cultural events organizing, my hobbies got several new platforms to flourish during the college days.
However, there was one experience that completely changed my view towards life - the National Cadet Corps' aka NCC. Always fascinated by the Uniforms, there was no wonder in me first being a part of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in the school days and spending my college Sundays in the Khakhee of NCC.
Getting just the feeble flavor of Forces in the first year of NCC at Army Wing of 1 KAR ENGR COY (1 Karnataka Engineers' Company), the 15 days army attachment camp during the early Second year at the legendary Madras Engineering Group & Centre (MEG), Bangalore, provided me with an insight of what it takes to be in forces and how it feels like in being a part of it when you are through with the rigorous army training. Having got the preliminary training on arms and the engineering-specific subjects of the army, my Sundays continued in the Khakhee; first towards earning the prestigious 'C' certificate from the Ministry of Defense and last few towards training the junior cadets as a part of the army staff.
Deep inside, I always aspired to be one of those in the Khakhee or Fouji. But, I feared death. And the very thought of it used to demoralized my dreams only leaving me alone with one question.. "What should I do to fulfill my dreams without getting this fear in my way?" This question haunted me for days together and finally I decided to atleast contribute towards the upgrade of India's defense capabilities by directly or indirectly being a part of the value chain. I never wanted to be a part of the crowd that was happy complaining about the political system and security, but doing something that made a difference or atleast had a part of contribution towards our nation.
My dreams seemed to be realizing after getting selected for Larsen & Toubro, through the campus interview, where I got the opportunity of being a part of the most longedfor 'Cluster C', the Defense Projects group. I was transferred to the Vizag office to contribute towards one of the prestigious projects of the Indian Navy. I was proud of myself on being an indispensible part of this project. But slowly with time the office politics and not-so-good salary took over the sense of pride and made me quit my job for better salary and responsibility. I shifted to Maytas Infra's Oil & Gas Sector as Deputy Manager - Business Development at their Hyderabad Office. Soon I was given an independent charge of Business Development for the Refineries & Petrochemical domain and was shifted to their Mumbai Office.
The days seemed to be beautiful as never before. I had better job responsibilities, the career growth seemed better, I was now more financially sound with a handsome pay package (though not sufficing the Mumbai Cost of Living) and the 'Sense of Pride' was too far behind me to haunt.
Days passed, months passed and so did an year before an unfortunate incident occured. Never anticipated, Mumbai was struck with terror attacks on 26 Nov 08, a few days back. Over 150 innocent people were killed and 300+ injured. The various news coverages showed a sullied picture of the political and security systems. I could have been one of the victims had I planned a timeout with my ex-flatmate at his usual hangout place - Colaba or had planned my visit to home town through a night train from the CST station or had continued on my Delhi Business trip through a night flight as per my earlier plan. Should I feel lucky?
One one hand the people of Mumbai were dumbstruck by the level of damage caused to their near 'n dear ones and on the other the shameless politicians were politicizing the whole issue. The Central & State congress yet again proved itself impotent showcasing their inability to avoid the very obvious attack through sea route. The BJP leaders didn't miss their chance to slander the centre for same, forgetting the damages they had caused with their So-Called 'Hindutva' attitude so far. And see who's missing! The whole Thackray family. Neither the Shiv Sena nor the MNS did anything to aid the victims of this dreadly attack.
But at the end of all this, what do I see... Myself complaining about the political system and security system, which I had decided never to! What happened to my 'sense of pride' of being a part of the value chain I felt I was committed to? What happened to my ardor for 'doing' things rather than 'complaining' and making a difference? Should I leave my job and join the Politics? If so how to begin? Smashing down my morale, these questions have brought me back to the same place in my life where once I had questioned myself "What should I do to make a difference?". A question that is going to haunt me again for quite some time...
How can the youth change the picture of today's system?
Though not the top-most, but featuring in the top 5 of the class throughout, I was happy to be one of the most liked students by our lecturers. Orchestras, dramatics, college fests, college magazine editing, cultural events organizing, my hobbies got several new platforms to flourish during the college days.
However, there was one experience that completely changed my view towards life - the National Cadet Corps' aka NCC. Always fascinated by the Uniforms, there was no wonder in me first being a part of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in the school days and spending my college Sundays in the Khakhee of NCC.
Getting just the feeble flavor of Forces in the first year of NCC at Army Wing of 1 KAR ENGR COY (1 Karnataka Engineers' Company), the 15 days army attachment camp during the early Second year at the legendary Madras Engineering Group & Centre (MEG), Bangalore, provided me with an insight of what it takes to be in forces and how it feels like in being a part of it when you are through with the rigorous army training. Having got the preliminary training on arms and the engineering-specific subjects of the army, my Sundays continued in the Khakhee; first towards earning the prestigious 'C' certificate from the Ministry of Defense and last few towards training the junior cadets as a part of the army staff.
Deep inside, I always aspired to be one of those in the Khakhee or Fouji. But, I feared death. And the very thought of it used to demoralized my dreams only leaving me alone with one question.. "What should I do to fulfill my dreams without getting this fear in my way?" This question haunted me for days together and finally I decided to atleast contribute towards the upgrade of India's defense capabilities by directly or indirectly being a part of the value chain. I never wanted to be a part of the crowd that was happy complaining about the political system and security, but doing something that made a difference or atleast had a part of contribution towards our nation.
My dreams seemed to be realizing after getting selected for Larsen & Toubro, through the campus interview, where I got the opportunity of being a part of the most longedfor 'Cluster C', the Defense Projects group. I was transferred to the Vizag office to contribute towards one of the prestigious projects of the Indian Navy. I was proud of myself on being an indispensible part of this project. But slowly with time the office politics and not-so-good salary took over the sense of pride and made me quit my job for better salary and responsibility. I shifted to Maytas Infra's Oil & Gas Sector as Deputy Manager - Business Development at their Hyderabad Office. Soon I was given an independent charge of Business Development for the Refineries & Petrochemical domain and was shifted to their Mumbai Office.
The days seemed to be beautiful as never before. I had better job responsibilities, the career growth seemed better, I was now more financially sound with a handsome pay package (though not sufficing the Mumbai Cost of Living) and the 'Sense of Pride' was too far behind me to haunt.
Days passed, months passed and so did an year before an unfortunate incident occured. Never anticipated, Mumbai was struck with terror attacks on 26 Nov 08, a few days back. Over 150 innocent people were killed and 300+ injured. The various news coverages showed a sullied picture of the political and security systems. I could have been one of the victims had I planned a timeout with my ex-flatmate at his usual hangout place - Colaba or had planned my visit to home town through a night train from the CST station or had continued on my Delhi Business trip through a night flight as per my earlier plan. Should I feel lucky?
One one hand the people of Mumbai were dumbstruck by the level of damage caused to their near 'n dear ones and on the other the shameless politicians were politicizing the whole issue. The Central & State congress yet again proved itself impotent showcasing their inability to avoid the very obvious attack through sea route. The BJP leaders didn't miss their chance to slander the centre for same, forgetting the damages they had caused with their So-Called 'Hindutva' attitude so far. And see who's missing! The whole Thackray family. Neither the Shiv Sena nor the MNS did anything to aid the victims of this dreadly attack.
But at the end of all this, what do I see... Myself complaining about the political system and security system, which I had decided never to! What happened to my 'sense of pride' of being a part of the value chain I felt I was committed to? What happened to my ardor for 'doing' things rather than 'complaining' and making a difference? Should I leave my job and join the Politics? If so how to begin? Smashing down my morale, these questions have brought me back to the same place in my life where once I had questioned myself "What should I do to make a difference?". A question that is going to haunt me again for quite some time...
How can the youth change the picture of today's system?
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