DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:47:49 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/blog/indian-heritage-goes-global-to-attract-visitors-640720.html The world over tourism is seen as a transformative force which serves as key growth engines of an economy with creation of jobs foreign exchange earnings and development of infrastructure At the same time tourism also plays important role in bridging cultures preserving traditions and supporting restoration of heritage sites with people to people contactAs we celebrate World Tourism Day 2025 on 27 September India has emerged as top choice for tourists across the world and the tourism sector has witnessed exponential growth in the past 11 years under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi As India has taken its unique heritage to the world countrys 13 new sites have been added to UNESCOs list of World Heritage Properties in the past decade taking the number of such sites in the country to 43 Indias count on the UNESCOs Tentative List for heritage sites for inclusion in UNESCOs World Heritage Site also stands at 69As per the World Travel and Tourism Council WTTC 2025 report India has now surpassed Italy and Spain to become the eighthlargest tourism economy with earnings of US 2316 billion nearly Rs 2042 lakh crore from tourism sector in 202425 As Indias rich cultural heritage diverse geography and historical landmarks are attracting the world the number of foreign tourists visiting the country has registered sevenfold increase to go up from 1527 lakh in 2021 to 9952 lakh in 2024GST BoostThe just announced Good and Services Tax GST reforms will further boost the tourism sector and make it even more competitive globallynbspNow hotel stay will not become even more affordable as tourists will be required to pay only 5 GST for hotel stay as compared to 12 earlier It will make Indias tourist places more attractive for foreign and domestic travelersnbspAs buses with seating capacity of over 10 Persons will now attract 18 GST as compared to 28 earlier it will encourage use of public transport thus reducing emissions and easing traffic congestion As Art and cultural goods will now attract just 5 GST as compared to 12 earlier reduced prices will mean more demand for products of Indian artisans In all the GST reduction will lead to increased job opportunities in Indias travel and tourism sector as well as artisansHeritage with DevelopmentFor decades several significant heritage monuments were facing neglect But now with the motto Vikas bhi Virasat bhi the Union government is paying equal attention for conserving Indias cultural heritage and developmental projects This has helped in revival of several religious sites through conservation restoration and development projects which have not only boosted tourism but increased job and business opportunities for local peoplenbspBe it the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi Mahakaal Lok Project in Ujjain Ma Kamakhya corridor in Guwahati tourists now enjoy worldclass facilities at these sites The construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has become a global spiritual hub which attracted over 16 crore visitors in 2024 up from 60 lakhs in 2020Initiatives like Kartarpur Corridor Char Dham Road Project Ropeway Projects connecting Gaurikund to Kedarnath and Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib and Somnath Temple reconstruction project have eased spiritual journey of devotees to these revered placesnbspInclusive DevelopmentAs Bharat remains the spiritual capital of the world the Union government has given special attention to sacred sites of all communities The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD scheme has helped in preservation of 46 such sites The scheme includes several sites related to the minority communities including Hazratbal shrine and Ajmer Sharif Dargah Chamkaur Sahib Gurudwara and Nada Sahib Gurudwara Renovation Patna SahibLikewise the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana HRIDAY for 12 cities include heritage sites related to minority communities including Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Ajmer Golden Temple in Amritsar and Bodh Gaya in BiharWith much improved facilities spiritual tourism is now witnessing 3540 growth in India as such sacred sites are drawing tourists from across the country and world leading creation of thousands of jobs and business opportunities for local populationExpansion of InfrastructureDevelopment of worldclass infrastructure in India has given a big boost to the tourism sector Between 2014 and 2025 length of National Highways has grown by 60 from 91287 km to 146204 km Now 68 Vande Bharat trains are running across 333 districts ensuring faster and comfortable journey for tourists While the capacity of Indian ports has doubled in the past 11 years number of operational airports gone up to 160 in 2025 including 145 airports 13 heliports and 2 water aerodromes as compared to just 74 airports in 2014 Tourists now enjoy enhanced connectivity to small towns and remote regions with 625 new air routes becoming operational under UDAN scheme which has benefitted over 151 crore passengersMedical TourismIndia is now attracting tourists from all over the world for highquality medical services at affordable costs with number of such tourists going up from 183 lakh in 2020 to about 650 lakh in 2024 and over 131 lakh in first four months of 2025The Union Budget 202526 has given further boost to medical tourism with Heal in India initiative Emedical visae medical attendant visa facility is now available to nationals of 171 countriesNovel InitiativesUnion government has introduced Swadesh Darshan scheme for development of 110 projects for 15 theme based tourist circuits including Ramayana Buddhist Coastal and Tribal to connect different regions of the country and giving a new identity to India Dekho Apna Desh campaign is encouraging domestic tourists to explore the unexplored tourist sites While Chalo India had made Indian Diaspora brand ambassadors of India for tourism promotion Wed in India campaign is showcasing India as wedding destination for Indian and foreign tourists Travel for LiFE initiative is promoting sustainable tourismSuggestionsStateWise Tourist Circuits On the lines of national level tourist circuits each state should develop its tourist circuits to promote unexplored tourist placesnbspExploration of Remote Tourist Sites Special efforts should be made to further improve connectivity tourist facilities and safety at remote or lesser known tourist placesnbspTourist Management To prevent overcrowding in tourist places like hill stations and religious circuits tourist management plans should be used to determine carrying capacity and take crowd control measuresSkill Training for Tourism Workforce As Indias tourism sector is witnessing massive growth special training programs should be undertaken for unskilled workforce to improve the quality of service in this sectornbspPromotion of Festivals Indias unique festivals and fairs can be a major attraction for tourists to explore various regions of the country By including festivals of India in travel calendars foreign tourists should be encouraged to plan trips for witnessing celebrations during festivalsnbspSafety of Tourists Increased number tourism police personnel should be deployed to implement strict security protocols at tourist sites to ensure safety of tourists travelling in all parts of the countryConclusionAs land of spirituality India believes in Atithi Devo Bhava Guest is God and is now a top global travel destination where tourists can experience all seasons throughout the year The turnaround in Indias tourism sector is testament of the Union governments visionary policies strategic planning and consistent efforts over the past 11 years With transformation of Indias tourism landscape this sector will now surely be one of the growth engines to realise the vision for a ViksitnbspBharat by 2047 Satnam Singh Sandhu Rajya Sabha MP Views expressed are personal Email satnamsandhusansadnicin https://dailyworld.in/blog/indian-heritage-goes-global-to-attract-visitors-640720.html Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/blackhole-being-from-outer-quests-to-inner-growth-uniting-spirit-and-matter-640721.html What if the greatest illusion of our time is the belief that matter and spirit are enemies For centuries weve been told that chasing wealth relationships or recognition means turning away from god Yet this false divide may be the very reason so many feel unfulfillednbspIf the universe is an intelligent creationoverflowing with beauty and opportunitywhy should engaging with it be condemned To reject the outer world is in a sense to reject creation itself Religions warn that attachments bring suffering and there is truth in that but rarely do they teach how to live that truth Many dismiss the world as illusion while every breath depends on it creating a painful inner splitWorse we are asked to deny what sustains us It is like asking someone to fly while binding their hands and feet No one survives without food water shelter or relationships even the bodycalled a sacred templeneeds material care We have even split the body into halves deeming the upper pure and the lower sinful But life does not function in halves such divisions harm more than they healnbspTrue growth does not come from denial but from experience while engaging with realworld affairs In relationships we learn love and loss joy and sorrow In creation we discover purpose and meaning In hardship we uncover strength and weakness These are not distractions but the laboratory of inner work loving despite loss building despite uncertainty and seeking recognition with humilityall refine our intelligenceWhen the outer world bulldozes away possessions and expectations pain and suffering force us inward That turning reveals a steady corean inner blackhole that is luminous reliable and inexhaustible One does not have to suffer endlessly to start with this inward journey sharpening intelligence gained from experience can guide ones attention early toward this inner blackholenbspUnfortunately organized religions have often redirected humanity into cycles of guilt sacrifice and control They preach that suffering for others brings us closer to God Yet how can a beggar who cannot feed his family uplift others How can someone living in fear offer courage Without inner strength and richness sacrifice only deepens sufferingfor both giver and receiver Masochism in the name of god may look noble but it has no value for real growthThe time has come to heal the divide between matter and spirit Material success and spiritual growth are not enemies they are partners in evolution The outer world provides the laboratory for experience and the inner world offers wisdom to transform it Romantic relationships in particular mirror lifes dualities powerfully love intensifies both joy and suffering but for the courageous seeker it becomes the fastest path to wisdom One may take an entire lifetime to see the futility of seeking refuge in wealth fame and power but the same realization may happen within a short span if one is bold and courageous enough to experiment through romantic loveprovided both partners are willing to walk this path together People often feel that when Kabir said Dhai Akshar Prem Ka Padhe Jo Pandit Hoye it was entirely spiritual but in truth it was always deeply worldly This subtle shift was devised to divert attention from the immediate challenge worldly love offers to everyone The cunning mind postpones it considering love for a person on a lower pedestal and love for some imaginary god whom no one has ever seen as highly spiritualSpirituality is not about rejecting life but embracing it fully while anchored in the unchanging inner selfour own inner blackhole When this balance is found duality dissolves and life becomes a celebrationof inner peace and outer achievementnbspalikenbspThe writer is an IT Professionalnbsp https://dailyworld.in/blog/blackhole-being-from-outer-quests-to-inner-growth-uniting-spirit-and-matter-640721.html Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/origin-of-the-deity-part-2-640310.html Continuing with the meditation on Hiranyagarbha sukta it may be seminal to understand that the Vedic vision or Indic cosmogony does not contemplate any concept of absolute origin of time space or of creation Wherever there is any mention or enunciation of the uncreate wherefrom coprimordialities of spacetimeconsciousness or tapasrtasatya originate the same is predicated or based on a cyclical view of time To explain simply the cycle of creation and of annihilation from and to the uncreate repeats itself endlessly This may happen at the macrocosm level in cosmological terms or at the microcosmic level of each individual bodyself when it attains an authentic self or being The Sacrifice or yajna that it is believed sustains the cosmic order or Rta is also a repetition at the microcosmic level of the tapasrtasatya coprimordialities Through which the jana or the Vedic seer acting as a sociality partake of and participate with albeit in a small way in the cosmic cyclesIt is for this reason there is often no telos objective or ultimate aim envisaged by the Vedic seer and therefore also no eschatology a promised land spatially or a heaven kingdom of God vouched safe in the future The Vedic seer aims to transcend time and space and be a Trikaal darshi As seer is one who realises that linear time is a myth and can see present past and futureWestern commentators steeped in the Hebraic tradition of Eschatology tend to locate the absolute origin of creation in this Sukta Howvever the Hiranyagarbaha or golden germ would repeat itself eon after eon and is therefore sam avartagare cooriginal or even inherent The golden germ partakes the Indic notion of the primal sound Aad or bhutasya jata The being or Mahabhuta that aasit or comes to be contdThe writer is a 1993batch IRS officer who is presently posted in Punjab https://dailyworld.in/blog/origin-of-the-deity-part-2-640310.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/what-did-you-see-in-jawan-mr-jury-640311.html Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey are fine actors its their vehiclesJawan a blunt instrument and 12th Fail a backwardlooking parablethat make the jurys message to a restless generation feel misplacedShah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey deserve applause their films do not Jawan is crowdcraftloud clever incuriousa comicbook crusade masquerading as reform 12th Fail tender as it is belongs to an older aspiration economy where exams are destiny and luck is policy Awards are not ornaments they are signals In blessing these two stories together the jury didnt just reward performanceit endorsed a syllabus vengeance and rote A country of value creators and problemsolvers merits a different set of notesThe first time I saw Shah Rukh Khan he was not yet the institution he would becomeonly the promise of one It was 1994 a wintry afternoon in the Badshahpur policestation area under my watch as ASP Gurgaon Yash Chopras unit had commandeered a strip of mustard fields for a song that would go on to wallpaper a generations memory Kajol stood to one side hair gathered against the breeze Shah Rukhboyish quick on his feetslipped in and out of the frame as reflectors flashed and someone called for silence He wasnt MillsandBoon tall nor Kapoorhandsome Ditto for Kajol luminous on camera unvarnished at arms length None of that mattered Theyand the crew around themknew how to make feeling reproducible The film did famously well They did even better helped by an industry that learns to choose from what it already offers and a global market that accepts the buffet it is givenThe second time I saw him was at Delhi airport the longest car I had ever seen uncurling to the curb then a tide of staffers and guards moving like a choreographed breakwater In the center the starnodding smiling advancing through a corridor of phones If the first encounter felt like proximity the second was theatre Between those two tableaux lies a national story about how we dream how we consume and how we rewardShah Rukhs professional arc is now civic catechism He began on television with Fauji made an arresting film debut as an antihero pivoted into romancenaam to suna hogaand arrived late to the action epoch eightpack bravado and all Reinvention kept him current But when a jury crowned his turn in Jawan with Best Actor I found myself asking gently Mr Jury what exactly did you seeShah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey are by any measure fine actors The trouble is the vehicles we have just consecrated Jawan is a blunt instrumentingenious in bursts but finally a comicbook fantasy that mistakes detonations for diagnosis 12th Fail moving in parts is anachronistic as a national parable a hymn to exam survival at a moment when India needs ladders in research design enterprise and care Juries do more than distribute medals they curate a mood board for the young This years selections whisper the wrong lesson that change arrives via a lone avenger or the lottery of recall We can celebrate the men without canonizing these messages The better signal is quietercompetence collaboration and the long unfashionable work by which countries actually riseTo be fair to the rulebook this years National Film Awards recognize films certified in 2023 On that score Jawan and 12th Fail qualify squarely and their performancescrowdcommanding in one case delicately inhabited in the otherare not in doubt The question is not eligibility but example Awards whisper to the youngest and most impressionable viewers what a nation thinks is worth emulating what to imitate what to invest in how to expect change to arriveJawan offers catharsis through choreography It gestures at unemployment farmers distress cronyism then resolves them with the swoop of a vigilantes cape The stunt grammar is comicbook the politics a collage You leave with your ears ringing and your conscience conveniently soothed the bad thing has been punished by a bigger better badness the systemwhatever that ishas been taught a lesson But our system is not a faceless villain it is a mosaic of work It is popularly elected leaders reachable at indecorous hours selected civil servants holding contradictions together with scarce resources and stubborn patience It is constables entering dark rooms without the promise of a soundtrack nurses working the night shift firefighters running toward heat It is an untidy bureaucracy that has helped pull millions out of poverty midwifed a middle class the size of a continent and made roomsometimes grudgingly but unmistakablyfor founders from IIT and beyond to build multibilliondollar enterprises That story is incremental and human It does not bend easily to detonations12th Fail is more humane and closer to the ground a young man stumbling persisting and at last entering public service As a portrait of perseverance it is persuasive As a national parable it feels backwardlooking At a moment when Western doors narrow for our graduates Indias principal task is to widen windows at homein research labs and design studios in public health enterprise and applied science The civilservices exam is a contest of comprehension and recall with a luck quotient no one likes to admit It produces many fine officers it is not a development plan We can cheer the performance without canonizing the messageThere are from recent years and from the coming cycle quieter films that would send richer signals to the audience that consumes cinema mostthe young who study on borrowed time and travel by shared ride Soni finds heroism in two Delhi policewomen navigating misogyny and the mundanity of night duty it dignifies competence Sherni follows a forest officer holding a fragile line between livelihood and habitatan ethic of stewardship for a century that will live or die on such lines Thappad takes a single slap and unfolds it into a syllabus on respect due process and the grammar of consentchange done without theatrics Sir treats class not as ornament but architecture mapping the quiet courage of redrawing status with dignity Article 15 asks viewers to approach equality not as slogan but as lived duty and to see law as discipline rather than prop Kaun Pravin Tambe makes a fable out of late blooming telling young Indians that perseverance can be a vocation Among newer titles Laapataa Ladies peers into rural India with humor and tenderness arguing for agency without caricature Srikanth turns disability into a lens on enterprise not a plea for pity In different registers Kadvi Hawa and Court remind us that climate and justice are not abstractions but daily negotiationsslow proceduraland that slowness is often the point Not all of these were eligible this year that is beside the point The point is the palette of virtues we choose to elevateCulture sets the emotional weather Songs films serials seep into the national mood they can crystallize private irritations into public purpose We have watched here and nearby how a lyric becomes a placard and a scene becomes a posturehow narrative heat once stoked can rush from phones to streets That energy is real So is the morning after which belongs not to slogans but to institutions Stories of lone saviors have their place they can also tutor impatience They make rupture feel like a planNone of this is a brief against spectacle A confident republic can afford fireworks it just shouldnt mistake glare for daylight Nor is it a sermon against stardom Shah Rukh Khan remains a supreme connectorhe softens rooms and hard cities and in an uncivil hour that is no small civic virtue Vikrant Massey in a different key reminds us how much stillness can do But the National Award is where we set the metronome If the signal says more detonations louder righteousness we will get them If it says show us institutions working competence unglamorous and real repairs undertaken without applause we might get that tooApplaud the performances mind the signals The films we just crowned teach vengeance and rote The generation watching needs craftnbspand courage OP Singh is DGP and author of the forthcoming book Why We Gather Crowds Smartphones And The Future Democracy https://dailyworld.in/blog/what-did-you-see-in-jawan-mr-jury-640311.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/merchants-of-outrage-640134.html In the age of the feed power moves faster than institutionsAcross continents the most compelling voices in politics no longer rise from the floor of parliaments but from the glow of screens In Colombo chants of Gota Go Home began as hashtags before swelling into protests that toppled a presidency In Dhaka a students viral act of defiance became the emblem of a movement that forced a longentrenched leader to step down In Kathmandu a clumsy ban on social media ignited an uprising of digitally native youth who stormed parliament and demanded a new order And in London a farright march drew unprecedented crowds amplified by Elon Musk himself addressing protesters via video linkThe common thread is not ideology but method A new figure has emerged in democratic life the grievance influencer Part chronicler part campaigner these actors channel private frustrations into public momentum They are untethered from party ranks or institutional checks yet with a single clip or livestream they can summon more passion than manifestos and force quicker concessions than parliamentary debates They are not an aberration They are the shape of a politics in which attention itself has become powerDemocracy trembles at the speed of a feedIn Sri Lanka in 2022 the Aragalaya movement united citizens against shortages blackouts and economic collapse Its power did not come from a single leader or political party but from a network of ordinary people amplified online Viral posts mocked privilege livestreams chronicled daily hardships and solidarity spread at the speed of a feed Within months the Rajapaksa dynastylong thought immovablewas driven from officeBangladesh offered its own dramatic variation in 2024 What began as a grievance over civilservice quotas escalated into a national reckoning when videos of police crackdowns went viral Students joined by teachers and civil society carried placards and streamed their defiance while the diaspora rallied online in solidarity By August mass mobilization had pushed a seemingly invincible government into retreat its leader fleeing abroad after fifteen years in powerNepals turmoil came next A government attempt to ban Facebook Instagram and TikTok lit a spark among digitally native citizens For a generation raised online this was more than policyit was an affront to identity Students defied the ban with VPNs and alternate channels coordinating protests that left nearly twenty dead in two days Faced with escalating outrage the prime minister resigned and the ban was swiftly liftedPakistan provides another variation There institutions have thinned and opposition curtailed but grievance found new narrators Former Prime Minister Imran Khan reinvented himself as a populist influencer His fiery online appeals reached millions and when he was briefly arrested protests erupted nationwide including unprecedented attacks on military facilities Grievance politics did not topple the government but it destabilized the very establishment that claimed to rule in democracys nameEven Britain has felt the tremors The Unite the Kingdom march drew one of the largest farright crowds in decades organized not by mainstream leaders but by a provocateur Its most striking moment was an address from Elon Musk who warned of immigrations dangers and called for political change His words were condemned but the event revealed that grievance influencers can challenge even mature democracies bypassing traditional media and speaking directly to public fearOutrage if heard can be democracys chance at renewalWhy do grievance influencers succeed where institutions falter Their legitimacy lies in immediacy A meme mocking excess a livestream of hardshipthese feel authentic in ways official speeches do not They cut through delay speaking to those who feel unseen For many grievance influencers give voice to what they feel but cannot articulateYet the same qualities that empower them also make them volatile Virality favors anger over nuance urgency over patience Movements without leaders excel at unseating but stumble at rebuilding Outrage can topple a government but cannot draft a policy The result can be a cycle of eruption euphoria driftnbspand disillusionThe risks go further Influencers are accountable to no one Their stark narratives can deepen division and their platforms can be manipulated by hostile actors Anger contagious and unmoored can destabilize democracies faster than they know how to respondStill outrage is not always destructive It can also be a signal When heard with humility and answered with transparency it can push democracies to reform and reconnect The energy that topples can also renew if absorbed into institutions that people trustPower once moved slowly through parties and parliaments Today it can shift in hours at the speed of a feed Democracies that endure will be those that learn to listen to outrage without being consumed by itthose that can turn grievance into renewal rather than ruptureGrievance influencers are here to stay They are not a footnote in democratic life but its newest chapter The question is whether democracies will evolve with themor benbspovertaken by themOP Singh is DGP and author of Why We Gather an upcoming book on crowd engineering in the smart phone era https://dailyworld.in/blog/merchants-of-outrage-640134.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/black-hole-being-the-invisible-science-of-human-connection-639777.html Why do we instantly bond with some people while others remain strangers despite years of familiarity Why does success come effortlessly to a few while others struggle endlessly For centuries humanity has sought answers in religion yet perhaps the truth lies within us in an inner force as mysterious as a cosmic black holeLife is as vast as the universe yet we often view it through a narrow keyhole Within each of us exists an inner black holea silent intelligent energy shaping our reality Just as cosmic black holes draw objects into their orbit our inner energy attracts people events and experiences that mirror our vibrations This force is not personal it is limitless and timeless present in all beings and thingsWhat drives these attractions and aversions The seed of evolution embedded within us There is no growth without others Through joy and betrayal love and loss we refine wisdom with the end goal of meeting our highest potential at the inner black hole Even indifference has meaning signaling neutrality in our field Unlike cosmic black holes bound by physics human black holes operate through subtle exchangesin words gestures and silence When Buddha and Mahavira sat together wordlessly their stillness spoke volumes revealing the silence of singularity withinEgo often misunderstood as evil is simply natures tool for survival sustaining individuality through separation Most relationships remain conditional sharing only the outer self Rarely do we risk revealing our essence fearing betrayal Mystics like Krishna Buddha and Guru Nanak transcended ego radiating unconditional love Growth is not about destroying ego but recognizing its mask Every criticism or betrayal mirrors something within us When we stop reacting the leaked emotional energy returns to our inner black hole becoming a gateway to peace clarity and joyRhonda Byrnes The Secret popularized the Law of Attraction focusing on desire and thought Yet desire is only half the story Egodriven wishesfor power escape or controlcarry side effects rooted in duality Pure intentionsto heal love or growalign with the nondual rhythm of the inner black hole Transformation is not just about positive thinking it demands courage to face the unknown sincere effort and inner alignment In this process the brain reshapes and subtle energy intensifies Outwardly little may change yet inwardly we attract those resonating with our deepest vibrationIf sages claim God is within why dont we feel it Doubt blocks the way A single moment of doubtfree surrender can open the encounter yet most of us rely on borrowed beliefs about God or Heaven leaving faith fragile True seekers are rare borrowed belief is easy Mystics having touched truth directly never waver Only through real experience of the inner black hole may one say whether God existsor notLifes ultimate purpose is realizationseeing beyond ego into pure awareness Creation itself longs to witness its highest creativity through us its own centers of consciousness at the singularity of the inner black hole Pain more than joy becomes the teacher for only when confronted with suffering are we compelled to awaken When awakening deepens the observer and the observed dissolve into oneand the ultimate is realizednbspThis is the deeper Law of Attraction we attract not merely what we desire but what we are When we sincerely embody peace and love the universe mirrors it backand often more https://dailyworld.in/blog/black-hole-being-the-invisible-science-of-human-connection-639777.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/understanding-karma-639781.html The Bhagavad Gita is a seven hundred verse conversation between Lord Krishna and the warrior Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra In the final moments before the war Arjuna felt that the war would kill many of his friends and relatives He concluded that this has many harmful and undesirable effects In essence he is averse to performing the job of fighting the war Hence throughout the Gita the conversation touches upon various aspects of karma action job in handWhat is KarmaThough references were made to karma is referred to on many occasions the actual definition is in the eighth chapter In response to Krishnas assurance that one realises akhilamkarma all aspects of karma when one strives for salvation by taking refuge in Him 729 Arjuna enquiries as to what is karma 81 Krishna replies separation sacrifice of cosmic energy capable of creation bhutabhavaudbhavakarovisargah is called karma 83 This is a difficult explanation to comprehend and the interpretations complicate the issue rather than providing clarity Usual interpretations of karma suggest it to be noble deeds creation or yajna but all of them fail to satisfy what Krishna meansWhile Krishnas reply regarding karma operates at the level of being we interpret it at the level of doing Thats why our understanding of what we do is karma falls short as different people keep doing different things at different times On the other hand any definition should be valid for every point in time be it past when humans didnt exist present or even future and for every entityKrishna used the word visarga which is detachment or sacrifice Karma is the detachment or diversion of the cosmic energy which is capable of creation The closest example is the high voltage transmission line carrying large quantities of electricity energy When a part of it is diverted that diversion is karma and energising the numerous electrical appliances is karmaphalAn easy way to understand is that living entities require energy to perform any karma Karma is nothing but using a part of this energy at a given point of timeTwo parts of KarmaAny karma has two parts one is the intent and the other is execution In the words of criminal law they are called mens rea and actus reus respectively For example a surgeon and a murderer both plunge a knife into someones stomach The surgeons intention is to savecure but the murderer intends to damagekill Death can occur in both situations but their intentions are entirely opposite While the focus of the law is on execution contemporary moral literature encourages us to have noble intentions But Gita exhorts us to transcend beyond intentionsThis is reflected when Krishna encourages us to have pursuits free from kaam execution and sankalp intention kaamsankalpvarjitah 419 Krishna explains about someone who has sankalp in the mind but restrain organs of action and says The individual who forcefully controls the organs of action but whose mind rotates around thoughts of sense objects is a hypocrite and is deluding himself 36 Krishnas focus is about the internal purity and balance at the level of mind He mentions this aspect as Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam every action is harmonious in yoga of equanimity 250Causes of KarmaKrishna elaborates on karma and says The seat karta doer various instruments divergent functions and daivam divinity are the five causes for accomplishment of all actions Whatever action a man performs by body speech or mind whether right or wrong these five are its causes One of lower intellect viewing through a poor understanding thinks of the self alone as doer he sees not 1813 to 1816The seat is translated as the human body in our context and without the body we cannot perform any karma The nature and type of instruments change with time like the invention of machines for manufacturing computers car airplane etc Existence offers various activities using these instrumentsDaivam or intervention of divine force is the fifth cause of karma This is certainly a mysterious cause beyond the comprehension of our senses Daivam is the reason that karmas performed under similar circumstances yield different results creating confusionWe cant escape karmaThe core of the Gita is Krishnas clarification Perform your obligatory actions as action is superior to inaction and even the maintenance of your body would not be possible by inaction 38 Just by avoiding karma one cant attain nishkarma actionlessness and one cannot attain siddhi perfection by mere renunciation 34 It is doing our best in any given circumstance Krishna gave many paths to master thisnbspKrishna assures us that by performing karma actions without attachment one reaches the supreme 319 and gives the example of King Janak who attained perfection by action alone 320 Krishna emphasises the point that a king who lives in luxuries and has several responsibilities can also attain the supreme by performing all actions without attachment implying that we too can similarly reach the supreme irrespective of our circumstances This is the path of performing actions without attachmentWe assume a sanyasi renunciant to be the one who has renounced all karmas Krishna presents a complete paradigm shift regarding renunciation and says that one should always be a nityasannyasi perpetual renunciant ie one who neither hates nor desires is free from the pairs of opposites dwandwaatheeth and is liberated from all entanglements 53 The second path is to renounce hatred This could be towards anything that goes against our beliefs like religion caste or nationality Hatred could be towards our profession people or the way of things around us It is important to see the oneness in apparent contradictions A nityasannyasi renounces desire along with hatredOur usual tendency is to label all karmas actions as good or bad and we want to drop undesirable karmas Instead we should renounce labelling residing in us rather than our external karmas In fact there is no real renunciation of karmas as we renounce one karma to end up doing another one under the influence of our gunasnbspKrishna further says That state which is reached by the sankhya is also reached by the yogi He has truth who beholds as one both sankhya awareness and yoga 55 But renunciation is hard to attain without actions a sage well established in yoga quickly attains Brahma 56nbspKarmas are like barometers to help us gauge how much hatred and desire we carry Hence Krishna encourages performing unmotivated karmas rather than renouncing themnbsp https://dailyworld.in/blog/understanding-karma-639781.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/generational-divisions-impact-policy-and-governance-639237.html The rise of Generation Z in the 2022 elections and the recent events in Nepal have sent a resounding message the youths urge for accountability fairness and sustainability can no longer be overlooked in shaping politics and governance This is not just a fleeting trend it is a signal that leaders can perhaps ignore at their peril Globally and South Asia in particular grasping the intricacies of generational dynamics is essential for anticipating demands securing legitimacy and crafting governance that stands the test of timenbspA generation typically refers to individuals born within a 1520 year span who share pivotal experienceswars revolutions economic upheavals and technological breakthroughsthat shape their worldviews These contexts forge distinct identities that powerfully influence politics governance and public policySociologists William Strauss and Neil Howe popularized the modern classification of generations asserting that shared social cultural and political environments give rise to broadly recognizable cohorts Strauss amp Howe 1991 Their framework though often adapted to national contexts remains a critical global reference pointnbspSilent Generation 19281945 Formed by the flames of war and postcolonial transitions many continue to wield power in politics bureaucracy and businessnbspBaby Boomers 19461964 Shaped by postwar prosperity and industrial expansion their optimism fueled nationbuilding effortsGeneration X 19651980 Grew up amid political turbulence globalization and economic reforms known for resilience and adaptabilityMillennialsGen Y 19811996 Came of age in the era of globalization and the internet revolution now grappling with job precarity and rising costsGeneration Z 19972012 Digital natives globally interconnected and socially conscious they demand transparency equity and climate actionGeneration Alpha 2013 onward Expected to be shaped by artificial intelligence climate disruption and postpandemic realitiesThese classifications are more than academic categoriesthey are governance compasses pointing to where social priorities are shifting and where political legitimacy is tested These emphasize new social contracts and political commitments beyond the traditional quickfixesnbspSouth Asia vividly illustrates this generational transformation Baby Boomers prioritized stability and welfare after independence while Generation X consolidated institutions and enacted reforms MillennialsGenY harnessed globalization to drive Indias IT boom but sought safety nets against precarious conditions of labour and other disadvantaged populations Now Generation Zapproximately 375 million strong in India alone UNFPA 2023is fundamentally reshaping politics They leverage digital platforms to demand accountability equitable policies and urgent climate action In Nepal their 2022 votes disrupted entrenched hierarchies The Kathmandu Post 2022 while in India rising youth discontent with corruption and inequality is fueling social movements and electoral realignmentsAttempts by Gen X and Millennials to coopt Gen Z in India in 2013 however faltered exposing the limits of older cohorts influence and intensifying youth restlessnessGen Zs defining characteristic is their deeprooted engagement with digital technology Smartphones social media and online platforms are central to their learning activism and entrepreneurship Their voices gain additional power through data science which enables realtime tracking of youth behaviors preferences and political engagement OECD 2022This creates both extraordinary opportunities and formidable challenges Policies are no longer enacted in silencethey are dissected debated and challenged instantly in the digital public sphere Youth mobilization through online petitions viral campaigns and global movements like Fridays for Future shows how quickly this generation can reshape political discourse UNEP 2021For governance the imperative is clear policies must be transparent inclusive and technologically agile Governments that fail to adapt risk alienating their youngest citizens and losing legitimacyGenerational activism also transcends borders Gen Z networks connect across continents influencing debates on climate trade and digital rights Their voices resonate in climate negotiations World Bank and IMF consultations IMF 2022 and corporate governance discussions Institutions like the UN WTO and IMF are beginning to integrate youth aspirationson climate finance gender equality and digital inclusioninto their agendas United Nations 2020 Informal actors such as tech giants and NGOs amplify these voices creating global platforms for youth engagementIn this context history resembles a relay race among generations the Silent Generation and Boomers built stability Gen X advanced reforms Millennials expanded globalization and now Gen Z demands fairness and sustainability Generation Alpha will inherit not only these aspirations but also the complex legacies of climate disruption AIdriven economies and shifting geopoliticsFor policymakers generational classification is more than sociological taxonomyit is a governance map illuminating societys trajectory and the conditions for legitimacy Governments must foster intergenerational dialogue inclusive policy frameworks and innovative governance models To adapt effectively they shouldi Institutionalize Youth Participation Create youth parliaments climate councils and digital platforms to embed young voices in policymaking Constant focus on youth engagement and employment is an essential requirement of policymaking and governanceii Tailor Policies by Generation Provide pensions and healthcare for Boomers job security and skills for Millennials and sustainability and equity for Gen Ziii Leverage Technology Responsibly Use AI and data to improve governance while safeguarding privacy and fairnessiv Engage Globally Align national policies with the generational priorities reshaping international cooperationThe rise of Gen Zand the generations to followis recalibrating not only national politics but also the global order Nepals firsttime voters Indias digital entrepreneurs and youth activists worldwide are already rewriting governance frameworks and economic priorities The choices leaders make todaywhether to resist or embrace these shiftswill decide whether the coming decades are marked by progress or polarizationPolicymakers who recognize and respond to these dynamics will be best positioned to guide nations toward stability inclusiveness and visionary leadership The writer is a retired Punjab cadre IAS officer Views expressed are personal Suresh Kumar can be reached at sureshkumarnangiagmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/generational-divisions-impact-policy-and-governance-639237.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/a-journey-into-the-many-dimensions-of-happiness-638083.html Happiness We all seek it talk about it and often measure our lives by it yet it remains elusive for many Sometimes it feels like a sudden burst of joy other times it hides behind the routines and challenges of daily life What makes happiness so intriguing is that it resists a single definition It is not merely the thrill of a pleasant moment nor a permanent state of bliss It is richer layered and deeply personalThrough this column The Middle Path we will explore the many dimensions of happinessnot as a fleeting emotion but as a deeply rooted way of living This journey will unfold across the Psychology of Happiness the Science of Happiness the Art of Happiness the Alchemy of Happiness and the Spirituality of Happiness Each perspective adds to our understanding and together they may contribute to what I hope becomes a shared conversation on living welland perhaps over time a Happiness BibleThe seed for this exploration was planted through decades of interactions with wise friends mentors and spiritual guides I was fortunate to work closely with my exboss and informal happiness coach Mr Subhash Mohindru His deep interest in Buddhism and human wellbeing opened doors for me to meet remarkable thinkers such as Matthieu Ricard often described as the happiest man in the world and His Holiness the Dalai Lama Along with other wise souls I encountered these experiences shaped my understanding of happiness not as an abstract pursuit but as a lived experienceThe Psychology of HappinessLet us begin with psychologythe study of the mind Pleasure joy happiness and bliss form a continuum each with its role in shaping our lives Pleasure is sensory and shortlived arising from a favourite meal a good song or a beautiful view Joy is deeper springing from meaningful connections creativity or acts of kindness Happiness is more sustaineda state of balance that helps us navigate life with steadiness Bliss at the far end of the spectrum is transcendence a state of being untouchable by circumstancesThe Science of HappinessScience brings precision to this exploration Neuroscience shows how brain chemistrydopamine that rewards effort serotonin that stabilises mood and oxytocin that strengthens bondsaffects our wellbeing Positive psychology pioneered by Martin Seligman gives us practical tools practising gratitude nurturing social ties cultivating optimism and engaging in acts of kindness Science does not replace wisdom traditions but it helps validate them in ways modern minds can appreciateThe Art of HappinessIf science explains what fosters happiness art teaches us how to live it The art of happiness lies in daily choices how we respond to setbacks how we nurture relationships and how we create beauty and meaning in small ways Each of us paints a personal happiness canvas For one it may be music for another gardening for yet another mentoring young people There is no fixed formula The art of happiness is deeply personal and endlessly creative reminding us that we are cocreators of our own joyThe Alchemy of HappinessAlchemy historically associated with transforming base metals into gold is about transformation in this context The alchemy of happiness is the ability to turn ordinary experienceseven painful onesinto opportunities for growth It is finding meaning in setbacks resilience in suffering and wholeness in imperfectionThe Spirituality of HappinessBeyond psychology science art and alchemy lies a dimension that transcends them allspirituality Every tradition has spoken of happiness in spiritual terms In Sikhi there is Sehaja natural state of balance and ease In Zen Buddhism Satori points to flashes of awakening Hindu philosophy speaks of Ananda the bliss of union with the self and the divine Christianity describes a peace that surpasses all understanding while Sufism celebrates the ecstasy of divine love Each path though unique reminds us that happiness ultimately flows from a sense of connectionwith ourselves with others and with the divineA Collaborative JourneyThis series is not meant to be a monologue I invite you the readers to share your reflections and experiences Whether you are 20 or 80 whether your happiness springs from family work faith or creativity your voice matters Together we can explore how happiness evolves at different stages of life how technology reshapes our inner world and how timeless wisdom can anchor us in a fastchanging societyUltimately the aim is not just to understand happiness but to live it The true measure of happiness is whether it weaves itself into the fabric of our daily liveshow we treat people how we carry ourselves in challenges and how we share joy with others If we succeed even in small ways we move closer to building not only happier individuals but also a happier society That perhaps is the promise of ThenbspMiddle PathManinder is a seasoned BFSI industry executive strategic consultant and trusted advisor to leading MNCs and innovative FinTech startups He lives in Chandigarhnbsp https://dailyworld.in/blog/a-journey-into-the-many-dimensions-of-happiness-638083.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 18:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/satva-rajo-and-tamo-gunas-637130.html Krishna uses the word guna at the beginning of the Bhagavad Gita but the real explanation comes from 13th Chapter onwards Krishna says Know that prakriti nature and purush spirit are both beginning less Gunas qualities characteristics and vikar evolution or change are born of prakriti 1320 Prakriti is responsible for cause and effect purush is responsible for the experience of sukh pleasure and dukh pain 1321 Under the influence of prakriti the purush keeps experiencing the gunas Attachment to the gunas is the cause of birth in various wombs 1322Understanding GunaKrishna says Three gunas of satva rajas and tamas bind Imperishable Dweller atma or soul 145 Of these the stainless satva binds through attachment to happiness and knowledge 146 Know rajas to be raagaatmak nature of passion giving birth to desires and it binds the embodied soul through attachment to action 147 Know that tamas to be born of ignorance deluding all embodied beings it binds through heedlessness laziness and sleep 148 Essentially the three gunas characteristics born of prakriti are responsible for binding the atma which is the beej seed of Paramatma to the physical bodyKrishna further says Satva attaches to happiness rajas to action while tamas indeed having veiled knowledge attaches to heedlessness 149 Sometimes satva is predominant overpowering rajas and tamas sometimes rajas over satva and tamas and sometimes tamas over satva and rajas 1410 This implies that we are under the spell of the combination of these gunas in various proportions at various points of time Just as the three primary colours viz red yellow and blue produce billions of colours these three gunas are responsible for the diverse behaviours we see around usThe next question is how to know as to which guna is binding us at a given point of time Krishna clarifies One may know that satva is prevalent when the light of wisdom shines through all the gates of the body 1411 Domination of rajas causes greed activity restlessness desire and the starting of action 1412 Tamas as the ruling guna produces darkness inertness heedlessness and delusion 1413For example under the influence of tamas one would tend to be a couch potato and watch TV Under the influence of satva one would like to read or attend a lecture On the other hand if their spouse were in the rajo guna then heshe would like to go out for some shopping a movie visit friends etc Subsequent situations may be due to the interaction between the tamo and rajo gunas Similar situations driven by the interaction of gunas occur at workplaces tooGunas are real Karta executordoerKrishna says that Karmas actions in all situations are performed by the gunas of nature one who is deluded by ahankaar thinks I am doer 327 One with true insight into the distinctions between gunas and karmas knows that gunas interact with gunas and hence hes not attached 328 All actions we see around are nothing but interactions between gunasIt should be noted that no guna is superior or inferior to any other guna They are all responsible for one form of attachment or the other Each of them binds the soul to the physical body in their own way On the other hand all of them influence us at some point of time during the day For example if a person has a high percentage of rajo guna they will be strongly inclined towards action and may find it difficult to sleep Therefore a certain percentage of tamo guna is necessary for restYogaMaya The Illusion by GunasKrishna says that Those sammohit hypnotised by the gunas qualities or characters of nature are attached to the functions of the gunas one with perfect knowledge should not unsettle the ignorant whose knowledge is imperfect 329 Apart from being real karta to our actions they have the ability to hypnotise usKrishna further says his lower nature aparaprakriti is manifested man and higher nature paraprakriti is the lifeelement which is unmanifested He says that yogamaya illusion born out of three gunas separates them and prevents us from knowing Him Paramatma as unborn imperishable 725 and knower of past present and future 726 Yogamaya is like being in a room full of mirrors each one reflecting us making it impossible to see what lies beyond This inability limits us to conclude that every entity is manifested without realising the lifeelement behind everyone and Krishna calls this foolish 724Falsehood Thrives on TruthThe world as we know it is made up of both truth and falsehood A careful examination would indicate that falsehood is nothing but a misinterpretation of the truth either due to our circumstances or due to limitations of our senses and mind In the wellknown rope and snake analogy the rope is the truth and the snake is the falsehood that cannot exist without the rope In other words the rope is sat real and the snake is asat unreal and asat always thrives on sat But till this realisation dawns all our thoughts and actions would be based on falsehood oftentimes continuing for generations across societyThe insight into the truth and falsehood is essential to understand the following verses where Krishna says I have created four varnas social classifications based on differentiation of gunas and karmas but know Me to be the nondoer and immutable 413 He further clarifies Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaishyas and Shudras perform karmas according to the gunas springing from theirnbspnature 1841Krishna clearly says that such division is caused by the gunas and karmas but not a function of birth The clear message is that they are neither watertight compartments nor hierarchical The three gunas are present in all of us in different proportions and these give rise to the four broad divisions in terms of karmas As we look around us we find that some people are knowledge and research oriented some into politics and administration some into agriculture and businesses and some are in service and jobs This division brings different flavours in the physical world like Einstein Alexander Picasso and Mother Teresa like colours in the rainbowWhile the truth is that humans are of four types because of the gunas and karmas a falsehood was built that the division is hierarchical and is based on birth This fact of asat is based on sat needs to be kept in mind while coming to any definitive conclusions in our lives https://dailyworld.in/blog/satva-rajo-and-tamo-gunas-637130.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/spacetime-and-its-effect-on-prophecies-miracles-636982.html Have you noticed how time behaves in your life When we are joyful hours pass like minutes Yet in sadness or anxiety even minutes feel like eternity Imagine a lover waiting in the park for his belovedeach passing minute seems like an hour But when she finally arrives that same hour dissolves into fleeting seconds Albert Einstein reflected on such experiences while shaping his theory of relativity which changed the classical way of looking at the physical worldWhat does this reveal Time is not constantit bends and shifts with the state of our mind On the physical plane physics confirms that time and space are not fixed absolutes but depend on the observers frame of referenceEvery object in the universe has two dimensions inner and outer The outer is finite bound by time space and energy The inner is limitlessomnipotent ÀfUÊVfdöYff³f timelessomnitemporal ÀfUʽ¹fffe and spacelessomnipresent ÀfUÊUfþÊfZ The outer is the manifestation of the inner When the mind attunes to inner loving energy time seems to accelerate due to its timeless attribute when it focuses outward in anxious expectation time stretches endlesslyjust like a lover waiting for his beloved before reunion and dissolving thereafter Any object when it fully becomes aware of its inner energy dissolves into nothingnessan inner black holejust as Meera vanished through her deep devotion to Krishna That is why when awareness rests in the inner self one experiences love peace and bliss The Vedas describe the outer as Maya illusion and its Jaal entanglement of consequences but still real unless realisedFrom the smallest atom to the largest star everything reflects this duality If even a rock could awaken through some medium it might perceive both realms Human beings through meditation and inquiry strive to realize this truth The mind acts as the bridge capable of dissolving the apparent separation of inner and outer We are not the body not even the mind but pure awareness The mind too is a subtle material object not pure energyEven cosmic bodies reveal this dual nature Their inner essence is unique while their outer influence distorts spacetime through gravity Life on Earth arises from countless variablesthe universe the Milky Way the solar system planetary alignments and social surroundings This is what Krishna revealed to Arjuna the entire universe within himself Astrology too finds its roots in this understandinghow celestial bodies influence ones lifeFor a meditator time and space gradually lose their grip Duration and distance dissolve Mystics in samadhi experience timelessness even astral journeys in an instant Prophecy belongs to this inner realm where past present and future coexist simultaneously due to its timeless property The outcome of prophecy shifts depending on the sum total of all variables acting at the given moment Therefore no prophecy or prediction can be 100 accurateit can only indicate future potential Only the present is real past and future are illusions Hence the wise urge us to live fully in the here and now to access the inner realmMiracles and prophecies are glimpses of this inner faculty Yet when displayed to the masses they often harden into dogma because ordinary minds struggle to comprehend and start worshipping out of fear True religion is not collective but individualistic and experiential There is no god as a person even creation itself is not created by any god Godliness does exist as the creative forcelimitless innocent eternal blissful energyvibrating every moment as fresh and new https://dailyworld.in/blog/spacetime-and-its-effect-on-prophecies-miracles-636982.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 18:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/the-middle-path-understanding-happiness-636627.html When we speak of happiness we often use the term looselysometimes to describe the deep joy of meeting an old friend other times for the simple pleasure of enjoying a good cup of tea But happiness joy pleasure and bliss are not quite the same They exist on a continuumlinked yet distinctPleasure is the most immediate and sensory It arises from external stimulia delicious meal a soothing massage or a beautiful view It is fleeting tied to the moment and often depends on circumstances Joy on the other hand is deeper It springs from connection meaning and engagementlike watching your child perform on stage or helping someone in need Joy can last longer often leaving behind a warm afterglow even after the moment has passedHappiness occupies an interesting middle ground It is less fleeting than pleasure but not as enduring as bliss Psychologists debate whether happiness is a feeling or an emotion Feelings are our conscious awareness of emotionswhat we label in words Emotions are the brains automatic instinctive responses In this sense happiness is bothit is an emotional state triggered by positive experiences and also a conscious feeling when we recognise that stateAnd then there is blissthe most profound state of all Bliss transcends circumstances It is a quiet expansive state of being in harmony with life often described in spiritual traditions as the joy of simply existing Bliss can arise in moments of deep meditation in awe of nature or in surrender to a higher presence Unlike pleasure or happiness it does not require something to happen It isnbspselfsustainingFor me the understanding of these distinctions became clearer through my long association with my exboss and informal happiness coach Mr Subhash Mohindru My relationship with him spanned nearly three decadesfirst as a boss then as a mentor and eventually as a dear friend What set him apart was his natural ability to reframe lifes challenges into sources of humour and wisdomOnce stuck in a rural guesthouse with erratic electricity he cheerfully remarked At least the mosquitoes here are wellfed they wont trouble us much tonight It was his way of showing that while we cant control circumstances we can always choose our inner responsenbspHe believed that happiness is less about chasing highs and more about cultivating steadinessa middle path If you depend on external things too much he would say you will always be bargaining with life But if you can enjoy them without clutching you will stay lighterHis insights echo modern research Positive psychology suggests that pleasure engagement and meaning are all essential for a fulfilling life each playing different roles Pleasures brighten our days joy strengthens our bonds and meaning gives life its long arc of satisfaction Bliss meanwhile may be rare but even a fleeting taste of it can transform how we seenbspthe worldnbspSo perhaps the real question is not How can I be happy but How can I move freely along this continuumfrom pleasure to joy to blisswithout getting stuck in one place The answer lies in awareness Notice the little pleasures without clinging to them Savour joy when it arises and nurture it by giving and connecting And when moments of bliss arrivethose times when life feels perfectly wholerest in them without graspingAs I begin this series I feel grateful for the many teachersformal and informalwho have shaped my understanding of happiness Mr Subhash Mohindru was one such teacher His legacy reminds me that happiness is not a destination but a practice not an object to be possessed but a rhythm to be livednbspThe journey ahead in this column will explore related themespurpose balance belongingand how they interact with our inner and outer worlds For now perhaps the best way to begin is in the spirit Mr Mohindru carried find something to smile about today however small and let it ripple outwardManinder is a seasoned BFSI industry executive strategic consultant and trusted advisor to leading MNCs and innovative FinTech startups He lives in Chandigarh https://dailyworld.in/blog/the-middle-path-understanding-happiness-636627.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/does-god-exist-635652.html Few question like Does God exist have haunted humanity more deeply than anything else Yet before confronting it another must be asked Do we truly exist Not merely as bodies that breathe and move but as conscious beings aware of our essence Unless we first discover ourselves any debate on God remains incompletenbspFor ages people have sought comfort in a higher power The image of God as protectorwatching guiding and caringoffers solace in a world of uncertainty It resembles a child clutching a teddy bear at night The toy cannot chase away the darkness yet it soothes the child in the absence of parents Similarly belief in a personal God cushions us against fears we cannot controlThis longing makes the idea of an external guardian deeply appealing The more uncertain or fearful life feels the stronger becomes our need for such presence With age as awareness of mortality sharpens devotion often intensifies Rituals and prayers then act as anchorsoffering order amid chaosTo truly know God one must dare to set aside borrowed beliefs Real inquiry requires couragethe willingness to face life without crutches In times of ease we drift unconsciously But in painful momentsloss failure or rejectionlife opens a rare window to look within The wise embrace this chance the mediocre avoid it At first we cling to our imagined God Yet when we remain alert and accept life as it unfolds we realize that healing and growth emerge not from an outside force but from our own inner strength Just as we eventually outgrow the teddy bear so too we may outgrow the need to see God as a personnbspAt that point the question itself transforms It is no longer Does God exist but Do we awaken to our true being When consciousness flowers belief dissolves into direct experiencenbspThis view does not deny Godit redefines God God as a person doesnt exist but godliness surely does the living energy of awareness innocence and pure presence withinnbspus all The writer is an IT professional https://dailyworld.in/blog/does-god-exist-635652.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/sankhya-karma-and-bhakti-yoga-635654.html The Bhagavad Gita consists of 18 chapters The second chapter is titled Sankhya awareness Yoga the third chapter is Karma action Yoga and the twelfth chapter is Bhakti devotion Yoga Yoga stands for union union with the Self Along with other considerations it is generally accepted that the Gita presents three distinct paths to attain yoga awareness sankhya Yoga action karma Yoga and devotion bhakti Yoga This classification is very useful for a beginner By the time one reaches the end of the Bhagavad Gita their confluence becomes clearIt is also accepted that the mindoriented gets attracted to the path of karma yoga the intellect oriented to sankhya yoga and the heart oriented to bhakti yoga In todays world the majority fall into the category of mind oriented It is based on the belief that we are tied up with chains and need to work hard to break them to free ourselves This implies that it is action oriented Any conversation with them would end with What should I do nowSankhya yoga also known as jnana yoga is about awareness or knowing but not knowledge Its starting point is the belief that we are in a dark room To quell the darkness we must light a lamp as no amount of action or fight can remove that darknessBhakti yoga is about devotion and surrender to the Almighty For easy adoption a ninefold path for bhakti navadha bhakti is described and was even referred to in the Ramayan by Lord Rama during his conversation with his devotee Sabari These are shravanam listening to divine stories kirtanam singing Gods glories smaranam meditating on God padasevanam serving Gods feet archana worshipping God vandanam offering prayerssalutations dasyam servitude to God sakhyam treating God as a friend and atmanivedanam surrendering oneself to GodAnother dilemma in bhakti yoga concerns the mode of worshipwhether Saguna with form or Nirguna formless Krishna advises to worship Him in His saguna Form He makes it clear that the path of the Formless or Unmanifest is also a path to reach Him 122124 He compares both paths and says For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifest the path of realisation is full of difficulties Worship of the unmanifest is exceedingly difficult for embodied beings 125 Thats why He recommends the path of saguna or worship through formDestination is the sameKrishna says Some behold the Supreme Soul within themselves through meditation dhyan some through the cultivation of knowledge sankhya yoga others through the path of action karma yoga 1325 Some are unaware of these spiritual paths but they listen to others saints and begin worshipping the Supreme Lord They also attain immortality 1326 Whatever path may be we attain yoga through any of these pathsKrishna further clarifies that only children not the wise speak of sankhya and karma yoga differently He who is truly established in one obtains the fruits of both 54 Krishna further says That state which is reached by the sankhya is also reached by the yogi karma yogi He has truth who beholds as one both sankhya awareness and karma yoga 55 But renunciation is hard to attain without actions a sage well established in yoga quickly attains Brahma 56Karma is commonKrishna says that none can remain without doing karma even for a moment as we are bound to perform karmas as the maintenance of our body would not be possible by inaction 35 38 327 Actions like consumption of food and breathing are essential for the body to surviveKrishna further says The individual who forcefully controls the organs of action but whose mind rotates around thoughts of sense objects is a hypocrite and is deluding himself 36 Krishna immediately gives a solution to engage ones organs of action in karma yoga yoga of action without attachment 37Bhakti is the final stepAfter showing His Vishwaroopam opulent form Krishna says Very hard to see this form of mine and even gods ever long to behold this form 1152 Neither by the study of the Vedas nor by penance charity or fire sacrifices can I be seen like this 1153 But by a single pointed devotion I may be seen like this 1154 This is a clear indication that bhakti is the final step to reach HimKrishna says Whatever you do whatever you eat do it as an offering to Me 927 Those who dedicate all their karmas to Me regarding Me as the Supreme goal worshipping Me and meditating on Me with exclusive devotion O Parth I swiftly free them from the ocean of birth and death sansar for their consciousness is united with Me 126127 This signifies the transformation of karma into bhakti Confluence of YogasVerses 1841 to 1857 of the Bhagavad Gita describe the contours of the confluence of karma yoga jnana yoga and bhakti yoga In the oftendebated verse 1841 Krishna states that He created four varnas social classifications based on gunas springing from their nature He further explained about different types of karmas performed by them in the daytoday life 18421844 He reveals a secret that with devotion to swakarma ones deed one attains siddhi perfection or freedom as this devotion towards karma is nothing but worshipping Him 18441846 This clarifies that it doesnt matter what we do but what matters is the devotion with which we perform our karmas or responsibilities This is the path of attaining the eternal siddhi through devotion to karma which is nothing but the pinnacle of karma yogaKrishna continues to guide those on the path of awareness or jnana yoga and declares that all karmas are marred by blemishes 1848 Hence He advises us not to abandon sahaja karma natural deeds born of ones swadharma own nature 1847 He offers the path of reaching Brahma eternal through freedom from karma which can be attained by the buddhi intellect not being attached everywhere conquering the self and freeing oneself from desires 18491850 When buddhi is purified one is free from ahankaar and free from the notion of me and mine one attains the EternalKrishna indicates that freedom from ahankaar and being free from the notion of me and mine lead to equanimity which is the foundation for bhakti yoga Krishna says that by beholding all beings equally one attains parama bhakti supreme devotion which will enable an entry into That 18541855 Such a devotee while performing any kind of karma dedicates all such karmas to Him 1856 https://dailyworld.in/blog/sankhya-karma-and-bhakti-yoga-635654.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 14:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/pakistans-language-conundrum-635656.html India a linguistically diverse country does not have contrary to popular belief a constitutionally declared national language India has had its share of language controversies but those pale in consequences when compared to what the language issue has done to Pakistan since its creation The birth of Bangladesh lay in the 1952 language riots and police firing on the supporters of the Bengal Language movement In 1948 the Pakistan government had declared Urdu as the sole national language It was suggested that Bengali could be written in the PersoArabic script or in the Roman script but not in the Bengali script and this script was removed from the currency notes and postal stamps A proposal in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan to allow members to speak in Bengali was defeated with opposition from the then Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan and the Muslim League who dubbed it as antinational Even Jinnah during a visit to Dhaka in March 1948 called the demand for the Bengali language and script as the action of a fifth column and of enemies of Pakistan but he was heckled during his meetings There were others like Mohammad Shahidullah who pleaded for making Arabic the state language of Pakistan there was even an East Pakistan Arabic Language Association and Shahidullah was its president The aim of such groups was to create a bond between the Muslims of both the wings of Pakistan and those of the Arab world North Africa and Indonesia Malaysia at that time was a Muslimminority countryThe Bengalis in East Pakistan were enraged while the Urdu speaking population pejoratively called Biharis celebrated the move In a 1949 survey among the educated East Pakistanis comprising teachers officers and politicians 301 respondents were asked their opinion about the script to be used for Bengali language 96 wanted the Arabic script 18 favoured the Roman script and 187 were for the Bengali script Liaquat Alis successor too was strongly in favour of using only Urdu pushing the eastern wing towards violence The Communists seizing the opportunity provided by the split in the society and the youth dominance in the Bengali language movement called for a strike on February 21 1952 that resulted in firing and the death of 29 people The Communists brought in the industrial workers the next day and more violence followed After six years of violent protests the Muslim League lost power in the East Bengal Assembly and the new rulers were less rigid on the issue Official status was granted to the Bengali language in the 1956 Constitution but by then the society in East Pakistan had been split between the two language groups and that split ultimately led to the creation of BangladeshPakistans rulers failed to learn any lessons from the 1971 split of the country that primarily stemmed from the language divide In the leftover Western wing they continue to enforce Urdu as the national language Because of East Pakistan being surrounded by India there was a substantial population that spoke in Urdu an indigenously evolved language in India comprising words from Sanskrit Hindi Persian Turkic and Arabic Such influence was absent in parts of Pakistan that were on the West of the Indus River All the classical writers were unanimous that India was to the east of the Indus to its West were other cultures The People of Balochistan and those of the region between Punjab and the Durand line did not have any affinity with Urdu Even the Sindhis and Punjabis though familiar with Urdu because of its use by the later Mughal administrators and then by the British spoke at home only in Sindhi and in Punjabi In the whole of Pakistan there is no area where Urdu is spoken at home and thus it is not the mother tongue of most of the Pakistanis though it is the national as well as the official language of Pakistan Those who have travelled to Pakistan would have noticed that whenever a Pakistani phones home he does not speak in Urdu he uses his mother tongue Punjabi Pashto Baluchi Sindhi etcPakistans newspaper Naya Daur had reported on June 18 2020 that more than 70 languages are spoken in Pakistan but less than 10 percent of Pakistanis speak Urdu as their First Language It also reported that the provinces are unhappy about Urdu having a dominant position in schools Is the question of language once again creating fissiparous tensions in Pakistan There are already some demands for breaking away from the Islamic state In Balochistan the separatist movement has already reached the stage of organised violence and hatred for the dominant Punjabis There have been incidents of selective killings of Punjabi bus passengers The Pakistani army is seen by the Baloch not entirely unjustifiably as dominated by Punjabis and as occupiers of their landThe Pashto language is derided by Urdu speakers as akin to the noise of shaking a tin box full of pebbles and the speakers of Pashto feel a greater affinity with the colinguists in Afghanistan Sindhi language poetry and music have a stamp of the composite HinduMuslim culture in prePartition India but because of that influence Sindhis are not considered Islamic enough by the Punjabis To add to the divide a majority of Sindhis and Baloch are Shia and the Sunni majority of Punjab looks down upon them as heretics Many of the elite families in Sindh like the Bhutto clan are Sunni but it is rare for Shias who constitute 15 percent of the population to be in the top echelons of political power This may be surprising in a country founded by two Shias Jinnah and Aga Khan III If they thought that the idea of Pakistan would unite the Shia and the Sunni they were overoptimistic The divide is so deep that in British India the Shia tended to hide their religion in the census afraid that the Sunni would target them There have been numerous attacks in Pakistan on Shia Ashura processions the most infamous being the Rawalpindi attack in 2013 that soon spread to other cities The Shia were not spared even in Gilgit in POK where they are in a majority In the infamous Gilgit Shia massacre of 1988 where the Sunni marauders were supported by the Pakistan Army under Gen ZiaulHaq 700 were killed women raped and villages burnt downIn Pakistan Islam was said to be a uniting force and its raison detre but it has actually become a divide deep enough to threaten its very existence Jinnah had said that Urdu will be a uniting force but that too has encouraged separatism in this synthesised nation Monolingualism may have been a good idea for the countries of Europe but in South Asia the saying is the language changes every mile the taste of water changes every two miles The dichotomy of a nation fractured by language and religion is poignantly illustrated by Arthur Dudney Fellow Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge in an article published in September 2016 He mentioned that in 1951 the Aga Khan a Shia delivered a speech in favour of making Arabic the national language of Pakistan arguing that Urdu was the mother tongue of only a small minority He did not mention that Arabic was the mother tongue of none of the Pakistanis More importantly he delivered the speechnbspin EnglishnbspnbspnbspR N prasher is a former IAS officer The views expressed are his personal https://dailyworld.in/blog/pakistans-language-conundrum-635656.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/rta-and-tapasa-fount-of-creativity-cosmic-order-634799.html Continuing with the theme of Tapa It may be illuminating to meditate on how the Vedic seer approaches it Its origin is in the eternal simultaneousness that was embedded in primal night manifested as seminal ocean of oceans The epiphany continues and in examining the origin of Tapas and seeking to participate in its nature and attributessamudrād arṇavād adhi saṃvatsaro ajāyata ahorātrāṇi vidadhad viśvasya miṣato vaśī Rig Veda 101902Samudrat arnavat adhi the primal ocean of oceans or the fecund seminal ocean therefrom samvatsara the year or cyclical time that repats itself year after year ajayata emerged originated as indestructible was generatedAhoratrane vidhodhad This verily was the cause for ordaining or generating night and consequently day visvasya the whole complete unexceptional misato wasi powerful and omniscient ruler arbiter of each momentThe ocean of oceans is seen by commentators to imply both the primal oceans and the original firmament and therefore the origin of space Thus while on the one hand the Vedic seer meditates on Tapas and intuitively locates in the first cause of space as well as the first predication she also imputes to tapas the origin of time a coprimordiality along with the other two In locating the origin in tapas whether it be the original penance ardour energy or heat tapas is seen as a first cause Elsewhere in the Rig Veda tapas generally refers to heat burning ascetic practices and spiritual discipline Through tapping the inner tapas the Vedic seer intuited that she could connect with creation origin and the coprimordialities of time space and the first cause and therefore to the divine both within herself and in creation without The divine defies predication but its artefacts can be gleaned through the selfless surrender that underlies tapas at the human level contd The writer is a 1993batch IRS officer who is presently posted in Punjab https://dailyworld.in/blog/rta-and-tapasa-fount-of-creativity-cosmic-order-634799.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/living-whole-bridging-the-personal-and-professional-divide-633901.html Keep personal life away from the professional sphere Easy to advise hard to practice Can anyone truly separate into two beings Life does not work that way It flows as one continuous whole where the personal and professional constantly shape each otherPersonal Sphere At home loved ones provide emotional and physical security Relationships offer acceptance and strength creating a foundation of resilience This stability often gives us the courage to face external challenges Yet personal life rarely compels deep selfreflection as there is no structured feedback or urgent push to introspectProfessional Sphere Work follows a different rhythm Recognition comes through performance contribution and measurable outcomes Studies show over 70 of employees feel recognition drives motivation Evaluations promotions and rewards define value Unlike personal life where affection flows freely professional life demands resultsThis is not negative Workplaces provide structured feedback showing both strengths and shortcomings Professional success builds discipline and confidence while challenges nurture adaptability qualities seldom tested at homeThe Interplay The two spheres complement each other A healthy personal life sparks creativity and fosters confidence at work Emotional security at home becomes the springboard for professional risktaking Conversely professional recognition can uplift our personal mood while strained relationships often echo in workplace behaviorAs the saying goes Real strength isnt handed to us Its discovered within in the choices we dare to make every dayIntegration Over Separation Rather than striving for strict separation balance is key Personal life can energize professional growth while workplace feedback can enrich personal bonds Together they create wholenessnbspA person who is whole cannot live in fragments The personal and professional are not rivals but complementary forces When nurtured together they form a life that is meaningful and completenbspThere is no saviour outside of us no godfather angel or external rescuer True strength arises from within in our resilience our courage and the qualities wenbspnurture inside https://dailyworld.in/blog/living-whole-bridging-the-personal-and-professional-divide-633901.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 17:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/internal-equanimity-and-external-harmony-633902.html The essence of the Bhagavad Gita is to attain internal equanimity and realise external harmony Equanimity samatva is the crux of the preachings of every enlightened soul that has ever roamed this planet Words languages and methods could vary but the message is to attain samatva Any preaching or practice contrary to this is dogmaticInternal EquanimityKrishna tells Arjuna that he would incur no sin when he fights performing any action karma by treating sukh pleasure and dukh pain labh gain and nasht losses and jaya victory and parajay defeat with equipoise 238 Be steadfast in the performance of your duty O Arjuna abandoning attachment to success and failure Such equanimity is called Yoga 248 Krishna further elaborates that the best yogi is he who feels for others whether in grief or pleasure as he feels for himself 632 Together these verses capture the entire essence of the equanimity in GitaKrishna highlights samatvabhaav samatvadrishti and samatvabuddhi at various places Equanimity is easy to understand but difficult to internalize The difficulty with us is that we tend to identify with one or more artificial divisions based on culture religion caste nationality race and gender This identification creates difficulty to attain equanimity The ability to overcome these divisions and to treat two different people equally is the first step towards equanimity This is akin to the principle of equality before the law for all citizens which is enshrined in the constitutions of countries across the worldThe next level of progression in equanimity is an ability to see two people as equal where one is close to us and the other is not Examples include being happy for the success of our childrens friends especially when our kids didnt do well treating mother and motherinlaw equally treating daughter and daughterinlaw equally etcThe highest level of equanimity is the ability to equate others to ourselves It is the ability to maintain balance when others get what we believe belongs to us like a promotion fame credit for good work property etc The obstacle in attaining this highest form of equanimity is our mind which is trained to divide Instead of allowing it to dominate we should be able to make it subservient The degree of equanimity in us is an indicator of our progress in the spiritual journeyImplications of ImbalanceUnderstanding imbalance will help us to give more clarity about equanimity Krishna says that the ayukta imbalanced lacks both buddhi intellect and bhaav emotions and as a result he will not get shanti peace and there is no joy for the peaceless 266 Our general presumption is that peace of mind automatically follows pleasure winning and profit Krishna gives a paradigm shift when he says that the balanced are entitled for peace of mind and joyTill we learn to centre ourselves in the middle we are likely to anchor ourselves at one of the other centres like friends enemy work spouse children money pleasure power possessions etc and such anchoring is the hallmark of the ayuktaIf someone is centred on money all his plans and actions revolve around maximizing wealth at the cost of all other things like relationships health etc One doesnt hesitate to deceive cheat or do anything to attain pleasure if one is pleasure centric A spouseoriented person evaluates the entire world as to how their spouse is treated One can also be enemy centred thinking about how to harm their enemies even if it harms themselvesWhen we are tied to others our peace of mind is in their hands making us dependent Thats why Krishna insists on equanimity where we are centred in the middle which is the ultimate freedom mokshaKrishna uses the word bhaav which we often equate with our emotions Any person or thing when tied to me evokes deeper emotions otherwise they may not even touch our heart This implies that all our emotions are subjective but Krishna is referring to bhaav that arises out of equanimity one that remains the same whether or not it involves the meExternal HarmonyKrishna says The yogi who remains unshaken who has conquered the senses to whom a lump of earth stone and gold are the same is said to be realised one 68 He further said that he who has equal regard for the patrons strangers relatives friends enemies meditators hateful beings righteous and ungodly is the best 69 In the aforementioned verses Krishna is referring to the external harmony we perceive when we attain internal equanimityHarmony governs the world and no complex physical entity including our body can survive without this harmony From smallest particles like electrons protons and neutrons to the biggest galaxies planets and stars are in harmonyA miracle called the human body which hosts about thirty trillion cells and another thirty trillion bacteria is the best example of such harmony Further the human body consists of many organs systems and chemicals which perform thousands of internal actions on a regular basis Even if a couple of them are missed harmony would be lost and the body would suffer or perishEquanimity is devotion bhaktiKrishna gives a universal meaning to devotion and says Serene in the self by being engrossed in the Brahma the eternal neither grieves nor desires and beholds equality in all beings such a yogi attains parama bhakti supreme devotion to Me 1854 By that supreme devotion he knows My essence what and who I am after knowing these truths he quickly makes his entry into That tat 1855 Beholding equanimity in all beings is nothing but devotionTwo more verses are relevant in this regard Krishna says that He truly sees who perceives Parameswar supreme Lord present equally in all beings as the imperishable among the perishable 1328 Devotion is nothing but identifying the imperishable amidst the perishableKrishna says that united with the self he sees the self in all beings and all the beings in the self he sees the same everywhere 629 perceives Me everywhere 630 These existential verses convey the fundamental truth that a part of us in others and a part of theirs is in us This indicates that Interdependence and harmony of this existence The Lord is present equally in all beings and devotion bhakti is nothing but realisingnbspthis truth https://dailyworld.in/blog/internal-equanimity-and-external-harmony-633902.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/calm-defiance-and-diversified-diplomacy-amid-unilateral-tariffs-632823.html US President Donald Trumps decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian imports stands out as one of the most arbitrary disruptions in recent trade policy Initially set at 25 and later doubled to 50 these duties make India one of the most heavily taxed US trading partners exceeding even China Although Trump cited Indias imports of Russian oil as justification the sequence of events points to a policy lacking consistency or strategic clarity At the Alaska summit with President Putin no agreement was reached after which Trump remarked he would not think about Russian oil purchases for some weeks shifting focus instead to President Zelensky and Europes lack of engagement with the conflict These remarks underscore that the tariffs on India were not solely about Russian oil or the Ukraine war but part of a broader more transactional approach aimed at forcing concessions in tradeEconomist Jeffrey Sachs has rightly described such tariffs as stupid and selfdestructive of US foreign policy interests They violate international law and risk undermining Americas partnerships in Asia at a time when Washington has long sought to balance Chinas rise Even US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted that the penalties could escalate further depending on the outcome of the Alaska talks highlighting the erratic basis on which these measures were applied Far from advancing American economic goals these decisions have introduced uncertainty and revealed the absence of a coherent strategyFor India the economic exposure is significant though not catastrophic An assessment by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations ICRIER estimates that 70 of Indias goods exports to the US worth 6085 billion are now at risk The hardesthit sectors textiles gems and jewellery shrimp and auto parts are labourintensive and central to employment facing steep disadvantages compared to competitors such as Bangladesh Vietnam and Pakistan While pharmaceuticals energy products and semiconductors have been spared the tariffs could still shave up to half a percentage point from Indias GDP growth posing challenges to an economy already navigating global headwinds Some analysts argue that these penalties amount to a quasiembargo on bilateral tradeYet New Delhis response has been notably calm Rather than retaliate in kind the Indian government has reiterated its commitment to strategic autonomy refusing to allow its policy to be dictated by external pressure Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised that India will not compromise on the wellbeing of its farmers fisherfolk and cattle keepers even at considerable cost thereby insulating vital domestic constituencies from tradeoff politics The Ministry of External Affairs has dismissed Washingtons targeting of Indian crude imports as unjustified and unreasonable noting Indias responsibility to secure affordable energy for millions of lowincome households Indian state refiners have continued to purchase Russian oil underscoring the principle that national energy security cannot be subordinated to foreign demandsThis stance is embedded in a broader doctrine of multialignment through which India cultivates diverse partnerships while avoiding entanglement in formal alliances Rather than dilute this policy Trumps actions have only strengthened Indias resolve to pursue it more forcefully The BRICS grouping has emerged as a critical platform in this regard Expanded to include Egypt Ethiopia Iran the UAE and Indonesia BRICS today represents nearly half the global population and a rising share of world GDP and trade For India BRICS is less an ideological counterweight to the West than a practical lever to counter disruptive unilateralism At recent summits member states condemned unilateral tariff measures as inconsistent with WTO rules and as threats to global supply chains PM Modi has used these forums to highlight how the Global South has been handed little more than symbolic gestures on climate finance technology access and sustainable development arguing for a new multipolar and inclusive orderEconomically India has already taken steps to mitigate the impact of US pressure by promoting localcurrency trade The Reserve Bank of India has allowed 100 of bilateral trade with BRICS partners to be settled in rupees via Vostro accounts directly challenging the dominance of the dollar in regional commerce While New Delhi is not as committed as Beijing or Moscow to full dedollarisation this initiative strengthens resilience and reduces exposure to financial coercion Such measures also dovetail with Indias efforts to diversify supply chains by deepening trade with Southeast Asia Africa and Latin America ensuring that any single countrys actions cannot dictate the trajectory of its economy In parallel discussions around the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor IMEC have gained traction with the tariffs only sharpening New Delhis resolve to pursue such initiatives Like BRICS IMEC represents a structural effort to derisk and diversify supply chains reducing dependence on unilateral actors and embedding India more deeply in multipolar networks of tradeParadoxically Trumps tariffs may also be reshaping Indias uneasy ties with China For years New Delhi and Washington had strengthened cooperation through platforms such as the Quad to manage Beijings growing influence Yet by targeting India Trump has inadvertently nudged it toward a tentative rapprochement with China After years of frosty exchanges following the 2020 border clashes the two sides have resumed dialogue held formal talks on boundary issues and explored Chinese investment in Indias technology sector Russia has also welcomed these steps within the broader BRICS framework While mistrust and strategic competition remain particularly given Chinas ties to Pakistan India and China now have stronger incentives to manage their rivalry rather than allow it to escalateThese developments raise broader questions about the direction of US policy in Asia Trumps transactionalism risks alienating precisely those partners Washington once saw as crucial to its IndoPacific strategy Sachs has argued that such measures will isolate the United States geopolitically and strengthen the BRICS and other groups The evidence already points in this direction the tariffs have consolidated rather than fractured the Global South reinforced Indias role in multipolar coalitions and highlighted the limits of coercive economic statecraftAs the global order grows increasingly fragmented India faces critical choices in charting its course Should it double down on BRICS and regional currency trade as safeguards against unilateralism How far can it deepen SouthSouth cooperation without undermining ties to the West Can it manage rapprochement with China while defending its Himalayan frontier How should it balance engagement with the G7 and Quad while preserving strategic autonomy And can todays disruption be turned into a moment of structural realignmentTrumps tariffs were conceived as a lever of pressure but have become a catalyst for reflection For India the challenge is not merely to weather this episode but to seize it as an opportunity to redefine its place in a multipolar world The answers to these questions will determine whether India can turn an arbitrary disruption into a moment of strategic renewalThe writer is a researcher interested in topics including climate governance geopolitics history and society Views expressed are her personal https://dailyworld.in/blog/calm-defiance-and-diversified-diplomacy-amid-unilateral-tariffs-632823.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/manifested-vyakta-and-un-manifested-a-vyakta-632579.html Krishna starts the Bhagavad Gita by saying that there was no time when I did not exist nor you nor all these rulers of men nor in the future shall any of us cease to be 212 This looks paradoxical The kings standing in the battlefield took birth sometime in the past and are bound to die after some time Many of them are likely to get killed in the battlefield soon But Krishna is saying that we are there all the timeIn a different context Krishna says that I gave this imperishable yoga to the Sun 41 which was handed down in succession to rajarishis royal saints and its sight was lost with time 42 Arjuna questions how Krishna taught this to the Sun as his birth is recent 44 This question of Arjuna appears very natural and logical at the human level Krishna replies that we had many births and you are not aware of them whereas I am 45 In both these instances they are referring to different levels We need to understand these two levels to understand the Bhagavad GitaUnderstanding two different levelsKrishna was referring to the level of unmanifested avyakta while Arjuna was referring to manifested vyakta For an easy understanding we can consider the Big Bang which gave rise to our universe as the beginning of the manifested It continued with the formation of stars In the cores of these stars atoms fused to create heavier chemical elements These elements were scattered when stars exploded Planetary systems then formed from this cosmic material Eventually intelligent life evolved when conditions turned favourable However everything within the manifest realm is subject to change over time and perish in due courseOn the other hand behind the perishable manifested world there exists the imperishable unmanifested which is like an invisible quantum field Life is the combination of a manifested physical body which is perishable and an unmanifested soul which is eternal For example a seed holds the potential to grow into a tree In the seed the tree is present in its unmanifested form It becomes manifested when it starts growing into a treeKrishna explains about the unmanifested and says that know that to be indestructible by which all this body or universe is pervaded No one can cause the destruction of the imperishable 217 The material body is perishable whereas the embodied soul within is indestructible immeasurable and eternal 218 Only the ignorant thinks otherwise 219 The soul is neither born nor does it ever die nor having once existed does it ever cease to be The soul is unborn eternal immortal and ageless It is not killed when the bodynbspis killed 220Krishna further clarifies that how can one who knows the soul to be imperishable eternal unborn and immutable kill anyone or cause anyone to kill 221 Just as a person sheds wornout garments and wears new ones likewise at the time of death the soul casts off its wornout body and enters a new one 222 Weapons cannot cleave it nor fire can burn it nor water can wet it nor wind can dry this 223 The soul cannot be cut nor burnt It is everlasting all pervading unalterable immutable and primordial 224A rotating wheel is the best example to understand these intricacies Every wheel rotates around a fixed axis Rotation is impossible without this stationary hub The rate of rotation increases as we move away from the fixed axis The rotating wheel represents the everchanging manifested world and the stationary axis symbolises the unmanifested Similarly every storm has a calm centre without which no storm can sustain its momentum Another characteristic of the storm is that the farther one moves away from the centre the greater the turbulence This centre represents our calm inner self and turbulence reflects the chaotic world around usSat and AsatKrishna explains the same aspect from the angle of sat realitypermanence and asat unrealimpermanence He says sat never ceases to be and asat has no existence A seer of truth is the one who can distinguish between the two 216The rope and snake analogy is often quoted in many cultures to understand the intricacies of sat and asat A man returned home at dusk and found a coiled snake at the entrance to his home But in reality it was a rope left by children that looked like a snake in the semidarkness While the rope signifies sat the snake signifies asat Until he realizes sat ie the rope he is likely to adopt many strategies to handle asat ie the illusory snake He could attack it with a stick fight run away flight or he may try to light a torch to check the reality The best strategies and skills would go in vain when our perception is that of asatA point to be noted is that asat always derives its existence from sat just as the snake doesnt exist without the ropeVarious interactionsFor easy understanding man can be taken as manifested and Paramatma as unmanifested which is beyond the senses The first level of interaction is between man and man which is the result of our identification with the manifested the next level being between man and ParamatmaAt the mantoman level things and resources are scarce like water in a puddle whereas its like the ocean at Paramatmas level The mind constantly compares what we have and what others have in terms of material possessions power or position So interactions at the level of manifested and manifested lead to grabbing as everyone fights for these limited things Krishna terms participants of such interactions as perpetrators of evil misguided fools who follow the path of demons 715The next level of interaction is between man and Paramatma Krishna says there are four types of people in this category 716 The first category is to seek relief from their difficulties the second one seeks success and the third one is curious to obtain knowledge Krishna calls the fourth one as jnani wise and considers jnani to be HimselfHe is bothExplaining about His glimpses of glories Krishna concludes that He is both perishable manifested as well as imperishable unmanifested Krishna calls the former as His lower nature apara prakriti which is eightfold and the latter as His higher nature para prakriti 74 Krishna says that his higher nature is the life element which supports the universe 75 like an invisible string holding gems 77Further Krishna declares that He is both sat as well as asat 919 He concludes that one truly sees who perceives Parameswar supreme Lord present equally in all beings as the imperishable among the perishable 1328It is developing the ability to distinguish both and finally realising that He is both This is nothing but His Leela or Divine play https://dailyworld.in/blog/manifested-vyakta-and-un-manifested-a-vyakta-632579.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/transcending-the-dualities-dwandwa-of-life-632580.html The fundamental nature of the manifested vyakta is that it is perishable whereas the unmanifested is imperishable Manifested life forms take birth they live for a certain period and eventually perish die with time Another characteristic of the manifested is that it exists in pairs of apperant opposites This is referred to in the Bhagavad Gita as dwandwa the state of polarity or duality For example matter consists of negatively charged electrons and positively charged protons while a magnet has both a north pole and a south poleA flowing river is the best example to understand the intricacies involved A river has two banks and both merge as the riverbed While both banks are needed for the smooth flow their merger as a riverbed is also equally important If these banks dont meet at the riverbed then it would be an infinitely deep valley and a river cant exist Likewise we have the manifested world which is invariably polar river banks and these polarities unite at the unmanifested riverbedA swinging pendulum serves as another metaphor for polarities in action It gradually slows down while travelling to one side from its central position Simultaneously it gains potential energy to travel to another side When it comes to a halt on one side it has accumulated maximum energy to travel to the other side The point to be noted is that river banks or movements of pendulum dont oppose each other rather they complement one anotherDuality of MindWhile describing the manifested Krishna includes the mind as one of its components Just as the physical world is polar the mind too is filled with polarities Krishna explains that when the senses come into contact with sense objects polarities such as heat and cold or pleasure and pain are generated within us These polarities are transient anitya and we should learn to tolerate these transients 214 He further says that sense organs naturally experience raag longing and dwesh aversion for their respective sense objects and one should be aware of this duality 334For example in our daily lives words are used as a means of communication It can be written or spoken Words are essentially sense objects for the ears When they meet ie when words reach the ear polarities are generated in the mind When we call something good it is often implied that something else is bad There are hardly any words that can describe a state beyond polarities Secondly the same word can evoke different feelings in different people depending on their upbringing experiences and circumstances This is why some cultures use silence for spiritual communication to overcome the limitations of multiple interpretationsPain follows pleasureThe common question that intrigues humanity is Why does unpleasantnesspain come to us even when we sincerely strive to attain pleasure Instead of looking deeper within we reconcile ourselves by saying that maybe our efforts arent sufficient However pride coupled with hope motivates us to restart the process of pursuing pleasure and this goes on till the end of our livesIn a polar world the natural principle is that when we chase one of these its polar opposite automatically follows When we are chasing pleasure polarity the pain polarity is bound to follow It could be in a different form or it could arrive after some time It is like lifting the stick from one end the other end is bound to rise Another metaphor is that of a spinning car wheel where one section rises as another descends This continuous movement allows the wheel to turn propelling the car forwardDelusion caused by dwandwaKrishna says All beings are subject to delusive ignorance sammohan by the delusion of the pairs of opposites dwandwamoh springing from longing and aversion icchadwesh 727Ignorance is the first level of delusion and misery is its consequence For example we regularly experience emotions arising from praise and criticism We have a longing for praise and are averse to criticism Praise makes us forget ourselves like the proverbial crow dropping its meat upon hearing praise from the fox about its singing ability Similarly when criticised our response varies from silence to verbal to physical Likewise news and opinions about people or situations that are only loosely related to us can still evoke strong emotional reactions within us This is nothing but the misery we see all around usThe next level of delusion is suppression where one gets trained to put up a pleasing personality to show the outside world that one is free from the polarities of longing and aversion They even look down on others and Krishna earlier termed them as hypocrites 36 But the reality is that these suppressions are hidden inside and come out at a weak momentWitnessing polaritiesA question that arises is how can one transcend these polarities One approach is the path of awareness and another is the path of surrenderIn the first path it involves regular practice with awareness Krishna advises practice abhyasa and dispassion vairagya 635 Raag attachment is the polar opposite of vairagya Life gives moments of both raag and vairagya daily but our mind practices only raag which is chasing desires For example we can get frustrated in a relationship and when it happens we blame our partner and look for a new relationship We often fail to realise that attachment raag itself holds the seed of dispassion vairagya The practice of vairagya is essentially the disciplined control of the senses through determinationWe tend to view polarities as opposing each other We wish to have only one of them namely pleasure but the reality is that the other ie pain is hidden in it Thats why Krishna says that He is both Amrit immortality as well as Mrityu death 919 Both these polarities are part of the same oneness They coexist and we cant choose one and drop the other When we regard them as complementary then we can start witnessing themAs long as we live exposure to polarities is natural All we need is awareness of these polarities and to witness them when we are swinging between them This awareness would help us transcend themThe second path is to surrender to the Almighty Krishna says that one must surrender to the Almighty the Supreme power to overcome the automaticity of indriyas 261 In the context of delusion caused by polarities 727 Krishna says that those established in Brahma absolute having a firm understanding of divine knowledge and not hampered by delusion neither rejoice on getting something pleasant nor grieve on experiencing the unpleasant 520The writer K Siva Prasad is a senior IAS officer in the Punjab Governmentnbsp https://dailyworld.in/blog/transcending-the-dualities-dwandwa-of-life-632580.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/the-decline-of-diplomacy-632587.html There are dejected murmurs about the death of diplomacy and there is nothing new about it In the past too its death was often foretold but because of technological advancements resulting in higher speeds of communication and travel In the 1860s Lord Palmerston the then British Foreign Secretary received the first diplomatic telegram and exclaimed My God This is the end of diplomacynbsp Now the feeling of doom stems from several other developments that are making it challenging for diplomats to keep up and to cope withMany Heads of States are rather young and in some cases geriatric and they have a penchant for the funfilled life there are fewer career diplomats Earlier leaders did not travel abroad solely for vacation and their visits were diplomatic forays Justin Trudeau was born and brought up in the Prime Ministers home He took a vacation in the Bahamas in December 2016 January 2017 as a guest at the island of Aga Khan IV after his government had made an endowment for an institution related to the Aga Khan Foundation This was found amiss by the Ethics Commission Then he tanked relations with India by going public with allegations of the Indian states complicity in the murder of a Sikh separatist in Canada Jacinda Ardern Prime Minister of New Zealand at 37 and Emmanuel Macron at 40 have been keeping their nations diplomacy in turmoil The latter called the NATO allies cowards and the former found the work too taxing and quit saying she no longer had enough in the tank Earlier a leader moved up the ladder from being what P G Wodehouse called a Nodder to being a Yesman before being allowed to speak at important parleys There is a flip side too Biden believed in his ability to lead the US till the age of 86 but was cut short by Trumps victory Xi Jinping wants to be there forever and Mugabe facing an impeachment resigned when he was 93 The geriatric committed to clinging on while becoming less lucid by the day keep creating nightmares for the diplomatsnbspThe weapons of war are becoming smaller fighter planes and hypersonic missiles are giving way to drones which may yield to electromagnetic waves with powerful laser beams being developed as weapons The US China Israel the UK and Turkey have already developed prototypes of such laser weapons while Germany Russia and India are also on the job With laser weapons planes missiles and drones will substantially lose their efficacy When lasers become capable of destroying satellites a balance of terror somewhat like that created by nuclear weapons may fall in place reducing the likelihood of war Carl von Clausewitz had said War is a continuation of politics by other means As smaller nations also acquire the capability to hit back and hurt both wars and diplomacy become less effective and frustrated leaders make civilian infrastructure and population their targets⁰ as is happening in Ukraine and GazanbspRival political parties used to exhibit bipartisanship when contending with a rival nation The loss of this bipartisanship has become a serious issue for diplomats foreign nations now gleefully quote an opposition leader of a rival country to counter the arguments of the diplomats of that country The Vietnam war had seen Eisenhower Republican Kennedy Democrat and Johnson Democrat in the White House with Nixon Republican beginning the withdrawal and on his resignation Gerald Ford seeing the fall of Saigon Yet the Congress acted in a broad bipartisan manner granting to the President wide authority to use force and approving funding even after the war had become a quagmire Contrast this with the sharp divide in the US today between the Democrats and the Republicans on the issue of PalestineToday in North America Europe and India the major arenas of democracy bipartisanship is sinking in the everdeepening chasm between the farright and the farleft Its place has been taken by echo chambers where any expression or appreciation of a counter viewpoint is akin to treason Foreign policy a subject that was usually discussed in bipartisan committees behind closed doors is now a slug fest in the public space When elections result in a change in the ruling party foreign policy is now more likely to be marked with sharper twists and turnsnbspThat brings us to the next disruptor of traditional diplomacy the phenomenon of mass illegal migration that has become the prime agenda for the voices in the echo chambers and for the ideological divide in domestic politics 2015 was a watershed moment for largescale illegal migration when countries in Europe particularly Germany under the leadership of Angela Merkel appeared to open their doors to undocumented migrants In 20152016 more than 2 million asylum seekers arrived in Europe over a million in Germany alone In Canada Trudeau used to be at the airport to personally welcome illegal migrants Since 2018 170000 people have entered the UK illegally using small boats to cross the English Channel and the flow continues Mass migration is making a huge impact on the stability of foreign policies in countries like the UK and France with the governments making notsosubtle shifts on issues like Palestine Earlier too people of foreign origin exercised influence but it was limited to the elite class today it is the migrant on the street who has a loud voicenbspMass migration of undocumented individuals has sharpened the farleft farright divide in European countries particularly in the two countries with the largest populations Germany and France In both these countries farright parties are surging forward If they come to power at some stage the policies of the EU which comprises the most liberal order anywhere in the developed world will undergo a metamorphosis Farright leaders like Victor Orban are already heavily tilted towards Russia If France and Germany drift in that direction pleading the cause of a farright Germany or France in foreign capitals will be a challenging swing for the diplomats of these countries Counting Trump in whose election migration was a major issue in his favour in the farright league some commentators are already talking of a farright takeover of the EU NATO is already facing a farright push from Trump and the mightiest wall in Europe against farright policies Germany is seeing a surgenbsp in the extreme farright If NATO and the EU fail to escape the swing how many diplomats will be equipped for the EU or NATO going to bed with RussianbspCyberattacks with the aim of election interference attacks on critical infrastructure and disinformation are new challenges for diplomacy Cyberattacks are akin to disembodied terrorism and when it is statesponsored the victim nation is loath to engage in parleys with the perpetrator as the latter is invariably in denial Even a powerful nation like the US has often felt helpless against cyberattacks and the only recourse seems to be retaliation In response to these developments cyber diplomacy is evolving to navigate this new world of stealth penetration of state secrets cyberwar the dark web and cybercrime that is sheltered behind the sovereignty of some totalitarian states like Russia China North Korea and IrannbspThese developments have made the conventional diplomatic parleys increasingly ineffective in recent years We hope that the world will not watch with indifference even as war the diplomacy by other means whether in trade or on the battlefields more frequently replaces the fake smiles and innuendos of diplomats R N prasher is a former IAS officer The views expressed are his personal https://dailyworld.in/blog/the-decline-of-diplomacy-632587.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-123-631597.html T Ram Sewak BODHAfter listing the afflictions of the mind manas rog Kakabhushundiji now begins unravelling how these can be eradicated in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121122 He statesEhi rogi Soak biyogiJaaney paapi NaasparitapiI have mentioned only a few maladies of the mind Although everyone suffers from them only a few are aware of them While these diminish to some extent when detected they are not entirely eradicatedJust as with physical diseases where diagnosis is the first step before treatment and recovery Kakabhushundiji emphasises awareness bodh of the afflictions of the mind before they can be worked upon and eradicated The process is longdrawn The mantra is dont fight the affliction first just become aware of itAwareness of these manas rog is about becoming conscious becoming awake to what is happening within Its about witnessing the transformation from an unconscious living to nondual awareness Awareness is simply an internal state free from any subjectivity or objectivity It begins with pausing and noticing the eruption of mental afflictions such as trishna craving krodh anger etc while remaining awake so that the mind no longer merges with them You are merely observing you are outside just trying to comprehend Awareness increases when you notice the afflictions the moment they manifest through the body in their earliest and smallest form Afterwards one must cultivate awareness of the pleasant afflictions such as joy and create a separation between me and my affliction This leads to attaining the state that Shri Krishna explains in Gita 589 HE states that a perfect person lives performing all activities convinced that I do nothing at all and that it is only the senses that move among the sense objectsIt is the profound presence of this Bodh that gradually dissolves the maladies of the mind helping transcend the dualities of life and attain a calm and balanced state of mind The journey to Buddhatva Buddhahood starts with Bodh DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-123-631597.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 02:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/emotional-intelligence-trusting-the-heart-again-631507.html In todays hyperrational world we are conditioned to prioritize the mind over the heart Logic analysis and efficiency dominate workplaces where productivity becomes the primary measure of successwhile our inner life quietly suffers Emotions are often dismissed as distractions or signs of weaknessnbspBut this imbalance carries a cost As we focus mainly on sharpening intellect in the process we neglect emotional depththe true source of wisdom intuition joy and foresight Many believe the mind alone can resolve lifes complexities but life is neither fully rational nor irrational Only the intelligence of heart dissolves this duality and restores inner balanceA sharp mind may solve immediate problems and feels like eliminating it yet it often creates new ones in the process The heart with its intuitive insight offers creative compassionate and lasting solutions The atom bomb may be a triumph of logic yet it embodies immense destruction A calm heartnurtured through healing meditation and awarenessbecomes a genuine deterrent to conflict both within and withoutnbspModern psychology affirms that emotional intelligence EQ is often more vital than IQ in both personal and professional life Empathy resilience collaboration and leadership stem not from the analytical mind but from the heart The mind strategizes the heart heals connects and inspiresEmotions shape our most profound experienceslove grief fear joy What burdens us is rarely the feeling itself but the overactive mind that resists and suppresses it We often push emotions aside not because they are mundane but because they force us feel vulnerable to encounter flaws within ashamed or uncertain In doing so we detach from the very parts of ourselves that make life meaningful We may keep functioning rationally but lose our sense of aliveness depth and connectionThe heart is not a flaw It is the seat of creativity compassion and connection Across cultures we preach loveyet the very faculty meant to feel it remains shut downnbspWe may not change the world overnight but we can begin within When emotions arisepause Feel Heal Witness This is emotional intelligence not suppression but awareness honed through presence and compassionnbspTrue strength lies not in controlling emotion but in the courage to feel When we trust the heart again we return to the essence of beingwhere silence touches aliveness and joy flows without reasonThe writer is a IT professional https://dailyworld.in/blog/emotional-intelligence-trusting-the-heart-again-631507.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 18:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/pradhan-mantri-jan-dhan-yojana-11-years-of-common-mans-financial-inclusion-630901.html Its now common for anyone in India to have a bank account But till about a decade back access to banking was a distant dream for almost half of households in the country even after 65 years of IndependencenbspAs poor and marginalized particularly in rural areas were excluded from formal banking system they had no option but to risk keeping their savings at home and seek credit from predatory lenders who charged exorbitant interest rates This absence of financial security meant they had no chance to dream of a better futurenbspEven more as a former PM had said out of 100 paise of benefits meant for poor for only 15 paise reached the true beneficiary and the remaining 85 paise was gobbled up by middlemenJan Dhan Yojana a Game ChangerIn this context the rollout of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana PMJDY in 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proved a gamechanger by boosting financial inclusionnbspAs this scheme completes its 11th anniversary on 28th August 2025 there is no denying of the fact that it has given a life of dignity to crores of people especially women youth and the marginalized communities in the country by integrating them into the nations economic mainstreamnbspFinancial InclusionBy laying the foundation stone for peoplecentric economic initiatives like direct benefit transfers PMKISAN increased wages under MGNREGA life and health insurance cover through bank accounts PMJDY has proved one of the biggest financial inclusion initiatives in the worldThe success of PMJDY which ensures access to financial services including banking credit insurance and pension in an affordable manner can be gauged from the fast that over 5590 crore Jan Dhan Accounts which stood at just 1472 crore in March 2015 have been opened till now About 67 of these Jan Dhan accounts have been opened in rural or semiurban areasAs Jan Dhan accounts encourage saving and digital financial habits these bank accounts have garnered a deposit balance of over Rs 263 lakh crore compared to Rs 15670 crore in March 2015Empowerment of Weaker SectionsWith features like zero balance account free of cost RuPay Card accidental insurance of Rs 2 lakhs on RuPay Debit Card to cover loss of life disabilities and income due to account holders accident along with overdraft facility of Rs 10 thousand to eligible account holders providing them with emergency access to funds PMJDY has truly empowered weaker sections and lowincome groups over the past 11 yearsNo surprise Atal Pension Yojana APY has seen a surge in enrolments reaching 733 crore by January 2025 The Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana PMJJBY has enrolled 2252 crore individuals with Rs 17600 crore disbursed for 88 lakh claims The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana PMSBY has covered 4912 Crore people processing Rs 299475 crore against accident claimsElimination of MiddlemenJan Dhan also became a vital pillar of the JAM Trinity Jan Dhan Aadhaar and Mobile to eliminate the scourge of middlemen and touts who for decades thrived in public loot through Direct Benefit Transfer DBTJan Dhan bank accounts are now used for DBT in 321 government schemes compared to 28 in 201314 including Ayushman Bharat PMKisan for farmers PM SVANidhi for street vendors Fasal Bima Yojana Garib Kalyan Yojana PM Awas Yojana Ujjwala Yojana or Deendayal Antyodaya YojanaThe total funds transferred have also increased from around Rs 7400 crores in 201314 to nearly Rs 25 lakh crores This has been estimated to have cumulatively saved the government exchequer around Rs 431 lakh crore and helped around 25 crore people escape multidimensional poverty in the last nine yearsEasier Access to CreditJan Dhan Yojana has taken out of poor from the clutches of the usurious money lenders as such account holders are now eligible for loans from banks and financial institutions For instance loans sanctions under Mudra scheme rose at a compounded annual rate of 98 per cent in five years from 201819 to 202324 This access to credit has empowered individuals to grow their incomes with formal sector lendingWomen EmpowermentPMJDY has emerged as a powerful tool for empowerment of women especially those working in unorganized sectors who lacked access to formal oldage income security schemes Their financial vulnerability was exacerbated by inconsistent incomes and limited access to social securityPMJDY has brought women under the ambit of financial inclusion which is evident from the fact that over 3037 crore 557 of total Jan Dhan accounts belong to women Besides ensuring equal opportunities to participate in the formal financial system PMJDY has facilitated the coverage of women with various social security and credit linked Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Atal Pension YojanaAs of November 2023 out of the 4446 crore loans sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana PMMY 3064 crore 69 were granted to women with the average credit amount increasing from Rs 39000 in 201516 to Rs 1 lakh in 202324 As of 27 January 2025 the StandUp India Scheme has benefited 194804 women entrepreneurs with banks sanctioning Rs 6242652 crore for promoting entrepreneurship among women and SCs amp STsDigital SuccessPMJDY has facilitated the issuance of over 38 crore freeofcost RuPay cards and installation of 7961 lakh PoSmPoS machines The introduction of mobilebased payment systems like UPI with Indias digital infrastructure for doorstep delivery of banking services UPI transactions through RuPay cards increased from Rs 92 crore in FY 201718 to Rs 8371 crore in FY 202223 Similarly the total number of RuPay card transactions at PoS and Ecommerce has increased from Rs 2828 crore in FY 201617 to Rs 126 crore in FY 202223India is today a global leader in realtime payments with a 485 share of the total volume with PMJDY playing a key role by bringing crores of unserved people into the formal banking systemGlobal RecognitionPMJDY has received international recognition for its role in financial inclusion India has achieved nearuniversal financial account ownership with 89 of adults now holding an account as compared 35 in 2011 according to the World Banks Global Findex 2025 reportA G20 report by the World Bank revealed India achieved its financial inclusion goals in just 6 years which otherwise would have taken 47 years India made Guinness World Records by opening over 180 Crore bank accounts as part of the Financial Inclusion Campaign under Jan Dhan Yojana India has surpassed China in financial inclusion metrics says the SBI report of 2021SuggestionsAwareness Campaign An awareness campaign should be launched in rural and semiurban areas to educate adult population about the benefits of bank accountsExpansion of Bank Network Network of Bank branches should be further expanded in rural and semiurban areas for providing easier access to banking servicesStrengthening of Cooperative Banks Cooperative Banks should be strengthened to modernize operations and adopt financial technology in order to meet credit needs of rural IndiaFinancial Literacy Digital and financial literacy programs should be launched to enable beneficiaries to leverage benefits of Jan Dhan YojanaSpecial Financial Product Design Innovative financial products should be tailored for PMJDY account holders in order to foster deeper financial inclusion By empowering millions of individuals especially from marginalized communities PMJDY has laid a strong foundation for inclusive economic growth for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 Every citizen should now fully participate in and contribute to Indias economic successProf Himani Sood is Pro Chancellor of Chandigarh University Views expressed are her personal She can be contacted at himanisoodcumailin https://dailyworld.in/blog/pradhan-mantri-jan-dhan-yojana-11-years-of-common-mans-financial-inclusion-630901.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/tariffs-tensions-and-transformation-navigating-indias-strategies-630902.html The imposition of 25 tariffs by the United States on Indian goods reflects a complex intersection of trade protectionism geopolitical realignments and strategic coercion At the forefront is Washingtons concern over its growing trade deficit with India reported at 274 billion in 2024 which former President Donald Trump attributes to Indias strenuous and obnoxious nonmonetary trade barriers and some of the highest tariffs globally These grievances form the basis of Trumps reciprocal tariff policy which aims to counter what the US perceives as structural unfairness Accompanying these demands are deeper expectations for India to revise economic policies especially around agricultural and dairy imports and expand purchases of US energy and defence products despite Indias protection of its rural economy and strategic autonomyThese tariffs must also be viewed in the broader geopolitical context particularly Indias continued ties with Russia amid the Ukraine conflict Washington is frustrated with Indias sustained purchase of Russian crude oil claiming it fuels Russias wartime economy and is pressuring India to align more closely with Western sanctions Trumps erratic negotiation tactics and personal political calculations have further strained bilateral ties His pivot toward Pakistan and derogatory remarks about Indias economy and leadership represent a departure from past US administrations balancing strategies in South Asia These developments reveal a volatile phase in USIndia relations where tariffs act as instruments of geopolitical leverage and diplomatic signallingTrumps broader trade policy manoeuvres reflect a farreaching ambition that transcends conventional economic disputes At their core lies a systemic challenge to the postWWII global economic order viewed as outdated and detrimental to American interests Referred to by aides as the Trump Round this strategy seeks to dismantle multilateral frameworks and reconstruct them to prioritise US dominance Central to this approach is calibrated disruption a deliberate blend of unpredictability threats and reversals designed less to resolve disputes than to destabilise norms and force concessions from allies and adversariesTrumps trade policy rests on three pillars narrowing trade and fiscal deficits through punitive tariffs reindustrialising the American economy and compelling partners to increase imports of US goods His method exploits the global reliance on US markets and security guarantees to extract strategic and economic concessions Notably tariff threats against India are also used to influence its energy ties with Russia targeting Moscows war economy without direct military involvement This marks a shift from his earlier presidency where friendliness toward Russia failed to yield results Beyond trade Trumps agenda includes reinforcing dollar supremacy through selective adoption of cryptocurrencies deregulating AI to secure technological dominance over China and promoting nationalist industrial policy centred on reshoring and advanced manufacturing These moves reflect an attempt to reshape American capitalism and global economic structures toward a more unilateral transactiondriven US hegemonyFor India US tariffs represent a pivotal moment with wideranging implications While the overall macroeconomic impact may appear limited GDP reduction projected at 02 to 04 percentage points the sectoral effects are more acute Labourintensive industries such as textiles gems and jewellery auto components and seafood face immediate disruption While sectors like pharmaceuticals and IT services may be less affected the loss of 33 billion in export value threatens employment and earnings US consumers may also feel the impact especially in sectors like mobile handsets and generic pharmaceuticals where Indian imports remain indispensable to supply chains India has responded with a calibrated blend of resilience strategic defiance and diplomatic engagement Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed the commitment to economic selfreliance using the situation to advance the Make in India initiative and boost domestic consumption His rhetoric emphasises sovereignty and the protection of farmers small industries and youth employment The government has retained restrictions on sensitive sectors such as dairy and agriculture citing food security and cultural valuesOn the foreign policy front India has resisted US pressure to cut ties with Russia continuing discounted crude oil imports as an economic necessity Officials have asserted that energy and defence relations with Russia are not subject to external influence Indias foreign policy is framed as independent and guided by national interest not coercion Simultaneously India is diversifying trade partnerships with the EU ASEAN the Middle East and the UK to reduce dependency on the US While quietly considering reciprocal actions like reintroducing a digital tax on US tech giants India maintains its image as a stable trade partner New Delhis response seeks to safeguard longterm strategic interests without capitulating to shortterm pressure tacticsAt the policy level Indias leadership blends economic nationalism with strategic noncompliance PM Modi and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal have underscored the nonnegotiability of sovereignty in areas like food security digital trade and defence procurement The refusal to open sensitive domestic markets reflects both political pragmatism and electoral calculus While exploring countermeasures like digital service taxes and adjusted customs duties India aims to avoid escalation preferring dialogue over confrontation This approach demonstrates a mature foreign policy calculus that seeks to preserve longterm bilateral relations while protecting core national interestsGeopolitically the tariffs illuminate a fundamental shift in US foreign policy where trade disputes are now linked to broader strategic goals The willingness to compromise longstanding strategic engagement with India to gain leverage over Moscow marks a departure from previous US administrations Indias firm stance in defending its ties with Russia including its use of alternative payment systems like the rupeeruble mechanism signals a commitment to multipolarity and a sanctionsresistant economic architecture However this positioning also invites sustained external pressure especially as the global order becomes increasingly polarised and transactional Indias ability to maintain strategic autonomy in such a landscape will depend on the resilience of its economy and the diversification of its trade partnershipsTo mitigate future vulnerabilities and reposition itself within an evolving global trade and technology order India must accelerate internal reforms These tariffs expose not only the fragility of dependence on specific export markets but also the urgency of enhancing domestic value addition industrial competitiveness and technological capabilities A status quo approach will leave India exposed to external shocks in a world of rising protectionism Policymakers must enhance productivity streamline regulatory frameworks invest in digital and physical infrastructure and foster innovation Such efforts can transform external pressure into a catalyst for overdue economic transformation positioning India as a more selfreliant globally competitive powerThe USIndia tariff conflict is not merely a bilateral dispute but a strategic inflection point It forces India to confront difficult questions Can it rely on historical diplomatic goodwill in an increasingly transactional world How can it safeguard its strategic autonomy while remaining integrated with global markets And is its economy agile and competitive enough to withstand future coercion While Indias measured response has created space for diplomacy the longterm imperative is structural transformation that enhances global bargaining power through deeper reforms diversified alliances and resilient supply chains The current standoff may well be a catalystIndia must decide whether it will merely react to global shifts or strategically shape its rolenbspwithin themThe writer is a researcher interested in topics including climate governance geopolitics history and society Views expressed are her personal https://dailyworld.in/blog/tariffs-tensions-and-transformation-navigating-indias-strategies-630902.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-122-630078.html T Ram Sewak TRISHNA ISHNAWhile exploring the spiritual diagnosis of the afflictions of the mind Kakabhushundiji now concludes their enumeration in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121 He statesTrishna bhari Tribidhi Ishna tijariKahan aneka Insatiable sensual cravings Trishna are akin to oedema in the body unquenchable and exhausting The threefold yearnings Ishnafor wealth progeny and fameare like the fever that recurs every third day tijari These inner afflictions are countlessWhile both Trishna and Ishna are synonymously used for desire Kaam they carry a philosophical nuance Trishna is the explicit craving for sensory pleasures Insatiable and driven by uncontrolled indulgence of the senses it is restless immediate and motivated by the desire for sense objects Shri Krishna also mentions the insatiable nature of desire in Gita 339 Ishna on the other hand is much deeper and binds the mind and intellect It is more subtle and rooted in ego Ahankar manifesting as the everrenewing persistent desire for immortality through lineage wealth and fame Ishna is the egos shadow Where ego walks desire follows Where desire grows ego thrivesDesire is consistently highlighted in Vedanta as the root obstacle to liberation a relentless inextinguishable force that distorts discernment depletes wisdom and traps the being in a cycle of frustration and craving that leads to Krodh anger and Lobh greedIn Gita 26263 Shri Krishna emphasises desire as a seed of a downward spiral leading to destruction Furthermore in response to Arjuns question in Gita 33637 regarding what drives a person to commit sin Shri Krishna emphatically answers desire However HE also offers the remedy which is to control the senses and master desire through any of the three paths action without attachment Karma Yoga SelfKnowledge Gyan Yoga or complete surrender to HIM Bhakti Yoga Thus the path to Moksh liberation unfolds as Trishna diminishes through discipline sanyam abhyas and detachment vairagya as Ishna dissolves in the light of Selfknowledge and surrender to the Supreme DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-122-630078.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 01:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/transcending-the-senses-629941.html In the context of senses indriya and sense objects indriya vishay Bhagavad Gita says that when senses meet sense objects polarities of pleasure and pain are generated As a result senses experience raag and dwesh to their respective sense objects For example we feel happy with our praise and get attached to it Krishna says that these polarities are transient and one should learn to tolerate these transients Krishna cautions Arjuna that senses are capable of forcibly carrying away the mind of even an aspiring wise person 260Restraining the sensesA natural question arises as to how to restrain the senses Krishna gave a practical tip in Srimad Bhagavatam 112021 where he compared indriya with wild horses and advised us to bring the senses under control like a trainer who rides the wild horses by training them The trainer runs along with them for some time to observe their traits When he fully understands them he starts riding them as he wishes This certainly requires patience as the trainer cant control powerful horses in one go as they will overpower him Similarly we have to restrain indriya through patience and awarenessWhile restraining the senses we need to abandon all desires born of sankalp intention 624 Restraining the senses means renouncing the desire to seek sensual stimuli of our choosing Krishna assures that once we attain the supreme bliss of transcending senses we will not be moved even by great sorrows 622Arjuna too wanted to know about controlling the mind and senses He says the mind is restless turbulent strong obstinate and difficult to control as the wind 634 Krishna says No doubt the mind is restless and difficult to control but it can be controlled by practice abhyaas and dispassion vairagya 635 Take my word that yoga is hard to attain by the ungoverned man but it can be attained through striving 636 Krishna advised regular practice of controlling senses with determination and enthusiasm 623 to bring the restless mind under control 626 The key qualities are patience determination enthusiasm and consistencyVairagya is the polar opposite of raag or attachment Life gives moments of both raag and vairagya daily but our mind practices only raag which is chasing desires For example we can get frustrated in a relationship and when it happens we blame our partner and look for a new relationship We often fail to realise that attachment raag itself holds the seed of dispassion vairagya The practice of vairagya is essentially the disciplined control of the senses through determination It rests on the realisation that we cant attain joy from outside or from others Our past experiences of vairagya can deepen this realisation and help us stay aware when similar moments arise in the presentWitnessing sensesThe sense objects can be classified as natural or artificial or manmade Sense objects of nature like beaches mountains wildlife and meadows make us happy and natural calamities give us pain We prefer to travel to new places and explore nature when one is attached to themSimilarly sense objects like cars planes and air conditioners are human creations We enjoy the pleasures of these manmade luxuries At an individual level we generate sense objects like the words we speak These words carry great power and can influence others deeply It is not out of place to mention that speeches by various leaders influenced the course of history When we are attached to them we try to spend time with peopleSense objects can also be artificial like the images or movies on screens like television or cinema Artificial sense objects have equal potential to influence us and thats what we see around us todayIn this regard Krishna says that the knower of truth united with self thinks that I do nothing at all even while I see hear touch smell eat walk sleep breathe 58 talk evaluate and accept The senses move among sense objects 59This is nothing but the art and science of witnessing in the existential understanding that I do nothing at all I just witnessed the game of sense and sensory objects While the physical games are played in the sports arena the games of sense and sense objects are played in our minds The knower of truth or saakshi witness keeps observing the games played by these senses in the mind The maximum reaction for a saakshi is a smile on the face whether in response to praise or criticismKrishna spoke about such a saakshi or yogi on different occasions For one who is selfcontrolled Paramatma Super soul is already reached for he has attained tranquillity He is balanced in cold and heat pleasure and pain seetoshnasukhdukh as also in honour and dishonour maanaapamaana 67 Wisdom gets established when one completely withdraws their indriya senses from sense objects like the tortoise withdrawing its limbs 258 He who is happy within who enjoys within who is illumined by the inner light such yogis are united with the Lord and are liberated from material existence 524 With sins obliterated doubts removed senses subjugated the sages contributing to the welfare of mankind attain the bliss of Brahma absolute 525A glimpse of Leela or divine playKrishna gave a hierarchy of senses mind intellect and soul to help us control senses and desires 342 As the whole is greater than the sum of its parts the mind which is the sum of all the senses is superior to the senses themselves The mind is limited to fight or flight reactions which are sufficient for animalistic survival The intellect however goes far beyond and differentiates us from animals and hence is superior to the mind Krishna further says that the self soul is superior to intellect and advises us to use it to annihilate the enemy of desire which is hard to conquer with the mind or the intellect 343On the other hand Krishna says A part of My eternal self manifests as a living soul in the world of beings and attracts five senses and the mind which are a part of prakriti 157 Presiding over the mind and the senses of hearing sight touch taste and smell he the embodied soul experiences the objects of the sensory world 159Krishna urges us to use the soul to overcome desires and control the senses Yet He also reveals that it is the soul an eternal part of Himself that draws the five senses and the mind This paradox offers a glimpse of His Leela or divine playThe writer K Siva Prasad is a senior IAS officer in the Punjab Government https://dailyworld.in/blog/transcending-the-senses-629941.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 14:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/healing-the-inner-stored-emotion-practical-paths-to-inner-freedom-629807.html We often think of healing as something externalmedications therapies or simply time But much of our inner suffering isnt just mental or physical Its emotional energy trapped in the body silenced by the ego True healing begins not with suppression but with deep listeningModern medicine can manage symptoms but it rarely heals the root of psychological distress Medications may suppress the chemicals triggered by emotional imbalance but they seldom address why those biochemicals arise When the cause remains unknown the cure remains incompleteAt its root emotion is energy in motion When this energy is blockedby denial fear or repressionit doesnt vanish It stores itself in the muscles fascia and nervous system Over time it may manifest as anxiety depression chronic fatigue or even physical illnessSo how do we release what weve held for yearseven decades1 Conscious Breathwork Breath mirrors emotion Practices like Sudarshan Kriya or conscious breathwork restore deep breathing regulate the nervous system and unlock emotional tension Breath is not just survivalits a portal to healing2 Somatic Awareness Rather than analyzing emotions somatic practices ask us to feel them Gentle breath and attention to a tight chest or clenched jaw can begin the release The body holds both memory and medicine3 Movement amp ExpressionStuck energy must move Vigorous dance shaking yoga or primal sound help release blocked emotion Like animals shaking off trauma we too can reset through embodied motion4 Safe Emotional ReleaseTears are natures way to transmute pain When we allow them without shameby visiting old woundsemotional heaviness can transform into prana or lifeforce Social conditioning especially for men often suppresses this healing mechanism5 Journaling amp StillnessJournaling expressive arts and meditation surface buried emotions Vipassana and Oshos methods encourage nonjudgmental awareness where presence itself becomes the medicineUncovering stuffed emotions through these paths may take time even several yearsbut it is worth it With time it reconnects us with the very reason we are in body with mindHealing isnt fixing ourselvesits freeing what weve trappedWhen we feel we release And when we release we return to wholenessand to our natural joyfulnbspcreative essence https://dailyworld.in/blog/healing-the-inner-stored-emotion-practical-paths-to-inner-freedom-629807.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/hard-power-in-the-present-world-629002.html Hard power has returned with a vengeance to centre stage in geopolitics Not that its importance ever diminished That will not happen Military force will remain a key power resource in international affairs But there was hope that wars would be abjured as a means to settle interstate differences and the use of force would be an option of last resortDialogue and diplomacy rather than military or economic coercion would become the preferred policy choice for states And soft power the power of persuasion would be utilised much more to pursue foreign policy goals and build a countrys global influenceNot so today Powerful countries and regional powers are using hard power to try to bend other states to their will The threat or the use of force has become an option of first and not last resort for them and the main way of resolving disagreements and imposing their will Israels war on Gaza its attacks on Iran Syria Lebanon and Yemen the Russian invasion of Ukraine US bombardment of Iran and Indias justified hay plausible military action against terrorist in Pakistan all testify to the increasing use of force Global norms that deemphasise the coercive use of hard power have been wilfully ignored by nation states in pursuit of their goals This modern version of gunboat diplomacy has seen the greater use or the threat of force to secure political and economic objectives This is pushing the world towards a Hard Power solution syndromeThe rising salience of hard power in international affairs is reflected in how countries especially big powers have been augmenting their hard power resources The spike in global defence spending is evidence of this It has reached a new high as countries big and small deem increasing their hard power assets to be essential to promoting their goals and secure themselves in an unstable international environmentWith use of military force and economic coercion dominating geopolitics does soft power still countThe way economic coercion is being used by the Trump administration also testifies to the current surge in the exercise of hard power President Donald Trump has imposed a trade war by slapping higher tariffs on almost every country in the world to extract concessions in negotiations conducted under the pressure of threats and punitive actions The use of coercive economic power to browbeat countries has involved no distinction between allies and adversaries All are being compelled to renegotiate trade deals with tariffs used as a punitive hard power tool for economic gain The signal sent by this approach is that noncompliance with US demands will entail a heavy cost The consequence of this form of hyperunilateralism is to upend not just the global trade order but also established norms of engagement between countries with unknowns outpacing the knownsDoes all this mean soft power has become less important or relevant Is diplomacy devalued by the increased use of hard power Is the practice of coopting others rather than coercing them being discarded Has the concept of soft power become dated as some analysts claim The short answer is no as it remains an important component of international politics a key tool in the arsenal of countries to build influence and shape perceptions Therefore despite the prevailing dominance of hard power it would be a mistake to conclude that soft power which is the ability to shape the preferences of others and achieve outcomes through attraction no longer counts on the global stageIn fact while the US and other states are exercising hard power China has increasingly been pursuing both a hard and soft power strategy to complement the increase in its economic and military strength This has helped it expand its global influence build trust and secure greater cooperation from countries It Supported Pakistan through Hard Power in its recent conflict with India But not surprisingly it has shot to number two position among 193 countries in the latest global soft power index compiled by Brand Finance the Londonbased consultancy firm This is the result of its multifaceted economic diplomatic and cultural strategy to boost its global imageChinas Belt and Road Initiative with 150 participating countries technological advances especially in AI development assistance investments in green technology and cultural diplomacy are all aspects of its vigorous and diverse soft power efforts So is its active role in multilateral institutions as well as speaking for the Global South Its proactive diplomacy for example in mediating the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran has also enhanced its soft power appeal All this has enabled China to increase its global influence and shape international perceptions to its advantageJoseph Nye who introduced the notion of soft power decades ago considered the question of whether soft power was still significant in todays world An insightful piece in the current issue of Foreign Affairs coauthored with Robert Keohane written just before Nye passed away argued that Trump inordinately committed to coercion did not understand soft power or its role in foreign policy and relied only on deploying hard power This was a losing strategy in the long run This is because if a country is attractive it wont need to rely as much on incentives and penalties to shape the behaviour of othersMoreover If allies see it as benign and trustworthy they are more persuadable and likely to follow that countrys lead But if they see their trading partner as a bully they are more likely to be reluctant partners and seek to reduce their longterm dependence The authors also posit that in a world characterised by growing interdependence securing cooperation is essential which soft power strategies are very effective at doingWhile the exercise of hard power seems to be the dominant global trend today soft power continues to have its own place and value in international politics This means that countries can advance their interests not just through military and economic strength but also by persuasion and attraction which encourages other states to cooperate and align with them Soft assets cannot replace hard resources but can help states earn respect and trust so essential for the successful promotion of national goalsThe Writer has been a Senior IAS officer of the Punjab Cadre amp can be contacted on Kaushikiaspunjabgmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/hard-power-in-the-present-world-629002.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-121-628560.html T Ram Sewak KAPATKakabhushundiji continues the detailed explanation of the seventh question of Garuda on the afflictions of the mind in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121 He statesKusht dushtata mann kutilayi dambh kapat neharua While wickedness dushtata and deviousness of the mind kutil mann correspond to leprosy hypocrisy dambh and deceit kapat are akin to disease of the nervous system neharuaUsing illustrative comparisons of the afflictions of the mind with the chronic excruciating debilitating and tormenting nature of the bodily diseases Kakabhushundiji continues to warn us about the malignant and devastating effects of these manas rog maladies of the mind In Gita 164 1756 Shri Krishna designates wickedness hypocrisy and deceit as nondivine attributes that lead a being to bondage In his discourse He frequently associates hypocrisy and deceit with ego and pride thus underscoring that they are all symbiotic and selfperpetuating each nurturing the other which consequently causes the being to spiral into delusion and ignoranceWickedness deviousness of mind hypocrisy and deceit are all used to fulfil ones ego and pride and the desire for that pride false recognition leads to more wickedness and deceit Such a mind thus becomes tainted and forsakes its innate simplicity concealing one intent within while outwardly projecting another through speech and action a fracture in the harmony between thought word and deed Evidently a soul estranged from its own truthHowever transcending these afflictions can lead to a quantum leap in spiritual progress This is highlighted in Shri Ramcharitmanas 336 where Shri Ram describes a behaviour that is simple truthful straightforward and guileless with everyone and free from any deceit or crookedness as the ninth form of bhakti In essence the simplest form of bhakti is just earnest behaviour with all without any cunningness or craft Such conduct serves as a constant consistent and automatic purifier of the mind fostering equanimity and peace within that prepares the ground mind for the seed of liberation moksh to blossom DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-121-628560.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/social-media-privacy-expectations-and-the-role-of-policymakers-628636.html In the rapidly evolving digital era social media platforms have profoundly transformed the landscape of personal privacy blurring the boundaries between public and private spheres This paradigm shift has led to a redefinition of privacy expectations among users challenging existing legal frameworks and urging policymakers globally including in India to adapt and innovate their regulatory approaches The interplay between social media privacy perceptions and the role of policymakers with a particular focus on the Indian context underpins the discussion with global trends and localizednbspdevelopmentsThe rise of social media platforms such as Facebook Instagram Twitter and TikTok has revolutionized personal communication and content sharing Users now frequently upload images videos opinions and other personal information into digital spaces that are often perceived as benign and accessible However this digital behaviour has resulted in a citizenry gradually renegotiating the boundaries of privacy Unlike traditional notions where privacy was associated with physical space or tangible information todays privacy is fluid contextdependent and heavily influenced by the digital environment Research indicates that despite users increasing awareness of privacy concerns they continue to share personal details motivated by the desire for social connection and digital engagement This paradox exemplifies the shifting expectations users expect a certain level of privacy but are willing to compromise it for convenience or social acceptance For instance surveys reveal that while users express distress over data misuse they often fail to rigorously control their digital footprints assuming that privacy settings offer complete securityIn India the situation mirrors this global trend Indians are among the highest users of social media worldwide with platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp deeply embedded in daily life Yet before recent policy interventions the Indian digital landscape largely lacked comprehensive privacy legislation leaving users vulnerable to data misuse and security breaches The landmark judgment in Justice KS Puttaswamy v Union of India 2017 was a pivotal moment as the Supreme Court declared the right to privacy a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution This judgment not only recognized privacy as a constitutional right but also set the stage for legislative reforms emphasizing that any infringement must satisfy constitutional standards of legality necessity and proportionality The Court in Shreya Singhal v Union of India 2015 reinforced privacy rights by ordering law enforcement agencies to adhere to strict procedures before infringing on personal privacy echoing the constitutional safeguardGlobally privacy laws such as the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation GDPR and Californias Privacy Rights Act CPRA have established benchmark standards that emphasize user rights data transparency and accountability The GDPR enacted in 2018 mandates explicit consent data minimization and grants users the right to erasure influencing privacy laws across the world Similarly the CPRA emphasizes consumer control over personal data and imposes stricter compliance obligations on businessesIndias regulatory landscape has traditionally been fragmented concerning privacy The Justice KS Puttaswamy judgment catalysed efforts to develop a comprehensive legal framework culminating in the Personal Data Protection Bill 2019 PDP Bill Although it was lauded as a major step towards data governance the Supreme Courts observations in Justice KS Puttaswamy v Union of India underscored that laws must balance privacy with legitimate state interests including national security as emphasized in the Courts warning that any law infringing privacy must be under constitutional safeguards The PDP Bill sought to uphold principles of informed consent data localization and individual rights aligning with global norms However the Bill faced criticism for overreach and stringent compliance requirements which led to its replacement by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 DPDP This new legislation emphasizes accountability transparency and user rights like the GDPR reinforcing Indias commitment to protecting digital privacy amid broad social media engagement Indias journey illustrates the complex dichotomy between rapid digital adoption and lagging regulatory oversight The widespread dissemination of personal information via platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp raised concerns over misuse data breaches and surveillance Notably the Shreya Singhal case 2015 underscored the importance of due process before infringing on personal privacy rights reinforcing the constitutional mandate that privacy protections must be upheld even in security contextsA significant flashpoint in the global privacy debate was the Cambridge Analytica scandal Founded in 2013 as a subsidiary of the private intelligence firm SCL Group which claims to provide data analytics and strategy to governments and military organizations worldwide Cambridge Analytica exposed how the unauthorized harvesting of personal data from social media could influence electoral processes and undermine democratic institutions This revelation sparked widespread public outcry and intensified calls for stronger data protection laws and accountability mechanisms underscoring the societal risks posed by privacy violations The enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act DPDP in 2023 marked a decisive step towards reinforcing data ethics emphasizing the crucial role of data fiduciaries in safeguarding user information and ensuring accountabilityIn conclusion the intersection of social media evolving privacy expectations and the role of policymakers presents a complex and dynamic challenge in the digital age Globally laws like the GDPR and CPRA have set important standards for data protection but the rapid proliferation of social media platforms continually tests the adequacy of existing frameworks In the Indian context the journey from fragmented rules to the comprehensive DPDP Act highlights the nations recognition of privacy as a fundamental right and the need for robust regulation tailored to local realities Despite heightened awareness of privacy concerns users often navigate a paradoxical terrain sharing personal information willingly while remaining vulnerable to misuse This underscores the importance of integrating privacybydesign principles empowering users with greater control over their data and fostering transparency from social media platformsPolicymakers therefore have a crucial role in crafting legislation that not only aligns with international standards but also addresses unique societal and technological nuances such as those witnessed in Indias diverse digital landscape Moving forward the balance between innovation and privacy protection must remain central requiring continuous adaptation and enforcement of laws enhanced user awareness and technological safeguards Only through collective effort where policymakers craft clear enforceable regulations platforms prioritize user rights The ongoing evolution of social media and privacy expectations thus calls for a proactive inclusive and responsive approach to ensure that the digital age upholds fundamental rights while fosteringnbspinnovationProf Nehaluddin Ahmad LLD Professor of Law Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University UNISSA Brunei Email ahmadnehalyahoocom https://dailyworld.in/blog/social-media-privacy-expectations-and-the-role-of-policymakers-628636.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/spirituality-isnt-escapeits-facing-life-with-awareness-628404.html Desire is often misunderstood Ancient traditions warn its a trap modern culture markets it as freedom But real liberation lies in neither repression nor indulgenceit lies in awarenessWhen met with awareness desire becomes a mirror not a master We begin to observe how it arises attaches and fades In that seeing intelligence awakens Craving dissolves Letting go no longer feels like lossit feels naturalBehind every desire stands the egoour constructed sense of me that wants fears and compares It isnt evilits a survival mechanism an early evolutionary tool of consciousness But it distorts reality by clinging to control identity and continuityTo maintain its dominance the ego suppresses uncomfortable emotionsgrief anger shame fear Instead of feeling them we bury them in the body But repression doesnt erase it stores These unfelt emotions become psychic residues manifesting as fatigue anxiety restlessness or chronic tension Today over 80 of health issues are believed to be linked to stored emotional energyEmotion after all is energy in motion When blocked it stagnates like water behind a dam Just as Einsteins equation E mc² shows that mass is stored energy repressed emotion becomes condensed life forceheavy invisible yet deeply reactiveThe irony We easily spot ego in others but remain blind to our own Why Because looking within demands courageto confront discomfort and face the shadows we hide The ego resists this fiercely It is often lifes friction that humbles us and awakens the quiet witness within Seeing clearly depends on the intelligence of that dimmed awarenessHealing begins when we stop avoiding and start listening When the self is allowed to express what the ego has silenced stuck energy begins to move This is not weaknessits strength born from inner clarityThis is the path the Buddha walkednot denial but deep seeing Its the heart of Oshos visionnot repression but conscious experience Freud and Jung echoed this in psychological terms Truth may wear many robesbut its essence is oneSpirituality then isnt escapeits meeting life with open eyes and a clear heart https://dailyworld.in/blog/spirituality-isnt-escapeits-facing-life-with-awareness-628404.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/senses-and-sense-objects-628469.html Our senses indriyas are the gateways between the outer world of sense objects and our inner world They play an important role in our understanding of natural principles of existence That is why Krishna repeatedly referred to the senses in the Bhagavad Gita His first principle regarding the senses is that when the senses come into contact with sense objects polarities such as heat and cold or pleasure and pain are generated within us These polarities are transient anitya and we should learn to tolerate these transients 214 He further says that sense organs naturally experience raag fondness and dwesh aversion for their respective sense objects one should be aware of this duality 334 The fondness as well as aversion generate pleasure and pain polarities For example we feel happy when someone we are fond of comes to us and we feel sad when they go awayAs far as the sense of touch is concerned when we insert our hand into water whose temperature is higher than our body temperature we experience the sensation of heat If the temperature of water is less than our body temperature we experience a cold sensation Similarly we experience happiness from a soft touch pleasant temperatures and similar sensations This motivates us to have soft clothing and air conditioningWe feel happy when we have tasty food or drink and get disgusted when food offered to us is not to our taste Sometimes two senses operate together such as the eye and ear When we watch a movie we enjoy the picture along with the soundSimilarly when we receive praise from another person we feel happy which is a pleasurable sensation On the other hand when we receive criticism we feel sad which reflects the pain polarity Scientifically it is the process of sound waves striking the eardrum which can trigger a wide range of emotions such as anger happiness disturbance or even conditional loveThe sense objects which are not directly related to us can also generate pleasure and pain polarities The best examples are the emotions we go through when we watch a news channel or read the newspaper This is the result of the conditioning we undergo during our formative years when belief systems are imprinted upon us These systems are rooted in the fundamental division between ours and theirs Any input or sense object that confirms our belief system brings pleasure If it is the opposite of our belief system it brings unhappiness A simple example is a sporting event where the victory of our team brings joy while the success of theirs causes disappointmentEach one of us moves among the sense objects in everyday life How we treat these sense objects sets the direction of our journey Krishna outlines a detailed mechanism and says A person musing on sense objects develops an attachment to them from attachment arises desire from nonfulfilment of desire arises anger from anger arises delusion from delusion confusion of memory from confusion of memory loss of intellect and from loss of intellect the individual perishes 262263 On the other hand Krishna says that when one is free of raag fondness dwesh hatred and has their senses under control one attains peace even while moving among sense objects 264The deepest human desire is to be appreciated for what we do and what we achieve We seek praise and tend to avoid criticism Thats why Krishna chooses hearing as the metaphor as we are frequently influenced by the words of others both praise and criticismMoha delusion is our inability to distinguish between what is ours and what is not In this regard Krishna says that when we overcome mohakalilam darkness of delusion using intellect we become indifferent to what is being heard or will be heard 252 This implies that when we overcome moha the inputs brought by our senses will lose the power to influence us at willIn the normal course of our lives we get perplexed when we hear conflicting opinions on the same subject be it news philosophy others experiences and beliefs Krishna says that we will attain yoga union with self when the intellect remains nischal nonoscillating and steady in samadhi established in self despite hearing various opinions 253Krishna cautions Arjuna that senses are capable of forcibly carrying away the mind of even an aspiring wise person 260 The mind which follows roving senses carries away ones intellect as the wind carries away the boat on the water 267 Krishna gives a solution and says that one should surrender to the Almighty which is the highest form of existence and supreme power to overcome the automaticity of indriyas 261 The key is not to fight but to surrender which is the source of the required strengthKrishna offers two paths to come out of the cycle of fondness and aversion experienced by the senses to their respective sense objects Firstly it is the path of awareness Krishna says these pleasure and pain polarities are transient anitya and learn to ignore them It is just being aware that it is a natural phenomenon and we should be aware of it when we are swinging between these polarities One way is to analyse and reflect on our past situations where we experienced an onslaught of such polarities and eventually overcame them in due course This analysis helps us to have awareness in the present moment and attain peace even while moving among sense objectsThe second path is the path of surrender It is the realisation that senses are powerful and we need support from a higher source of strength Krishna says that one should surrender to the Almighty which is the highest form of existence and supreme power to overcome the automaticity of indriyasKrishna says Wisdom is established when all senses are restrained from sense objects 268 One lives in vain if one rejoices in the senses and doesnt follow the wheel in motion 316 The man who rejoices in the self atmarathi is satisfied with self atmatript and is content with self alone for him no duty exists 317 This is a life of contentment with oneself One is independent of senses having no desires separate from those ofnbspexistence itselfThe writer K Siva Prasad is a senior IAS officer in the Punjab Government https://dailyworld.in/blog/senses-and-sense-objects-628469.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 16:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/reimagine-your-second-innings-with-the-ikigai-framework-627982.html As we transition into retirement the question many of us ask is not just What next but How do I continue to live a meaningful and engaged life Retirement today is not an end but a new beginning With increasing longevity better health and more opportunities than ever before our second innings can be as rich and fulfilling as our firstif not moreThe Japanese concept of Ikigai offers a powerful framework to reimagine this phase Ikigai lies at the intersection of four circles what you love what you are good at what the world needs and what you can be paid for It helps uncover that sweet spot of purpose passion and peaceBefore applying the Ikigai lens its useful to understand the different types of retirees we encounter today based on two key dimensionsage at retirement and financial independence1 The Early Explorers Professionals who retire in their 40s or early 50s after reaching financial milestones Often from corporate entrepreneurial or tech backgrounds they now seek deeper meaning and creative freedom2 The Seasoned Professionals Those retiring at the conventional age of 60 after long careers in government defence or corporate life They carry a wealth of experience and are often inclined toward structured roles3 The Financially Free This group spans all ages but shares a common traitfreedom from the need to earntheir focus shifts to lifestyle pursuits travel or social impact4 The Purposeful Hustlers Retirees who continue to work to support their lifestyle or dependents Driven and resourceful they actively repurpose their skills to stay productiveEach path offers its opportunities The key is to align your time skills and energy with what resonates most deeply now Here are a few curated possibilitiesFinancial Engagement Opportunities1 Consulting and Advisory Roles Organisations value experienced professionals as advisors and consultants If your domain knowledge is sharp and you bring a collaborative spirit this can be deeply rewarding2 Board and Governance Positions With rising emphasis on independent oversight demand for independent directors is growing especially for women professionals These roles allow you to stay strategic without operational entanglements3 Professors of Practice Academic institutions now invite industry veterans to teach through lived experience either as visiting faculty or fulltime4 Coaching and Mentoring Executive coaching spiritual mentoring and career guidance are now wellestablished fields While certifications help its lived wisdom that creates impact5 Content Creation and Thought Leadership Writing podcasting public speaking or online teachingyour decades of experience hold immense value in the digital economy6 Freelancing and Digital Platforms From analytics to writing training to product reviews the gig economy offers paid flexible opportunities across domainsNonFinancial Opportunities1NGO and Impact Work Many retirees are choosing to lead or support nonprofits in education health or the environment Your strategic and managerial experience can fill critical gaps in these spaces2 Religious and Community Engagement You may find meaning in supporting Gurudwaras temples and community work through RWAs3 Mentoring Youth and Giving Back Whether teaching underprivileged students guiding startups or mentoring jobseekers this is one of the most fulfilling ways to remain relevant and give backMy Personal TransitionAfter 32 years in the corporate world I opted for early retirement in 2023 at age 54 But it didnt feel like stepping backit felt like stepping into something new I established a consulting practice that leverages my experience in financial services and technologyled transformation I began strategic consulting with BFSI firms mentoring young entrepreneurs writing on wellbeing and collaborating with policy think tanksSoon I noticed a pattern my most fulfilling work came from engaging with young minds shaping purposedriven ideas and building collaborative projects These became the pillars of my IkigaiInterestingly most early opportunities postretirement came from past employers colleagues and friends It reaffirmed a powerful truth your best retirement plan begins while you are still workingby adding value nurturing relationships and building goodwill Your reputation is your strongest assetThe Road AheadDesigning your second innings isnt about replicating your pastits about reimagining your future Whether your compass points to wealth creation social impact spiritual depth or creative expression align with what truly energises you now Frameworks like Ikigai bring clarity Physical and digital platforms offer reach And your story so far builds your credibilityAs Viktor Frankl wrote in Mans Search for MeaningLife is never made unbearable by circumstances but only by lack of meaning and purposeYour second innings can be your most inspired chaptercrafted not by compulsion but by conscious choiceWhether you choose to consult create coach or contribute let it reflect your values and bring you alive each morning Build on what you already know Stay open to learning And shape your next chapter with both head andnbspheartManinder is a seasoned BFSI industry executive strategic consultant and trusted advisor to leading MNCs and innovative FinTech startups He lives in Chandigarh https://dailyworld.in/blog/reimagine-your-second-innings-with-the-ikigai-framework-627982.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/before-signing-off-leaves-laughter-and-letting-go-627989.html As the curtain began to fall on the year 2022and my professional innings spanning over three and a half decadesI found myself navigating an office caught in the throes of a fullblown LTC syndromeIt was December the final stretch of my service and with just days to go before the calendar year flippedand with it the LTC block closedmy office resembled a bustling travel desk Almost every staff member from senior officers to Group D employees seemed gripped by an urgency to avail their Leave Travel Concession for destinations far and wide The buzz was unmistakable earn ten days basic pay as LTC bonus and gift your family a yearend getaway Who wouldnt biteThe syndrome though understandable did leave a markroutine functioning took a hit with attendance dipping sharply This at a time when the state government had ramped up its expectations urging the PR machinery to go full throttle in publicising welfare policies ahead of the model code of conduct Assembly elections were around the corner and the push to showcase development and propeople initiatives was intense But thanks to the meticulous coordination among my colleagues we managed to ensure a steady media presenceboth in print and on electronic platformswithout compromising the core workTruth be told I harboured no resentment After all the long relentless spell of COVID19 had kept people indoors for two painful years Families had been starved of outings and children cooped up inside four walls Denying someone their welldeserved travel break felt almost cruel Thats why in the true spirit of leadership and empathy I chose to liberally sanction LTCs ensuring that everyone could reconnect with life beyond office files and meeting schedulesIronically I became the goto person for lastminute LTC approvals On December 30 just a day before retirement my everpolite peon approached me hesitantly Sir may I go to Haridwar on LTC I smiled signed his leave and saw his face light up Barely had he left when my driver came in with a similar plea He too was promptly allowed They both walked out glowing and Isomewhat emotionalwatched them reminded of the small joys that matterThat evening I returned home a little late My wife was irkedthe maid had neither turned up nor informed To calm the waters I ordered dinner online turning her frown into a halfsmileThe next morning brought another round of surprises Our Nepali car washer was missing and I found myself hosing down the vehicles on my own The mali too didnt show up despite my reminder to plant the flower saplings I had carefully selected the previous day My mother mentioned that the dhobi hadnt been seen since last Monday As if on cue my father descended the stairs and remarked Beta even the chowkidar has been missing for a week nowExasperated but amused I quipped Dont worry theyll all be back after New Year Perhaps they too have gone on LTC And just like that the house erupted in laughtera fitting endnote to the final chapter of my professional lifenbspDr Opinder Singh Lamba is a retired Punjab Govt officer who served as the Press Secretary to Chief MinisterPunjab https://dailyworld.in/blog/before-signing-off-leaves-laughter-and-letting-go-627989.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-120-627269.html T Ram Sewak AHANKARIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121 Kakabhushundiji further elaborates on Garudas seventh query He statesAhankar ati dukhad damarua mad maan neharua Ego Ahankar is like the deeply painful disease gout a glandular disorder damarua Also arrogance mad and pride maan are like the disease of the nerves neharua Ego arrogance and pride all synonymous are serious afflictions of the mind that Kakabhushundiji compares to painful and persistent physiological disorders Like these diseases which affect the entire body through glands and nerves these deeply rooted spiritual disorders influence the mind intellect and memory disturbing inner balance As these diseases are hard to eradicate so too is the ego very difficult to overcomeAhankarmadmaan is that illusory knot of individuality created by Avidya Maya that binds the self to the body and results in dehabhiman As Shri Krishna says in Gita 327 it fosters the illusion I am the doer although all actions are performed in all cases merely by the three gunas of prakriti The only path to ego effacement for a karma yogi is selfless action without any egoistic motive unattached to the fruits of your karma On the gyan marg ahankar does not fall all at once it weakens through samata evenness of mind vivek discretion and vairagya dispassion and dissolves gradually in stages corresponding to the deepening of selfinquiry and experiential understanding of the Self Atma These stages align with the four Mahavakyas as realisation finally dawns Aham Brahmasmi I am BrahmHowever on the bhakti marg ahankar falls at the first step because the bhakt dissolves his identity through complete surrender to HIM sharanagati Bhakti is surrender without reason or effort The bhakt only yearns for HIS grace His journey begins by merging his I into loving dependence on his Aaradhya offering everything including his ahankar at the feet of the DivineTranscending Ahankar is thus the sine qua non of the spiritual journey DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-120-627269.html Mon, 21 Jul 2025 23:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/understanding-senses-mind-and-intellect-627166.html There are many perspectives to understand the Bhagavad Gita Once one perspective is understood all other perspectives are understood as they are interconnected Understanding the senses is one such perspective The first few verses 211230 of the Bhagavad Gita introduce three fundamental concepts These are senses indriya and sense objects manifested vyakta and unmanifested avyakta and polarities dwandwa Subsequent verses dwell on various aspects of these issues in depthWhile explaining the kshetra field and kshetrajna knower of the field Krishna refers to the physical body shariram as kshetra field He says Succinctly described the kshetra and its modifications are composed of the fundamental elements fire air water earth and space ahankaar intellect buddhi unmanifested avyakta ten indiya senses mind and the five objects of the senses 136 and desire hatred pleasure pain assemblage material body consciousness chetana and persistence 137 The ten senses are five organs of perception jnanaindriya eyes ears nose tongue and skin and five organs of action karmaindriya hands legs speech generative organ and organ of defecationJnanaindriya receives external stimuli and feeds the brain on a momenttomoment basis Whereas karmaindriya are responsible for actions karma performed by us In another context Krishna refers to karmaindriya as the instrument of action which is one of the three constituents of action the others being the act itself and the doer 1818 The context of the Gita suggests that whenever senses are described the reference is to jnanaindriyaEach sense has a corresponding sense object The eye responds to light the ear to sound the skin to touch the nose to smell and the tongue to taste Gita refers to sense objects or indriyavishay on many occasions These include issues such as the consequences of the interaction between the senses and sense objects and how awareness helps us to maintain a distinction between themEach sense has two parts One is the external and the other is the internal part of the brain For example the eyeball represents the external part and that part of the brain which processes the inputs brought by the external part can be called the controller part of the senseThe outer part automatically responds to the respective sense object For example the earlobes respond to sounds but have no control over which sounds to respond to or ignore Similarly the eyeball absorbs all the visible light in front of it The nose automatically smellsThe external organs of the senses are subject to physical limitations The eyeball can process certain frequencies of light which are called visible light which is a small portion of the entire spectrum of light Thats why we need Xray machines infrared cameras to help us perceive the world from a different perspective Similarly the eyeball requires some minimum amount of light to function This indicates that each sense needs a minimum intensity of its respective sense object to respondComing to the internal part it is the controller part in the brain that processes the inputs brought by the respective physical part of the sense While the outer part functions fairly automatically the controller part is equipped with intelligence It is capable of separating and choosing the inputs brought by the external parts This is called cognitive bias in modern science Krishna beautifully explains this controller part and says Sense objects fall away from the abstinent person but not ras longing and longing ceases only when one realises the supreme 259 This longing or attachment is the hallmark of the controller partAll the combination of controller parts of the senses is nothing but what is known as the mind While the mind is responsible for immediate decisions like fight or flight a more refined version of the mind is called intellect buddhi which is responsible for thoughtful actions The mind is quick intuitive responds automatically to sensory inputs and is usually unconscious Intellect is slow effortful analytical aware and conscious Thats why Krishna asks to use intellect where the mind is unable to handle as intellect is superior to the mind 342Physiologically the mind and intellect reside in the brain The brain is an organ which has about 100 billion neurons It is said that neurons that fire together wire together These neurons are hardwired regularly during our lifetime This slow process of hardwiring makes the brain efficient and reduces the energy requirements In this sense the brain regularly changes itself which is called neuroplasticityFor example we find driving difficult on the first day and slowly get used to it This is because of the hardwiring of the neurons which takes care of the automatic functions involved in driving Similarly when we are learning a language or learning to walk as babies the same hardwiring makes these complex tasks easier for us Skills acquired through hardwiring stay with us till the end of lifeOn the other hand hardwiring makes things difficult for us During our childhood we were hardwired about various aspects of life Our families and society carry belief systems that they inherited They get imprinted on us when we are in formative years where our ability to distinguish what is right and wrong is at its lowest This makes us divisive where we find it difficult to accept others points of viewIt is nearly impossible to break the hardwiring As the brain can change itself we can form new connections and new hardwiring This process will help us to override previous connections or bypass them to wean away their divisive qualities some of which are responsible for our misery Thats why Krishna encourages us to begin a journey and assures that small efforts bring big gains 240 A small effort can help to break old patterns using the brains remarkable abilitynbspto change itselfThe writer K Siva Prasad is a senior IAS officer in the Punjab Government https://dailyworld.in/blog/understanding-senses-mind-and-intellect-627166.html Sun, 20 Jul 2025 18:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/the-phenomenon-named-jagannath-626977.html Puri is not a place Jagannath is not a name It has never been a destination for me Puri is one among the holy pilgrimages for HindusnbspI dont exactly remember since when I have been witnessing the Lord on wheels Also no idea when and with whom I went to Sri Khetra Puri for the first time But its divine Though I have stopped pulling the chariots for long now but I never miss the opportunity to be one among the millions to witness it live on the Bada Danda Grand Road as it is calledWitnessing the Rath Yatra Car Festival is neither an expedition nor a salvation Its beyond words When the Lord moves on the chariot the vibrations make my body and soul resonate Was it safe passage to heaven to see Lord on the roadnbspEmotions are varied Sometimes I drown in the deluge of tear In the next moment erupts a wave of joy seeing Jagannath moving before my eyes Someone rightly said we are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars I only look at Jagannath Hes anything and everything for me In fact to many like me Jagannath is the epitome of immortalityJagannath is a possession for me a possession for eternity A friend asked me why do you visit Puri I told him Jagannath gives me strength teaches me resilience and brings joy to me For me Jagannath Temple is a place which I would love to go over and over again In fact its a mystery why I come rushing to Puri to witness Rath Yatra every year I dont know anything about God or his existence But I know one thing There is JagannathJagannath is a serious seduction and his devotees like me enjoy their existence in his divine web Jagannath is not a mild flirtation but an obsession He has not only influenced me but also moulded me into a liberalnbsphuman beingnbspRath Yatra is not just mass involvement but an emotional movement The spirituality colour the drama exotic mysticism and exalted devotion all combine to make Jagannath the Lord he is As Jagannath comes out from the Sanctum Sanctorum in pahandi procession to the chariot me like millions feel like the long separation is now over What I cherish the most is to see the people on the street standing for a glimpse of their beloved LordnbspNow I have left Puri Am back to the place where I work the hub of my daily chores back to the routine life But Jagannath is there with me bynbspmy sideThe author works with Doordarshan Views expressed are personal https://dailyworld.in/blog/the-phenomenon-named-jagannath-626977.html Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/balanced-use-of-fertiliser-for-sustainable-agriculture-626545.html Punjab is a frontline state for agriculture production and productivity Soil health is most important for sustainable agriculture Soil needs to be tested after two year gap to check its health and supplement with fertilisers as required However deviation from the ideal fertiliser requirement has direct impact on quality and quantity of produce and profit margins of farmers The excess of fertiliser usage will increase input cost thus adversely affecting profitability environment and consequently health of living beingsA variety of nitrogen based fertilisers are used in Punjab like urea DAP diammonium phosphate MOP muriate of potash and NPK nitrogen phosphorus potassium blends The state has the highest per acre consumption of fertilisers especially urea and DAP for crops like wheat and paddy The average nitrogen phosphorus and potassium fertiliser consumption in India during the year 202324 was 13981 kg per hectare whereas Punjabs average fertiliser consumption was significantly higher at 24761 kg per hectare The factors responsible for this difference are intensive crop pattern reliance on wheat paddy rotation soil condition and past habit in fertiliser usage Punjab soils are rich in potash The ideal NPK NitrogenPhosphorusPotassium ratio for Punjab is 421 however the actual usage ratio of NPK is significantly skewed typically around 3181 This imbalance leads to issues like soil health problems reduced fertiliser efficiency and potentially lower crop yields Majority of Punjab farmers are advised to use urea as recommended by the agricultural universities However majority of farmers use double the amount of urea inviting trouble because more than recommended dose of urea increases weeds attract insect pest attack depleting the available micronutrients Facilitated by low price excess use of urea may make plant prone to lodging and crop becoming succulent While fertilisers are essential for boosting crop yields their excessive or improper use can reduce soil fertility soil biodiversity release greenhouse gases and can cause soil and water pollution having harmful effect on environment human health and soil quality Some fertilisers contain heavy metals like cadmium and chromium Cadmium poisoning which comes from its excessive intake can lead to kidney bone and pulmonary damage WHO 1992Therefore soil testing of agriculture lands after a gap of two years and balanced use of fertilisers is a vital and this practice must be adopted strictly by all farmers Balanced use of NPK fertilizers based on soil test reports farm yard manure vermicompost incorporating crop residues into soil mulching green manuring crop rotation use of biofertilizers biopesticides etc as per recommended application rates are the tools by which soil health should be maintained and crop yields can be increasedThere are fifty seven soil testing laboratories in Punjab Out of these four are ICP laboratories that are capable of analysing sixteen minor elements in soil In addition there are twelve atomic absorption spectrometers in Punjab Rest of laboratories mainly concentrate on analysing NPK by titration method which is time consuming However the total soil spectrometers can offer a faster more costeffective and ecofriendly alternative to traditional wet chemistry methods for soil analysis potentially improving accuracy especially when combined with advanced techniques like chemometrics and machine learning While spectrometers may not always replace traditional lab analysis they can be a valuable tool for rapid and efficient soil testing particularly for largescale or remote areas The total soil sample testing target in Punjab this year is approximately 25 lakh samples There is a dire need to increase soil testing capacity of Punjab with the help of total soil spectrometer to ensure analysis of all 16 elements of soil if farmers are to be convinced to stop using chemical fertilizer indiscriminatelyIncreasing soil testing facility is less challenging as compared to convincing farmers to use fertiliser as per requirement based on results of soil testing It has been observed by agriculture experts that despite knowing soil health farmers still use higher quantities of fertiliser as per past practice Resistance to change based on past practice or relying on the advice of peer group is hard to tackle During winter months when sun cannot be seen for days due to foggy weather wheat leaves turn yellow Use of urea helps in giving instant result by making green leaves grow Agriculture department officials need to concentrate their extension activities on breaking past habits At present there are demonstration farms in seven districts All the blocks in Punjab should have at least one demonstration farm where farmers can themselves see the efficacy of using fertilizer as per soil quality result Through these demonstration farms farmers acceptance of the use of need based chemical fertilisers or alternatively biofertilizers can be improved by using experimental fields These farms can be used to conduct field comparisons between traditional and other biomass fertilisers and noting the difference in production between the two methods The farmers can learn to use fertilisers efficiently thus ensuring sustainable agriculture Policy changes in fertiliser subsidy can be of some help In place of indirect subsidy on fertiliser direct subsidy in bank accounts of farmers can be thought of which can be linked to farm size agricultural university recommendation of fertiliser requirement in the block and additional requirement of fertiliser to soil health The fertiliser quota of agriculture cooperative societies may be capped on the basis of total land holding of all the members of the society This will help in checking hoarding of fertiliser as well as indiscriminate use of fertilisers The author is an IAS officer of the Punjab cadre and exspecial secretary Agriculture Punjab https://dailyworld.in/blog/balanced-use-of-fertiliser-for-sustainable-agriculture-626545.html Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-119-626207.html T Ram Sewak MAMTA IRSHA HARSH VISHAADKakabhushundiji continues to answer Garudas seventh question on the afflictions of the mind in detail in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121 He statesMamta irshai harsh bahutaiThe feeling of possessiveness mamta corresponds to the skin condition daad or eczema envy irsha is symbolised by an itch kandu Furthermore joy harsh and grief vishaad are the ailments corresponding to an excessive swelling of the throat glands All are part of the torment Kakabhushundiji uses the analogy of physiological diseases to symbolise the afflictions of the mind underscoring how they hinder the spiritual journey of a sadhakbhakt The metaphors of skin diseases suggest how deeply rooted and irritating these afflictions areKakabhushundiji compares the mental affliction of mamta to eczema which represents inner burning and the restless discomfort caused by possessiveness It is that festering wound that clings and causes pain Envy Irsha is that neversatisfied itch kandu representing that restless craving which fuels desire for indulgence and burns inside like a hidden fire destroying inner tranquillity These mental afflictions are as deceptive as that scratchy pain which provides false pleasure leading you to crave more of it They may seem to be sources of joy but in truth they draw us further into the quagmire of Maya Finally the dualities of joy and sorrow are recognised as a toxic emotional burden This is one of the greatest dualities dwandwa of life and most of our actions karma are driven by the desire for pleasure from the sense objects aiming to satisfy the endless desires of the senses While fulfilling these desires leads to more craving greed their nonfulfilment results in anger In both cases the mind is overwhelmed with painful afflictionsShri Krishna highlights the importance of transcending these afflictions in Gita 121314 He proclaims that they are dear to HIM who inter alia are free from envy and possessiveness and remain evenminded in pleasure and pain DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-119-626207.html Tue, 15 Jul 2025 01:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/space-time-spirituality-what-is-truth-625933.html As our intellect matures a timeless question arises What is TruthFrom childhood we are handed answersthrough textbooks scriptures and traditions These shape our early understanding But life often challenges these beliefs Wordshowever poetic or logicalcannot capture the living essence of TruthThink of Buddha Mahavira or Krishna Their wisdom came through deep inner realization Their words may guide us but Truth must be experiencednot borrowedConsider a parable in darkness a rope may appear as a snake Fear arises not from reality but from illusion Only by moving closer does clarity emerge Likewise Truth demands courageto question to look within and to see beyond appearancesEven sacred texts lose their purity over time buried under layers of interpretation We often protect our egos behind rituals and appearances Lies feel safe Truth is rawand often uncomfortableIn movies we all identify with the hero but rarely with the villain Yet in real lifeeven the perpetrators of the horrific Nirbhaya case did not perceive themselves as evil Everyone clings to their version of truthSo what is TruthIt is not found in law books or religious dogma Truth is neutral unownedbeyond belief and ideology It is a living awareness vast innocent and paradoxically nothing and everything To know it we must deprogram what feeds the egoTo realize Truth we must awaken the self The path is not easy but this brings clarityTruth does not kill in the name of belief It reveals transforms liberatesand enables unconditional love amp compassion It is presencepure childlike cosmicfor whom life and death are alikeAvoiding Truth deepens suffering It is not divine punishmentbut the natural consequence of living against the intelligent creationSo walk the pathhowever uncertain For in the eyes of the Omnipotent loZkfäeku Omnipresent loZOkih and Omniscient loZK there is no division Neither there is need to worship it out of fear nor shall there be desire to become like itonly the innocent and must yearning for direct experienceThat is Truthnbsp The writer is an IT professional https://dailyworld.in/blog/space-time-spirituality-what-is-truth-625933.html Sun, 13 Jul 2025 19:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/approaching-bhagavad-gita-625934.html Bhagavad Gita song of the Lord is a seven hundred verse conversation between Lord Krishna and warrior Arjuna at the time of the Kurukshetra battleKnowing the background will help us understand the context Kauravas and Pandavas were cousins Circumstances so evolved that they had to fight each other Almost all the known warriors of that time had joined one side or another in this epic battle Arjuna an undefeated warrior known for his mastery in archery was fighting from Pandavas side He was bestowed with many weapons during sixty years of his lifeUpon entering the battle Arjuna realised that all his friends relatives teachers and elders were standing on one side or another Having seen the consequences of such war before he quickly realised that this war would kill almost all of them This led to his despondency He dropped his bow and arrow in the chariot and sat downKrishna tried to nudge him saying that this type of attitude is not appropriate for a warrior like him But that simple nudge didnt move Arjuna Thus starts the Bhagavad Gita where Lord Krishna explains in detail various principles of this existence not only to help Arjuna at that moment but also the entire humanityBhagavad Gita was born in the battle field and the battle field can be taken as a metaphor for the serious problems faced by us during our lives There is another conversation called the Uddhav Gita which is the eleventh chapter of the Srimad Bhagavatam This conversation is between Lord Krishna and his childhood friend Uddhav who was also in despondency when the latter realised that Krishna is leaving him While the Bhagavad Gita can be taken as war time advice the Uddhav Gita can be taken as peace time advice These two conversations complement each other Together they form a basis to understand the principles of this existence By aligning ourselves with these principles we can lead friction free and a joyful lifeWe need to keep some basic facts in mind to understand these principles Firstly this conversation is contextual while the principles are eternal Krishnas explanation reflects the state of mind of Arjuna as well as the practices and belief systems followed at that time As a result it appears that there is no clear cut demarcation of issues or concepts which we usually find in text booksSecondly the conversation happens at various levels of awareness Sometimes Krishna comes as a human being and at that level understanding is easier for us At that level He gives easy examples such as a tortoise in the context of withdrawing senses from sense objects a river and ocean in the context of desires disappearing in the mind of a yogi like rivers loose their existence when they enter ocean a lotus leaf and water in the context of nonattachment etc Some times as He presents himself as Paramatma and at that level things become difficult to understand as we are completely unaware of themThirdly Bhagavad Gita is a text book from kindergarten to postgraduation In one text of seven hundred verses simple principles to complex ones are explained It is not that we should master all the principles If even one of them is realised it would lead to mastering of all of them automaticallyIf we take examples of mathematics one starts with simple addition multiplication etc Subsequently one moves to algebra and finally to calculus Interestingly all of them represent awareness relative to the capacity of the student Calculus is needed to solve complex problems and algebra might not be useful for these problems Similarly in biology one learns about different human organs and their functions As one moves higher classes one would understand the interdependence of these organsIn the first reading of the Bhagavad Gita it is advisable to grasp the principles which can be easily understood and then go for subsequent readings When our own understanding and awareness improve through subsequent readings as well as life experiences clarity comes even in the case of complex principlesFor example karma action is explained in the beginning which is easy to understand but when niyat karma prescribed actions are introduced it presents a lot of difficulties to comprehend what is prescribed action and what is not When Krishna says all karma are blemised difficulty reaches next kevelSimilarly life presents simple to complex problems and dilemmas A simple issue doesnt require much of expertise to handle but a complex issue needs understanding awareness skills and attitude at a higher levelFourthly the existence or universe never gives us any preachings It puts us into different situations and from the experiences we gain out of these situations it makes us learn about natural principles that govern this universe like the natural law of gravity Bhagavad Gita is a rare dialogue where the very existence came as Krishna and explained these principles himself to help us understand them easilyThe fifth difficulty is our divisive mind which prevents us from seeing the whole truth If we have to embrace existence or be one with it we should embrace the whole of it This includes what we believe as well as what we dont believe in It includes both the praise and criticism we receive It includes all people and situations that are described as good or badFor example Krishna says He is creation as well as destruction birth as well as death and sat reality as well as asat illusion Krishna is not here to support our belief systems nor Gita is a conversation to justify our belief systems He simply presents the principles that govern this existence This is the bravest approach whether we are able to inculcate it or notFinally the Bhagavad Gita is not about participating in the war Gita about renouncing our hatred while performing karma as we are just an instrument in the hand of the almighty nimittamatra It is a matter of fact that after explaining the Gita Krishna gave a choice to Arjuna to do what he wished to do The Bhagavad Gita is about doing the job at hand to the best of our abilities without hatred and attachmentWe need to keep in mind all these difficulties while approaching the Bhagavad GitaThe writer K Siva Prasad is a senior IAS officer in the Punjab Government https://dailyworld.in/blog/approaching-bhagavad-gita-625934.html Sun, 13 Jul 2025 19:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/choosing-your-city-begin-with-the-end-in-mind-625533.html Retirement is no longer a static phase of life its an evolving opportunity to live meaningfully stay connected and pursue passions Where you choose to retire plays a central role in shaping this next chapter It impacts your lifestyle health happiness and sense of belonging And like all important life decisions this one needs forethoughtThis article builds on our earlier explorations of social wellbeing from nurturing spousal bonds to cultivating relationships with children friends and community groups Choosing where to retire is not just a logistical step it is the geographic anchor that makes all those social relationships possibleStart Planning Five Years in AdvanceThe decision about where to retire should ideally begin at least five years before your retirement date This gives you time to explore options rent before you buy and begin building relationships in the new place A rushed decision often leads to misalignment between expectations and realityWhy Location MattersUnlike earlier generations that mostly retired to their ancestral towns or stayed put todays retirees are mobile and aspirational But what defines a great retirement cityThe Right Retirement Destination Factors to ConsiderProximity to Family and Friends The most frequently cited source of happiness in retirement is being near loved ones Being close to your children siblings or old friends adds emotional richness and logistical comfortMedical Infrastructure Retirement inevitably brings greater focus on healthcare Access to good hospitals diagnostics specialists and emergency care becomes a critical factorConnectivity Easy access to airports trains and highways ensures continued mobility for leisure emergencies or parttime workSocial and Hobby Circles Look for places that enable the pursuit of your interestswhether it is music literature golf trekking or spiritual groupsOpportunities for a Second Career Many retirees are younger healthier and eager to keep working on their terms Consulting mentoring or voluntary work can add purposeCost of Living and Housing Affordability ensures financial peace in retirementClimate and Pollution Favourable weather clean air and walkable surroundings matter deeply for physical and mental wellbeingThe PLACE Index A Simple ModelWe suggest an easytoremember framework called the PLACE Index People familyfriends nearby cultural affinity Livelihood consulting volunteering light work optionsAccess connectivity healthcare safety Community hobby groups social circles likeminded residents Environment clean air green cover pleasant weatherScore each shortlisted city on these five parameters to get a clearer picture of your bestfit retirement cityHometowns Metro Suburbs and Top PicksMany retirees are returning to their hometowns for familiarity emotional roots and reuniting with childhood friends Others are choosing metroadjacent towns like Gurgaon Pune Navi Mumbai or Noida for proximity to where their children liveAccording to reports by Anarock and Times Property 2024 cities drawing the most interest from retirees include Chandigarh Pune Coimbatore Mysuru Dehradun peripheral Bengaluru Kochi Ahmedabad Bhopal and Jaipur Each offers a mix of health care climate community and access to leisureCase Study Choosing ChandigarhIn my case choosing Chandigarh was driven by many of the PLACE parameters My wifes elder sister and her husbandwho retired as an Air Marshaljointly decided with us to retire in Chandigarh and we now live in the same tower My wifes cousin a doctor also chose this city to settle with his wife and children after returning from the US to enjoy a better pace of life they too live in the same towerMy cousin a gynaecologist and her husband an orthopaedic surgeon relocated from the UK to set up their hospital here My younger brother who is set to retire from the Indian Air Force in a few years has also chosen to settle nearbyLiving close to extended family in separate homes gives us the best of both worldsthe warmth support and spontaneity of a joint family alongside the privacy and autonomy of independent livingChandigarh is also close to my hometown Jalandhar which offers an emotional connection and ease of travel for family occasions I had worked in Chandigarh from 2001 to 2005 and built strong personal and professional networks Even after moving away I kept visiting frequently for business reunions and family gatherings In 2017 after deep thought and repeated visits I decided to invest in my retirement home here and moved in 2023Today many of us live in the same toweron different floorsor nearby Our tower has over 40 families from diverse professional backgrounds and is gradually evolving into a familial community The availability of excellent healthcare green spaces air connectivity and nearby hill retreats sealed my decisionConclusion Begin Early Choose MindfullySelecting the right retirement city isnt just about where you live but how you live Its about access belonging identity and daily joy Think of it not as a logistical decision but a lifeshaping one Begin five years before your retirement use the PLACE index to evaluate and trust your instinctbecause in the end home is not just a placenbspits a feelingnbspManinder is a seasoned BFSI industry executive strategic consultant and trusted advisor to leading MNCs and innovative FinTech startups He lives in Chandigarh https://dailyworld.in/blog/choosing-your-city-begin-with-the-end-in-mind-625533.html Fri, 11 Jul 2025 16:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-118-624910.html T Ram Sewak KAAM KRODH LOBHKakabhushundiji continues to elaborate on Garudas seventh question in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121 He stateskaam apara krodh jarapreeti bhai upajai dukhdaiDesire kaam is like the wind vata greed lobh corresponds to an excess of phlegm kapha while anger krodh represents bile pitta which constantly burns the chest Should all three combine the result is akin to the dangerous and painful feverKakabhushundiji expounds a profound metaphor that compares the three afflictions of the mindkaam krodh and lobh to the three doshas in Ayurveda physiological disordersvata pitta and kapha Just as imbalances in any of these can cause bodily disease similarly an increase in any of these three mental afflictions disrupts your inner serenity Sadly a fusion of all three kaam krodh and lobh causes chaos in a persons spiritual journeyThis directly reflects Gita 1621 where Shri Krishna affirms that kaam krodh and lobh are gateways to hell destructive of the self and therefore one should forsake these three Anger and greed are natural outcomes of desire When a desire is fulfilled it leads to greed It is that sense of dissatisfaction that constantly follows and poisons the sense of satisfaction that has been achieved Conversely if the desire remains unfulfilled or throttled it breeds anger Both indicate dissatisfaction and induce delirium Furthermore hell is not a physical place it is a state of mind that leads to the destruction of the Self Shri Krishna proclaims in Gita 65 that you alone are your friend and you alone are your enemy When the mind is filled with kaam krodh and lobh your mind becomes your enemy These three whether individually or combined lead to that hellish state of mind which disrupts your inner being and obstructs your spiritual progress just as the three doshas harm the body both individually and together The panacea is desireless action and surrender to HIS will DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-118-624910.html Tue, 08 Jul 2025 01:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/the-circle-of-75-family-friends-and-finding-your-tribe-624383.html The Emotional Wealth of Familiar BondsAs we age wealth takes on a different meaning Emotional wealthrooted in shared memories and unconditional belongingbecomes more valuable than material accumulation No one contributes more to this emotional wealth than our siblings and lifelong friendsnbspSiblings are often the only ones who have seen us through every chapter of life These relationships might lie dormant during the middle years lost under the clutter of careers and responsibilities but retirement offers a beautiful window to rekindle themnbspOne of the early realities of retirement is that your circle of work colleagues gradually fades The daily conversations and shared routines become memories While a few friendships may persist most fade into the background often more abruptly than expected Accepting this change without resentment opens space for reconnecting with family and older friendships that bring lasting warmthCousins uncles and auntsrelatives who may not have shared our homes but helped shape our storiesalso form part of this emotional lineage And then there are the friends from school college or work who remind us of who we once were and keep us grounded in who we still areThe Circle of 75 Anchors Constants and ExplorersOne model that has helped me stay rooted is what I call the Circle of 75nurturing three sets of 25 relationships Anchors close relatives People with whom we share blood history and emotional grounding Constants lifelong friends Schoolmates college friends former colleaguesthose whove seen us grow and still see us Explorers new connections People we meet nowfellow travellers society members kindred spiritswho bring fresh energy and inspirationThis model works not by quantity but by quality You dont need a big group Just a few people with open hearts and curious minds The idea is to cultivate relationships with intention not obligation The old ones offer depth the new ones bring vitality Together they create a support system that keeps your inner life nourishedA Living Example Travelogue Musingsn RelliesIn our residential community of over 500 apartments ten families came together to form a group we call Travelogue Musings n Rellies We are from diverse backgroundsdoctors defence officers government officials businessmenand I happen to be the only one with a corporate backgroundWhat binds us isnt our professional identity but our willingness to share time and stories We meet regularly exchange travel tales discuss books and reflect on life over tea or dinner What began as casual conversations has grown into a circle of mutual trust and careIn a world becoming increasingly virtual this realworld companionship is rare and sacred Retirement gave us the time but intention made it meaningfulThe Lost Art of Checking InMany meaningful relationships fade not because of conflict but because of neglect Retirement gives us the gift of timelet us use it to reconnect A phone call a visit a shared mealthese simple gestures create an emotional safety net around usDont wait for special occasions to reconnect with cousins siblings or college friends Create your rhythm Start a monthly lunch with old colleagues revive a college WhatsApp group or host a small gettogether in your city These rituals keep relationships vibrant Friendships like gardens thrive with regular careIts never too late Most people are waiting for someone to reach out Why not youYou Get What You GiveThe secret to sustaining these circles lies in generosity Be the first to message Be the one who listens Extend the invitation When your intent is warm and your presence genuine bonds deepen effortlesslyThese relationships are not about statusthey are about companionship As we step away from structured work lives these connections become our scaffolding for both joy and supportConclusion Youre Not AloneYou Just Have to Reach OutIn this third pillar of social wellbeing we find strength in connection We are social beings Retirement shouldnt isolate usit should liberate us to deepen our bonds and expand our circleIn the next article we will explore the importance of choosing where we retirea decision shaped not just by amenities but by people The right place with the right people can turn retirement into the most enriching chapter of lifeBut for now pick up the phone Rebuild the bridge Because life is sweeter when sharedManinder is a seasoned BFSI industry executive strategic consultant and trusted advisor to leading MNCs and innovative FinTech startups He lives in Chandigarh https://dailyworld.in/blog/the-circle-of-75-family-friends-and-finding-your-tribe-624383.html Fri, 04 Jul 2025 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-117-623747.html T Ram Sewak MANAS ROG MOHAIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121 Kakabhushundiji elaborates on Garudas seventh question What are the various diseases of the mind and how do they manifest He starts by highlighting their root causeMoha moola tinh soolaDelusion born out of ignorance or attachment is the root of all spiritual afflictions diseasessorrows and many more painful torments arise from itDepending on the context Moha has two meanings one is delusion born out of ignorance and the other is attachment This verse is a reflection of Gita 262 where Shri Krishna declares that thinking of and attachment to sense objects are the root cause of mans fall from divinity In Shri Ramcharitmanas 292 Lakshman tells Nishad that if ones perceptions reflections or learnings are coloured by moha then they cannot lead to the highest truthWe must understand that our sense of attachment also arises from our delusion that this creation the body which is Vidya Maya and ownership and relationships which are Avidya Maya are real This delusion prevents us from realising the truth that our true self is our atma which is indestructible and is an infinitesimally small part of the Paramatma Supreme Thus both the complexions of moha are intertwinedA mind shrouded in moha is clouded by inertia attachment and confusion and veiled from truth Moha is not merely one among many afflictions it is the obscuring force of ignorance itself It fosters attachment desire ego and ultimately keeps the being ensnared in this worldly entanglement Shri Krishna delineates the obstructive power of moha on the spiritual path when HE asserts in Gita 252 53 that only when your intellect buddhi transcends moha shall it stand firm and steady in the self leading to Selfrealisation Thus the Sanjeevani to eradicate this root of all ailments is the realisation that HE alone is the ultimate absolute truth everything else is Maya that causes Moha DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-117-623747.html Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/of-water-bottles-boiled-tea-and-the-great-parantha-reunion-623495.html Travel they say broadens the mind It introduces you to new cultures breathtaking architecture global cuisines and extremely overpriced water bottlesRecently I embarked on what many call the dream Europe trip a classic triangle covering Paris Switzerland and Italy I went in expecting to be swept off my feet by scenic boulevards majestic mountains and pasta so good it would rewrite my taste preferences I came back with sunburn an empty wallet mostly drained by water and a newfound appreciation for our humble roadside paranthas and cutting chaiAllow me to take you on this journey part travelogue part survival tale of a desi navigating the beautiful but bewildering lands of EuropeParis City of Lights and Light WalletsParis is everything they say it is the Eiffel Tower sparkles just right the streets are sprinkled with charming cafes and the people look like they walked straight out of a fashion magazineBut no one warned me about the cost of staying hydratedA bottle of water in Paris costs anywhere between 2 to 4 Euros Thats 200 to 400 rupees for water Back home that would buy me a family pack of samosas and a chai In Paris it barely got me a lukewarm labelless bottle that I suspect was just tap water with a fancy price tagDesi survival tip Carry an empty bottle and refill it at public fountains Yes they exist and no theyre not a trap to bankrupt touristsWhile the infrastructure in Paris is topnotch smooth roads and footpaths that are actually walkable the food was where my desi soul wept Croissants baguettes and strangelooking cheeses ruled the breakfast menus I searched high and low for boiled tea you know the kind thats been lovingly tortured on the stove with milk and sugar until it begs for mercy But alas all I got was a cup of hot water with a suspiciously floating tea bagWhere was the kadak masala chai Where were the roadside tea stalls brimming with overboiled goodnessInstead I settled for black coffee which the French seemed to consume as if it were a life force I drank it too mostly because I needed something to distract me from the lack of spicy foodSwitzerland Heaven If You Can Afford ItNext stop Switzerland The land of mountains chocolate and prices that can make even your credit card trembleI will say this Switzerland is gorgeous The mountains dont need Instagram filters The lakes are so clear you can almost see your budget sinking to the bottomBut the sun was merciless I had packed for dreamy jacketweather European hills but Switzerland greeted me with open arms and scorching sunlight It was so hot I briefly considered diving into Lake Lucerne not for the adventure but for the free waterSwitzerland like Paris continued the cruel tradition of expensive hydration Food was another challenge I ordered a vegetarian sandwich once only to receive a slice of bread with a solitary lettuce leaf I looked at it the way a lion might look at a grass saladExcuse me where are the aloo paranthas The poori sabji The chole bhature that can comfort a homesick heartEven their famed cheese fondue couldnt distract me from the silent scream of my desi taste buds craving something deepfried and dripping in gheeBut credit where its due Switzerlands infrastructure is impeccable Roads are so clean you feel guilty walking on them And even the cows Im convinced follow traffic rulesItaly Pasta Pizza and a Missing Green ChilliItaly was my final European stop and I was determined to find some comfort food Surely pasta and pizza would offer some familiarity right After all even back in India weve adopted and lovingly desified themWrongItalian food is subtle elegant and hopelessly underspiced I bit into what looked like a promising pasta dish only to find that it tasted like boiled noodles politely kissed by a tomatoI asked the waiter Could I get something spicyHe smiled sympathetically and brought me pepper flakes Pepper flakes For someone raised on a diet of green chillies that could scare dragons this was barely a tickleAnd the tea Italy takes its coffee seriously but when it comes to tea the story was the same hot water and a sad teabag floating like a lonely survivorSure the infrastructure was impressive The roads were smooth the public transport efficient and the historical sites left me in awe Walking through Rome felt like stepping into a time machine but my stomach kept reminding me that I was stepping into a noparantha zoneReturn of the Desi Parantha ReunionAfter days of polite underseasoned European meals and expensive sips of water I landed back in India with a singular mission to attack a plate of hot buttery paranthas and gulp down a piping hot boiled cup of masala chaiThe joy The sheer unfiltered joy of that first bite of stuffed parantha dripping with butter teasingly spicy unapologetically oily was something Europe could never offer And the tea Thick milky boiled to perfection sweet enough to shock a dentist it was as if my taste buds had finally come home after being stranded in a foreign landEurope gave me memories but India gave me flavourLessons from the Trip A Humorous Survival Guide1 Water Bottles Are Luxury Items Carry your own bottle and scout for free public fountains Europe charges for water like we charge for gold2 Tea Expectations Forget finding Indianstyle tea Embrace the occasional espresso but prepare to miss that boiling bubbling roadside chai3 Spice Emergency Kit Pack some green chillies achaar pickle or a small packet of masala Trust me your taste buds will thank you4 Parantha Withdrawal is Real The sooner you accept that Europe has no paranthas or poori sabji the easier your trip will be Plan your grand reunion meal for the day you land back home5 Enjoy the Roads and Infrastructure While the food might not hit the spot the roads trains and public spaces in Europe are truly a marvel Walk explore and soak in the efficiencyTravel changes you they say It certainly changed my appreciation for the everyday things I used to take for granted like the ability to order aloo parantha at 2 am or finding a chaiwala at every street cornerEurope was beautiful no doubt But sometimes beauty isnt enough when your heart is crying out for a greasy plate of poori sabjiAnd so after my whirlwind European adventure I can confidently declare Its good to travel but its even better to come home to the food you love After all saare jahan se achcha Hindustan hamara hamaraPass me another parantha please https://dailyworld.in/blog/of-water-bottles-boiled-tea-and-the-great-parantha-reunion-623495.html Sun, 29 Jun 2025 15:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/space-time-and-spirituality-2-cosmic-wholeness-623497.html The universes journeyfrom the Big Bang to the formation of galaxies our solar system and eventually life on Earthis a breathtaking unfolding of the innate intelligence of energy This intelligence is precise yet profoundly innocent It unfolds without judgment hierarchy or favoritismHuman beings with reflective minds and emotional depth are not the center of this creation but one of many expressions of its design After dinosaurs era our emergence as mammals was shaped by the pain of survival and the longing for freedomdriving us through cycles of struggle learning and evolutionIf we perceive God as the source of all this force is not a puppet master with rigid plans but a neutral presenceholding all shades together joy and sorrow light and dark This neutrality is not cold detachment it is pure freedomallowing each soul to shape its own pathEven mythological figures like Rama and Ravana often portrayed as opposites are equals in the eyes of cosmic intelligence Ramas victory was not divine favoritism but the result of action guided by awareness and innocencean intelligent energy not egothe illusion that shadowed Ravanas intelligenceLife is inherently dualisticgood and bad beauty and ugliness light and shadow True wholeness arises not by rejecting pain or darkness but by embracing both Confronting our inner shadow demands honesty strength and the courage to feel deeply Yet through this brave integration peace gradually unfoldsTo live in harmony with the universe is to honor all aspects of existencenot just what comforts us but also what challenges and awakens us We must also remember darkness ego when faced with awareness amp courage through conscious release of emotional pain has no true existenceit is simply the absence of light aware innocence which is intelligentThe writer is an IT Professionalnbsp https://dailyworld.in/blog/space-time-and-spirituality-2-cosmic-wholeness-623497.html Sun, 29 Jun 2025 15:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/majithias-arrest-and-the-shifting-political-sands-of-punjab-623498.html Dailyworld ChandigarhThe arrest of senior Akali leader and former Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia has once again thrown Punjabs political cauldron into full boil At the core of this development lies not just a battle against alleged drug syndicates or the question of Majithias personal culpability but a larger more seismic churn in Punjabs political landscape that is likely to dominate the narrative till the 2027 Assembly electionsFor months whispers in political corridors pointed toward the Bhagwant Mannled Aam Aadmi Party government preparing to tighten the noose around Majithia who has long been accused of patronage and proximity to the drug mafia These accusations originating as far back as the early 2010s gained prominence when a former DSP and notorious druglord Jagdish Bhola named Majithia during the AkaliBJP governments tenure That the arrest by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau VB in a Disproportionate Assets DA case was coming was no secret What has taken many by surprise is the political realignment and sharp reactions it has triggeredInterestingly for the first time in years BJP and Congress leadersincluding Sunil Jakhar and Pratap Singh Bajwahave taken a line somewhat sympathetic to Majithia This has less to do with the man and more to do with politics For the BJP Majithia represents a possible rallying point in Punjab Having tested splinter Akali faction leaders like Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Bibi Jagir Kaur and Sikander Singh Malooka the saffron party may have realised that breaking the Shiromani Akali Dal SAD is not viable Instead realpolitik may require reconciliationIt is within this context that Majithias arrest is being viewed not as a culmination but as a new beginning AAP will undoubtedly try to project this as a bold crackdown on Punjabs drug networka tough message that no one not even the big fish will be spared But for SAD this arrest is tailormade to play the victim cardBeyond legalities Punjab is not Delhi people are indifference towards state politics and politicians Punjab remembers reacts and most importantly connects emotionally with its leaders With Captain Amarinder Singh retiring from active politics and the patriarch Prakash Singh Badal no longer on the stage there is a leadership vacuum in traditional parties The void is waiting to be filled and in the battle to claim that space Majithias political revivalor demisewill be a key pivotOn the other hand the BJP sees in Punjab a similar opportunity it saw in Jammu and Kashmir With Punjab too sharing an international boundary the BJP is eager to strengthen its nationalist narrative especially by cornering AAP as soft on separatism and inexperienced in governance The saffron party cannot ideologically or electorally tie up with Arvind Kejriwals AAP or Rahul Gandhis Congress in Punjab That leaves it with SADbruised but not brokenThis in fact explains the recent softening of tones between Sukhbir Singh Badal and BJP leaders While Badal continues to battle a credibility crisis Punjabi voters are not without forgiveness They have historically shown willingness to give leaders a second chance if the leader displays humility and a clear shift in governance styleHowever AAP is not without its ammunition With Bhagwant Mann often invoking the fight against drug lords Majithias arrest offers a highimpact narrative AAP will go to the voters in 2027 claiming it dared to do what Congress and SAD governments hesitated tocleanse Punjabs system of its most powerful untouchables Whether the voters buy into this message or see it as a convenient political stunt remains to be seenAt a larger level Punjab stands at a crossroads once again Between the fading legacies of old warhorses and the untested promises of new players the state must choose between continuity and change retribution and reform Whats clear however is that Majithias arrest will not just define the fate of one man or one partybut shape the direction of Punjabs politics for years to comeAs 2027 draws closer the state will witness more arrests more inquiries and perhaps even more alliances reshaped in the backrooms But ultimately it will be the people of Punjab emotional and politically astute as they are who will decide whose narrative holds ground and whose truth prevails https://dailyworld.in/blog/majithias-arrest-and-the-shifting-political-sands-of-punjab-623498.html Sun, 29 Jun 2025 15:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-116-622614.html T Ram Sewak PARNINDAKakabhushundiji answers Garudas sixth question Which is the most terrible sin param aghapaap in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121parninda sam agha na girisaThere is no sin as grievous as slander speaking ill of othersWhile pointing out someones genuine faults is parivad critique spreading falsehoods creating shadows where none exist and causing harm by tarnishing anothers honour is parninda slander Parninda represents a significant moral and spiritual failing with serious repercussions for the slandererIn Sanskrit Parnindas synonym is Paishunam This word is derived from the Sanskrit root pish meaning to harm through speech It combines with the suffix indicating action to form the word The opposite is Apaishunamthe absence of calumny or refraining from slander Shri Krishna designates Apaishunam as a divine attribute that we must cultivate in Gita 162Parninda is the most heinous of all sins as it encompasses two of the greatest sins recognised in nearly all traditions untruthfulness asatya and causing harm himsa Speaking falsely violates the fundamental principle of truth and because this defamation inflicts pain it constitutes violence through speech vacha Furthermore it is a sin of both speech and thought because before actually slandering others the slanderer also harbours untruthfulness and violence in his thoughts mansa While slandering may cause certain harm and mental anguish to the slandered it undeniably inflicts even greater damage on the slanderer When he engages in slandering the slanderers mind becomes engulfed by untruthfulness hatred anger hypocrisy selfconceit and jealousy Shri Krishna designates them as asuric demoniac attributes in Gita 16410 All these lead to spiritual decline Words possess energy and using them to slander generates negative karma and impurities in the mind In Gita 165 Shri Krishna asserts that while the divine attributes are deemed for liberation the demoniacal ones lead to bondage Thus parninda not only harms others but even more so ourselves rebounding inward to sow the seeds of our own spiritual downfall and karmic bondage DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-116-622614.html Tue, 24 Jun 2025 02:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/strikes-echo-op-sindoor-modis-tactical-retreat-is-real-lesson-622459.html Modi shattered Paks nuclear bogey and then made a tactical retreat The US and Israel may however find themselves embroiled in an openended escalating Iran war with little clarity on the endgameWhile the world watches a relentless war unfold in the Middle East with Israel and the United States locked in a seemingly unending military conflict against Iran after hitting its strategic and nuclear sites Prime Minister Narendra Modis tactical retreat after achieving the larger objectives of Op Sindoor against Pakistan has redefined the global war doctrineAfter the terrorist attack in Pahalgam Op Sindoor not only dismantled the myth of invincibility surrounding nucleararmed Pakistan but also rewrote the rules of modern military engagement Israel and the US striking Iranian nuclear sites in the past few days is in many ways an extension of the war doctrine redefined by IndiaFor the first time since the 1971 war India struck deep inside Pakistan with clinical precision neutralised nine airbases dismantled key air defence systems and reportedly targeted the heavily fortified Kyriana Hills widely believed to house Pakistans nuclear arsenals The use of the indigenously developed BrahMos missile in these strikes sent a clear message not just to Pakistan but to the worldModi shattered the nuclear bogey in just four days and then tactically retreated That war if allowed to spiral is exactly what Indias adversaries such as China and some Western powers might have quietly desired to weaken Indias rise Such a conflict could have devastated Indias economy led to largescale loss of human life and destroyed strategic assets setting the country back by decades just as we are witnessing today in Ukraine and the Middle EastModi is known for being a bold leader and for his refusal to back down but not many had the idea that he also knows when to stop Unlike India however the US and Israel may find themselves embroiled in an openended escalating war with little clarity on the endgameWhile the Middle East slides into deeper chaos with mounting civilian casualties volatile oil markets and instability looming India under Modi has emerged as a model of measured power This was the essence of the new Indian military doctrine strike with strength pause with purposeThe decision to pause Op Sindoor was not guided by any Trumpera trade threats but was triggered by backchannel communications from Pakistans DGMO who sought a ceasefire after Pakistan suffered heavy damage India had already made its point The adversary had been punished and its nuclear bluff had been calledMuch to the disappointment of opposition parties eager to pull down Modi at any cost and to those global powers who see India as a rising economic challenge Modis decision averted a prolonged conflict and also denied countries like the US the opportunity to place India and Pakistan on the same pedestal a game the US and President Donald Trump have continued to play by seeking to hyphenate the two nations even trying to equate Modi with Pakistani Field Marshal General MunirTrump who had never realised what India could do to Pakistan in just four days or how it could shift the regional power balance has relentlessly pushed this outdated Western playbook He has also gone overboard to project and oversell America as the most credible arms supplier in the world repeatedly insisting that US military equipment remains unmatched Trump is however aware of what Indias indigenously developed BrahMos and Akash missiles achieved during the recent IndoPak conflict and is increasingly wary of Indias growing influence in Southeast Asia independent of the Western powersDuring the G7 summit in Canada for reasons best known to him Trump avoided meeting Modi but later spoke to the latter on the phone and extended an invitation for a meeting in Washington around the same time Munir was scheduled to be in America Modi however refused That rejection was not just diplomatic it was symbolic India under Modi is clear we will act on our termsPredictably Western media outlets too tried their old trick of equating India and Pakistan painting the standoff as symmetrical But that narrative is now dead Even President Trump who dreams of a Nobel Peace Prize by projecting himself as a peacemaker must acknowledge that India had rewritten the rules of warfare involving nucleararmed nationsBack home however parts of the opposition especially the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attempted to downplay Indias military success even echoing the language of Pakistan Some of their statements against Modi and the military went viral across Pakistani media One wonders would anyone in Israel do that after Irans neardaily missile barragesIn a democracy critical analysis of the governments functioning is essential But what Rahul Gandhi did was not scrutiny it was an attempt to run down the Modi government The Indian public however may have seen through thisNot to forget whatever India may have lost financially during the fourday conflict will be recovered Because Op Sindoor became a branding exercise for Modi to showcase Indias indigenous defence capabilities The BrahMos missile and Akash defence system exceeded expectations Countries are now lining up to buy these systems India is no longer just a buyer of global defence tech it is poised to emerge as a credible global arms supplier And the world has taken noteEleven years after Modi became Prime Minister of India the world has had no choice but to acknowledge Indias decisiveness and sovereignty Even with China openly backing Pakistan during the fourday conflict India stood its groundNow as Israel and the US get dragged deeper into military quagmires with Iran in the Middle East many global leaders and military planners would do well to study the Modi Doctrine the art of tactical retreat knowing when to assert and when to stopThe worlds changing perception of Modi was on full display when Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni meeting him at the G7 said on camera You are the best I want to be like you She even tweeted the video herself For India no endorsement could be more tellingAt a time when Ukraine is at war the Middle East is on fire and Africa is plagued with coups India home to 140 crore people remains sovereign stable and more secure than many other countriesModis tactical retreat should be seen not as a withdrawal but as a calculated pause A new military and geopolitical doctrine has been born In the days ahead whether Trump or Netanyahu will be able to do the same with Iran remains a milliondollar question https://dailyworld.in/blog/strikes-echo-op-sindoor-modis-tactical-retreat-is-real-lesson-622459.html Mon, 23 Jun 2025 11:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-115-622145.html T Ram Sewak AHIMSAFurthermore in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121 Kakabhushundiji addresses Garudas fifth question Which is the greatest virtue param punyaparam dharma shruti bidit ahimsa Vedas declare Nonviolence to be the param dharmaWhile the question was about param punya Kakabhushundiji states that Ahimsa is the param dharma Why Because he believes that practising Ahimsa yields the greatest punyathe positive spiritual credit that originates from a righteous mental verbal or physical action Shri Krishna designates Ahimsa as a divine attribute in Gita 162 and the Mahabharat Anushasan Parv asserts Ahimsa paramo dharmaAhimsa means refraining from hostility or ill will jealousy and causing harm to any living being without distinction at all times in mansa thought vacha speech and karmana action This would lead to a mind devoid of anger and as Shri Krishna explains in Gita 26263 it implies an absence of desire since anger arises from unfulfilled desires This further implies a lack of attachment to objects that provide sensual pleasure or pain and greed On the Gyan Marg it signifies a mind that is free from the shat vikar six internal enemies of the mind viz anger desire greed attachment jealousy and ego A mind that is pure stable and ready for the Vigyanmaya deep lamp of knowledge to be ignited to realise the ultimate truthOn the Bhakti Marg practising Ahimsa ie the absence of hate ill will or any desire to harm others leads to a realisation of oneness with all There is no other The bhakt thereafter feels only love and compassion for everyone The bhakt sees only his Aaradhya the Supreme in everyone everything and everywhere becoming immersed in that highest form of loveBhakti Shri Ram designates this as the seventh form of Navadha Bhakti in Shri Ramcharitmanas 336Therefore whether on the Gyan or Bhakti Marg the sine qua non to reach Him is Ahimsa the param dharma that results in param punya DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-115-622145.html Fri, 20 Jun 2025 23:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/from-missiles-to-meaning-what-the-israel-iran-conflict-tells-us-about-strategic-clarity-621601.html When war breaks out it often seems sudden But most conflicts dont start with the first missile They build over timethrough years of quiet tension shifting doctrines and unspoken red lines The current fighting between Israel and Iran is not an isolated exchange It is the culmination of longstanding rivalry now out in the open with deadly precision on both sidesnbspIsraels recent aerial campaign involving over 200 aircraft struck deep into Irantargeting nuclear facilities military assets and highranking commanders Iran retaliated within hours launching over 150 missiles and waves of drones at Israeli cities The impact has been both military and symbolic a shift from the shadows of proxy conflict into the spotlight of direct stateled warfareWhile this war may feel distant from India its deeper patterns resonate It shows how modern states prepare for pressure manage escalation and make strategic choicesnot just through force but through the timing and clarity of that forcenbspPreparation in both cases was not loud It was deliberate Israels ability to launch such a coordinated strike didnt appear overnight It followed years of intelligencegathering cyber disruptions and military readiness Irans swift counterstrike too reflected advance planning not emotional reaction Theres a message in this the most effective deterrents are often the least visible until theyre usedIndias own security posture has followed a similar logic The doctrine of strategic restraint is sometimes misunderstood as inaction But time and again India has shown that when the situation demands it responses are calibrated prepared and purposeful The absence of constant retaliation does not mean the absence of readinessnbspDeterrence in todays world has evolved far beyond conventional firepower The IsraelIran conflict is a reminder that modern deterrence is layered Israels missile defence systems particularly the Iron Dome intercepted much of what Iran sent But equally important were its alliances particularly with the US and its cyber and surveillance capabilities Irans strategy combined its missile range with psychological and political messaging showing it too could operate openlyIndias deterrence approach while different in geography and scale carries its own complexitiesranging from a credible nuclear posture to advances in cyber readiness surveillance infrastructure and diplomatic reach Deterrence ultimately is about shaping the choices of adversaries And shaping choices requires both capacity and claritynbspTechnology in this conflict has not only influenced outcomesit has controlled the pace Precisionguided systems satellite surveillance drone swarms and cyber tools have allowed both sides to act decisively without losing control This is not warfare as it once was It is calibrated algorithmic and often invisible until it landsnbspIndia too is moving toward this space The expansion of spacebased ISR systems indigenous missile defence and unmanned systems isnt just about modernizationits about creating options And options in moments of crisis mean leverageWhat also stands out in this war is how both sides have adjusted their doctrines without abandoning their principles Iran known for proxy warfare responded directly Israel known for targeted covert actions chose overwhelming visibility Neither lost control Instead both adapted their strategies to the momentnbspIndia is no stranger to doctrinal evolution The shift from passive posture to proactive strikeswhether surgical or airbasedshows a growing willingness to blend predictability with flexibility Strategic thinking today cannot afford to be rigid It must be resilient responsive and built on a foundation that permits creative responses under pressurePerhaps most instructive is what hasnt been said Despite the severity of their attacks neither Israel nor Iran has indulged in exaggerated threats or dramatic announcements The messaging has been deliberate often through action more than rhetoric This kind of strategic communicationmeasured disciplined but unmistakableis becoming more vital than evernbspIndias strategic voice has often mirrored this quiet strength In moments of crisis the focus has generally been on calibrated response rather than theatrical display This builds credibility over timeamong allies adversaries and ones own public In a world of fast reactions and viral narratives deliberate silence can be its own form of powerThe IsraelIran war is still playing out It may yet spill into wider regional or global consequences But even in its current form it offers something valuable not instructions but insights It reminds us that conflict in the modern age is shaped not only by weapons but by decisions made long before the trigger is pullednbspFor India watching this conflict is not about imitationits about awareness The clearest way to avoid chaos is to be so prepared so measured and so strategically clear that escalation becomes unnecessary Readiness isnt just a military virtueits anbspnational one https://dailyworld.in/blog/from-missiles-to-meaning-what-the-israel-iran-conflict-tells-us-about-strategic-clarity-621601.html Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-114-620410.html T Ram Sewak ASANTKakabhushundiji further elaborates on Garudas fourth question in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121 contrasting the nature of the wicked asantkhal and the saints sant Khal apakari Ahi urugari Dushthetu JathaketuThe wicked harm others purely for malice Sometimes while destroying others prosperity they also destroy themselves just as hailstones destroy crops and perish in the process The rise of the wicked like the rise of the inauspicious planet Ketu brings suffering to the worldWhile Altruism Paropkar defines a sant malevolence apkar characterises an asant The wicked do not require a reason to inflict pain on others and do not even care about their own destruction as long as they can destroy others The rise of the wicked is the rise of adharma unrighteousness leading to societal decay and prompting Him to incarnate Avatar and restore dharma Two questions arise Why is it important to know about the asant and secondly why are they like thatFirstly the aim here is not to classify humanity as good or evil with promises of reward for the virtuous and curses for the wicked Instead the objective is to alert the sadhaks seekers to refrain from such behaviours for progress on the spiritual path In Chapter 16 of the Gita Shri Krishna classifies human traits as divine or nondivineShri Krishna addresses the second question in Gita 1679 explaining that these asants or beings born for Asuric sampada nondivine estate do not discern which actions to undertake and which to avoid they are ensnared in the unreal asatya and emerge as enemies of the world intent on its destruction Their insatiable desires drive their behaviour Consumed by hypocrisy pride and arrogance they entertain malevolent thoughts due to delusion and act with impure intentions These asants swayed by their egoism haughtiness lust and anger fail to recognise even a trace of divinity within themselves and others rendering them prone to Dvesha hatred and Dushtata wickedness towards all DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-114-620410.html Tue, 10 Jun 2025 01:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-113-619273.html T Ram Sewak PAROPKARKakabhushundiji answers Garudas fourth question in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121 What are the natural characteristics and behaviours of noble souls sant and the wicked asant He statesParopakar kaya sant khagarayaSant lagi Par abhagiAltruism in thought word and deed is the innate disposition of the saints They willingly endure suffering for the good of others while the unfortunate wicked cause suffering to othersThe first attribute of the sants that Kakabhushundiji highlights is their inherent beneficence and selflessness For the sants altruism or enduring suffering for others is neither forced nor calculative it is part of their nature an expression of their being Thus on the spiritual path sadhaks must cultivate compassion selflessness and service to others until these qualities become effortless dispositions Shri Krishna teaches us in Gita 325 that wise men act without attachment wishing for the worlds welfare Furthermore in Gita 525 He declares that those Rishis who are selfcontrolled and focused on the welfare of all attain Moksh liberation In Gita 124 He asserts that those yogis who rejoice in the welfare of all verily come unto HimHowever true selflessness is not within everyones reach Only sants who are free from desires and are inwardly fulfilled poorankaam are capable of true altruism Their hallmark is the harmony of their thought speech and action so truth satya shines forth within them Any discord among them signals subtle selfishness or deception ie traits of an asantThe sants endure suffering for the good of others not out of any weakness but from divine strength the strength of a compassionate loving yet detached heart In contrast the asants are filled with desires ego and selfishness They actively inflict harm and suffering on others even when they stand to gain nothing revealing signs of spiritual povertyIn essence Kakabhushundiji teaches us another form of BhaktiKarma Yoga Snehyukta compassionate Swarthrahit selfless Sewa service for Sarvahit benefit of all DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-113-619273.html Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/punjab-must-resolve-to-rise-again-618543.html Punjab once celebrated for its dynamism and prosperity is now ensnared in a web of systemic distress The alarming depletion of water tables stagnant agriculture surging youth unemployment and a drug abuse epidemic have transformed what was once a distant threat into a stark painful reality The plight of the state transcends mere economic or ecological concerns it is a profound structural crisis rooted in a chronic leadership vacuum policy paralysis and institutional decay These issues are not mere historical footnotesthey have been analyzed debated fervently and repeatedly featured in political manifestos laden with empty promises of reform Yet they remain largely unresolved WhyThe ecological crisis in Punjab is dire and demands urgent attention For years groundwater extraction has dangerously outpaced natural replenishment with the Central Groundwater Board 2022 classifying over 117 of our 150 administrative blocks as overexploited Our dependence on the waterintensive paddywheat cycle a relic of the Green Revolution persists due to misguided subsidies and political inertia Our canal systems are outdated and our urban water bodies lie polluted and neglectedFarmers today face stagnant productivity soaring input costs and diminishing returns The promises surrounding crop diversification ring hollow sustained only by the absence of assured procurement or viable market avenuesnbspAdding to this grim picture Punjab is gripped by a demographic crisis with youth unemployment escalating to a staggering 243well above the national average Frustrated and desperate many young Punjabis are seeking opportunities abroad while others grapple with the devastating realities of substance abuseOur public education system is failing the next generation Recent reports indicate that fewer than half of Class V students in government schools can read a basic Class IIlevel text Private education has devolved into a commercial enterprise while public education and healthcare languish in neglect underfunded understaffed and incapable of meeting even the most fundamental needs of our populacenbspSocial inclusion is in a state of disarray Despite making up 32 of the population Scheduled Castes continue to face skewed land ownership and political representation Female workforce participation stagnates at a mere 115 among the lowest in the country Issues like gender inequality castebased exclusion and the urbanrural divide remain glaring blind spots in our social narrativeThe persistence of these crises is not rooted in ignorance but in inertia Punjab suffers from a chronic leadership vacuum both political and bureaucratic Successive governments have favored populist handoutsfree electricity loan waivers and cash grantsover the vital structural reforms that our state desperately needs As of 2023 the debttoGDP ratio has soared past 48 marking a fiscal system buckling under the weight of unsustainable entitlementsnbspBureaucratic inefficiency only exacerbates political shortsightedness Frequent transfers political meddling and disjointed departmental coordination have reduced policymaking to a patchwork of halfmeasures In stark contrast to states such as Tamil Nadu or Kerala Punjab lacks a tradition of evidencebased planning and executionMoreover Punjabs strategic location along the Pakistan border has influenced its governance model often prioritizing security over development Consequently border regions remain underresourced with central initiatives frequently arriving late or poorly executednbspThis dismal state of affairs has bred profound public disillusionment Young people are increasingly skeptical of the systems capacity to provide meaningful futures Farmers approach new policies with doubt Women and marginalized communities remain largely sidelined from local leadership roles This rising discontent could give way to deeper alienation and extremist ideologies if left uncheckedWhat we endure in Punjab is not true peace but a fragile façade of tranquilitya deceptive calm concealing simmering social tensions just below the surface Beneath this veneer lies a deep reservoir of anger fatigue and hopelessness When our youth confront a murky future drugs become a tempting refuge When farmers perceive no viable alternatives protests become inevitable When institutions fail to deliver rights or services trust erodes taking with it the states very legitimacynbspThe roots of radicalism in Punjabwhether criminal ideological or religiousare not merely imposed from outside they often flourish in this vacuum of opportunity and dignity Unless we confront this foundational decay and resolve to rise again cycles of unrest will resurface in new and troubling formsPunjab does not need a miracle it requires a meticulously crafted plan What is essential is not a sweeping reform but a coordinated crosssectoral effort to recommit to a robust development compactnbspThe agricultural sector must transition to waterefficient marketlinked models Supporting directseeded rice pulses millets and oilseeds with Minimum Support Price MSP assurances improved agrilogistics and processing units is paramount The current system of free electricity must transform metering and targeted subsidies Communityled groundwater management and upgrades to canal efficiency can safeguard our vital aquifers Establishing an empowered SutlejBeas Basin Authority could harmonize water policy across departments and districtsStates industrial policy should prioritize nurturing Micro Small and Medium Enterprises MSMEs rather than merely catering to megaprojects It must harness the immense potential in agroprocessing renewable energy textiles and digital services to create meaningful employment opportunities Establishing districtlevel Skill Hubs will strategically align vocational training with industry needs Engaging with the Punjabi diasporathrough investment platforms mentorship programs and innovation challengescan unlock financial resources and transformative ideasThe education and healthcare systems require a comprehensive overhaul Curricula must align with contemporary demands critical thinking digital literacy and vocational readiness should be at the forefront of our priorities An extensive reform of teacher training learning assessments and public school infrastructure is essential The healthcare services must focus on primary care preventive measures and training community health workers especially in rural and border areasnbspGender equity and social security must be foundational aspects of our shared vision for the future Employment schemes for women political reservations at the panchayat level and safer public spaces are nonnegotiable A unified digital welfare system can eliminate inefficiencies and greatly enhance access for marginalized communitiesFinally governance must evolve into a professionalized and decentralized model A nonpartisan and statutorily empowered Punjab Development Commission could provide consistent policy support and ensure continuity in planning Local governments must be empowered with genuine resources responsibilities and personnel Transparency mechanismssocial audits performance dashboards and public consultationsshould become the standard practicenbspPunjabs crisis is not an inescapable fate It is a reflection of fractured systems shortsighted politics and eroded trust But transformation lies within the states systems Punjab still possesses the social capital global connections and institutional foundations to reimagine and reclaim its destiny What we need now is the courage to act decisively Even issues concerning interstate water sharing and territorial rights over Chandigarh and other Punjabispeaking areas necessitate resolution through political sagacity and statesmanshipThe state does not require yet another committee or a fleeting slogan it needs to renew our civic contract grounded in dignity sustainability and shared responsibility A new generation of leadersfrom government industry civil society and citizen groupsmust rise to meet this challenge headon The road ahead will undoubtedly be arduous but the cost of inaction is far more to suffer https://dailyworld.in/blog/punjab-must-resolve-to-rise-again-618543.html Thu, 29 May 2025 17:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-112-618184.html T Ram Sewak SUKHIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121 Kakabhushundiji responds to Garudas third question What is the greatest joySant milan sam sukh jag nahin Shri Ram has proclaimed Sant Sang or Satsang the company of saints as the first form of Bhakti in Shri Ramcharitmanas 335 While Satsang is eulogised throughout Shri Ramcharitmanas Lord Shiva epitomises it in 7125 asserting that there is no gain more valuable than SatsangBut why is it the greatest joy In Gita 62022 Shri Krishna elucidates that no other gain is superior to the Infinite Bliss attained by seeing the Self by the self making one satisfied in the Self He adds that this bliss transcends the senses and once established in it one never deviates from Reality In essence the joy of union with the Supreme Self Paramatma is so complete that nothing else can surpass itBhakti is the incessant longing the infinite desireless pure love of a bhakt for his Aaradhya where his ultimate goal is Union with Him Shri Krishna proclaims in Gita 1855 that only through Bhakti can He be known in reality and having known Him one forthwith enters into Him Entering means that through Bhakti the delusion of dehabhiman identification with the body is dispelled ahankar ego is eradicated and the being awakens into the everblissful Brahmatva Supreme Reality Satsang is supreme because Truth is Supreme therefore the company of those who guide you to the Truth the saints is also Supreme Sant Milan leads to Katha Kirtan Guru Sewa and Japa all of which are various forms of Bhakti Having attained Bhakti through the blessings of the saints a bhakt remains ecstatically absorbed in His love his desires and restlessness vanish making him peaceful and the resultant bliss he experiences within always keeps him selfdelighted Rightly so Sant Milan is the gateway to that ultimate Sukh the Infinite Bliss the Param Anand DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-112-618184.html Tue, 27 May 2025 02:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/when-habit-holds-and-everything-else-wavers-618032.html In the world of policing no two days look the same An uneventful morning can turn into a crisis by noon A routine patrol can spiral into confrontation The rhythm of the job is shaped not by predictability but by unpredictability And yet the best officersthose who stay grounded in the heat of the momentdo not rise to chaos with sudden brilliance They fall back on habitnbspThere is something deeply instructive in thatnbspPolicing by its nature demands constant interaction with the uncertain But the lessons learned in uniform are not confined to law enforcement They are life lessons transferable to anyone who must navigate pressure lead others or make difficult decisions when the path forward is unclearHabit in this context is not mindless repetition It is lived discipline A set of internal tools honed through daily practicetools that reduce noise sharpen focus and allow for movement when fear or fatigue might otherwise paralyse actionnbspConsider the habit of showing up prepared For a police officer the uniform isnt just clothingits a state of mind How one shows up for duty often sets the tone for how one responds to duty In any profession whether corporate or civil the same applies Start sharp and you signal intent Not just to othersbut to yourselfnbspThen there is presence In moments of unrest or confusion physical presence matters In the field it reassures citizens and holds teams steady In boardrooms or classrooms it earns trust Real leadership doesnt hide when tension risesit walks toward itPolicing also teaches the habit of paying attention to the periphery Not just to whats loud but to whats quiet The unspoken tension in a room the hesitant voice in a meeting the one person who says less but watches morethese signals often missed reveal the real story This habit honed on the street works just as well in policy negotiation or everyday relationshipsnbspWriting is another essential habit In law enforcement a wellwritten report is more than a recordits protection against forgetfulness confusion or misjudgment But writing in any context also serves another purpose it forces clarity It slows down thought It holds the writer accountable to their own reasoningnbspAnd when it comes to speaking theres a simple rule the calmest voice in the room often carries the most influence In a confrontation or a crisis volume escalates Clarity deescalates Policing demands a tone that commands attention without provoking it The same principle applies across professionsespecially when stakes are highPreparationtrue hard deliberate trainingis another transferable habit In the force drills are not rituals they are life insurance In civilian life too success rarely comes from inspiration It comes from rehearsal Whether preparing for a presentation or planning a districtwide intervention the same rule holds you dont improvise under pressureyou execute what youve preparednbspTrust within teams is perhaps the most overlooked habit Great police work isnt done alone Its done in units that rely on one another completely The same is true of reformers innovators educators or entrepreneurs Good systems dont just need ideas They need people who believe in each otherBut none of these habits endure unless they are rooted in values In law enforcement integrity isnt a slogan Its a habit A line that once drawn isnt crossed And when something goes wrongas it always doesits the habit of accountability that makes all the difference The willingness to own the result To write the final line in the report and stand by itThese habitsformed in khakhi tested in heat and refined over timeare not just for police officers They are for anyone who must carry responsibility through complexity They work quietly They rarely make headlines But they are what hold steady when everything else begins to shakenbspIn a world of noise speed and unpredictability they remain the most underrated form of strength consistent clear and earned https://dailyworld.in/blog/when-habit-holds-and-everything-else-wavers-618032.html Mon, 26 May 2025 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-111-617028.html T Ram Sewak DUKHKakabhushundiji answers Garudas second question What is the greatest sorrow in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121 nahin daridr sam dukh jag mahin There is no greater sorrow dukh than poverty daridr in this worldThe obvious inference is that material poverty is most sorrowful as it shatters an individuals basic dignity and freedom producing inner turmoil that tests the endurance of his morality and conscienceHowever what Kakabhushundiji implies is spiritual poverty The absence of gyan knowledge and bhakti devotion in a being constitutes true poverty which is the greatest sorrowSuch a being is spiritually impoverished who is entangled in ignorance and delusion caused by his attachment Moh to the sense objects The greatest moh for a being is dehabhiman attachment to the body In this context poverty daridrata refers to an unquenchable thirst for material satisfaction where no matter how much one acquires there is always a lingering sense of incompleteness or poverty leading to dissatisfaction and sorrow Verily one who is immersed in ignorance agyan and gripped by desire is daridr truly poor Shri Krishna clarifies in Gita 267 that for the unsteady entangled by attachment to sense objects and unmeditative mind steeped in ignorance there is no peace or happiness Furthermore in Gita 270 He states that he alone attains peace who remains desireless ie one who has transcended the delusion of attachment and attained selfrealisation knowledge Regarding the lack of bhakti in a person Shri Ram states in Shri Ramcharitmanas 335 that such a being is no more worthy than a cloud without water Bhakti effortlessly eradicates all ignorance because at its very first step it eliminates ahankar ego thereby setting the bhakt on a path that dispels the darkness of ignoranceIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 532 Hanumanji states that there is no greater misfortune or sorrow than being bereft of Shri Rams bhakti Therefore the absence of the jewel of bhakti is that spiritual poverty which is the greatest sorrow DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-111-617028.html Tue, 20 May 2025 01:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-110-615803.html T Ram Sewak NAR TANAIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121 Kakabhushundiji answers Garudas first question What is the most difficult body form to attainnar tana sama nahin kavaniyu dehi There is no better form than the human body Nar Tana all creatures animate or inanimate crave it It is the ladder to hell heaven or liberation moksh It bestows wisdom gyan dispassion vairagya and devotion bhakti Yet those who fail to adore Him even after obtaining it and wallow in sensual pleasures are trading away a touchstone Paras Mani for a piece of glassWithin the cycle of birth and death the human body is the most extraordinary and challenging form to attain because it is the only form endowed with vivek discernment and mumukshutva yearning for liberation It provides a rare opportunity for spiritual evolution that leads to mokshThis possibility is unavailable to other sentient or nonsentient life forms and not even to the celestials devas It is the only life form that allows us to accumulate our karma sanchit karma Of course it is entirely up to us whether we indulge in satkarama righteous deeds or dushkarma unrighteous deedsHowever while eulogising the human form Kakabhushundiji also provides a wakeup call that this rare opportunity could be squandered if we remain enmeshed in satisfying carnal and sensual pleasures Therefore we should not waste this birth but work earnestly to attain DivinityThis assertion reverberates throughout our spiritual literature In the Gita it echoes in shlokas 27 38 49 64044 101011 and 141420 where it underscores humans unique potential for selfrealisation righteous action devotion liberation discernment spiritual practice etc implicitly elevating it above other formsSimilarly Shrimad Bhagavad Puran 11929 declares that the human body is durlabh rare and uniquely capable of arthadam granting the highest goalmoksh In Vivekachudamani 34 Adi Shankaracharya gives us the Paras Mani triad Human form Desire for moksh Guidance Guru Moksh DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-110-615803.html Tue, 13 May 2025 02:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-109-614291.html T Ram Sewak SAPT PRASHANOur spiritual literature is deeply rooted in the tradition of dialectical inquiry where seekers engage with Divinity Avatar or enlightened souls that inspire transformative insights Such dialogic exchanges serve as pivotal conduits for clarifying the intricate doctrines of VedantaThe Gita is undoubtedly the most wellknown spiritual dialogue between Shri Krishna and a delusional Arjun providing the clearest and most comprehensive answers to potentially all the questions that the human mind can conceiveThe conversation between Nachiketa and Yama the God of Death in the Katha Upanishad which addresses Nachiketas famous query about the ultimate mystery of death whether the Self Atma survives bodily death the dialogue between Yudhishtra and Yaksha in the Mahabharata that elucidates the concepts of dharma humility wisdom truth etc and the exchange between Janak and Ashtavakra compiled as the Ashtavakra Gita which serves as a treatise on advaita vairagya and the Gyan Marg are all part of the dazzling spiritual canvasIn Shri Ramcharitmanas we learn that Garuda Lord Vishnus vehicle also becomes entrapped in His delusional Maya during His Ram Avatar A deluded Garuda seeks clarity from Lord Shiva who directs him to Kakabhushundiji the crow sage Kakabhushundiji narrates Shri Rams Katha and Leelas Divine Play and illuminates the Gyan and Bhakti Marg alongside This eradicates Garudas delusion and encourages the wise yet troubled seeker within him to further ask Kakabhushundiji in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7121 the famous seven questions Sapt Prashan that explore the essence of human life and ethics These are1 What is the most difficult body form to attain2 What is the greatest sorrow3 What is the greatest joy4 What are the natural characteristics and behaviours of noble souls and the wicked5 Which is the greatest virtue punya6 Which is the most terrible sin paap7 What are the various spiritual diseases and how do they manifestKakabhushundijis detailed explanation to each of these questions follows DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-109-614291.html Tue, 06 May 2025 01:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-108-613425.html T Ram Sewak RAM SEWAKKakabhushundiji concludes his discourse to Garuda on Gyan and Bhakti in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7120 with an emphatic assertionMorey mann prabhu us biswasa Ram te adhik Ram kar dasaIn my heart I have this firm conviction The servant of Ram Ram Sewak is even greater than Ram HimselfThis chaupai verse captures the essence of Bhakti and the heights to which it can elevate a Bhakt This does not diminish Shri Rams glory but rather exalts His Bhakti declaring that the Aaradhya God becomes bound by His Bhakts Shraddha lovefaith and Samarpan surrender making Him treasure His Sewak that completely devout Bhakt even above Himself Hanumanji is the finest personification of this chaupai He is that Ram Sewak whose Bhakti for Shri Ram has positioned him such that he is worshipped even more than his Lord and MasterNo other spiritual tradition elevates the seeker to the pinnacle as Bhakti In Shri Ramcharitmanas 335 Shri Ram tells Sabari that the only kinship He recognises is Bhakti He constantly honours and elevates His Bhakts repeatedly asserting that He loves His Bhakts more than His Divinity Shri Krishna also echoes this in Gita 929 saying that He dwells in His Bhakts and they dwell in Him The devotee becomes the DivineShri Ram says in Shri Ramcharitmanas 316 that Bhakti melts Him and He is pulled to His Bhakt When your longing for Him becomes intense and pure He has no choice but to come to you He cannot stay away from a heart filled with love for Him What characterises a Ram Sewak He is a Bhakt who sees himself as his Aaradhyas humble servant always serving Him with deep love No desires no demands simply constant Simran remembrance and Sewa Just a Nimitta Matra mere instrument of His will Always feeling His omnipresence This disposition towards the Lord extinguishes his ego leaving only love for Him Then the merger occurs and the Sewak becomes Ram DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-108-613425.html Tue, 29 Apr 2025 01:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-107-612415.html T Ram Sewak SANTKakabhushundiji further delineates the pivotal role of saints Sant in helping the seekers on the Bhakti Marg in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7120 He statesram dhira chandan samira birati mari jaya bichariBhakti becomes easy to attain with Satsang and the blessings of the Saints because they distil the spiritual knowledge in the scriptures with their Gyan knowledge using the divine stories Katha to extract and distribute the nectar of Bhakti If Shri Ram is the infinite ocean then the saints are like the clouds who spread the showers of HIS Bhakti on allIn Navadha Bhakti Shri Ram designates Satsang as the first form fondness for HIS Katha as the second Guru Sewa as the third and HIS Bhajan as the fourth form of Bhakti All four forms are interconnectedAs delineated previously Bhakti is received as prasad However the Bhakt has to be ready to receive HIS grace and develop deep receptivity which is awakened in Satsang with the blessings of the Sants Satsang is the indispensable medium through which Divine grace flows ignorance is eradicated and Bhakti blooms The saints are like mirrors that help you to see HIS presence within yourselfFurthermore Kakabhushundiji uses the water cycle analogy to illuminate the role of the saints likening them to the clouds and Shri Ram to the ocean Just as the clouds take water from the ocean showering and nourishing all beings and the earth with the water finally merging into the ocean Similarly through the Kathas of Shri Ram and Satsang the Saints shower HIS Bhakti on all Bhakts nurturing their Shraddha faith and Samarpan surrender thus facilitating their ultimate assimilation with HIMIn Gita 914 and 109 Shri Krishna also emphasises that the saints spread Bhakti through their constant devotion mutual enlightenment and joyful discussions about HIM The Saints embody the essence of Bhakti they dont teach it they make you soak it up through Satsang DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-107-612415.html Tue, 22 Apr 2025 02:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-106-611348.html T Ram Sewak KRIPA BHAAVHow is Bhakti attained Kakabhushundiji answers this question in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7120 He statesSo ahai Ram lahaiBhaav prani Paav khaniThough this jewel of devotion Bhakti is manifest everywhere no one can attain it without the grace Kripa of Shri Ram Moreover only those who seek it with loving devotion Bhaav can attain this jewel of Bhakti the treasure house of all happinessKakabhushundiji highlights two elements HIS Kripa and the seekers Bhaav But which comes first In Shri Ramcharitmanas Tulsidasji clarifies that one embarks on the Bhakti Marg only when bestowed with HIS immense grace Kakabhushundiji elucidates that Bhakti is everywherein scriptures temples among bhakts and in every heart However it cannot be attained through a complex kriya or sharp intellect the decisive factor is Shri Rams grace Divine compassion is the keya clear reflection of Shri Krishnas declaration in Gita 721 Bhakti is not an earning proportionate to the effort put in It is received as prasad after a state of longing and love for the Aaradhya that leads to the dissolution of the ego and complete surrender It emerges from the disappearance of I when You are no longer present only HE is Shri Krishna asserts this in Gita 1866 when HE instructs Arjun to abandon all Dharmas of the body mind intellect ie desire anger greed attachment and ego and take refuge in HIM Bhakti is an effortless effort It is not about doing but about being The effort required of a Bhakt is simply Bhaavsincere love and pure emotional intent a sacred sentiment emanating from a pure heart filled with a deep longing for HIM Bhakti is the infinite love for the Infinite It is not mathematical it does not rely on the logic of a certain input leading to a predictable outcome Bhakti is received through Kripa and Bhaav and not acquired through Kriya and Buddhi DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-106-611348.html Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-105-610259.html T Ram Sewak SADHAN SIDDHIIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 7120 Kakabhushundiji further enlightens us on Shri Ram Bhakti He statesram jakein dukh takeinchatur mahin je karahinEven a trace of sorrow dukh does not touch him not even in a dream in whose heart the jewel of devotion Bhakti mani to Shri Ram dwells Only those who sincerely strive to attain this gem of devotion are truly wise Chatur ShiromaniKakabhushundiji has delineated Bhaktis transformative influence here signifying its subtle effortless grace Bhakti remains unaffected regardless of whether one does action or refrains from action This is because Bhakti does not go about doing anythingmerely by dwelling in the heart everything is accomplished Doing everything while doing nothing is the essence of the doctrine of nonattachment alep vaad Hence a Bhakt transcends the duality of sukh and dukhFor a being it is due to the ego of I am the doer karta abhiman that it must experience the results of its karma However Bhakti completely dissolves the ego of the doer ship This is because the Bhakt only and wholly depends on his Aaradhya he has surrendered his entire being to Him Bhakt firmly believes that God alone is the doer of everything and he is merely an instrument Nimitta Matra Earlier Kakabhushundiji introduced the Vigyani Muni those who have attained spiritual wisdom and now seek the bliss of Bhakti Then there are some Bhakts who are immersed in Bhakti and almost disrespect liberation Moksh Now he introduces the Chatur Shiromani Bhaktsthose indifferent to liberation and solely focused on their Bhakti But why Chatur Shiromani Because they strive solely for Ananya Bhakti the singleminded devotion through which as Shri Krishna proclaims in Gita 1154 can He be known seen and merged into realised in this form Such Bhakts are the wisest of the wise because they are convinced that Bhakti Sadhan the means bhi hai aur Siddhi goal bhi DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-105-610259.html Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-104-609253.html T Ram Sewak SANJEEVANIKakabhushundiji continues to extol the virtues of Chintamani Bhakti devotion in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7120 He statesmoh aava lobh bujhavaa byapahin bhari jinh dukhariDelusion does not come near and greed cant blow it Ignorance and darkness are destroyed and the wicked tendencies of lust and desires do not approach the one in whom devotion resides Further none can attain true happiness without this divine jewel and the one who possesses it is not afflicted with any mental affliction that troubles all beingsKakabhushundiji contrasts the lamp of knowledge Vigyan Deep with the selfeffulgent jewel of Bhakti When Vigyan Deep is lit delusion moh diminishes and settles beneath it Eulogising the jewel of Bhakti he asserts that delusion does not even come close let alone the need to eradicate it Vigyan Deep is constantly threatened to be extinguished by the gusts of ignorance and the winds of sensual pleasures However the resplendent jewel Chintamani Bhakti faces no such threat Ignorance finds no place where Bhakti resides as Bhakti overpowers all negative emotions like desire anger and arroganceA Bhakt sees Him everywhere and in everything All of his karma is devoted to Him The question is when pure Bhakti permeates all of Bhakts worldly activities then how can sensory pleasures become an obstacle The Bhakts senses and inner faculties constantly experience divine bliss through devotion Why would the senses be attracted to material pleasures when they are immersed in bliss Anand Shri Krishna affirms this in Gita 1212 when He states that peace immediately follows renunciation karma phal tyag In its very process Bhakti dismantles the illusion of Avidya Maya I Mine You Yours as the Bhakt imbibes His omnipresenceVigyan Deep which destroys ignorance is lit after a lot of personal discipline Bhakti does the same instantly because it is the selfeffulgent Divine grace Bhakti is the Sanjeevani for all worldly pains and delusions DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-104-609253.html Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/osting-posting-kya-hai-ye-to-hoti-rahati-hai-609177.html By Manish Tiwar EditorInChiefAbrupt removals of officers without assigning them new postings hava sparked debates in Punjab In the past 25 years it is difficult to recall a time when senior IAS or IPS officers were relieved of their duties without getting new responsibilities something that has now become a normA senior IPS officer in Punjab is often heard saying Osting posting kya hai ye to hoti rahati hai Transfers and postings keep happening Once a lighthearted remark about routine bureaucratic reshuffles this phrase has taken on a deeper meaning in recent years The manner in which senior IAS and IPS officers in Punjab are being transferred or left without postings for months has caused major concerns among bureaucrats political analysts and governance experts alikenbspThe Punjab governments decision to relieve some of its senior officers holding important positions including KK Yadav 2003batch IAS and Gurkirat Kirpal Singh 2001batch IAS has left many baffled These officers known for their dedication and important roles were not only transferred but also left without any posting Until a couple of weeks ago Yadav was serving as Administrative Secretary for Higher Education School Education Technical Education besides some other departments while Gurkirat Kirpal Singh wasthe Administrative Secretary for Home Affairs Mining and moreSuch abrupt removals without reassignment have sparked debates about the political and administrative intent behind these decisions In the past 25 years it is difficult to recall a time when senior IAS or IPS officers were relieved of their duties in this manner without being assigned new responsibilities something that has become a norm under the AAP governmentOfficers holding multiple key positions are suddenly sidelined without any clear reason or official explanation B Chandrashekhar 1994batch IPS was transferred out of his position as ADGP Jails and had to wait a long time before receiving another posting The same fate befell Varinder Kumar 1993batch IPS who was serving as Director General of the PunjabnbspVigilance Bureau a crucial position in the states anticorruption efforts He is without a posting todayG Nageswara Rao 1995batch IPS who had replaced Varinder Kumar a month ago was fortunateto receive an immediate posting as ADGP Provisioning after being transferred from the top post of Chief Director Vigilance Bureau within a month of his posting as Punjab Vigilance Chief Kuldeep Singh Chahal 2009batch IPS is another officer who held the crucial posts of Jalandhar Police Commissioner and Ludhiana Police Commissioner over the past two years However on March 28 Chahal was shunted out and has not been given any postingAjoy Sharma 1999batch IAS an officer known for his upright nature also faced months without a posting after being removed from his role as Health Secretary Later he was given key positions but was again removed from thosedepartments Not long ago DK Tiwari 1994batch IAS an Additional Chief Secretary in the Punjab government was placed undersuspension while serving as ACS of the Rural Development Department adding to the growing list of officers facing an uncertain fate He was later rehabilitatedThe list of the bureaucrats and police officers including PCS and PPS officers affected by such sudden transfers is long and the frequency of these moves has become a major point of discussion in the countryLike in many other states Punjabs bureaucracy has long been influenced by political pressures but the current level of administrative uncertainty represents a new normal The state has seen three Chief Secretaries in just three years Anirudh Tewari 1991batch IAS V K Janjua 1989 batch IAS Anurag Verma 1993batch IAS and now KAP Sinha 1992batch IAS Amonglegal officers Punjab has had several Advocate Generals APS Deol D S Patwalia Anmol Rattan Sidhu Vinod Ghai and Gurminder Singh in the same periodPolitical observers say that this pattern of transfers is not random but rather a calculated one to ensure compliance within the bureaucracy By frequently transferring officers or leaving them without assignments for extended periods the government appears to be sending a clear message fall in linenbspFor many officers being left without a posting for three to four months is akin to a silent suspension While they remain in service their careers stall leaving them in professional limbo Within a single year some officers have been assigned seven to eight different departments making it nearly impossible for them to establish continuity in their work As a result some of the posts earlier considered less significant such as DGP HRD and Training DGP Rules Director General MGSIPA and Secretary Printing and Stationery Freedom Fighters and Defence Services Welfare are now in high demand with incumbents trying to tightly hold onto their positions though many of them may not like to openly admit itThe Government must realise that frequent changes in leadership disrupt the administration Departments struggle with continuity and officers who take charge of critical projects are often moved before they can see their initiatives through to completion This constant reshuffling will ultimately weaken governance and discourage officers from making bold decisionsnbspfor fear of sudden removalThe transfer season in Punjab is underway and many more transfers are expected For the state to ensure effective governance a balance must be struck between administrative control and bureaucratic independence It is the governments prerogative to transfer officers but political leadership must make these decisions in a manner that upholds professionalism and does not demoralise the bureaucracy The masters must also recognise that bureaucrats represent continuity in governance they shall come and gonbspDW https://dailyworld.in/blog/osting-posting-kya-hai-ye-to-hoti-rahati-hai-609177.html Mon, 31 Mar 2025 13:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-103-608232.html T Ram Sewak CHINTAMANIAfter explaining the doctrine of Gyan knowledge Kakabhushundiji unveils the splendour of the jewel of Bhakti devotion in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7120 He statesRamsundar BasaiavatarParamrati NahibatiThe beautiful wishyielding gem Chintamani of Shri Ram Bhakti embodies supreme effulgence It spreads its radiance day and night requiring neither a diya ghee nor a bati wick to light itIn Shri Ramcharitmanas Goswami Tulsidasji demonstrates a preference for Bhakti as the path to attain Him Thus while delineating Bhaktis glory Kakabhushundiji alludes to the idea that the lamp of knowledge Vigyan Deep is strenuous to prepare and conditional In contrast the jewel of devotion Bhakti Mani is simply received through His grace Kakabhushundiji had previously described the Vigyan Deep as radiant and extremely intense However he elevates Bhakti as the eternal invaluable effulgent jewelan embodiment of the everluminous ultimate radianceWhile Shri Krishna expounds upon Bhakti yog in great detail in the Gita He introduces it in 647 stating that among all yogis the one who dedicates himself with full shraddha his inner self merged in Him is regarded by Him as the most devout Importantly when Bhakti integrates with Dhyan Gyan and Karma it becomes their foundationThus Kakabhushundiji rightly refers to Bhakti as Chintamani not as the mythical wishfulfilling gem that satisfies material desires and alleviates worldly worries but as that which bestows wisdom selfrealisation and dispels ignoranceAnother aspect is that whenever we experience Chinta or worry it arises from an unfulfilled desire This is invariably accompanied by attachment and Karta Bhav which means I am the doer Accompanying this is the misguided belief that I can fulfil this desire Consequently this leads to arrogance Ahankar entrapping the jeev in Avidya Maya I mine you yours Bhakti is Chintamani because at its very first step it eradicates Ahankar thereby setting the bhakt on the path that dispels the darkness of ignorance ultimately guiding him to his Aaradhya DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-103-608232.html Tue, 25 Mar 2025 01:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-102-606906.html T Ram Sewak MUKTI STHAL BHAKTIIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 7119 Kakabhushundiji now leads us to the Bhakti Marg the path of devotion He statestatha khagarayi rahi bahayibhojan lagi jimi jathragiThe bliss of Moksh Mukti cannot stay away from Bhakti devotion Realising this the wise bhakts disregard it liberation and remain joyfully immersed in Bhakti Just as we eat for our gratification but the gastric juices digest the food without any effort on our part similarly Bhakti effortlessly eradicates all ignoranceIn glorifying Bhakti Kakabhushundiji alludes to the synergy between the Gyan and Bhakti Marg as the bliss of liberation comes naturally and effortlessly through Bhakti Just as water cannot remain suspended and must descend to its base similarly Mukti automatically flows to wherever Bhakti resides A question may arise if the bhakt disregards liberation is he not condemned to the dukh pain of the cycle of birth and death The answer is that pleasure and pain stem from ignorance ie when the jeev has not recognised its true self However Bhakti effortlessly eliminates all ignorance the root of transmigratory existence of the bhakt Consequently where lies the question of dukhShri Krishna proclaims in Gita 101011 that to those who worship Him with love bhakti He bestows Buddhi Yoga through which they attain Him Furthermore out of compassion He dwelling within their hearts dispels the darkness of their ignorance with the lamp of knowledgeTo illustrate how Bhakti eliminates ignorance Kakabhushundiji states that just as one makes an effort to eat while digestion occurs naturally similarly a bhakt takes steps to receive His grace in the form of Bhakti by employing any of the nine forms Navadha Bhakti Once Bhakti takes root in his heart it undoubtedly uproots all forms of ignorance such as ego attachment aversion etc Once these are wiped out the bhakt is liberated For a bhakt Mukti is a generous collateral benefit of Bhakti DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-102-606906.html Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-101-605753.html T Ram Sewak KAIVALYAAfter metaphorically explaining the Gyan Marg the path of knowledge in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7119 Kakabhushundiji now elaborates on its ultimate goalKaivalya liberation He statesati durlabh pada santbadaram gosayin anicchit bariayinThe saints and scriptures declare that the supreme state ParamPada of liberation Kaivalya is rare and extremely difficult to attain AtiDurlabh However this Mukti Kaivalya comes unsolicited and inescapably to those who possess devotion Bhakti for Shri RamKaivalya is absolute liberation where the self Purusha is completely free from the bindings of matter Prakriti It is the state where the sadhak realises Aham Brahmasmi I am Brahm This is the Brahmic state that Shri Krishna describes in Gita 272 and refers to it in Gita 815 as the state where one is liberated from the cycle of birth and deathKaivalya is AtiDurlabh because it is attained through Gyan which is challenging to explain hard to comprehend difficult to achieve and akin to walking on a doubleedged sword Kaivalya is ParamPada as it is achieved in the realm of Tripad Vibhuti the transcendental threefourths of Divine glory representing the supreme eternal and spiritual existence of the Divine The remaining onefourth is called Ekapad Vibhuti which encompasses the material realm of illusion MayaKakabhushundiji highlights that the path to liberation is much easier for Shri Rams devotees For them Mukti comes undesired and overwhelmingly because a bhakt completely surrenders himself to Him and receives His grace which brings Mukti along with it The process involves a bhakts intense yearning to reach his Aaradhya Divine which ignites the flame of separation VirahaAgni for Him This incinerates all impurities like the bhakts desires and other vices Subsequently when the bhakts love for his Aaradhya wells up from remembering His beautiful name form compassion and other virtues the soul becomes pure and naturally realises its true self AtamSwaroop inherently leading to liberation This is what is meant by coming unsolicited DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-101-605753.html Tue, 11 Mar 2025 02:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/bulldozers-fight-drug-menace-but-tackling-demand-crucial-605393.html By Manish Tiwari EditorInChiefA decline in heroin production in Afghanistan has created a new problem for Punjab Synthetic drugs are now filling the void These drugs are often more addictive leading to an increase in overdose deathsPunjab is facing an unprecedented crisis one that threatens the very foundation of its society The state has been battling an escalating drug menace for over a decade and now bulldozers have been rolled out by the Bhagwant Mann Government to demolish properties linked to smugglers Thousands of police personnel have also begun raiding the hideouts of drug peddlersHowever Punjabs drug problem is not just a lawandorder issue its a social catastrophe with farreaching implications The state has one of the highest drug addiction rates in India with an estimated 12 lakh people registered as drug addicts Over the years the crisis has devastated countless families fuelled rampant crime and left a generation of youth in despairnbspThe states proximity to the Pakistan border has made it a major transit point for narcotics particularly heroin Most of the gangsters and terrorists in India and those operating from outside the country are majorly involved in pushing drugs to Punjab and as usual Pakistans ISI has continued to play a significant role in aiding drug smugglingThe drug problem however is not isolated to Punjab alone Other states like Gujarat and Maharashtra also serve as entry points for narcotics through Indias vast coastline making the fight against drugs a national issue The porous borders with Nepal have become a significant concern as smugglers are exploiting this route to push drugs through Bihar and Uttar Pradesh into other parts of IndianbspA recent United Nations report revealed a 70 percent decline in heroin production in Afghanistan following the Talibans return to power While this is being seen as a positive development globally it has created a new problem for Punjab Synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl are now filling the void left by heroin These drugs produced in clandestine laboratories are often more potent and addictive than traditional narcotics leading to an increase in overdose deathsnbspUnlike heroin which is derived from poppy plants and requires specific cultivation regions synthetic drugs can be manufactured anywhere making them more difficult to track and control The growing prevalence of synthetic drugs in Punjab is exacerbating an already dire situation and poses a significant public health riskMeanwhile under the leadership of DGP Gaurav Yadav various police wings including the AntiNarcotics Task Force ANTF led by DGP Kuldeep Singh and ADGP Neelabh Kishore besides Special DGP Internal Security RN Dhoke Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla etc have launched a major drive to break the drug supply chain by targeting smugglers peddlers and their networks Various state and Central intelligence and enforcement agencies are also working in concert to disrupt the flow of narcotics into the state Recently the Punjab Police launched a statelevel Cordon and Search Operation targeting 369 drug hotspots across all 28 police districts Hundreds of raids have been carried out resulting in the arrest of drug smugglers and the seizure of significant quantities of narcoticsThe real challenge however lies in breaking the deeply entrenched nexus between politicians law enforcement and drug cartels Previous governments including those led by the Akali Dal and Congress attempted to address the issue but their efforts were thwarted by powerful connections that shield drug traffickers from prosecution The links between drug mafias and political leaders as well as corrupt law enforcement officials have allowed the problem to persist despite previous crackdownsWhile several ministers politicians and MLAs etc in Punjab have been booked in drug smuggling cases and numerous police officials have been arrested or dismissed for their links to drug mafias in the past few yeas drug money has still continued to flow into politics and law enforcement corrupting the system and making it difficult to bring criminals to justicenbspThe fight against drugs in Punjab is not just a local issue it is a national one Smugglers are exploiting different routes to push drugs into parts of the country making it essential for Punjab to collaborate with neighbouring states and Central agencies like the NCB and intelligence units Besides the drug trade is posing a national security threat The nexus between drug cartels and terrorist organisations known as narcoterrorism has further raised alarms across the countrynbspIt may be mentioned that during the 2022 Assembly elections the AAP had promised the electorate that it would eradicate the drug menace from Punjab However even after three years in power the Mann government has faced an uphill task of dismantling this nexus and bringing the perpetrators to justiceFor now bulldozing the properties of drug smugglers may serve as a shortterm deterrent but longterm success will require addressing the root causes of the problem This includes tackling both the supply and demand for drugs improving rehabilitation programmes for addicts and focusing on prevention and education The AAP governments latest initiative is a welcome step but lasting success will require the collaboration of all sections of society from law enforcement to healthcare to tackle the drug menace at its roots DW https://dailyworld.in/blog/bulldozers-fight-drug-menace-but-tackling-demand-crucial-605393.html Sat, 08 Mar 2025 16:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-99-603235.html T Ram Sewak INDRIYAAfter describing the obstacles posed by Maya for the jeev Kakabhushundiji elucidates the challenges presented by the senses Indriya in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7118 Using the metaphor he states Indri nana thanaBuddhi batasa bahoriThe sense organs of the human body are akin to numerous windows in the chamber of the heart As soon as the gust of sensory temptations penetrates this chamber the lamp of wisdom Vigyanmaya Deep is immediately extinguished Thus while the knot binding the Jarh Matter to Chetan Spirit remains untied the light of SelfRealisation also vanishes and Buddhi intellect becomes bewildered when buffeted by the force of sensual worldliness Also the stability of mind and wisdom are neither welcomed by the senses which thrive on worldly pleasures nor by Buddhi which becomes distracted by material desiresKakabhushundijis delineation of the role of the senses the extinguishing of Vigyanmaya Deep and the perplexity of the Buddhi echoes Shri Krishnas declaration in Gita 26263 that when a person contemplates sensory pleasures attachment develops leading to desires If a desire is obstructed anger arises resulting in the loss of wisdom and confusion about right and wrong Once this wisdom is lost selfdestruction ensues Human desires begin as minor thoughts but evolve into attachment frustration and eventual downfall Our senses serve as gateways that direct the mind towards external objects fostering these cravings If unchecked these desires ensnare the jeev in the web of duality dvandva Therefore the senses and the mind which indulge in sensory pleasures must be continuously monitored and controlled because the Vigyanmaya Deep is quickly extinguished when the senses overpower the intellect and cloud wisdomThus to keep the lamp of wisdom lit one must guard against sensual distractions and practise selfcontrol Therefore a determined sadhak should always remain vigilant and even if he stumbles he should stay focused regain his composure and continue towards his ultimate goal of transcending the dualities ie dvandvaateet DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-99-603235.html Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/punjab-police-under-dgp-gaurav-yadavs-leadership-602997.html The Punjab Police which has long been plagued by internal politics and factionalism is now functioning like a team to ensure that law and order in this volatile border state are maintained Under the leadership of DGP Gaurav Yadav the State Police has experienced a shift with no visible traces of internal politics a contrast to the divisions and rivalries that once the force witnessedAppointed as the Punjab Police Chief in 2022 DGP Gaurav Yadav who took over from DGP VK Bhawra is known for his professional demeanour and lightningfast decisionmaking He has the ability to keep the larger picture in mind The forces ability to manage law and order counter terrorism and prevent violence is a direct result of coordination and efficiencyFrom crossborder drone activities and drug smuggling from Pakistan to the rise of gangsters and radical elements the states security situation is complex and volatile Despite these challenges the Punjab Police under DGP Yadav has managed to deliver results In addition the force has made significant strides in dismantling many gangster networks ensuring public safety and securityLooking back over the last 25 years of Punjab Polices functioning one can easily identify the turbulence that has historically divided the force For instance in 2002 when MS Bhullar was the DGP of Punjab the Punjab police headquarters was divided with key officers like Sumedh Singh Saini and AP Pandey in conflict while the then ADGP Administration Izhar Alam and ADGP ITampT DR Bhatti had a tussle with ADG AK Attri IG GD Pandey and IG RC Prasad The divisions continued during the tenure of DGP SS Virk when tensions flared between him and IG Intelligence RP Singh on one side and IG Operations Sumedh Singh Saini on the other The rivalry between Saini and his batchmates including Sanjeev Gupta and Rajinder Singh was another example of internal discord within the forceEven after Saini became the Vigilance Chief and later the DGP of Punjab issues within the police force were far from resolved Similarly under DGP Suresh Arora infighting continued with a tussle between DGP Arora and ADG Dinkar Gupta on one side and ADG Siddharth Chattopadhyaya on the other These are just a few examples of the division that has long been a part of Punjab Polices landscape Needless to say some of these officers have been stalwarts who played a big role in Indias fight against terrorism and maintaining peace in Punjab In stark contrast under Gaurav Yadavs leadership the Punjab Police has functioned without visible disconnect or rivalry Over the last two and a half years the police force has consistently risen to the occasion with his team of officers including Special DG Internal Security RN Dhoke Special DG Law amp Order Arpit Shukla ADG AGTF Pramod Ban ADG Counter Intelligence Amit Prasad ADGP Intelligence RK Jaiswal various IGs Police Commissioners and SSPs working together All senior officers led by DGP Yadav hold a meeting almost every day on the phone to discuss the issues being faced by the state in terms of crime and law and orderOver the past year there had been occasional rumours within the Punjab Police headquarters that DGP Yadav might be replaced with names like Chief Director Vigilance Virender Kumar or DGP Home Guards Sanjeev Kalra being floated by some quarters as potential contenders However these rumours proved to be unfounded and Yadavs position remains strong For the moment he has made his competitors shrink into a tactical shell willing to strike but afraid of hurting him At the same time it cannot be denied that there are several other professionally competent officers in the Punjab police who could also prove to be good DGPs given a chanceYadavs handling of radical elements and their attempts to disrupt peace in the state has been commendable By coordinating with central agencies including the IB NIA and RAW and maintaining a vigilant presence the Punjab Police has been able to thwart several attempts to disturb the states peace and stability In the past two years the Punjab Police has conducted several operations that may not be known to the public but have been deeply appreciated by Central intelligence and investigative agencies One of the difficult moments of his career came during the pursuit of the radical proKhalistan separatist Amritpal Singh who posed a significant threat to law and order in the state Senior police officers who had been deputed to nab Amritpal lost track of his movement and he slipped past the Punjab Police Despite intense pressure from the Union Home Ministry to arrest Singh at any cost Yadav remained calm and collected absorbing the pressure himself rather than passing it on to his officers Eventually Amritpal was arrested Yadavs longterm vision for the Punjab Police also includes greater use of technology and further strengthening the force to tackle emerging security concerns effectivelyHowever the DGP must know that the force is lacking accountability at the ground level particularly within the police stations thanas The prevailing culture of corruption has created an environment where justice is often delayed or denied to the common man In many cases individuals who approach the police for help are met with indifference neglect or demands for bribes in exchange for basic services like filing an FIR or investigating a case Many citizens find themselves victims of a system that prioritises personal gain over professional duty leaving them without relief or redress So the DGP must direct the force to ensure transparency strict supervision and swift disciplinary actions against erring officials especially serving in police stations to restore the faith of the peopleUnlike previous DGPs who were often caught in political crossfire DGP Yadav has maintained a cordial and respectful relationship with the states political leadership the Chief Secretary and the Department of Home amp Justice etc In a state like Punjab where political interference has often led to friction within the police force Yadav has managed to navigate the delicate relationship between his professional work and meeting political requirementsDGP Gaurav Yadavs tenure is far from over Recently he was empanelled as Director General at the Government of India level With a career that extends until 2029 Yadav has ample time to continue contributing to the Punjab Police force and possibly at the national levelDGP Yadavs handling of radical elements and their attempts to disrupt peace in the state has been commendable However he must know that the police is lacking accountability at the ground level particularly within thanas https://dailyworld.in/blog/punjab-police-under-dgp-gaurav-yadavs-leadership-602997.html Mon, 24 Feb 2025 08:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/punjab-police-under-dgp-gaurav-yadavs-leadership-603001.html Chandigarh 24feb2025 Power Play The Punjab Police which has long been plagued by internal politics and factionalism is now functioning like a team to ensure that law and order in this volatile border state are maintained Under the leadership of DGP Gaurav Yadav the State Police has experienced a shift with no visible traces of internal politics a contrast to the divisions and rivalries that once the force witnessed Appointed as the Punjab Police Chief in 2022 DGP Gaurav Yadav who took over from DGP VK Bhawra is known for his professional demeanour and lightningfast decisionmaking He has the ability to keep the larger picture in mind The forces ability to manage law and order counter terrorism and prevent violence is a direct result of coordination and efficiency From crossborder drone activities and drug smuggling from Pakistan to the rise of gangsters and radical elements the states security situation is complex and volatile Despite these challenges the Punjab Police under DGP Yadav has managed to deliver results In addition the force has made significant strides in dismantling many gangster networks ensuring public safety and security Looking back over the last 25 years of Punjab Polices functioning one can easily identify the turbulence that has historically divided the force For instance in 2002 when MS Bhullar was the DGP of Punjab the Punjab police headquarters was divided with key officers like Sumedh Singh Saini and AP Pandey in conflict while the then ADGP Administration Izhar Alam and ADGP ITT DR Bhatti had a tussle with ADG AK Attri IG GD Pandey and IG RC Prasad The divisions continued during the tenure of DGP SS Virk when tensions flared between him and IG Intelligence RP Singh on one side and IG Operations Sumedh Singh Saini on the other The rivalry between Saini and his batchmates including Sanjeev Gupta and Rajinder Singh was another example of internal discord within the force Even after Saini became the Vigilance Chief and later the DGP of Punjab issues within the police force were far from resolved Similarly under DGP Suresh Arora infighting continued with a tussle between DGP Arora and ADG Dinkar Gupta on one side and ADG Siddharth Chattopadhyaya on the other These are just a few examples of the division that has long been a part of Punjab Polices landscape Needless to say some of these officers have been stalwarts who played a big role in Indias fight against terrorism and maintaining peace in Punjab DGP Yadavs handling of radical elements and their attempts to disrupt peace in the state has been commendable However he must know that the police is lacking accountability at the ground level particularly within thanas Dailyworldin httpsepaperdailyworldinDetailsaspxid9155boxid315uiddat 250224 1 In stark contrast under Gaurav Yadavs leadership the Punjab Police has functioned without visible disconnect or rivalry Over the last two and a half years the police force has consistently risen to the occasion with his team of officers including Special DG Internal Security RN Dhoke Special DG Law Order Arpit Shukla ADG AGTF Pramod Ban ADG Counter Intelligence Amit Prasad ADGP Intelligence RK Jaiswal various IGs Police Commissioners and SSPs working together All senior officers led by DGP Yadav hold a meeting almost every day on the phone to discuss the issues being faced by the state in terms of crime and law and order Over the past year there had been occasional rumours within the Punjab Police headquarters that DGP Yadav might be replaced with names like Chief Director Vigilance Virender Kumar or DGP Home Guards Sanjeev Kalra being floated by some quarters as potential contenders However these rumours proved to be unfounded and Yadavs position remains strong For the moment he has made his competitors shrink into a tactical shell willing to strike but afraid of hurting him At the same time it cannot be denied that there are several other professionally competent officers in the Punjab police who could also prove to be good DGPs given a chance Yadavs handling of radical elements and their attempts to disrupt peace in the state has been commendable By coordinating with central agencies including the IB NIA and RAW and maintaining a vigilant presence the Punjab Police has been able to thwart several attempts to disturb the states peace and stability In the past two years the Punjab Police has conducted several operations that may not be known to the public but have been deeply appreciated by Central intelligence and investigative agencies One of the difficult moments of his career came during the pursuit of the radical proKhalistan separatist Amritpal Singh who posed a significant threat to law and order in the state Senior police officers who had been deputed to nab Amritpal lost track of his movement and he slipped past the Punjab Police Despite intense pressure from the Union Home Ministry to arrest Singh at any cost Yadav remained calm and collected absorbing the pressure himself rather than passing it on to his officers Eventually Amritpal was arrested Yadavs longterm vision for the Punjab Police also includes greater use of technology and further strengthening the force to tackle emerging security concerns effectively However the DGP must know that the force is lacking accountability at the ground level particularly within the police stations thanas The prevailing culture of corruption has created an environment where justice is often delayed or denied to the common man In many cases individuals who approach the police for help are met with indifference neglect or demands for bribes in exchange for basic services like filing an FIR or investigating a case Many citizens find themselves victims of a system that prioritises personal gain over professional duty leaving them without relief or redress So the DGP must direct the force to ensure transparency strict supervision and swift disciplinary actions against erring officials especially serving in police stations to restore the faith of the people Unlike previous DGPs who were often caught in political crossfire DGP Yadav has maintained a cordial and respectful relationship with the states political leadership the Chief Secretary and the Department of Home Justice etc In a state like Punjab where political interference has often led to friction within the police force Yadav has managed to navigate the delicate relationship between his professional work and meeting political requirements DGP Gaurav Yadavs tenure is far from over Recently he was empanelled as Director General at the Government of India level With a career that extends until 2029 Yadav has ample time to continue contributing to the Punjab Police force and possibly at the national level Manish Tiwari EditorInChief Dailyworld Links 1 httpsepaperdailyworldinDetailsaspxid9155boxid315uiddat 250224 7f152ab1a57e7f7f43bb837818cadb88 ContentTransferEncoding quotedprintable ContentType texthtml charsetUTF8 category BlogManish Tiwaritags BlogManish TiwariChandigarh 24feb2025 Power PlayThe Punjab Police which has long been plagued by internal politics and factionalism is now functioning like a team to ensure that law and order in this volatile border state are maintained Under the leadership of DGP Gaurav Yadav the State Police has experienced a shift with no visible traces of internal politics mdash a contrast to the divisions and rivalries that once the force witnessedAppointed as the Punjab Police Chief in 2022 DGP Gaurav Yadav who took over from DGP VK Bhawra is known for his professional demeanour and lightningfast decisionmaking He has the ability to keep the larger picture in mind The forcersquos ability to manage law and order counter terrorism and prevent violence is a direct result of coordination and efficiencyFrom crossborder drone activities and drug smuggling from Pakistan to the rise of gangsters and radical elements the statersquos security situation is complex and volatile Despite these challenges the Punjab Police under DGP Yadav has managed to deliver results In addition the force has made significant strides in dismantling many gangster networks ensuring public safety and securityLooking back over the last 25 years of Punjab Policersquos functioning one can easily identify the turbulence that has historically divided the force For instance in 2002 when MS Bhullar was the DGP of Punjab the Punjab police headquarters was divided with key officers like Sumedh Singh Saini and AP Pandey in conflict while the then ADGP Administration Izhar Alam and ADGP ITampT DR Bhatti had a tussle with ADG AK Attri IG GD Pandey andIG RC PrasadThe divisions continued during the tenure of DGP SS Virk when tensions flared between him and IG Intelligence RP Singh on one side and IG Operations Sumedh Singh Saini on the other The rivalry between Saini and his batchmates including Sanjeev Gupta and Rajinder Singh was another example of internal discord within the forceEven after Saini became the Vigilance Chief and later the DGP of Punjab issues within the police force were far from resolved Similarly under DGP Suresh Arora infighting continued with a tussle between DGP Arora and ADG Dinkar Gupta on one side and ADG Siddharth Chattopadhyaya on the other These are just a few examples of the division that has long been a part of Punjab Policersquos landscape Needless to say some of these officers have been stalwarts who played a big role in Indiarsquos fight against terrorism and maintaining peace in Punjab nbsp nbsp DGP Yadavrsquos handling of radical elements and their attempts to disrupt peace in the state has been commendable However he must know that the police is lacking accountability at the ground level particularly within thanas Dailyworldin httpsepaperdailyworldinDetailsaspxid159155ampboxid81315ampuidampdat20250224 nbsp In stark contrast under Gaurav Yadavrsquos leadership the Punjab Police has functioned without visible disconnect or rivalry Over the last two and a half years the police force has consistently risen to the occasion with his team of officers mdash including Special DG Internal Security RN Dhoke Special DG Law amp Order Arpit Shukla ADG AGTF Pramod Ban ADG Counter Intelligence Amit Prasad ADGP Intelligence RK Jaiswal various IGs Police Commissioners and SSPs mdash working together All senior officers led by DGP Yadav hold a meeting almost every day on the phone to discuss the issues being faced by the state in terms of crime and law and orderOver the past year there had been occasional rumours within the Punjab Police headquarters that DGP Yadav might be replaced with names like Chief Director Vigilance Virender Kumar or DGP Home Guards Sanjeev Kalra being floated by some quarters as potential contenders However these rumours proved to be unfounded and Yadavrsquos position remains strong For the moment he has made his competitors shrink into a tactical shell willing to strike but afraid of hurting himAt the same time it cannot be denied that there are several other professionally competent officers in the Punjab police who could also prove to be good DGPs given a chanceYadavrsquos handling of radical elements and their attempts to disrupt peace in the state has been commendable By coordinating with central agencies including the IB NIA and RAW and maintaining a vigilant presence the Punjab Police has been able to thwart several attempts to disturb the statersquos peace and stability In the past two years the Punjab Police has conducted several operations that may not be known to the public but have been deeply appreciated by Central intelligence and investigative agenciesOne of the difficult moments of his career came during the pursuit of the radical proKhalistan separatist Amritpal Singh who posed a significant threat to law and order in the state Senior police officers who had been deputed to nab Amritpal lost track of his movement and he slipped past the Punjab Police Despite intense pressure from the Union Home Ministry to arrest Singh at any cost Yadav remained calm and collected absorbing the pressure himself rather than passing it on to his officers Eventually Amritpal was arrested Yadavrsquos longterm vision for the Punjab Police also includes greater use of technology and further strengthening the force to tackle emerging security concerns effectivelyHowever the DGP must know that the force is lacking accountability at the ground level particularly within the police stations thanas The prevailing culture of corruption has created an environment where justice is often delayed or denied to the common man In many cases individuals who approach the police for help are met with indifference neglect or demands for bribes in exchange for basic services like filing an FIR or investigating a case Many citizens find themselves victims of a system that prioritises personal gain over professional duty leaving them without relief or redress So the DGP must direct the force to ensure transparency strict supervision and swift disciplinary actions against erring officials especially serving in police stations to restore the faith of the peopleUnlike previous DGPs who were often caught in political crossfire DGP Yadav has maintained a cordial and respectful relationship with the statersquos political leadership the Chief Secretary and the Department of Home amp Justice etc In a state like Punjab where political interference has often led to friction within the police force Yadav has managed to navigate the delicate relationship between his professional work and meeting political requirementsDGP Gaurav Yadavrsquos tenure is far from over Recently he was empanelled as Director General at the Government of India level With a career that extends until 2029 Yadav has ample time to continue contributing to the Punjab Police force and possibly at the national level nbsp Manish Tiwari EditorInChief Dailyworld 7f152ab1a57e7f7f43bb837818cadb88 https://dailyworld.in/blog/punjab-police-under-dgp-gaurav-yadavs-leadership-603001.html Mon, 24 Feb 2025 08:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-98-601884.html T Ram Sewak PRAGARH BUDDHIIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 7118 Kakabhushundiji outlines the challenges from Maya illusion in a beings spiritual journey after the lamp of wisdom Vigyanmaya Deep has been illuminated and the being has attained selfrealisation Atam Anubhav He stateschhorhan granthi soi tinha tana janiIf the knot between Jarh perishable and Chetan imperishable is untied the soul achieves fulfilment However as the knot is being undone Maya presents numerous obstacles through Riddhi wealth etc and Siddhi successfame etc that tempt the Buddhi intellect Through deception they draw near and with the winds of desire and attachment attempt to extinguish the lamp of knowledge Yet if the Buddhi is exceptionally profound pragarh and stable it does not even glance at those temptations and distractions recognising them as detrimental to its spiritual questKakabhushundiji cautions that a sadhak must always be vigilant even after attaining Atam Anubhav as he continues to be engulfed by Maya which creates barriers to liberation These obstacles may include the rekindling of an attachment to objects or the reawakening of the desire for worldly pleasures Shri Krishna also elucidates the influence of Maya in Gita 327 specifically regarding the delusion of Karta Bhav and Mayas potency in Gita 714 He states that transcending Maya is not easy for anyone except those seeking refuge in HimUnder Mayas illusory spell a sadhak may again fall prey to the entrapments of ego and material pleasures Often recognition admiration and glorification become significant hindrances to further spiritual progress Therefore a sadhaks buddhi must be pragarh and highly stable to escape this entanglement always remembering that he is merely Nimitta MatraSometimes during his spiritual journey a sadhak may attain a certain inner siddhi or success which is an illusory anand This is not the goal The sadhak must be wary about this and remain steadfast He should never lose sight of his ultimate objective the Sat Chid Anand The truth is that Nature functions not the self We all exist in Him and He is present in all We expand from Him and contract into Him This is the ultimate and only Truth DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-98-601884.html Tue, 18 Feb 2025 02:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-97-600689.html T Ram Sewak ATAM ANUBHAVFurther in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7118 Kakabhushundiji expounds on selfrealisationatam suprakasa taba nasa taba ujiara ura niruaraWhen the beautiful light of selfrealisation AtamAnubhav spreads the illusion of duality dvaitathe root of worldly existenceis dispelled and the immense darkness of ignorance is eradicated Consequently the intellect having attained the light of selfrealisation unravels the knot between the inert Jarh and the conscious ChetanAtam Anubhav after attaining wisdom Vigyan enables one to transcend the misconception of the duality of the separation of Jeev individual soul and Brahm Supreme Soul It also dispels the illusion of Jeevs false identification with the body and refutes the notion that the material world is the source of happiness In essence when the lamp of higher wisdom vigyanmaya deep is illuminated one realises that the Jeev is Brahm and that this world is transient In other words Brahm is the only truth the world is an illusion and the individual soul and the Supreme are onethere is no duality This unwavering realisation brings true blissThese verses reflect Shri Krishnas discourse in Gita 516 where He states that to those whose ignorance is dispelled by knowledge of the self it reveals the Brahm Additionally in Gita 727 He asserts that all beings are engulfed by delusion at birthFinally Atam Anubhav unties the knot between Jarh or Prakriti material nature and Chetan which is Atma pure consciousness Shri Krishna elucidates this in Gita 132930 declaring that only one who sees that all actions are performed by Prakriti alone truly sees and that the self is actionless Furthermore when one realises that the entirety of creation rests in Him and emanates from Him then he becomes Brahm The truth is that Nature functions not the self We all exist in Him and He is present in all We expand from Him and contract into Him This is the ultimate and only Truth DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-97-600689.html Tue, 11 Feb 2025 02:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-96-599577.html T Ram Sewak SOHAM ASMIKakabhushundiji further elucidates the Vigyanmaya Deep Lamp of Wisdom in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7118Soham asmi akhanda deep prachandaThe constant uninterrupted awareness I am That Soham Asmi is the most radiant flame of the lampThe illumination of the Vigyanmaya Deep is attained either through the power of deep meditation Samadhi or when the Guru imparts the teaching Tat Tvam Asi You are That The disciple then internalises this profound dictum and proclaims Soham Asmi This marks a critical moment in his spiritual journeySelfrealisation is attained when the sadhak deeply contemplates and meditates Nididhyasan on this universal truth He does not merely comprehend it intellectually but experiences it directly He then affirms Soham Asmi the realisation of oneness with Brahm Essentially while Tat Tvam Asi is the seed Soham Asmi is the fruition of selfrealisationHere Tulsidasji echoes the fourth Mahavakya Aham Brahm Asmi I am Brahm While Soham Asmi serves as a meditative affirmation for the sadhaks introspective contemplation of this truth Aham Brahm Asmi is a direct declaration of the highest Vedantic knowledge Nevertheless both affirm the unity of the self Atma with the Supreme ParamatmaThis verse also reflects Shri Krishnas proclamation in Gita 435 where he tells Arjun that knowledge of this truth eliminates even the possibility of delusion Knowing this he will perceive the entirety of creation within himself Atma and in Him the Divine incarnationParamatmaThere is a focus on maintaining constant awareness of this truth because just as a lamp can be extinguished the lamp of knowledge also faces numerous obstacles created by Maya illusion If shielded from these obstacles it will remain consistent and eternal otherwise there will always be a fear of slipping into delusionTherefore the sadhak must ever be in the constancy of the truth of the eternal unity of the Atma Self and Paramatma Supreme That is the unwavering intensely radiant flame of his Vigyanmaya Deep DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-96-599577.html Tue, 04 Feb 2025 01:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-95-597878.html T Ram Sewak VIGYANMAYA DEEPFurthermore in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7117 Kakabhushundiji urges Garuda to ignite the lamp of divine wisdom He statesehi bidhi bigyanamaya jatahin sabaIn this manner kindle the radiant lamp of higher wisdom vigyanmaya deep whose intense brilliance incinerates the moths of arrogance and other negative tendenciesOnce the lamp with ghee is stable and the firm wick is in place it must be lit It can be ignited either by another burning lamp or by a separate source of fire For some sadhaks it is kindled by the Guru who imparts the wisdom of Tat Tvam Asi You are That signifying the unity of the self Atma with the Supreme Paramatma thereby illuminating the disciples lamp For other sadhaks Buddhi intellect employs the Yoga Agni to light the lamp of knowledge utilising the power of deep meditation Samadhi Vigyanmaya refers to Nididhyasan Gyan knowledge acquired through profound contemplation which differs from Manan Gyan knowledge obtained through reflection It leads to Aparoksh Gyan direct or experiential knowledge in contrast to Paroksh Gyan indirect knowledge gained through scriptures etc Kakabhushundiji also illustrates the profound impact of the intense brilliance of Vigyanmaya deep and highlights mad arrogance thus underscoring the gravity of its eradication Pride originates from the delusional identification with the body which is an expression of prakriti nature and the three gunas qualities Nevertheless with Vigyan the self becomes wholly detached from the three gunas and the three states turiya awastha transcending the sway of arrogance and all other distortions vices that arise solely due to the gunasThis is the transformative power of Vigyanmaya deep As Shri Krishna elucidates in Gita 72 Vigyan is the profound experience of the divine knowing which nothing further remains to be known Vigyan is not merely an intellectual pursuit it is a fire that purifies the sadhak burning away ahankar arrogance and avidya ignorance rendering the jeev pure and luminous DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-95-597878.html Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-94-596561.html T Ram Sewak TURIYA AWASTHAKakabhushundijis discourse now transitions into its concluding phase in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7117 He statesteeni kaarhi tool sugaarhiFrom the three states Jagrat waking Swapan dreaming and Sushupti deep sleep and the three gunas Sattva purity and balance Rajas activity and passion and Tamas inertia and ignorance which are akin to a cotton ball extract the essence of the Turiya awastha the fourth transcendental state as fine cotton and then shape it into a beautiful firm wick After pouring the ghee of wisdom into the lamp of the mind firmly positioned upon the base of equanimity we prepare the wick The metaphor now illustrates the transcendence from the limited states of consciousness and gunas to attain the Turiya state ie pure awarenessThe three states represent the minds experiences in its usual functioning Likewise in varying proportions the three gunas tendencies present in the human body mind and intellect symbolise the forces influencing nature and behaviour Transcending these is akin to extracting pure fibre representing Turiya then twisted into a wick symbolising the disciplined and focused mental preparation necessary to hold and radiate the light of ultimate wisdom or selfrealisation This Turiya is the state of pure consciousness beyond the minds conditioning and the fluctuations of the gunas Achieving the Turiya state resonates deeply with Gitas message of transcending material modes dualities and states and realising the supreme SelfShri Krishna asks Arjun in Gita 245 to liberate himself from the triad of the gunas and the pair of opposites In Gita 1420 He proclaims that the embodied having transcended the three gunas becoming guna ateet achieves immortality The interplay of gunas governs the states of waking dreaming and deep sleep By transcending the gunas one surpasses the limitations of these states stabilises the mind dissolves the identification with the ego and accesses the higher state of Turiya DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-94-596561.html Tue, 21 Jan 2025 01:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-93-595262.html T Ram Sewak VIGYAN ROOPINI BUDDHKakabhushundiji further takes his metaphorical discourse to higher levels of Vedantic philosophy in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7117 He statestaba pai chitta banaiThereafter having obtained this pure ghee of knowledge gyan the intellect buddhi endowed with wisdom vigyan should fill the lamp diya in the form of consciousness chitta with this ghee of knowledge Furthermore making a firm stand diwat of equanimity dridh samata one should set the lamp securely thereThe ghee is poured into the lamp which is placed on a stand with a heavy base to ensure it does not topple The essence is that the mind must always remain steady and filled with pure knowledge The state of equanimity must be firm and unwavering under all circumstances Without this stability pure knowledge represented as the ghee in the lamp will spill from the mind and the lamp of enlightenment will not be litIn this journey firstly the mind was purified and its doubts oscillations and distortions were resolved Then attachment and ego were burned through the fire of yoga yoga agni only the intellect buddhi and consciousness chitta remain When knowledge is attained buddhi which discerns the ultimate truth and integrates the understanding of the self and the supreme AtmaParamatma comes into play Buddhi is the integration of the intellect emotion and will An intellect imbued with wisdom signifies that all veils of ignorance have been removedThis verse doha finds reflection in several shlokas in the Gita which discuss mind control and the role of intellect in achieving a state of equanimity However a key shloka is Gita 249 where Shri Krishna directs Arjun to seek refuge in buddhi meaning that the mind should be perfectly under the control and direction of the intellectThe unification and stillness of the tendencies vrittis of the mind mann consciousness chitta intellect buddhi and ego ahankara are what lead to equanimity samata DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-93-595262.html Tue, 14 Jan 2025 01:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-92-594064.html T Ram Sewak YOGAAGNIKakabhushundiji continues to explain the gyan marg in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7117 He statesJogagini lai buddhi jai Then kindle the fire of yoga concentration of mind and offer all auspicious and inauspicious karma as fuel When the impurities of worldly attachments mamata are removed from the butter of dispassion vairagya then cool the pure ghee of knowledge gyan with resolute intellect nischayatmika buddhiPurifying butter into ghee requires heating it which necessitates fire and fuel and removing the impurities that float to the surface Kakabhushundiji states that for a sadhak with a pure and stable mind in a state of dispassion the next step is yoga and transcending the karmas which means going beyond the Karta Bhav I am the doerYoga is the restraint of the minds fluctuations chitta vrittis while concentrating on the ultimate goal which is accomplished through both practice abhyasa and dispassion vairagya Yoga leads to indirect knowledge paroksha gyan which eliminates all accumulated sanchita and future agami karmas both positive and negative Only prarabdha karma the karma that has already begun to bear fruit remainsNext to transcend the Karta Bhav we should cultivate the Sakshi Bhav allowing us to observe ourselves as witnesses and to stop identifying with the body We strive for the realisation that I am not the body I am the indestructible Atma This understanding helps dissolve the illusion of Karta I am the doer and leads to a state of surrender in which you acknowledge that His will drives all actionsHowever some impurities of I Mine You and Yours persist along with remnants of desires attachments and arrogance Their removal results in the pure ghee of Gyan knowledge which a resolute intellect should then solidify to prevent any slippage or decline This verse doha echoes Shri Krishnas assertion in the Gita 43738 that there is no purifier in this world quite like knowledge DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-92-594064.html Tue, 07 Jan 2025 01:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-91-593659.html T Ram Sewak MUDITA VAIRAGYAIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 7117 Kakabhushundiji continues his metaphorical discourse elucidating the process of preparing the mind for gyanknowledge He states mudita mathani dama subanitaba navanita bimal supunitaThe curd thus made should be churned in the earthen vase of cheerfulness mudita with the churning stick of reflection vichar after fastening the stick to the host of selfrestraint dama with the cord of truthful satya and pleasant words subani and by this process of churning one ought to extract the pure magnificent and holy butter of dispassion vairagya After the curd has been set the next step in preparing ghee is to churn it to obtain butter Stabilised through forgiveness contentment fortitude and equanimity the mind should now be churned with selfinquiry in a state of joy and mudita Kakabhushundiji highlights that a blissful mind is a sine qua non on both the bhakti and the gyan marg Mudita is that balanced harmonious blissful disposition with a complete renunciation of envy that experiences the joy of the destruction of ignorance Avidya within oneself Shri Krishna underscores this mental and intellectual conduct which is the means to perfection while enunciating Bhakti Yoga in Gita 121314 Thus our sadhana must be in a mudit state only then will our thoughts and reflections be delightfulKakabhushundiji adds that these reflections must be anchored in dama control of the senses Furthermore while our contemplations and musings are internal speech and must be sattvik pure they must be complemented by external speech that is both truthful and pleasant This reminds us of Shri Rams discourse in Shri Ramcharitmanas 679 which states that satya and sheel must be in unison in ones character The message is that with a mind filled with joy and contentment one should turn the senses away from external objects and discern the reality of everything This discernment and selfchurning of a stable mind anchored in selfcontrol in an internal and external sattvik state lead to pure enduring and sterling vairagya DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-91-593659.html Sat, 04 Jan 2025 18:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-90-592362.html T Ram Sewak DHRITI SAMATAKakabhushundiji continues the analogy of ghee preparation in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7117 likening it to the attributes that a sadhak embarked on the spiritual journey must cultivate He statesdhriti jamavey The cool milk should then be congealed by mixing it with the culture a little curd in the shape of fortitude Dhriti and equanimity of mind SamataThese attributes are vital for a sadhak as the spiritual journey is challenging beset with setbacks and notably performed alone Hence a sadhak must develop dhriti because this attribute is called upon the most during the spiritual journey It is that tremendous power of a sadhaks will Kakabhushundiji is referring to what Shri Krishna describes in Gita 1833 as Sattvik Dhriti It is the fortitude by which the mind the prana and the senses are regulated This fortitude becomes unswerving and steady through yoga The human body and emotions are reservoirs of various forms of energy many of which counteract one another However through sattvik dhriti one can harmonise and align these energies channelling them effectively toward the spiritual goalCoupled with dhriti is samata the perfect balance of mind The mind is fickle restless and challenging to control It constantly gets distracted by desires thoughts and emotions its equanimity is central to spiritual growth and inner peace In Gita Shri Krishna repeatedly emphasises samata as a critical attribute for a sadhakbhakt and in Gita 142425 he equates achieving samata with becoming Gunaateet transcendence over the gunasAs the culture of little curd transforms milk into curd so are these two attributes of dhriti and samata transformative because they transform the supreme milk of righteousness Param Dharam Until now we have learned that when forgiveness is accompanied by contentment in performing ones righteous duties the mind is purified and does not succumb to the force of desires or anger Then with fortitude and equanimity the jeev achieves stability akin to the curd DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-90-592362.html Sat, 28 Dec 2024 07:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-leela-dispelling-the-delusion-of-nishadraj-that-shri-ram-is-undergoing-undeserved-dukh-and-exile-at-the-doing-of-kaikeyi-lakshman-concludes-the-lakshman-gita-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-293-saying-bhagata-bhoomi-jaga-jala-sakha-samujhi-rata-hohou-591669.html T Ram Sewak LEELADispelling the delusion of Nishadraj that Shri Ram is undergoing undeserved dukh and exile at the doing of Kaikeyi Lakshman concludes the Lakshman Gita in Shri Ramcharitmanas 293 sayingbhagata bhoomi jaga jalasakha samujhi rata hohouFor His devotees earth the learned cows and celestials the gracious Lord Brahm takes human form and performs leela divine play Listening to His katha stories of his leela the worlds snares are broken Therefore my friend shed all moha illusion and be devoted to the feet of Shri Sita RamHere Lakshman encapsulates the crux of Bhakti Yoga Shri Krishna declares in Gita 478 and it is often asserted in Shri Ramcharitmanas that the Avatar takes form to establish righteousness dharam and protect the good and virtuous However Lakshman convolutes it a bit by saying that it is all His Leela so that His bhakts can develop bhakti and attain moksha by listening shravan to His kathasLeela suggests that creation arises from the Divines playful nature rather than a purposeful objective While creating this world the Divines perfection implies no unfulfilled desires indicating freedom not necessitypurpose Gita 910 refers to this as His creative potency and Shri Ram calls it His Vidya Maya in Shri Ramcharitmanas 315To escape getting caught in the snares of this Vidya Maya and flow with His leela a bhakt loves Him incessantly with an attitude of acceptance and surrender that whatever must happen shall happen His bhakti ensures that in the ups and downs of life we maintain the tranquillity of our minds and are not shaken Bhakti the most elevated and pure love for Him is like sunscreen It cannot affect the intensity of our troubles but protects us from getting hurtThus Lakshman succinctly delivers to Nishadraj the essence of Karma Yoga Gyan Yoga and Bhakti Yoga ending with a dictum that Shri Rams bhakti is the ultimate panacea DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings66The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-leela-dispelling-the-delusion-of-nishadraj-that-shri-ram-is-undergoing-undeserved-dukh-and-exile-at-the-doing-of-kaikeyi-lakshman-concludes-the-lakshman-gita-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-293-saying-bhagata-bhoomi-jaga-jala-sakha-samujhi-rata-hohou-591669.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-raja-ram-in-ramcharitmanas-720-31-goswami-tulsidasji-writes-that-with-the-advent-of-ram-rajya-righteousness-peace-tranquillity-ecolo-591679.html T Ram Sewak RAJA RAMIn Ramcharitmanas 72031 Goswami Tulsidasji writes that with the advent of Ram Rajya righteousness peace tranquillity ecological balance and prosperity prevailed The citizens were intelligent but humble and enjoyed a stressfree physical and mental wellbeing Shri Ram conscious of his duty as a King teaches dharma righteousness to the citizens of Ayodhya through a discourse popularly called the Purajan Gita 74347ek bar sab aayebaithe guru bhav bhanjanOne day invited by Shri Ram the Guru the learned and all citizens assembled When everyone had taken their respective seats the Lord who dismembers the shackles of birth and death of His devotees addressed themIn Gita 321 Shri Krishna says that people follow whatever a great man does Demonstrating this dictum Shri Ram performed His entire leela establishing the tenets of dharma and setting the gold standard for conduct as a prince son brother husband and king Now He teaches His Purajan citizens how to live a life based on dharma and attain moksha salvation Also after ensuring the wellbeing and happiness of his citizens in this material world he focuses on their welfare in the spiritual worldOne dharmic attribute that sparkles here is Shri Rams humility even while inviting and addressing the citizens His Guru and the learned Through this address Shri Ram sends a message to all rulers that their duty is beyond merely providing security and means of livelihood for their citizens its about their lives How should they live What are their duties What is rightwrong What valuebased goals should they aspire to Only a ruler who treads the path of dharma will have the moral right to urge his citizens to follow itWhat makes the masses worship someone even after centuries of their having departed Two reasons First they served and cared for humanity and second they did it despite suffering personal loss and dukh DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings67The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-raja-ram-in-ramcharitmanas-720-31-goswami-tulsidasji-writes-that-with-the-advent-of-ram-rajya-righteousness-peace-tranquillity-ecolo-591679.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-udar-sahishnu-shri-ram-commences-his-discourse-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-743-with-a-clear-message-sunahu-sakal-ur-aani-nahin-aneeti-sohayee-soi-sevaka-manai-joyee-jaun-aneeti-bisarayee-591680.html T Ram Sewak UDAR SAHISHNUShri Ram commences his discourse in Shri Ramcharitmanas 743 with a clear messagesunahu sakal ur aani nahin aneeti sohayeesoi sevaka manai joyee jaun aneeti bisarayeeCitizens of Ayodhya I speak neither with any sentiment or attachment nor with any unjust use of my authority or for selfglorification Therefore after listening act as you deem fit While he is dear who follows My regulations yet brethren be unafraid to correct Me if I say anything which is not in orderShri Ram puts all at ease at the outset exhorting them to listen to Him without fear or bias He gives them complete freedom to accept or reject his advice In todays times this is as close as it could get to Democratic Kingship This episode sheds light on two very distinct aspects of Ram Rajya First as part of His leela Shri Ram demonstrated that He was an enlightened benevolent liberal udar and tolerant sahishnu monarch concerned about the welfare of his citizens in this world and the other Second even in this patronising action He is selfless and addresses his subjects as one among equalsShri Ram emphasises that though He loves them all He would not disempower them and take away the most cherished human valuesthe freedom to think and act This mirrors Shri Krishnas words in Gita 1863 that He has given Arjun the most profound wisdom on which he should reflect fully and act as he likes Thats the hallmark of a great Guru He doesnt dictate what should be done There is no compulsion or force to follow a code of conduct He guides you to the right path and allows you to tread it according to your inclinationA speech could be authoritative friendly or humble full of humility and grace Here as a King Shri Ram speaks humbly even to his subjects exhibiting complete udarta and sahishnuta DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings68The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-udar-sahishnu-shri-ram-commences-his-discourse-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-743-with-a-clear-message-sunahu-sakal-ur-aani-nahin-aneeti-sohayee-soi-sevaka-manai-joyee-jaun-aneeti-bisarayee-591680.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-manush-tan-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-743-47-shri-ram-underscores-the-importance-of-attaining-this-human-form-manush-tan-bade-pava-sura-gava-sadhan-dvara-pai-sanvara-so-pachitai-kalahi-lagai-591681.html T Ram Sewak MANUSH TANIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 74347 Shri Ram underscores the importance of attaining this human form manush tan bade pava sura gava sadhan dvara pai sanvara so pachitai kalahi lagai This human body attained through good fortune is difficult even for the celestials so say the scriptures It is most suitable for spiritual progress and a gateway to liberation He who fails to advance spiritually even on attaining it reaps torment in the other world and beats his head in remorse wrongly attributing the blame to Time Fate and God Shri Ram highlights humans unique potential explaining that while both animals and humans share basic needs and drives humans have the capacity to live a life guided by dharma which sets them apart from animals Adherence to dharma righteousness and an inclination for spiritual advancement elevates humans above animalsAccording to karma phal fruit theory the form yoni one attains results from ones karma phal which may lead to a Punya Yoni celestial beings etc or Paap Yoni animals demons etc In these forms the results of demerits paap and merits punya are exhausted However the human form enjoys a privilege While we exhaust our old karma phal we also have the unique opportunity to enhance our spiritual growth through our karma in this life and attain moksha liberation Shri Krishna echoes the same message in Gita 816 and emphasizes the preciousness of human life and the importance of utilizing it to achieve spiritual growth and selfrealizationOn any sojourn we are mindful of two points First how do we return and second what souvenirs should we carry back We should have the same approach for our sojourn as humans in this world Carry positive karmas Punya as souvenirs and while following the path marg of bhakti or gyan while living in this world use the same path for the return journey to Him DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings69The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-manush-tan-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-743-47-shri-ram-underscores-the-importance-of-attaining-this-human-form-manush-tan-bade-pava-sura-gava-sadhan-dvara-pai-sanvara-so-pachitai-kalahi-lagai-591681.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 03:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-vishay-sukh-further-in-purajan-gita-shri-ram-explains-the-purpose-of-human-life-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-744-ehi-bhai-svargau-dai-nara-dehin-palati-lehin-tahi-koi-gunja-khoyi-591682.html T Ram Sewak VISHAY SUKHFurther in Purajan Gita Shri Ram explains the purpose of human life in Shri Ramcharitmanas 744ehi bhai svargau dai nara dehin palati lehin tahi koi gunja khoyiO brethren Sensuous enjoyment is not the ultimate goal of human existence Even heavenly enjoyments though alluring are shortlived and lead to sorrow All those who despite being born as humans focus only on sensory pleasures are choosing poison over nectar None speaks highly of them as their actions are akin to discarding a philosophers stone in favour of a mere peppercorn Shri Rams discourse is about balanced living He is not against worldly pleasures but cautions against excessive focus on them There is no urging for a flight from this world or abandoning our duties Resonating the message of Gita Shri Ram emphasises doing ones duties righteously through the four stages of life Brahmacharya Grihastha Vanaprastha and Sannyasa for attaining the four fruits of dharam righteousness arth prosperity livelihoods kaam worldly desires and moksh liberation In a way He talks of the law of diminishing marginal utility applied to sensual pleasures The satisfaction or utility derived from them wanes as we consume more of them Shri Krishna conveys the same message in Gita 26263 and cautions that contemplation of sense objects and attachment to them ultimately leads to the destruction of the individual However it is the reverse for spiritual attainments Every step leads to more peace Shanti bliss Anand and finally the ultimate salvation Moksh The word Vishay material objects includes the word Vish which means poison Spiritual Masters explain that Vishay is even more dangerous than Vish because while consuming Vish leads to destruction mere contemplation and attachment to Vishay lead to the same result Shri Ram thus exhorts us to transcend the allure of Vishay and use this precious human form to attain salvation and not waste it in the pursuit of only sensuous pleasures DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings70The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-vishay-sukh-further-in-purajan-gita-shri-ram-explains-the-purpose-of-human-life-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-744-ehi-bhai-svargau-dai-nara-dehin-palati-lehin-tahi-koi-gunja-khoyi-591682.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 04:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-mayavash-jeev-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-744-shri-ram-further-explains-the-souls-transmigratory-existence-and-the-rarity-of-obtaining-the-human-form-aakar-chaurasi-joni-abinasi-phirat-prera-kaal-ghera-591683.html T Ram Sewak MAYAVASH JEEVIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 744 Shri Ram further explains the souls transmigratory existence and the rarity of obtaining the human formaakar chaurasi joni abinasi phirat prera kaal ghera This immortal soul jeevgoes through eightyfour lakh species of life yonis under four broad divisions Driven by Maya illusion and encompassed by time kaal past actions karma qualities guna and temperament svabhav it ever drifts alongShri Ram says that under the influence of Maya the paradoxical unreal reality a jeev passes through 84 lakh life forms that are broadly classified as Udvija that sprout from the earth plants Andaja that hatch from eggs birds reptiles etc Svedaja that arise from moisture water fungi etc and Jarayuja born out of a mothers womb humans other mammals Further the type of life a soul inhabits is determined by its previous karma However there is no certainty as to what specific life form a soul takes upon shedding one body Under the spell of Maya driven by the ignorance of I and Mine You and Yours with deepseated desires vasanas ruling its existence the soul undergoes the cycle of numerous forms births and deaths Influenced by time past actions karma the three gunas and its inherent disposition it thus continues through the cycle of suffering and sorrow This illusionary Maya continuously fuels our ahankar ego It keeps us deluded to the extent that we waste the opportunity that this human form presents ie attaining moksh and breaking from this sorrowful cycle of birth and deathShri Krishna also refers to the same difficulty of a jeev in transcending His Maya and gives the key to surmounting it in Gita 714 and 867 By referring to the concept of 84 lakh lives Shri Ram profoundly reminds us of the diversity of life the importance of the human form and the souls journey through various stages of existence DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings71The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-mayavash-jeev-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-744-shri-ram-further-explains-the-souls-transmigratory-existence-and-the-rarity-of-obtaining-the-human-form-aakar-chaurasi-joni-abinasi-phirat-prera-kaal-ghera-591683.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-karuna-shri-ram-continues-his-elucidation-on-the-purpose-of-the-human-form-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-744-kabahunka-dehi-deta-sanehi-nara-bero-sanmukha-mero-karanadhara-nava-durlabha-pava-591684.html T Ram Sewak KARUNAShri Ram continues his elucidation on the purpose of the human form in Shri Ramcharitmanas 744 kabahunka dehi deta sanehinara bero sanmukha mero karanadhara nava durlabha pavaSometimes the Almighty out of sheer love and compassion karuna for the jeev being graciously bestows on it a human form This form is a veritable raft whereby the jeev can cross the ocean of mundane existence With My grace kripa as the favourable wind and a Sadhguru for a helmsman to steer this raft a jeev can attain moksh Though difficult to secure His grace makes this combination easily available to the being The cornerstone of bhakti marg is a bhakts firm conviction in Gods love compassion and grace for the jeev Shri Ram affirms that sometimes even when we are not deserving the compassionate merciful Lord gives us a human body to come out of this whirlpool of transmigratory existenceHere Shri Ram also reveals his avatar form by switching to the first person to declare that it is through My Grace and Compassion that the jeev is granted a human form and adds that with His grace as a favourable wind for the sails of the raft and with a Sadhguru to steer his boat the jeev can attain mokshThe rarity of the human form and its ability to attain moksh resonates in Gita 719 and mirroring further Shri Krishna asserts in Gita 1011 that out of unqualified compassion He destroys the darkness of ignorance with the lamp of gyanSo we have few rarities to attain on the path to liberation First the human form itself second the effort and will to embark on the path of moksh and third and the most difficult of all obtaining the guidance of a Sadhguru through the spiritual journey Shri Ram proclaims that this rare combination becomes possible only with His karuna and kripa DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings72The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-karuna-shri-ram-continues-his-elucidation-on-the-purpose-of-the-human-form-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-744-kabahunka-dehi-deta-sanehi-nara-bero-sanmukha-mero-karanadhara-nava-durlabha-pava-591684.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 06:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-sulabh-sukhad-marg-shri-ram-has-previously-elaborated-that-the-human-form-is-difficult-to-attain-and-that-it-would-be-a-phenomenal-waste-i-591689.html T Ram Sewak SULABH SUKHAD MARGShri Ram has previously elaborated that the human form is difficult to attain and that it would be a phenomenal waste if it were used only for sensual pleasures He now proceeds to enlighten us on what to do with this human life in Shri Ramcharitmanas 744 jaun paralok cahahoo suni gahahoo sulabh sukhad bhai bhagati mori gayi If you seek happiness in this life and after that listen to My words and imprint them deeply in your heart It is an easy sulabh and pleasant sukhad path brethren that of devotion bhakti to Me extolled in the Puranas and Vedas There are two critical features of this quatrain chaupai The first is that Shri Ram has just revealed His divinity to the citizens but purposely addresses them as brethren so that in awe some may not lose His message He then demonstrates his omniscience by exhorting them to listen to Him attentively and internalise His words emphasising that these words have been sung by Vedas and Puranas as well In a way it alludes that since many were unaware of His Divinity and may not have grasped it yet they needed this anchor of scriptural reference Second earlier Shri Ram had defined action karma as a raft in the form of the human body and knowledge gyan as a boat gyan roopi nauka to cross this ocean of existence bhavsagar Here he identifies bhakti as a marg a path or a bridge to cross this bhavsagar Bhakti is simple unfettered love for Himno complicated regime or elaborate dos and donts Previously Shri Rams discourse to Sabari gave us the tenets of the pure and uncomplicated Navadha Bhakti the nine different forms or paths that can be pursued to reach Him Since there are many simple and pleasant ways to follow it Shri Ram terms the bhakti marg as sulabh and sukhad DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings73The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-sulabh-sukhad-marg-shri-ram-has-previously-elaborated-that-the-human-form-is-difficult-to-attain-and-that-it-would-be-a-phenomenal-waste-i-591689.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 07:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-agam-gyan-shri-ram-has-previously-highlighted-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-744-the-simplicity-and-delightfulness-of-bhakti-he-now-compares-it-to-the-path-of-knowledge-gyan-marg-gyan-agam-aneka-sadhan-teka-karat-koau-bhakti-soau-591691.html T Ram Sewak AgaM GYANShri Ram has previously highlighted in Shri Ramcharitmanas 744 the simplicity and delightfulness of bhakti He now compares it to the path of knowledge Gyan Marg Gyan agam aneka sadhan tekaKarat koau bhakti soau Gyan is difficult to attain agam and beset with numerous obstacles The path involving quietude abstinence observance sama yama niyam etc is rugged and the mind has no foundation for support Scarcely one attains it after a hard struggle yet that jeev being if lacking in devotion fails to win My love Firstly Shri Ram is not undermining or looking down upon the path of knowledge The path of knowledge has been termed difficult in contrast to the easy sulabh and pleasant sukhad bhakti as there is a sakar roop form to be worshipped upasya that becomes the anchor for the bhakt The path of knowledge demands deep study reflection and contemplation of the scriptures Its not easy for every mind to fully grasp the conceptual framework in the pursuit of truth which transcends all names forms and attributes Shri Krishna also declares in Gita 125 that reaching the unmanifested Supreme is a challenging journey fraught with difficulty for embodied beings There are at least two significant challenges on the gyan marg The first is the mind it is fickle and does not remain still presenting the biggest obstacle to achieving selfcontrol Thus following ashtanga yoga and keeping ones external self in front of the inner self is an extremely difficult practice The second is ahankar the ego it invariably pushes the jeev into the entrapment of Maya the illusive creation ensnaring it into the delusion of I and Me You and Yours Bhakti can lead to gyan when we practice Navdha Bhakti nine forms to cultivate discipline and selfcontrol Tulsidasji thus connects the two Gyan is the fruit and bhakti is the juice in that fruit DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings74The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-agam-gyan-shri-ram-has-previously-highlighted-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-744-the-simplicity-and-delightfulness-of-bhakti-he-now-compares-it-to-the-path-of-knowledge-gyan-marg-gyan-agam-aneka-sadhan-teka-karat-koau-bhakti-soau-591691.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 08:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bhakti-dwar-satsang-previously-shri-ram-elucidated-the-various-facets-of-bhakti-in-his-discourses-to-lakshman-and-sabari-he-now-reiter-591696.html T Ram Sewak BHAKTI DWAR SATSANGPreviously Shri Ram elucidated the various facets of Bhakti in his discourses to Lakshman and Sabari He now reiterates them to the citizens of Ayodhya in Shri Ramcharitmanas 745 Bhakti sukha khani binu satsang praniPunya santa satasangati anta Bhakti Devotion is independent and a mine of all sukh happiness However it cant be attained without the fellowship of saints satsang It is challenging to reach the saints and have their company Only with a stock of merit punya can one attain this satsang that ends the cycle of transmigration Shri Ram emphasises that bhakti is autonomous a reservoir of all joy and reminds us of Navdha bhakti Sant Sang Satsang or the company of saints is bhaktis first form Here He adds that satsang also ends the cycle of worldly existence Tulsidasji writes in Shri Ramcharitmanas 57 that one meets saints only with His grace Thus there are two means of meeting saints one is through actions that is the accumulation of merits punya and the other is through grace that is Haris God graceIn Gita 10910 Shri Krishna talks of saintly minds as wholly absorbed in Him They enlighten each other and always talk about Him satsang This satisfies and delights them To those who are steadfast and serve Him with love and affection bhakti He gives them buddhi yoga by which they reach Him Here Shri Ram has simplified for us the moksh marg by linking karam yoga and bhakti yoga He says that one should perform noble deeds sattvik karma and earn the merit punya that gives you the company of saints SantsangSatsang This is the path of bhakti and leads to the discovery of satya sat Thus a bhakt unshackles himself from the cycle of birth and death and attains moksh as his bhakti leads to his unification with his Aaradhya DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings75The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bhakti-dwar-satsang-previously-shri-ram-elucidated-the-various-facets-of-bhakti-in-his-discourses-to-lakshman-and-sabari-he-now-reiter-591696.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 09:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-saral-path-shri-ram-further-clarifies-the-straightforward-and-uncomplicated-nature-of-the-bhakti-path-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-746-kahahu-prayasa-joga-upavasa-sarala-kutilaayi-jatha-sadayi-591703.html T Ram Sewak SARAL PATHShri Ram further clarifies the straightforward and uncomplicated nature of the bhakti path in Shri Ramcharitmanas 746 Kahahu prayasa joga upavasa sarala kutilaayi jatha sadayi Tell Me what is difficult on the path of devotion bhakti it requires neither yoga mindcontrol nor ritualistic sacrifices nor elaborate japa mutteringchanting nor penance nor fasting All that is needed is a guileless disposition and absolute contentment with whatever one gets For those sadhaks seekers who find it challenging to follow the practice of sama yama niyama yoga pranayama etc Shri Ram solves the problem by prescribing the simple path of bhakti which doesnt involve even any elaborate yajna or japa or tapaOn the bhakti path japa is not a chanting of mantras with a specific number of repetitions with elaborate rituals and offerings anushthan Instead it is a heartfelt expression of love A bhakt does japa with love not keeping count For a bhakt japa is his disposition an incessant muttering full of devotion and fervour with every breath Even practices like fasting and penance are not obligatory on the bhakti path Shri Ram is not saying that we should not do them but merely pointing out an alternate route of bhakti where these are not essential The most critical elements on the bhakti path are unconditional love for Him faith in Him devotion to Him and taking his sharanagati refuge Bhakti is the pinnacle of the staircase of prem love vishwastrust and shraddha reverenceall for Him and Only HimIn Gita 1211 Shri Krishna echoes the same message If a sadhak cannot follow the path of knowledge or yoga he should follow the bhakti path by taking refuge in Him For the citizens Shri Ram further simplifies it do your duty live without deviousness and be content with what you earn and receive This is the bhakti path the simplest way to reach Him DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings76The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-saral-path-shri-ram-further-clarifies-the-straightforward-and-uncomplicated-nature-of-the-bhakti-path-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-746-kahahu-prayasa-joga-upavasa-sarala-kutilaayi-jatha-sadayi-591703.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 10:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-aastha-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-746-shri-ram-dwells-upon-one-of-the-most-significant-aspects-of-bhakti-namely-aastha-faith-mora-asa-karai-bisvasa-591711.html T Ram Sewak AASTHAIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 746 Shri Ram dwells upon one of the most significant aspects of bhakti namely aastha faithmora asa karai bisvasa If he who calls himself my devotee bhakt counts upon others tell me what faith does he have in Me While immense love prem for your Aaradhya DeityGod is the stepping stone on the bhakti marg aastha in Him His grace His love and His will is pivotal Shri Ram singles out those who claim to be His bhakts devotees but rely on worldly men material possessions and resources for support He emphasises that such dependence demonstrates a lack of true aastha Such men have yet to complete the entire spectrum of bhakti which ends with surrendering to Him in thought word and action and taking his sharanagati refugeAastha is a virtue that many bhakts struggle with on the spiritual path Shri Ram is concerned about such bhakts for as Shri Krishna says in Gita 93 those who are not faithful on the bhakti marg cannot attain Me and therefore they continue to be mired in this world of transmigratory existence Our faith in Him often suffers a jolt and becomes shaky whenever things do not go as we wish them to be in worldly affairs Its pretty common However a true bhakt has complete aastha in Him as he has taken sharanagati in Him It is not enough to intellectually assent to this teaching one must live itAs His bhakt Shri Ram expects us to have aastha in Him the anchor of sharanagati Bhakti flourishes only when both these virtues have been internalised and exist in harmony In such a state of faith and surrender the devotees heart becomes a recipient of the divine grace Thus the bhakt is united with his Aaradhya in a bond that transcends worldly concerns rooted in the eternal aastha of His will DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings77The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-aastha-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-746-shri-ram-dwells-upon-one-of-the-most-significant-aspects-of-bhakti-namely-aastha-faith-mora-asa-karai-bisvasa-591711.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 11:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-aacharan-shri-ram-continues-his-discourse-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-746-now-bringing-in-the-hue-of-his-divinity-he-delineates-the-conduct-aacharan-that-makes-a-bhakt-devotee-dear-to-him-bair-trasa-sukhamay-asa-anarambh-amani-anagh-bigyani-591720.html T Ram Sewak AACHARANShri Ram continues His discourse in Shri Ramcharitmanas 746 now bringing in the hue of His divinity He delineates the conduct aacharan that makes a bhakt devotee dear to Him bair trasa sukhamay asa anarambh amani anagh bigyani Such bhakt has no enmity or quarrel with anyone He is devoid of any hope or fear He is ever joyful and undertakes nothing prompted by a motive He is without any desire pride or sin Free from anger he has attained the highest wisdomThis bhakt is like a pristine calm freshwater lake unsoiled by any rumblings of human desire He has no quarrel with anyone no axe to grind He has only love in his heart for his Aaradhya deity and for everyone and everything in His creation Surrendering to Him he transcends his pride with the realisation that we get results based on our karma and the result is not in our control it is His will Thus he has no expectation from anyone and therefore no hope of any gain or fear of any loss Nothing in this Maya His illusionary creation no creature or material possession can make him happy or sad For this bhakt only He is the source of all joy This bhakt depends only upon Him his AaradhyaThis bhakt is anarambh and aniket ie free from desireattachment In Gita 262 Shri Krishna says freedom from desire kaam and attachment leads to freedom from anger krodh This makes him anagh nondoer of paap karma wrong actions Further his selfrealisation helps him perform his worldly duties without getting mired in this world He is a lotus Gita 510Shri Rams bhakti is thus unshackling It grants the selfrealisation that frees the bhakt from anger and puts him on the path of righteousness Thereafter a bhakts conduct of selfsurrender makes him prideless freeing him from any desire or attachment DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings78The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-aacharan-shri-ram-continues-his-discourse-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-746-now-bringing-in-the-hue-of-his-divinity-he-delineates-the-conduct-aacharan-that-makes-a-bhakt-devotee-dear-to-him-bair-trasa-sukhamay-asa-anarambh-amani-anagh-bigyani-591720.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-veet-raag-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-746-shri-ram-further-elucidates-the-virtues-of-a-bhakt-devotee-that-make-him-dear-preeti-sansarga-trina-apabarga-bhagati-sathtayi-dushta-bahayi-591726.html T Ram Sewak VEET RAAGIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 746 Shri Ram further elucidates the virtues of a bhakt devotee that make him dear preeti sansarga trina apabarga bhagati sathtayi dushta bahayi This bhakt finds peace and joy in the company of saints satsang For him sensual pleasures heavenly pleasures and even liberation moksh have no value are inconsequential They are like a blade of grass Tenaciously adhering to bhakti devotion this bhakt shuns bigotry and keeps away from perverse argumentationShri Ramcharitmanas consistently underscores the straightforward and accessible nature of bhakti and its various forms Once again Shri Ram emphasises that this bhakt finds solace in satsangsantsang the first of the nine forms of navadha bhakti For him the joys of this world and the heavens are not just insignificant they are eclipsed by the bliss anand of satsang Shri Ram also loves such a bhakt because he has developed Veet Raag which is beyond vairagya detachment This bhakt has not only given up tyag all attachments to this material world the other world and liberation itself but has gone much beyond Through bhakti he has transcended even the desire to have No desire This is true renunciation which Shri Krishna delineates in Gita 51113 What a beautiful confluence of bhakti yoga and gyan yogaShri Ram reveals Himself as a magnanimous udar and tolerant sahishnu king at the outset of this discourse In the same spirit He urges His subjects that while they must possess dhruti determination and perseverance on the bhakti marg their faith they should be openminded and accepting of the beliefs of others and avoid convoluted reasoning in matters of faith Such bhakts Shri Krishna says in Gita 1215 neither agitate anyone nor are agitated by the world This attitude helps them maintain calmness and focus their energy on the inner journey Once again the mantra on bhakti marg is Simplicity DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings79The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-veet-raag-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-746-shri-ram-further-elucidates-the-virtues-of-a-bhakt-devotee-that-make-him-dear-preeti-sansarga-trina-apabarga-bhagati-sathtayi-dushta-bahayi-591726.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-param-anand-shri-ram-concludes-the-purajan-gita-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-746-by-saying-mama-moha-ta-sandoha-591743.html T Ram Sewak PARAM ANANDShri Ram concludes the Purajan Gita in Shri Ramcharitmanas 746 by sayingmama moha ta sandoha This bhakt revels in singing My glories and My Name Free from attachment to the world arrogance and delusion The joy that such a bhakt devotee enjoys is known only to him who has become one with God the embodiment of Param Anand supreme blissIn the Purajan Gita while describing the virtues of a bhakt that make him dear Shri Ram distils the characteristics of three sadhaks seekers elucidated in the Gita by Shri Krishna first those of a yogi in 41921 second those of a sanyasi renunciate in 53 and finally those of a bhakt in 121619 Shri Ram gives us two lessons in this discourse First we should use this hardtoobtain human life form wisely and second the easiest path to liberation moksh is His bhakti Previously Shri Ram has reiterated the importance of satsang here he reminds us of three other forms of bhakti viz katha listening to his glories kirtan communal chanting of His name and japa individual silent chanting of His nameShri Ram realises the simplicity of His people purajan and thus gives them and us all the most uncomplicated path to liberationsupreme bliss His bhakti He delineates the path by manifesting and revealing His divinity Giving them the essence He says Continuous immersion in His katha kirtan and japa leads to a state of nonattachment liberating one from the delusions of His Vidya Maya creation and the illusions of the Avidya Maya I mine you yours This withers away the biggest obstacle to selfrealisation ie ahankar the ego arrogance This unshackling takes the bhakt to union with his Aaradhya deity and the joy it brings is not ordinary it is Param Anand Supreme Bliss Only the one who achieves it knows it It is ineffable DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings80The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-param-anand-shri-ram-concludes-the-purajan-gita-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-746-by-saying-mama-moha-ta-sandoha-591743.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-mansarovar-goswami-tulsidasji-started-writing-shri-ramcharitmanas-in-1631-of-vikram-samvat-1574-ce-however-tulsidasji-attributes-the-c-591755.html T Ram Sewak MANSAROVARGoswami Tulsidasji started writing Shri Ramcharitmanas in 1631 of Vikram Samvat 1574 CE However Tulsidasji attributes the composition of this katha Shri Ramcharitmanas to Lord Shiva which Lord Shiva first revealed to Ma Parvati Shri Ramcharitmanas 135Metaphorically Tulsidasji equates Shri Ramcharitmanas to the Mansarovar a lake at Mount Kailashs base Using another metaphor Tulsidasji wishes we all have Shri Ramcharitmanas as our own Man ka Sarovar within our hearts purifying ourselves by dipping into this katha sarovar lake continuouslyIn Shri Ramcharitmanas the story of Shri Ram and his leelas divine play is narrated simultaneously by four narrators and listeners Tulsidasji states that these four narrations are synonymous with being carried out at the four banks ghats of your own Mansarovar Shri Ramcharitmanas 136 On the first ghat Lord Shiva narrates it to Ma Parvati The place of narration is geographically Mount Kailash but metaphorically Tulsidasji calls it the Gyan ghat knowledge On the second ghat the narrator is Kakabhushundi ji the crow saint and the listener is Garuda the king of birds Lord Vishnus vehicle Geographically the setting is the Nigiri Hills This ghat is called the Bhakti ghat devotionOn the third ghat Muni Yagyavalkya discourses the katha to Rishi Bhardwaj at Prayag Raj This ghat is called the Karma ghat action On the fourth ghat Tulsidasji narrates the katha to all sadhaks seekers and bhakts devotees in Ayodhya This is called Dina helplesspitiable ghat because all listeners believe that only Shri Rams karuna compassion can lead to their liberationShri Ramcharitmanas is thus being narrated among Celestials Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati birds Kakabhushundi ji and Garuda saints Muni Yagyavalkya and Rishi Bhardwaj and humans Goswami Tulsidasji and the bhakts and embodies Gyan bhakti karma yoga and karuna ras Thus this katha Mansarovar is eternal transcending the limits of geography time and life formsSome facets of the katha narrated by Kakabhushundi ji to Garuda in the coming weeks DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings81The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-mansarovar-goswami-tulsidasji-started-writing-shri-ramcharitmanas-in-1631-of-vikram-samvat-1574-ce-however-tulsidasji-attributes-the-c-591755.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-antar-ya-saman-the-dialogue-between-kakabhushundiji-and-garuda-in-uttarkand-the-seventh-canto-brings-out-some-of-the-most-significan-591765.html T Ram Sewak ANTAR YA SAMANThe dialogue between Kakabhushundiji and Garuda in Uttarkand the seventh canto brings out some of the most significant philosophical content of Shri Ramcharitmanas After Garuda has listened to the katha of Shri Ram and his leelas from Kakabhushundiji he declares that he is free from all sorrows and that all his doubts and delusions have vanished However he proceeds to ask a question in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7115kahahin purana nahin samanagyanahiantar keta sakal niketa All saints and sages Vedas and Puranas declare that nothing is more difficult to attain than gyan wisdom Although the sages instructed you similarly you did not show the same reverence for gyan as for bhakti devotion Please explain to me the difference antar between gyan and bhakti In Gita 121 Arjun raises a similar question that leads to Shri Krishnas exposition of bhakti yogaHumanity has received the highest wisdom whenever an inquisitive seeker has asked a perplexing question Delving into the profundity of gyan that leads to the realisation of Nirakar Braham and bhakti that liberates through devotion to the Sakar Avatar Garuda asks a question that bewilders many of us Sometimes the questions go further which is better Does gyan lead to bhakti or vice versa or are the two paths independent Further can the whole Nirgun Braham be fully realised through the knowledge of the part Sagun Avatar or will the knowledge of the part obstruct our comprehension of the wholeEarlier Kakabhushundiji explains how he chose the path of bhakti over gyan thus underlining two aspects First the choice of path is personal and second the path one is put on depends entirely upon His grace Gyan and Bhakti are like the two banks of the same river They run parallel and meet when the river merges into the ocean They are different yet the same both leading to the same goal DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings82The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-antar-ya-saman-the-dialogue-between-kakabhushundiji-and-garuda-in-uttarkand-the-seventh-canto-brings-out-some-of-the-most-significan-591765.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 16:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-83-591780.html T Ram Sewak ISHWAR ANSHKakabhushundiji deciphers the subtleties of Gyan for Garuda in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7115 117 and statesbhagatihi bheda ubhaya kheda Isvara ansh jeev abinashi chetan amal sahaj sukh rashiThere is no difference between Gyan knowledge and Bhakti devotion both relieve the torments of this cycle of birth and death Great sages nonetheless point out some differencesThe jeev soulatma is a minuscule part of the Paramatma Divinity It is indestructible conscious untainted and blissful by nature At the outset Kakabhushundiji clears Garudas confusion and establishes the parity congruity and confluence of the Gyan and Bhakti Marg Although he hints at nuances between them he follows this by narrating one of the most important philosophical verses of Shri Ramcharitmanas which has three critical elementsFirst the jeev is an infinitesimally small part of the Ishwar The Infinite This mirrors Shri Krishnas discourse in Gita 157 where He states that an eternal portion of Him becomes a living soul in the world of living There is a speck of Divinity in all These verses of Shri Ramcharitmanas and Gita elevate the status of human beings like no other It also sets their ultimate goal union with Paramatma Second the atma jeev is immortal This is the pivotal concept of Vedanta and is mentioned in both the Katha and Svetasvatara Upanishads and in Gita 220 where Shri Krishna tells a delusional Arjun that the Atma is never born nor does it ever die It merely discards a wornout body and adopts a new one as a human discards wornout clothes to put on new ones Gita 222Third the jeev is conscious untainted and blissful by nature Here Kakabhushundiji points to one of His inherent qualities Ishwar Supreme is Sat Chit Anand Truth Consciousness Bliss Therefore as a particle ansh of the Ishwar the jeev is also an atomic embodiment of that Sat Chit Anand DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-83-591780.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-84-591788.html T Ram Sewak JARH CHETANKakabhushundiji introduces Garuda to Maya and its impact in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7117so mayabas gosain bandhyo naiyn jarh chetanahi gayi jadapi kathinayi taba sansari chhoot sukhari The jeev atmasoul has allowed itself to be dominated by Maya and has been caught in its trap As a result it has interlinked and knotted Matter Jarh and the Spirit Chetan This knot though imaginary is difficult to untie and mires the jeev in this material world As a result it can have no happiness unless this knot is untiedThe jeev part of the Infinite Ishwar ever blissful and liberated falsely identifies itself with the body and believes it to be the medium of its happiness in this world and the objects therein to be the source of its joy Thus it develops the erroneous sense of karta doer and also the bhokta experiencer of its karma actions in this world This is the entrapment of MayaThe jeev fails to recognise itself as atma the consciousness a particle of the Supreme and instead mistakenly identifies itself with the insentient body This is the knot of ignorance that Kakabhushundiji is referring to Only when we discover our self atma the pure consciousness as our real self can we transcend all attachment to this body and the material objects of this illusionary world Kakabhushundiji asserts that there can be no happiness or liberation for the jeev until this invisible imaginary knot is untied and the realisation dawns that discriminates the self Chetan from the insentient matter Jarh Shri Krishna expounds on the subject of Matter calls it Prakriti and Spirit Purusha in Chapter 13 of the Gita and asserts in 1324 that he who has realised and known the Purusha and Prakriti together with their gunas qualities whatever his life or conduct may be is liberated and not born again DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-84-591788.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-85-591800.html T Ram Sewak AGYAN GRANTHIIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 7117 Kakabhushundiji further elucidates on the knot of ignorance Agyan Granthi that clouds the jeev being and saysjeev biseshi granthi dekhi asa karayi tabahun niruarayiThe jeev utterly deluded is unable to perceive this knot of ignorance that it has created between Matter Jarh and Spirit Chetan How can it then be resolved or untied If by His grace such conditions as depicted ahead are created even then the disentanglement of this knot of ignorance would not be easyKakabhushundiji highlights two key concepts here First this knot of ignorance is imperceptible therefore it is challenging for him to unravel it as well This means the distinction between the eternal and indestructible atma and the noneternal everchanging body mind intellect ego and all this material world is not distinguishable to the jeev Shri Krishna delineates this subject in Gita especially in 338 and 515 where he states that knowledge Gyan of the self is clouded enveloped by ignorance Agyan thereby deluding beings This ignorance is not a simple lack of information but a more profound existential ignorance Thus the jeev cannot comprehend the imaginary knot between the sentient and the insentient The second is that only His grace makes it possible to untie this knot which happens only when He creates certain favourable conditions The emphasis is that creating all these favourable coincidences is beyond human capacity and a being can attain Gyan only through Divine Grace We find a mirroring of this dictum in Gita 1011 where Shri Krishna assures us that out of compassion for the sadhaks He destroys the darkness in them born of ignorance by the luminous lamp of knowledgeThe message is that this imaginary knot of ignorance is the primary obstacle to selfrealisation for a being and this can only be untangled through the light of wisdom attained through Ish Kripa DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-85-591800.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 19:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-86-591806.html T Ram Sewak SATTVIK SHRADDHAIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 7117 Kakabhushundiji uses a metaphor of lighting the lamp of knowledge to explain the Gyan Marg Path of Knowledge to Garuda He says that this requires a lamp a wick and ghee The ghee is made from butter which comes from curd made from milk To have milk we need a cow The metaphor continuessattvik suhayi jau basa aayi Japa apara je achara Suppose by His grace the blessed cow in the shape of Sattvik Shraddha virtuous faith comes to abide in ones heart It is then fed with green herbage in the shape of Japa muttering of prayers Tapa austere penance the Yamas forms of selfrestraint the Niyams observance of positive virtues and other blessed virtues recommended by the VedasThe starting point of this path is developing Shraddha faith in your heart and as Shri Krishna says in Gita 439 a man full of faith attains Gyan However the emphasis here is on the Sattvik form of Shraddha This takes us to Gita 1723 where Shri Krishna says that the faith of the embodied is threefold Sattvik pure Rajasik desiredriven and Tamasik negative The faith of each is per his nature One is verily what ones Shraddha is Faith shapes the nature of the subtle impressions vasanas within us which in turn influence our perspective on life This perspective directs our desires thoughts and actions However it is Sattvik Shraddha that gives rise to a yearning for knowledge Gyan in the being and fosters the emergence of devotionFurther this Sattvik Shraddha in the form of a cow must be fed with the fodder of spiritual practices that strengthen it Through japa speech is purified through tapa the mind is disciplined and through Yama and Niyam actions are regulated Thus with such strengthened Sattvik Shraddha in his heart a sadhak prepares for progress on the Gyan Marg DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-86-591806.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 20:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-87-591820.html T Ram Sewak SHUDDH ANTAH KARANKakabhushundiji continues the metaphor while elucidating the Gyan Marg Path of Knowledge to Garuda in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7117 He saystei gayi bhav penhayi noi bisvasa nirmal dasa Milk begins to flow when the cow Sattvik Shraddha is united with her newlyborn calf of lovedevotion PremBhav Then use detachment Nivriti as the cord by which her hind legs are tied to milk her have belieftrust Vishwas as the milk pot and a pure mind Nirmal Mann which is under control as the milkerKakabhushundiji explains that when this cow Sattvik Shraddha is nourished ie Japa muttering prayers Tapa austere penance and other spiritual practices are performed with enthusiasm then a feeling of lovedevotion Bhav shall sprout in the sadhaks heart and the inner feelings become purified This purified state of the heart is akin to the calf of the faith cow The objective is to obtain Shudhh Antah Karan pure inner being This is a crucial step in the sadhaks journey because Shri Krishna assures us in Gita 721 that whatever form any devotee desires to worship with faith that same faith of his He makes it firm and unflinchingShudhh Antah Karan is essential for spiritual growth and Kakabhushundiji emphasises its importance When emotions are purified attachment to worldly things diminishes naturally leading to mental clarity and selfcontrol This pure and disciplined mind is the medium for faith and spiritual development while an impure or uncontrolled mind leads to spiritual downfall This pure mind strengthens your Vishwas in Him which arises from within and is considered the foundation for further spiritual developmentSo the journey so far is Have Sattvik Shraddha in your heart for Him and strengthen it through the spiritual practices of japa tapa etc Then a purified mind develops that can catalyse detachment and selfcontrol Use this as a support system and strengthen your belief in His grace DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-87-591820.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 21:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-88-591832.html T Ram Sewak NISHKAMIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 7117 Kakabhushundiji continues his discourse to Garuda using the metaphor to enumerate the qualities we must inculcate within us for progress on the Gyan Marg Path of Knowledge He saysparam bhai avatey banayiHaving thus drawn the milk in the shape of supreme righteousness Param Dharam one should boil it on the fire of desirelessness NishkamParam Dharam is the milk received in the vessel of Vishwas from the cow of Sattvik Shraddha that has been nourished with Japa Tapa etc controlled with Nivriti with Shuddh Antah Karan as the milker But what is Param Dharam One of the many interpretations is that Ahimsa is Param Dharambecause all righteousness Dharam is fulfilled in Ahimsa But on the Gyan Marg a sadhak must practice Ahimsa in mansa thought vacha speech and karmana action There should be no ill will against anyone in any form only love and compassion It is only then that the mind becomes pure and stable Shri Krishna designates Ahimsa and compassion as the divine attributes a sadhak must cultivate in Gita 162Kakabhushundiji likens the next step of boiling the milk to strengthening this mind filled with Ahimsa through Nishkam ie following a way of living filled with selflessness and detachment while fulfilling responsibilities This leads to inner cleansing and purification the sine qua non for spiritual awakening It is the path to spiritual growth promoting inner peace and freedom from the bondage of desires Shri Krishna explains in Gita 255 that when a sadhak casts off all desires he becomes a man of steady wisdom SthitaPrajna Essentially the preparation is for having a pure stable mind that is ready to receive the light of knowledge Kakabhushundiji is thus preparing our mind for a neutral equilibrium amongst the flow and ebb of the tides of lifea state described by Shri Krishna in Gita 248 as Yoga DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-88-591832.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 22:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-89-591838.html T Ram Sewak KSHAMA SANTOSHIn Ramcharitmanas 7117 Kakabhushundiji further prepares our minds to light the lamp of knowledge likening the process to the transformation of boiled milk the Ahimsafilled mind strengthened with desirelessness into curd as the next stage in the metaphor of ghee preparation He states tosh jurhavey After the milk has been boiled it should be cooled down with the air of forgiveness Kshama and contentment Santosh Sometimes the process of detachment to achieve desirelessness Nishkam introduces nanoheat elements of anger Krodh and arrogance Ahankar These must be cooled down with forgiveness and contentment Only forgiveness brings calmness and further fosters contentment Kshama is not merely the ability to forgive when insulted or harmed It is a mental state in which one is not disturbed by the offence Ones inner strength and calmness remain intact even in the face of injustice or provocation It requires letting go of the ego of power and not allowing it to dictate ones actions or reactions This obliterates any traces of anger or arrogance that may have crept in Shri Krishna terms forgiveness as a divine attribute in Gita 162 The nature of forgiveness is such that one then remains content with whatever is attained and if any obstacle arises in that attainment one does not react with anger In essence forgiveness eliminates the heat of anger and other emotions that stem from attachment to desires Perfecting this attribute is highly effective in cleansing and stabilising ones mindContentment quenches the thirst of desires It is one of the five Niyams for a sadhak and has been underscored as a key attribute for both the Gyan Marg and the Bhakti Marg Shri Krishna interweaves it beautifully in Gita 255 In Shri Ramcharitmanas 679 Shri Ram compares Santosh to a Kirpan suggesting its threefold capacity to slay the three enemies of attachment desire and anger Contentment is an embellishment of forgiveness DAILY WORLD The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/namami-ramam-musings-89-591838.html Tue, 24 Dec 2024 23:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-jagrat-jeev-after-focusing-on-the-slumber-of-ignorance-in-which-we-all-are-asleep-lakshman-now-explains-when-a-being-jeev-can-be-said-to-have-awoken-jagrat-from-this-slumber-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-293-janahi-tabahi-jiva-raghunath-charan-anuraga-591622.html T Ram Sewak JAGRAT JEEVAfter focusing on the slumber of ignorance in which we all are asleep Lakshman now explains when a being jeev can be said to have awoken jagrat from this slumber in Shri Ramcharitmanas 293janahi tabahi jiva raghunath charan anuragaA being is considered to have awoken from this slumber of ignorance when he develops vairagya detachment from this sensory world Then vivek right understanding arises in him moha delusion fades away and most importantly bhakti devotion for Shri Rams lotus feet develops in his heartLakshman imparts to Nishadraj the essence of gyan yoga and seamlessly guides him into bhakti yoga Under the spell of maya we are all delusional and foxed by this worlds unreal reality However we can overcome this delusion with the development of vivek the ability to discern the real from the unreal This vivek is nurtured by vairagya detachment from this worlds allurements and false pleasuresTo develop this ability to detach we must have an evenness of mind and control over it In Gita 635 Shri Krishna explains the two tools of mind control practice abhyasa and detachment vairagya Over time abhyasa strengthens vairagya and vairagya strengthens abhyasa in turn This symbiosis is a critical process of the spiritual journey Its important to note that the prescription here is vairagya not tyag giving up We have to do our duties dispassionately There is no running away from them This leads to vivekgyan and further to bhaktiIn Gita 13812 Shri Krishna lists vairagya and vivek as part of the moral attitudes and ethical principles essential for a seeker Lakshman underscores here that the delusion that our mind develops under the spell of maya can be shattered only through vivek which comes through vairagya That emanates from mind control This is the route for a seeker to become a jagrat jeev DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings62The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-jagrat-jeev-after-focusing-on-the-slumber-of-ignorance-in-which-we-all-are-asleep-lakshman-now-explains-when-a-being-jeev-can-be-said-to-have-awoken-jagrat-from-this-slumber-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-293-janahi-tabahi-jiva-raghunath-charan-anuraga-591622.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-param-parmaarth-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-293-lakshman-now-delineates-the-bhakti-yoga-to-nishadraj-sakha-param-paramaarth-ehoo-mana-kram-bachan-ram-pad-nehoo-591630.html T Ram Sewak PARAM PARMAARTHIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 293 Lakshman now delineates the bhakti yoga to Nishadrajsakha param paramaarth ehoo mana kram bachan ram pad nehooO friend the ultimate spiritual goal is devotion in the lotus feet of Shri Ram in thought word and deedWhile Gyan knowledge and Vairagya dispassion are paramaarths ie spiritual goals that one seeks these are only gateways leading to the ultimate spiritual goal param paramaarthunflinching bhakti devotion for Shri Ram Beyond it there is nothing It just leads to Anandcomplete blissLakshman first guides Nishadraj on what he should do ie devote himself to Shri Ram and then explains why he should do that It is just like explaining a complex mathematical problem to a student The teacher first explains what steps to follow to the solution and then explains the reasoning whyBut how does one inculcate bhakti in HIS lotus feet Shri Ram HIMSELF answers it in Shri Ramcharitmanas Navadha Bhakti So japa is devotion through mind kirtan is devotion through word and serving HIS creatures is devotion through action Bhakti can never be half hearted or partial it has to be complete It must permeate your thoughts words and all you do Bhakti cannot be a mere part of your life it has to be your life It is the pinnacle of your love for HIM a testament to your unwavering faith in HIS graceIn Gita 1855 Shri Krishna reveals that only through loving devotion can one know HIM A Gyani perceives HIM as the nirgun nirakar Brahm the Supreme who is beyond attributes and form But Shri Krishna asserts that only HIS bhakt filled with pure and unfiltered devotion reaches para bhakti to know HIM and merge into HIM Thus for a Gyani there is a glass wall through which he can see HIM but cant touch HIM Para bhakti shatters that ultimate barrier as well DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings63The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-param-parmaarth-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-293-lakshman-now-delineates-the-bhakti-yoga-to-nishadraj-sakha-param-paramaarth-ehoo-mana-kram-bachan-ram-pad-nehoo-591630.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 21:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-paramaarth-brahm-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-293-lakshman-explains-to-nishadraj-why-he-had-previously-recommended-that-he-devote-himself-to-shri-ram-rama-brahma-paramaarath-roopa-abigat-alakh-anaadi-anoopa--591651.html T Ram Sewak PARAMAARTH BRAHMIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 293 Lakshman explains to Nishadraj why he had previously recommended that he devote himself to Shri Ramrama brahma paramaarath roopa abigat alakh anaadi anoopa Shri Ram is none other than Brahm God the Supreme reality the unknown abigat the imperceptible alakh the beginningless anadi and the incomparable anoop Lakshmans discourse presents two profound sangams or confluences The first is a merging of the paths of knowledge gyan and devotion bhakti and the second is a unification of faith in the formless nirgun nirakar brahm and the formavatar sagun saakar roopDeclaring Shri Ram as the Supreme reality Lakshman uses the features of the nirgun to describe the sagun He elucidates that the saakar Shri Ram is a manifestation of the nirgun nirakar Brahm Thus HE is beyond the elements of circumstances and is free of the shackles of karma HE cant be known Therefore he is beyond the senses of perception and for such where is the question of any sukh or dukh HE cannot be perceived by normal vision a reference to the divine vision Arjun was provided to perceive the cosmic form Further describing him as anadi places him beyond the realm of time indeed all these qualities make him incomparableAll this description may seem paradoxical While Shri Ram is lying on a bed of grass right there Lakshman describes HIM as unknown and imperceptible This chaupai quatrain contains the entire essence of chapter 10 Vibhuti Yoga of Gita Vibhuti means the power of manifestation or the Brahm in the manifested state Lakshman explains to Nishadraj that Shri Ram is both the unmanifested and the manifested HE is manifested and allpervasive in this creation of HIS The divine is manifested in many and the many are included in the one We only need to perceive that This is the confluence of gyan and bhakti DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings64The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-paramaarth-brahm-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-293-lakshman-explains-to-nishadraj-why-he-had-previously-recommended-that-he-devote-himself-to-shri-ram-rama-brahma-paramaarath-roopa-abigat-alakh-anaadi-anoopa--591651.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 22:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-neti-neti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-293-lakshman-continues-to-elucidate-on-the-innate-unity-of-the-nirakar-brahm-formless-and-the-sakar-roop-avatar-that-shri-ram-represents-sakal-bikar-rahit-gatabheda-kahi-nita-neti-niroopahin-beda-591665.html T Ram Sewak NETI NETIIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 293 Lakshman continues to elucidate on the innate unity of the nirakar brahm formless and the sakar roop avatar that Shri Ram representssakal bikar rahit gatabheda kahi nita neti niroopahin bedaShri Ram is free of all impurities and beyond all variations or disturbances The Vedas ever describe Him as neti neti not this not thisThis reminds us about attaining the purity and stability of mind that Shri Krishna desires for us in Gita 619 He says that as a lamp in a windless place does not flicker so disciplined should be the mind of a yogi practicing meditation in the self Shri Ram is the epitome of that pure disciplined and unruffled yogiNeti Neti is a profoundly deep concept enunciated in the Brihadaranyka Upanishad and interpreted variedly One interpretation is that it negates all tangible forms and attributes emphasising that the Ultimate Reality Brahm is beyond all the only truth Everything else is an illusion Mayaan emptiness ShunyataAnother viewpoint acknowledges the limitation of human knowledge and language in describing Him underscoring the infinite omnipresent omniscient and omnipotent attribute of the Divine This is Infiniteness Anant Thus though Neti Neti may appear negative it comprises in essence the superabundance of infiniteness Both interpretations are correct revealing the unity in the diversity of thought much like the Glass is half full or half emptyThe concept of emptiness stresses that all diversity is illusory revealing Brahms infinite undivided nature On the other hand infiniteness highlights the underlying unity and the non dual nature of existence where everything is interconnected The realization of emptiness that the self and phenomena have no independent existence leads to the experience of infiniteness as the self dissolves into the Ultimate RealityThe unity of nirakar and sakar so explained by Lakshman is in essence what some other philosophies describeForm is emptiness emptiness is form DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings65The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-neti-neti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-293-lakshman-continues-to-elucidate-on-the-innate-unity-of-the-nirakar-brahm-formless-and-the-sakar-roop-avatar-that-shri-ram-represents-sakal-bikar-rahit-gatabheda-kahi-nita-neti-niroopahin-beda-591665.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-jeev-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-shri-ram-explains-the-subtleties-of-the-individual-soul-and-the-supreme-maya-iss-na-aap-kahun-jaan-kahia-so-jeev-591463.html T Ram Sewak JEEVIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 315 Shri Ram explains the subtleties of the individual soul and the Suprememaya Iss na aap kahun jaan kahia so jeevHe is a Jeev individual soul who knows not Maya illusion nor God nor ones selfAlthough in a literal sense all living beings are Jeev the reference here pertains to us Unaware of our spirituality and the enigma of Maya we remain ignorant of the divine and the divinity within ourselves The Jeev becomes entangled in the web of this material creation Vidya Maya and ensnared by the illusion of T and mineyou and yours Avidya Maya Failing to recognize the transient nature of this universe the Jeev identifies with the physical body assuming the role of the doer karta However the truth is that the Jeev is merely an instrument Nimittamatra in this creation assigned to perform a role by the Supreme BrahmDue to the veil of Maya the Jeev cannot see HIM either in his self or in all or see all in HIM In Shri Ramcharitmanas 37 Tulsidasji illustrates that Sita ji walking between Shri Ram and Lakshman symbolizes Maya standing between Brahm the Absolute and the Jeev the individual soul This veil of Maya hinders Jeev from recognizing that his self Atma is merely an atomic part of the Supreme ParamatmaIn Gita 157 Shri Krishna beautifully expresses that the Jeev is an eternal portion of Myself having become a living soul in the world of the living The Jeev is eternal never subject to death it merely illuminates and animates the living body as per the assigned roleShri Ram elucidates that the souls true nature is its inner self the eternal consciousness Satchit Brahm However in the realm of individual existence ie associated with a specific body and mind it is referred to as a living being Jeev DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings42The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-jeev-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-shri-ram-explains-the-subtleties-of-the-individual-soul-and-the-supreme-maya-iss-na-aap-kahun-jaan-kahia-so-jeev-591463.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-ishwar-shri-ram-now-deciphers-ishwar-supreme-while-in-upanishads-ishwar-is-described-through-negation-neti-neti-meaning-not-this-not-this-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-shri-ram-says-bandh-mocch-prad-sarbapar-maya-prerak-siva-591465.html T Ram Sewak ISHWARShri Ram now deciphers Ishwar Supreme While in Upanishads Ishwar is described through negation neti neti meaning not this not this in Shri Ramcharitmanas 315 Shri Ram saysbandh mocch prad sarbapar maya prerak sivaSiva God is who awards bondage and liberation as per ones karma transcends all and is the beall and endall of MayaTrue to his assurance to explain everything briefly Shri Ram chooses three attributes of IshwarBrahmParamatma Supreme Shri Krishna dwells on Ishwars nature functions manifestations and attributes throughout Gita however the shloka that mirrors this dictum is 1861Ishwar grants liberation moksha or rebirth bandhan awarding the fruits of our actions The Jeev acts as the doer experiencing the outcomes governed by universal laws under the auspices of Ishwar The Jeev deluded into ignorance falls into the illusion of worldly pleasures and karta bhav and Ishwar in accordance with the Jeevs deeds bestows upon it various bodies and experiencesWhile Maya is Ishwars creative delusional and enrapturing potency Jeev cannot transcend HIS Maya and gets entangled in its web and illusion Ishwar is not only free of Maya but the impetus and inspiration of it HE is the unborn allpervading invincible without beginning or endIshwar is the creator while Jeev is just a tiny component of HIS creation yet Jeev is immortal as in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7117 HIS spark is in all yet HE is indivisible Holding the collective identity is the Ishwar and having an invisible portion of that identity is the Jeev Therefore the distinction between Ishwar and Jeev is the relative truth but nonduality part of the whole is the ultimate truthIs Ishwar Satya If the answer is yes then what about the opposite of Satya Isnt Ishwar that as well for HE is in all The answer is that Ishwar is dvandvaateet beyond the dualities and gunaateet Shri Ram says HE is sarvaateet transcends all DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings43The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-ishwar-shri-ram-now-deciphers-ishwar-supreme-while-in-upanishads-ishwar-is-described-through-negation-neti-neti-meaning-not-this-not-this-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-shri-ram-says-bandh-mocch-prad-sarbapar-maya-prerak-siva-591465.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 01:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-moksh-marg-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-lord-ram-succinctly-reviews-his-discourse-and-charts-a-path-to-moksh-liberation-elaborating-on-the-concepts-of-vairagya-dispassion-and-gyan-spiritual-wisdom-dharam-te-birati-jog-te-gyana-gyan-mocchaprad-ved-bakhana-591466.html T Ram Sewak MOKSH MARGIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 315 Lord Ram succinctly reviews his discourse and charts a path to moksh liberation elaborating on the concepts of Vairagya dispassion and Gyan spiritual wisdomdharam te birati jog te gyana gyan mocchaprad ved bakhanaDispassion results from the practice of righteousness and in conjunction with Yoga leads us to spiritual wisdom which is the bestower of liberation so declare the VedasDharam commonly translated as religion holds a deeper meaning in our spiritual textsimplying duty righteousness or the innate qualities of an entity Here Shri Ram designates dharam as the pathfinder to moksh and encapsulates and synthesizes Karamyog and GyanyogShri Ram has already highlighted while talking about a param bairagi that Vairagya is a crucial qualification for Gyan because Vairagya leads to transcendence beyond the three gunas modes of nature and the dvandvas dualities How does one reach there HIS dictum follow the path of dharam ie do your obligatory duties in this world righteously When we do so we gradually develop dispassion and equipoise that propels us towards Gyanyog All our actions shall then be towards attaining the spiritual wisdom that leads to liberationIn Gita 43442 Shri Krishna elucidates the way of renunciation of action in knowledge and in Gita 13812 HE delineates those elements of Gyan that are conducive to spiritual awakening leading to mokshBut how does this spiritual wisdom lead to liberation Shri Ram has already explained that Gyan means getting rid of the Dehabhiman that I am the body and also seeing HIM in all and all in HIM Brahm Saman This profound knowledge obliterates the deluded ego that dissolves in the radiance of selfawareness The moment selfrealization occurs that you are just a minuscule part of HIM it leads to Moksh The first rung of this ladder is doing all our Karam actions as per our Dharam duty done righteously DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings44The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-moksh-marg-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-lord-ram-succinctly-reviews-his-discourse-and-charts-a-path-to-moksh-liberation-elaborating-on-the-concepts-of-vairagya-dispassion-and-gyan-spiritual-wisdom-dharam-te-birati-jog-te-gyana-gyan-mocchaprad-ved-bakhana-591466.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 02:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bhakti-ras-after-delineating-maya-gyan-vairagya-and-the-subtlety-between-ishwar-and-jeev-shri-ram-elucidates-bhakti-while-underlining-i-591467.html T Ram Sewak BHAKTI RASAfter delineating Maya Gyan Vairagya and the subtlety between Ishwar and Jeev Shri Ram elucidates Bhakti while underlining its ease and simplicity in Shri Ramcharitmanas 316 resonating with Shri Krishnas explanation of Bhakti Yoga in Gita chapter 12Jatey begi dravaun main bhai so mum bhagati bhagat sukhadaiThat which melts MY heart quickly dear brother is devotion Bhakti which is the delight of MY devotees bhaktsWhat great simplicity even in the definition Shri Ram outlines that bhakti transcends being a mere ritual it is that sincere love and devotion that has the power to touch the heart of the Divine What truly matters is whether ones actions thoughts and words have reached HIS heart Bhaktis essence lies in the warmth of love that it generates If this love fails to kindle HIS heart or does not bring bountiful happiness to the bhakt then something crucial is amiss Bhakti brings pure joy and the ultimate bliss for the bhakt the Amrit Varsha rain of the divine elixir signifying the pinnacle of the spiritual journeyBhakti is an emotion both for the bhakt and the Aaradhya it is no action or spiritual practice For the bhakt it is his endless love for HIM For HIM bhakti is the emotion that moves HIM Here Shri Ram underscores HIS sagun sakar avatar for the nirgun nirakar Brahm has no emotion and mirrors Shri Krishnas declaration in Gita 1234 that those who are devoted to the Unmanifest nirakar also reach HIM sakarWe understand love as a meeting of mindshearts in worldly affairs Bhakti is much beyond that It is the highest form of love prem Immense intense incessant blissful love and devotion shraddha for HIM The infinite yearning for HIM for merging in HIM It is the union of the bhakts Self Atma with his Aaradhya the Supreme Paramatma There is othing beyond it DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings45The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bhakti-ras-after-delineating-maya-gyan-vairagya-and-the-subtlety-between-ishwar-and-jeev-shri-ram-elucidates-bhakti-while-underlining-i-591467.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 03:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-anupam-bhakti-shri-ram-further-elucidates-bhakti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-316-so-sutantra-aana-tehi-bigyana-bhagati-anupam-sukhamoola-milai-anukoola-591468.html T Ram Sewak ANUPAM BHAKTIShri Ram further elucidates bhakti in Shri Ramcharitmanas 316so sutantra aana tehi bigyanabhagati anupam sukhamoola milai anukoolaBhakti is autonomous and needs no support gyan and vigyan are deferential to it Bhakti is incomparable unique and the root of all joy The company of saints is conducive for itShri Ram again underscores the simplicity and ease of bhakti It is not a Sadhana it is Upasana Therefore it does not involve any complex knowledge or spiritual practices Bhakti is about establishing a personal connection with HIM Continuously thinking of HIM revering HIM with intense and immense love and devotion that leads to that spirit of complete surrender and a union with HIMAlthough it may appear otherwise Shri Ram unfolds here the innate unity on the spiritual journey of the trinity of gyan vairagya and bhakti Some start with bhakti and then achieve gyan and moksh Others first achieve vairagya and gyan and then reach para bhakti Gita 1854 As Shri Krishna declares in Gita 411 in whatever way men worship me in the same way do I fulfil their desires and people tread my path in all ways Thus while each journey may take a different route they all lead to the same destinationKnowing the infinitude of bhakti Shri Ram gives us its essence and crux It is not only unparalleled and unique but also the very source of bliss also emphasised by Hanumanji in Shri Ramcharitmanas 534 Bhakti is received not acquired While vairagya follows while treading the path of dharam and gyan comes through yoga bhakti flows only through HIS grace Most great bhakts have been simple souls with no knowledge of scriptures or training in spiritual practices underlining that bhakti is simple easy unconstrained and non dependent Bhakti is both the means and the end Anupam indeed DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings46The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-anupam-bhakti-shri-ram-further-elucidates-bhakti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-316-so-sutantra-aana-tehi-bigyana-bhagati-anupam-sukhamoola-milai-anukoola-591468.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 04:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bhakti-sadhan-after-briefly-outlining-the-attributes-and-grandeur-of-bhakti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-316-shri-ram-delineates-its-means-o-591469.html T Ram Sewak BHAKTI SADHANAfter briefly outlining the attributes and grandeur of bhakti in Shri Ramcharitmanas 316 Shri Ram delineates its means or more appropriately its various forms This is Navadha Bhakti mentioned earlier by Shri Ram in HIS conversation with Maharishi Valmiki and elucidated later to Shabari Navadha Bhakti has also been explained in Shrimad Bhagavad Puran and Narad Bhakti Sutra Shri Ram saysbhagati sadhan bakhaani taba anuragaI now explain the forms of bhakti an easy path for beings to reach ME First cultivate excessive devotion to the learned and second remain engaged in your own duty as enjoined by the Vedas This induces dispassion which catalyses devotion and love for MeIn line with HIS dictum that satsang is the starting point of bhakti marg Shri Ram says that bhakti flows as a favour bestowed by the saints and holy men Underscoring once again the organic linkage between gyan knowledge and bhakti devotion HE outlines the first form of bhakti as reverence to Bipr an embodiment of sattvik qualities and a symbol of knowledge and learning Reverence for them is intended to inculcate humility in the bhakt and create an ambience that leads to a smooth flow of the grace of saints and hence bhaktiThe second form mirrors the declaration of Shri Krishna in Gita 335 and 1847 mandating the performance of ones obligatory duties The bhakti of Laxman Hanuman Arjun Kewat etc is a testament to bhakti also being the performance of obligatory duties whether through body speech mind or intellect while surrendering all actions to HIM This is also the central theme of Shrimad Bhagavad GitaShri Ram elaborates further that this reduces the most significant hindrance on the spiritual journey ie attachments towards worldly objects Gita 26263 After that as Vairagya dispassion follows the ground is ready for HIS bhakti to sprout DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings47The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bhakti-sadhan-after-briefly-outlining-the-attributes-and-grandeur-of-bhakti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-316-shri-ram-delineates-its-means-o-591469.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 05:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bhakti-amrit-shri-ram-further-distils-the-amrit-elixir-of-bhakti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-316-sravanadika-mahin-sant-dridh-nema-guru-dridh-seva-591470.html T Ram Sewak BHAKTI amritShri Ram further distils the amrit elixir of bhakti in Shri Ramcharitmanas 316sravanadika mahinsant dridh nemaguru dridh sevaThis will bring steadfastness in the nine forms of devotion such as listening and the mind will develop admiration for Divine play Revere the saints with immense love and persist in My adoration through mind speech and action Recognise Me as the Guru parent relative lord deity and all and be steadfast in serving Shri Ram continues to briefly delineate bhaktis profundity underlining a few core elements Bhakti is ati premimmense love for HIM The first form of love prem is attachment aasakti in the material world On the bhakti marg love first discard saasakti and becomes affection preeti in satsang HIS katha kirtan etc Thereafter affection elevates itself into devotion bhakti enabling the bhakt to reach truth satya using the divine eyes of knowledge gyan and dispassion vairagya as he breaks free from the blindness of attachment Bhakti is an axe of nonattachment that Shri Krishna refers to in Gita 153Next Shri Ram mirrors Gitas core philosophy and exhorts the bhakt to do his worldly duties sincerely There is no encouragement towards tyag or flight from worldly responsibilities Instead HE wants the bhakt to see HIM in his guru parents and relatives and serve them with dedication ie all actions of the bhakt in this world should be for HIM A reminder of Gita 922 those who worship HIM through everything they do HE takes care of themAnother element isdridhta or firm resolve Shri Ram emphasises that whether it is following any of the nine forms performing worldly duties or doing service all must be done with unflinching determination There can be no doubt or wavering of mind on the bhakti marg It is the bhakts journey from trust vishwas to faith shraddha to complete selfsurrender bhakti Daily World Namami Ramam Musings48The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bhakti-amrit-shri-ram-further-distils-the-amrit-elixir-of-bhakti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-316-sravanadika-mahin-sant-dridh-nema-guru-dridh-seva-591470.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 06:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bhakt-mahima-shri-ram-concludes-his-transcendent-discourse-shri-ram-geeta-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-316-delineating-the-emotional-state-591474.html T Ram Sewak BHAKT MAHIMAShri Ram concludes his transcendent discourse Shri Ram Geeta in Shri Ramcharitmanas 316 delineating the emotional state and attributes of a bhakt devotee like Shri Krishna has outlined the attributes of a man of steady wisdom sthita pragya in Gita 25558mama sarira gadagada neerakaam jakey taat takeybachan nihkaam tinha bishramaA thrill runs through him as he sings My praises his voice gets choked and tears flow incessantly He is free from lust pride hypocrisy and other vices I am ever there for such a devotee I ever repose in the lotus heart of those who worship me selflessly and depend on Me in thought word and deedLakshman had requested Shri Ram to explain the bhakti that leads to HIS grace Shri Ram epitomises that bhakti is the purest form of love the intense longing of the heart to merge with the Divine However the intensity of this love should be able to drain out all the inner vices of the bhakt through the tears of devotion for HIM purifying the bhakts inner self and freeing him from desire The power of such bhakti is that HE then ever rests in this bhakts heart making it HIS permanent abodeHighlighting the bhakts mahima grandeur Shri Ram reiterates HIS emotional connection declaring emphatically that he is always there for a bhakt who is ananyagati ie having sole dependence and unwavering devotion to HIM without another refuge This is reminiscent of Shri Krishnas assurance in Gita 186566 Indeed bhakti is the key that unlocks the doors of HIS graceWhile other spiritual practices are individualcentric bhakti in its various forms Satsang Katha Kirtan etc is practised collectively Bhakti is contagious It is the music whose vibrations can initiate music in another through resonance and a bhakt is that virtuoso musician who can accomplish this DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings49The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bhakt-mahima-shri-ram-concludes-his-transcendent-discourse-shri-ram-geeta-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-316-delineating-the-emotional-state-591474.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-nityam-guru-after-shri-ram-gita-we-focus-on-another-powerful-narrative-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-goswami-tulsidas-repeatedly-ascribes-the-c-591478.html T Ram Sewak NITYAM GURUAfter Shri Ram Gita we focus on another powerful narrative in Shri Ramcharitmanas Goswami Tulsidas repeatedly ascribes the creation of his epic work to the divine grace of Shri Ram and Lord Shiva He believes his Guru was this grace incarnate and pays homage to his Guru for narrating Shri Rams katha and inspiring him to compose Shri Ramcharitmanas Tulsidasji has interwoven his reverence and adoration for the Guru throughout Shri Ramcharitmanas Thus he commences his magnum opus by first invoking Goddess Saraswati Lord Ganesha Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati and immediately venerates his Guru Shloka 3 of Manglacharanvande nityam gurum rupinam vandyateWith complete devotion I bow to my eternal Guru the embodiment of Lord Shiva in whose refuge even the crescent moon though imperfect becomes worthy of worshipOften the title Guru is used very casually for an expert However our spiritual literature deifies the Guru He is the dispeller of all the darkness of ignorance Tulsidasji equates the Guru to the sun which illuminates the disciple who like the moon is imperfect However as this imperfect moon is venerated once it adorns the matted hair of Lord Shiva similarly the Gurus radiance makes even the imperfect disciple worthyAssigning divinity to the Guru by calling him eternal nityam and a manifestation of Lord Shiva is a reflection of the Gurutattva principle contained in the opening verse of Guru Gita which states that the Guru is not merely physical but eternal and pervasive He is an embodiment of the imperishable Tulsidasji reminds us that Lord Shiva is the Adi Primordial Guru the ultimate incessant eternal source of all gyan wisdom alluding to HIS Dakshinamurti form as the bestower of gyan and moksh liberation In human form the Guru is the knower of Truth Gita 434 the endower of shraddha gyan and bhakti illuminating the route to HIM for us DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings50The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-nityam-guru-after-shri-ram-gita-we-focus-on-another-powerful-narrative-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-goswami-tulsidas-repeatedly-ascribes-the-c-591478.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-guru-kripa-sindhu-tulsidasji-continues-to-exalt-the-guru-at-the-commencement-of-shri-ramcharitmanas-sortha-5-manglacharan-bandaun-guru-pada-kanj-kripa-sindhu-nararoop-hari-mahamoh-tam-punj-jasu-bachan-rabi-kar-nikar-591485.html T Ram Sewak GURU KRIPA SINDHUTulsidasji continues to exalt the Guru at the commencement of Shri Ramcharitmanas Sortha 5 Manglacharanbandaun guru pada kanj kripa sindhu nararoop hari mahamoh tam punj jasu bachan rabi kar nikarI prostrate to the lotus feet of my Guru He is an ocean of compassion Lord Vishnu in human form His words are the sunbeams that disperse the darkness of gross attachment and illusionThis sortha verse is a masterpiece of Tulsidasjis poetry Prostration to the Guru is an expression of Tulsidasjis devotion and humility He adds that the Gurus utterances reveal the gyan knowledge that dispels all delusion The emphasis here is on transcending ahankar ego In Gita 434 Shri Krishna prescribes prostration before a learned Guru because only a humble attitude without any ahankar will receive gyan from the GuruIn this verse Tulsidasji also anchors the bhakti of sakar the one with form In Shloka 3 Tulsidasji adores his Guru as the embodiment of Lord Shiva Here the Guru is Lord Vishnu incarnate Thus he reminisces the spirit of Guru Stotram Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu and establishes in the beginning itself the essence of Shri Ramcharitmanas as the bhakti sutra in AwadhiAlso Tulsidasji calls his Guru kripa sindhu an honorific he uses repeatedly for his Aaradhya Shri Ram in Shri Ramcharitmanas Using the same for his Guru underscores the depth of his devotion to the Guru By attributing divinity referring to the Guru as an ocean of compassion and the dispeller of delusion Tulsidas ji mirrors Shri Krishnas declaration in Gita 1011This sortha has another interpretation ie the Guru showers his kripa through the gyan that releases us har from this nararoop the human form leading to moksh The Gurus grace and blessings are infinite His mercies love and compassion for his disciple however imperfect and undeserving he may be know no boundaries DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings51The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-guru-kripa-sindhu-tulsidasji-continues-to-exalt-the-guru-at-the-commencement-of-shri-ramcharitmanas-sortha-5-manglacharan-bandaun-guru-pada-kanj-kripa-sindhu-nararoop-hari-mahamoh-tam-punj-jasu-bachan-rabi-kar-nikar-591485.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 09:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-guru-charan-kamal-tulsidasjis-reverence-for-the-guru-touches-new-heights-as-he-dedicates-the-first-chaupai-quatrain-of-shri-ramcharitmanas-to-the-guru-bandaun-guru-pada-paduma-paraga-karani-591492.html T Ram Sewak GURU CHARAN KAMALTulsidasjis reverence for the Guru touches new heights as he dedicates the first chaupai quatrain of Shri Ramcharitmanas to the GuruBandaun guru pada paduma paraga karaniI pay homage to the dust of my Gurus lotus feet the repository of the four innate qualities of a lotus and the pollen It is the sanjeevani that allays the ills of mundane existence It brings sweet blessings and joys like the vibhuti white ash that adorns Lord Shiva Its purity rubs the dirt of delusion off a disciples mind and attracts a host of virtues when applied as a tilakIn these chaupais Tulsidasji lays out the contours of the Guru shishya disciple relationship Earlier he idolised his Guru as Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu incarnate and venerated his lotus feet Often humility and devotion are expressed by comparing oneself to the dust of the Gurus feet but adoring it takes Tulsidasjis Guru bhakti to another levelBeing an ardent bhakt of Shri Ram Tulsidasji was aware of the gigantic task he was about to undertake narrating Shri Rams katha story He understood that without being immersed in the nectar of devotion bhakti rus he could not compose Shri Ramcharitmanas It could be accomplished only through HIS grace and the Gurus blessings which flow when the defining attributes of bhakti ie humility devotion and an attitude of complete surrender to HIM are present These are fervent prayers soliciting the inculcation of bhaktiThis aspect of complete surrender by a disciple reminds us of Gita 27 when Arjun seeks refuge and beseeches Shri Krishna to instruct him on what is good for him Dust symbolises humility and devotion and represents our willingness to surrender to the divine Hence by worshipping the dust of the Gurus lotus feet Tulsidasji exemplifies himself as a bhakt displaying the highest levels of humility and devotion DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings52The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-guru-charan-kamal-tulsidasjis-reverence-for-the-guru-touches-new-heights-as-he-dedicates-the-first-chaupai-quatrain-of-shri-ramcharitmanas-to-the-guru-bandaun-guru-pada-paduma-paraga-karani-591492.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-guru-taaranhaar-tulsidasji-uses-an-exceptional-metaphor-as-he-completes-his-adoration-of-the-guru-with-some-devout-quatrains-chaupais-at-the-opening-of-shri-ramcharitmanas-11-shri-guru-pada-nakha-mani-gana-joti-baranaun-ram-charit-bhav-mochan-591504.html T Ram Sewak GURU TAARANHAARTulsidasji uses an exceptional metaphor as he completes his adoration of the Guru with some devout quatrains chaupais at the opening of Shri Ramcharitmanas 11Shri guru pada nakha mani gana joti baranaun ram charit bhav mochanThe splendour of gems in the form of the blessed toenails of the Gurus lotus feet unfolds divine vision in the heart by its very thought The radiance banishes the obscurity of delusion and unawareness Highly blessed is he in whose bosom it shines With its appearance the evils and sufferings of mundane existence disappear Further the jewels of Shri Rams katha story the bestower of liberation emerge I now proceed to narrate itGu denotes darkness and Ru stands for light What is darkness but the absence of light Once light appears the darkness vanishes Guru is the light that dispels the darkness of ignorance He is the repository of the supreme knowledge brahm vidya and guides the disciple in traversing the turbulent expanse of this worldly existence Guru is the Taaranhaar the saviour This is another path to liberation Prostrate to the Guru take his refuge solicit his grace and serve him with humilityThese quatrains mirror Gita 27 and also the concluding verses of Gita 187273 where Shri Krishna the Guru asks the disciple Arjun if his delusion caused by ignorance has been destroyed Arjun humbly answers in the affirmative and attains liberation through complete surrender to Shri Krishna his GuruWhile exalting the Guru Tulsidasji humbly describes himself as unworthy illiterate ignorant and incapable of composing Shri Ram katha However he sees its possibility only because of the grace and benevolence of his Guru Here Tulsidasji delineates the bhakti marg It emanates from vishwas trust in and shraddha faithdevotion for the Guru leading to bhakti for the Aaradhya He highlights that bhakti is a bhaav emotion not a kriya process DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings53The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-guru-taaranhaar-tulsidasji-uses-an-exceptional-metaphor-as-he-completes-his-adoration-of-the-guru-with-some-devout-quatrains-chaupais-at-the-opening-of-shri-ramcharitmanas-11-shri-guru-pada-nakha-mani-gana-joti-baranaun-ram-charit-bhav-mochan-591504.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-guru-prasad-of-the-1172-dohas-couplets-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-this-doha-at-the-start-of-ayodhya-kand-second-canto-21-is-the-most-pop-591516.html T Ram Sewak GURU PRASADOf the 1172 dohas couplets in Shri Ramcharitmanas this doha at the start of Ayodhya Kand second canto 21 is the most popular since millions also recite it every day at the beginning of Shri Hanuman Chalisashri guru charana saroj ruj nij manu mukuru sudhaaribaranaun raghubar bimal jasu jo dayak phal chariCleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of the Gurus lotus feet I sing Shri Rams noble glory which bestows the four goals purusharthas of human lifeAfter adoring his Guru at the beginning of the epic Tulsidasji uses the allegory of using the dust of his Gurus feet to clear his mind again at the beginning of Ayodhya Kand He doesnt repeat it for any other kand This is attributed to the profundity and high devotional content of the katha story in Ayodhya Kand as it delineates the sacrifice and infinite bhakti of Bharat for Shri Ram Tulsidasji solicits his Gurus Prasad grace to swim through this challenge of composing Bharat Charit which has torrents of bhakti flowing incessantlyTulsidasji is convinced that narrating Shri Rams pristine glories bestows the rewards of dharam righteousness arth prosperity livelihoods kaam worldly desires and moksh liberation These four purposes purusharthas and their order have been interpreted variedly We look at a straightforward interpretationIn life we should always follow dharam ie do our duty and perform the assigned role righteously Treading this path of righteousness we should earn our livelihoods and prosperity arth Further through this righteously earned prosperity we should fulfil our worldly desires kaam righteously This simple life lived righteously then leads to liberation mokshThis verse again highlights Tulsidasjis humility and ardent devotion to his Guru He uses transitivity logic to attribute the attainment of the four purusharthas goals of human life to his Gurus blessings and gracehis Prasad These musings are my Gurus Prasad DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings54The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-guru-prasad-of-the-1172-dohas-couplets-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-this-doha-at-the-start-of-ayodhya-kand-second-canto-21-is-the-most-pop-591516.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-vishaad-shri-rams-second-night-of-exile-was-on-the-banks-of-the-ganga-in-shringverpur-where-nishadraj-the-tribal-king-resided-upon-lea-591527.html T Ram Sewak VISHAADShri Rams second night of exile was on the banks of the Ganga in Shringverpur where Nishadraj the tribal King resided Upon learning what had brought Shri Ram Sita ji and Lakshman to the forest Nishadraj was stunned He was overwhelmed with vishaad despondency when Shri Ram insisted on staying in the forest as per the commandments for being exiled Nishadraj prepared a bed of tender leaves for Shri Ram and along with Lakshman settled to be on guard During the night a conversation happens between Lakshman and Nishadraj in Shri Ramcharitmanas 290 It is popularly called Lakshman GitaIn our spiritual literature eternal knowledge Gyan has been imparted through discourses and conversations that respond to the recipients delusion doubt or despondency Since these conversations shlokas or chaupais quatrains rhyme they are called Gita Lakshman Gita also starts with Nishadrajs despondencyUthe lakhan prabhu sovat jani bhayau prem bas hridaya bishaaduWhen Lakshman perceived that the Lord had fallen asleep he rose Nishadraj put his trusted guards on dutyand sat beside Lakshman When Nishadraj saw his Lord sleeping on a bed of grass and leaves he was disheartened and gloomy due to his excessive love for Shri RamNishadrajs sadness was caused by his delusion He had still not recognised Shri Rams divinity thus his love prem was short of HIS bhakti Arjuns despondency in Gita 13132 also existed until he recognised Shri Krishnas divinity and surrendered himself entirely as a bhakt Despondency and delusion occur when under the spell of HIS Maya illusion the jeev being doesnt decipher HIS leela divine play Nishadraj couldnt comprehend that exile was part of Shri Rams leela to fulfil the purpose of HIS avatar which is to lay high moral standards and exterminate adharamIn his response to Nishadrajs despondency and sandeh doubt Lakshman very concisely encapsulates Karam yoga Gyan yoga and Bhakti Yoga in this conversation More on this follows DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings55The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-vishaad-shri-rams-second-night-of-exile-was-on-the-banks-of-the-ganga-in-shringverpur-where-nishadraj-the-tribal-king-resided-upon-lea-591527.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-vanvaas-kyun-an-emotional-nishadraj-laments-before-lakshman-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-290-91-siya-raghubeer-ki-kanan-jogoo-karam-pradhan-satya-kah-logoo-591541.html T Ram Sewak VANVAAS KYUNAn emotional Nishadraj laments before Lakshman in Shri Ramcharitmanas 29091siya raghubeer ki kanan jogoo karam pradhan satya kah logoo Do Sita and Shri Ram deserve to be exiled to the forest People rightly say Karma is supremeNishad had a deep love for Shri Ram Hence watching Shri Ram and Sitaji in physical discomfort was heartrending for him Talking about the lavish comforts of Ayodhya that are being denied to them he blames fate and pensively expresses his doubt sandeh arising out of delusion Why had destiny condemned Shri Ram and Sitaji to exile Vanvaas kyunHe tries to answer it by invoking his limited understanding that all beings experience happiness or sorrow according to their karma and so it is for Shri Ram and Sitaji We can see the confusion here with blame being apportioned to karma and fate and the two being used interchangeably under the premise that your karma decides your destinyThe illusionary spell of HIS Maya creates this delusion doubt and confusion when we cannot differentiate between the real and the unreal We see the world as I Me Mine You and Yours We attach ourselves firmly to our actions karma developing the karta bhav doer Hence we also build attachment to the fruits of our actions karma phal This attachment and delusion lead to sorrow or ecstasyNishadraj is precisely in that state He perceives that like humans Shri Ram is bound by the incontrovertible Law of Karma as the action so is the result Knowing Shri Rams impeccable character he cannot rationalise the current situation being unaware of the leela divine play aspect of Shri Rams avatar Shri Krishna clarifies this confusion in Gita 99 while asserting that the Law of Karma does not bind the Divine HE is beyond it because HE is indifferent and unattached to any of HIS acts karma HE is karmaateet DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings56The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-vanvaas-kyun-an-emotional-nishadraj-laments-before-lakshman-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-290-91-siya-raghubeer-ki-kanan-jogoo-karam-pradhan-satya-kah-logoo-591541.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-dosharopan-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-291-a-deeply-tormented-nishadraj-blames-dosharopan-kaikeyi-for-the-tragic-events-kaikayanadini-mandamati-kumati-keenh-sab-bisva-dukhari-bhayau-bishaad-nishadahi-bhaaroo-591556.html T Ram Sewak DOSHAROPANIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 291 a deeply tormented Nishadraj blames dosharopan Kaikeyi for the tragic eventskaikayanadini mandamati kumati keenh sab bisva dukhari bhayau bishaad nishadahi bhaaroo The foolish daughter of Kaikaya has wrought cruel mischief bringing trouble on Sita and Shri Ram shattering their moment of enjoyment wicked woman has plunged the whole universe into woe said a sorely distressed NishadrajNishadraj is under two illusions First Shri Ram is suffering unaware that Shri Ram is dvandvaateet beyond polarities Second Kaikeyi has made the universe sorrowful Our sorrow comes from our discontentment This happens in two scenarios when something we desire doesnt occur or when something we dont desire does occur In such situations we must remember that we shape our reactions and attitudes and should not evade responsibility for them Our woes emanate from our own actions and attitudes karmaBlaming others doesnt change the situation Instead it makes our minds even more agitated leading to more negative emotions against a person or the system The equanimity of mind an essential ingredient on the spiritual path becomes even more distant We must constantly remind ourselves of the divine illusion Maya and as Shri Krishan alerts us in Gita 714 this Maya can be transcended only by those who take refuge in HIM This realization can lead us to a deeper understanding of our actions and reactions and ultimately to an enlightened stateOften our dukh grief that results from asantosh discontentment even jolts our shraddha faith in HIS kripa grace The mantra is to shun dosharopan always have an attitude of gratitude for HIS blessings shukar faith shraddha in HIS grace and contentment santosh in what you have receivedNishadraj is still under the illusionary spell of HIS Maya and distant from Gyan or HIS bhakti This delusional and mournful state prepares the ground for Lakshmans discourse DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings57The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-dosharopan-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-291-a-deeply-tormented-nishadraj-blames-dosharopan-kaikeyi-for-the-tragic-events-kaikayanadini-mandamati-kumati-keenh-sab-bisva-dukhari-bhayau-bishaad-nishadahi-bhaaroo-591556.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-karma-vaad-lakshman-commences-his-discourse-imbued-with-the-nectar-of-wisdom-gyan-dispassion-vairagya-and-devotion-bhakti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-292-kahu-na-kou-sukh-dukh-kar-data-nij-krit-karam-bhog-sab-bhrata-591572.html T Ram Sewak KARMA VAADLakshman commences his discourse imbued with the nectar of wisdom gyan dispassion vairagya and devotion bhakti in Shri Ramcharitmanas 292kahu na kou sukh dukh kar data nij krit karam bhog sab bhrataNo one is a source of delight sukh or pain dukh everyone reaps the fruit of ones actionsLakshman dispels Nishadrajs vishaad sorrow and delusion with a chaupai quatrain that encapsulates the essence of the doctrine of karma karma vaad He emphasizes that the source of sukh or dukh in this world is not the people objects time or place the four elements of what we call circumstances but our karma reactions Therefore whether we become ecstatic or sorrowful depends entirely upon us and our karmaWhile we have no control over any element of the paristhiti circumstances we do control our manasthiti state of mind attitude through our karma and manasthiti determines whether we are happy or sad This constant realization and understanding of karma vaad shall help us prevent attachment raag to any person or object etc or any aversion dwesh for them and also achieve equanimity of mind Then as Shri Krishna asserts in Gita 238 we shall be able to do our karma workaction by treating sukh or dukh alike Shri Ram displays this transcendence calmness and equanimity of mind HE is neither ecstatic when informed of HIS coronation as Yuvraj nor sorrowful when banished to exileAnother perspective of karma vaad is that sukh or dukh results from the blend of the three types of our karma viz Sanchitta accumulated karma from the past Prarabdha the portion of Sanchitta responsible for the present and Agami karma we perform now for the future Therefore we must follow the dictum of Shri Krishna in Gita 418 ie reject inaction avoid forbidden actions and pursue the constructive and creative sattvic karma good deeds that bring happiness DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings58The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-karma-vaad-lakshman-commences-his-discourse-imbued-with-the-nectar-of-wisdom-gyan-dispassion-vairagya-and-devotion-bhakti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-292-kahu-na-kou-sukh-dukh-kar-data-nij-krit-karam-bhog-sab-bhrata-591572.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-moha-after-briefly-describing-the-doctrine-of-karma-lakshman-explains-the-nuances-of-gyan-yoga-to-nishadraj-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-292-he-starts-by-elucidating-the-dualities-of-life-jog-biyog-manda-moha-mool-paramarath-naahin-591584.html T Ram Sewak MOHAAfter briefly describing the doctrine of karma Lakshman explains the nuances of gyan yoga to Nishadraj in Shri Ramcharitmanas 292 He starts by elucidating the dualities of lifejog biyog manda moha mool paramarath naahinUnion and separation pleasure and pain friends and foes etc are all snares of delusion Even so birth and death prosperity and adversity etc are all illusions Material possessions family heaven and hell and all the phenomena of the world nay whatever is seen heard or thought of with the mind has its root in moha delusion nothing exists in realityLakshman starts by elucidating the dualities of life and underscoring that we take this physical and emotional realm to be true Nothing except HIM is the absolute truth For example some beliefs considered truth by a society may not be regarded the same by another Continuing karma vaad Lakshman says that our mind is camouflaged when we believe objects people etc circumstances to be real Then a being cannot discover the divinity within and thus becomes a slave to the circumstancesOur spiritual journey necessitates recognizing the truth of the indestructible soul atma as the essence of our being by transcending dehabhiman identification with the physical body However this truth cannot be empirically experienced The experiences of pleasure and pain in our lives while practical truths are not the absolute truth As Shri Krishna clarifies in Gita 223 the soul is divine and unaffected by any material object No one can bestow these experiences upon it it is beyond the dualities of sukh and dukh and no circumstance is inherently beneficial or detrimental to it All we perceive as real the world around us the people in our lives and our circumstances are delusions born out of ignorance the fetters of the mind On the spiritual path we endeavour to realize this truth and reach HIM the absolute truth DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings59The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-moha-after-briefly-describing-the-doctrine-of-karma-lakshman-explains-the-nuances-of-gyan-yoga-to-nishadraj-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-292-he-starts-by-elucidating-the-dualities-of-life-jog-biyog-manda-moha-mool-paramarath-naahin-591584.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-sapna-after-previously-stating-that-whatever-we-perceive-as-real-is-a-delusion-born-out-of-ignorance-lakshman-now-explains-this-through-a-591595.html T Ram Sewak SAPNAAfter previously stating that whatever we perceive as real is a delusion born out of ignorance Lakshman now explains this through an analogy in Shri Ramcharitmanas 292sapane hoi bhikhari nrip timi prapanch jiya joiJust as in a dream a king may become a beggar or a beggar may become the Lord of paradise On waking no one gains or loses anything Similarly this illusion of the visible world should be viewed dreamlikeLakshman uses this metaphor to illustrate the impermanence of this world He underscores that everything we see and experience the practical truth is like a dream that fades away when we wake up The only difference is that this dream appears longer and is on account of the sleep of ignorance under the spell of Maya He uses the word prapanch to very simply bring out the crux of the concept of Vidya Maya HIS creation and Avidya Maya the illusion of I mine you yours He describes this world as the Unreal reality the ultimate paradoxIn the sleep of ignorance we experience this world as pleasant or painful The catalyst for these experiences is the circumstances which stem from our actions karma These actions however are rooted in the egoistic notion of being the doer karta bhav Thus in this sleep of ignorance we become slaves to the circumstances although they are transient and disappear like a dream The question is who remains awake and does not fall asleep Shri Krishna says in Gita 269 that the selfcontrolled man keeps awake when all are asleep in ignoranceThe above is also mirrored in Shri Ramcharitmanas 339 where Lord Shiva while narrating the katha to Mata Parvati lays down this dictumUma kahun main anubhav apna sat hari bhajan jagat sab sapna Uma I39ll tell you my realisation This world is a dream the only reality is devotion to HIM DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings60The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-sapna-after-previously-stating-that-whatever-we-perceive-as-real-is-a-delusion-born-out-of-ignorance-lakshman-now-explains-this-through-a-591595.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-yogi-lakshman-now-delves-into-the-characteristics-of-a-yogi-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-293-moha-nisa-sab-paramarthi-prapanch-biyogi-591607.html T Ram Sewak YOGILakshman now delves into the characteristics of a Yogi in Shri Ramcharitmanas 293Moha nisa sab paramarthi prapanch biyogiEveryone in this mundane existence is slumbering in the night of delusion Only those Yogis mystics are awake who are in quest of the highest truth and have detached themselves from this illusionary worldEchoing Shri Krishnas portrayal of Yogis in Gita 269 and 644 47 Lakshman says that when everyone else ensnared by Maya is asleep in ignorance only the Yogis are awake He then highlights two of their qualities First a Yogi is a paramarthi seeking the ultimate reality He is sanyami selfcontrolled having withdrawn his senses from their objects and focusing only on HIM Further he uses all practices of japa tapa sadhana etc only as a compass to guide him to the supreme truth They are not his goal Also all his karma is devoted to the Divine helping him seek the ultimate reality while saving him from getting entangled in this Maya of existenceSecondly a Yogi is a prapanch biyogi someone who transcends worldly attachments This doesnt imply that he has rejected this world Instead he uses his life and this world as the means to reach HIM his ultimate goal Therefore we should also deploy our body mind intellect and material resources to reach HIM They are the means and should not become our goal Unfortunately we are asleep in ignorance and so attached to this world that we make HIM the means and this illusionary world our goal Only when we cultivate vairagya detachment do we awaken to decipher this puzzleThe pinnacle of vairagya and gyan is the same Hence such realized Yogi experiences practical truths as false in the same way he perceives illusory truths as false In Gita 646 Shri Krishna exhorts Arjun and all of us to strive to be that Yogi DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings61The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-yogi-lakshman-now-delves-into-the-characteristics-of-a-yogi-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-293-moha-nisa-sab-paramarthi-prapanch-biyogi-591607.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-guru-sewa-shri-ram-narrates-the-third-form-of-bhakti-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-335-guru-pada-pankaj-sewa-teesari-bhagati-amaan--591362.html T Ram Sewak GURU SEWAShri Ram narrates the third form of bhakti to Sabari in Shri Ramcharitmanas 335Guru pada pankaj sewa teesari bhagati amaan Humble service of the Gurus lotus feet is the third form of devotionThis pronouncement of humbly serving the Guru mirrors Shri Krishnas discourse in Gita 138 One of the most challenging obstacles in the spiritual journey is our ahamkara the egoHere Shri Ram gives us the mantra to surmount itIt is not without reason that santsang and fondness for katha have been mentioned earlier as forms of bhakti Being in the company of sants and fondness for HIS katha creates opportunities for a bhaktmumukshu seeker of truth and liberation to be spotted by a Guru After that serving his Guru with humility helps a bhakt overcome his ahamkara The satsang of the Guru infuses him with bhakti and leads him to salvationThere is an episode in Shri Ramcharitmanas where Rishi Matanga recognising Sabaris unqualified devotion while serving him initiates her into the japa of Shri Ram mahamantra When she inquires about Shri Ram the Rishi blesses her saying that HE will reach her on his own accord This is the efficacy and potency of humbly serving the Guru Sant Kabir writes in his famous dohaGuru Govind dowoo khade Govind diyo batayeIf you meet the Guru and the Almighty together prostrate to the Guru first because he has guided you to the AlmightyOn the bhakti marg the Guru is HIS messenger Responding on HIS behalf and assuring the bhakt during the highs and lows that HE cares for and loves him Our shastras identify the Supreme as the Sun and the Guru as the Moon no light of its own and only reflecting the light of the Sun However like the moonlight the Gurus radiance is cool calm and soothing Guiding the bhakt steadily but surely to HIM DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings25The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-guru-sewa-shri-ram-narrates-the-third-form-of-bhakti-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-335-guru-pada-pankaj-sewa-teesari-bhagati-amaan--591362.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 08:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-kirtan-the-fourth-form-of-bhakti-articulated-by-shri-ram-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-335-is-what-we-popularly-call-kirtan-chauthi-bhagati-mama-guna-gan-karai-kapat-taji-gaan--591366.html T Ram Sewak KIRTANThe fourth form of bhakti articulated by Shri Ram to Sabari in Shri Ramcharitmanas 335 is what we popularly call kirtanchauthi bhagati mama guna gan karai kapat taji gaan the fourth type of devotion is singing My praises with a guileless heart Most of us would have experienced the bliss of kirtan It involves threefold devotion shravanlisteninggayan singing andsimaranrememberingIt facilitates the objective of HIS constant remembrance and fixing the mind on HIM While outlining the attributes of Mahatmas in Gita 914 Shri Krishna says that these bhakts purify their mind through kirtan constantly worshipping and thinking of HIMDuring the bhakti movement and afterwards saints and bhakts invariably expressed their love devotion and mystic experiences through hymns in sweet and lyrical musical compositions that tune the soul with the Anhad Naad eternal rhythm This kirtan lifts one out of time and space leading to the blessing of an occasional glimpse of divinityAs a form of bhakti kirtan transformed devotion from individual to collective under the guidance of a santguru Both katha and kirtan create an ambience for the bhaktmumukshu seeker awakening and nurturing his bhakti thus helping him reach his Isht Devata Cherished DeityIn Gita 635 Shri Krishna says that the mind is restless and difficult to control However by practice and dispassion it can be restrained Being in santsang having a fondness for HIS katha serving the guru sans ahamkara and hearing and chanting HIS kirtan guilelessly engages the knowledge senses in the divine realm which helps in restraining the mind from its wanderingsShri Ramcharitmanas underlines kirtan hari guna gan sometimes as the only but often as an easy path to moksha salvation Shri Ramcharitmanas 7103 mentions that in Kaliyug neither yoga concentration of mind yagya performance of sacrifices nor gyan spiritual wisdom is of any avail the only hope for moksha lies in Shri Ram guna gan DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings26The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-kirtan-the-fourth-form-of-bhakti-articulated-by-shri-ram-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-335-is-what-we-popularly-call-kirtan-chauthi-bhagati-mama-guna-gan-karai-kapat-taji-gaan--591366.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 09:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-japa-shri-ram-elucidates-the-profound-spiritual-practice-of-japa-as-the-fifth-form-of-bhakti-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-336-mantra-japa-mama-dridha-bisvasa-pancham-bhajan-so-ved-prakasa-591371.html T Ram Sewak JAPAShri Ram elucidates the profound spiritual practice of Japa as the fifth form of bhakti to Sabari in Shri Ramcharitmanas 336mantra japa mama dridha bisvasa pancham bhajan so ved prakasa Muttering My name with unwavering faith constitutes the fifth form of bhakti revealed in the VedasWe observe that the forms of bhakti expounded by Shri Ram earlier Satsang Katha Guru Sewa and Kirtan are collective Now the focus shifts to the individual While Kirtan is collective spoken simaran Japa is individual silent simaranShri Rams exposition answers three questions what to do japa of mantra and how with resolute trust Vedic scholars see a subtle difference between mantra and naam However for the bhakti saints it was all about simplicity and removing the esotericism in reaching HIM Thus these two words are synonymously used in Shri Ramcharitmanas and Shri Rams name naam is proclaimed the mahamantra In 2194 it says that the whole universe knows Maharishi Valmiki attained divinity even while doing the japa of Shri Rams naam in reverseJapa symbolised through a rosary is practised in all world religions with HIS incessant remembrance and a constant stream of the divine thoughts in the mind Such naam japa is perfection and the moment of perfect tranquillity as one carries out everyday worldly affairsHowever mind control is the biggest challenge and Sant Kabirs doha illustrates it well He says while the hand rotates the rosary and the tongue rambles the name the mind wanders all over Interestingly the challenge is the fruit itself While controlling the mind during japa is most challenging doing japa constantly with steadfast devotion leads to mind controlTherefore in Gita 1025 Shri Krishna elevates japa to the highest pedestal and says that HE is the yajna of japa amongst the yajnas This resonates in Shri Ramcharitmanas 125 with an emphatic declaration that Shri Rams naam japa is bigger than Shri Ram himself DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings27The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-japa-shri-ram-elucidates-the-profound-spiritual-practice-of-japa-as-the-fifth-form-of-bhakti-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-336-mantra-japa-mama-dridha-bisvasa-pancham-bhajan-so-ved-prakasa-591371.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 10:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-sajjan-dharam-shri-ram-unveils-the-sixth-form-of-bhakti-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-336-chhath-dama-sila-birati-bahu-karma-nirata-nirantara-sajjan-dharma-591377.html T Ram Sewak SAJJAN DHARAMShri Ram unveils the sixth form of bhakti to Sabari in Shri Ramcharitmanas 336chhath dama sila birati bahu karma nirata nirantara sajjan dharmaThe sixth is selfcontrol pleasing conduct desisting from manifold activities and ever pursuing the conduct prescribed for the pious and nobleAll the five forms of bhakti enunciated earlier enjoin an action by a bhakt They have an element of external karma Now Shri Ram ordains an attitudinal pattern It is inward looking Highlighting the practice of dama sheel sila and vairagya birati HE sums it up by directing a bhakt to always follow the path of righteousness of the virtuousDama means controlling and disciplining the senses the five karma indriyas and the five gyan indriyas It is part of the journey towards attaining samata equanimity Further a bhakt should practice sheel ie be nonhurting full of compassion empathy and humility He should also refrain from the varied desireprompted activities The nudge is thus towards internal purification and evenness of mindThis form of bhakti finds resonance in Gita 421 There Shri Krishna says that without too many ambitions controlling the body and mind dama and relinquishing all personal possessiveness a selfrealised man renounces all actions vairagya except those necessary barely to maintain his bodyWe observe an interesting and progressive pattern in the revelations of the forms of bhakti From the first which recommended just being in the company of the saints we find that the sixth exhorts the bhakt to follow 24x7 the conduct of the pious and saints But how do these noble souls conduct themselves The conduct and attributes of such santssajjans have been delineated by Shri Krishna in Gita 161163 and by Shri Ram in Shri Ramcharitmanas 736The recommendation to incessantly follow sajjan dharam also reminds us of HIS promise in Shri Ramcharitmanas 1121 and elsewhere that the purpose of HIS avatar is always to relieve the distress of the bhakt sant and sajjan DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings28The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-sajjan-dharam-shri-ram-unveils-the-sixth-form-of-bhakti-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-336-chhath-dama-sila-birati-bahu-karma-nirata-nirantara-sajjan-dharma-591377.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 11:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-ram-mayy-jagat-the-seventh-form-of-bhakti-revealed-by-shri-ram-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-336-is-saatanv-sama-mohi-mayy-jaga-dekha-mote-sant-adhika-kari-lekha-591383.html T Ram Sewak rAm mayy jagatThe seventh form of bhakti revealed by Shri Ram to Sabari in Shri Ramcharitmanas 336 isSaatanv sama mohi mayy jaga dekha mote sant adhika kari lekha Seventh see Me everywhere and everything in Me without distinction and reckon the saints as even greater than MeThere are multiple messages in this proclamation Seeing HIM in everyone everything and everywhere as a form of bhakti is a very forceful message to society on the universal equality of mankind and living in harmony with nature and all creationThe second message is for the individual After achieving inner stability while treading the path of sajjan dharam a bhakt should move to the next higher plane of seeing HIM everywhere and in everyone This state is achieved through consistent satsang katha shravanlistening sewa kirtan and naam japa The bhakt is deep in devotion and immersed in his Isht and Aaradhya attempting to achieve trikaranashuddhi which is the purity and unity of his mansathought vachaspeech and karmanaaction Thus a bhakt should not only possess the evenness of mind but also the evenness of vision He must develop both internal and external equanimity and perceive HIM in all and all in HIMWe find a mirroring of this declaration in Gita 68 69 and 630 where Shri Krishna assures the bhakt that one who sees ME in all beings and sees all beings in ME is never separated from ME nor do I become separated from him Nonseparation and unification with HIM is the ultimate goal of a bhakt who sees this creation as an expression of and suffused with his Isht Shri Ram has underscored the role of sants in every form of bhakti and here elevates them to the highest pedestal This also resonates with his other declarations about bhakts that not only are they the dearest to him but are also higher than HIM DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings29The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-ram-mayy-jagat-the-seventh-form-of-bhakti-revealed-by-shri-ram-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-336-is-saatanv-sama-mohi-mayy-jaga-dekha-mote-sant-adhika-kari-lekha-591383.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-pardosh-shri-ram-enlightens-sabari-on-the-eighth-form-of-bhakti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-336-aanthava-jatha-labha-santosha-sapanehu-nahi-dekhai-pardosha-591391.html T Ram Sewak PARDOSHShri Ram enlightens Sabari on the eighth form of bhakti in Shri Ramcharitmanas 336Aanthava jatha labha santosha sapanehu nahi dekhai pardoshaThe eighth is contentment with whatever is received and not even dreaming of detecting others faultsAs one progresses on the bhakti marg the inner serenity equanimity evenness and purity must take firm roots Contentment with whatever you receive due to your karma is vital Most of our agitation udveg is because of discontentment In our lives sometimes we receive less than our effort and sometimes more Nature has its laws of balance overall it all evens out However we only remember where we think we have received less than we deserve and become discontented and disenchantedThe exhortation here is always to feel content and develop an attitude of gratitude This would bring peace and tranquillity to our minds taking us forward on the path of self realisation Shri Krishna emphasises this in Gita 422 when he says that a selfrealised man is content with what he receives free from dualities dvandva and envy and is evenmindedSecondly Shri Ram proclaims not finding faults in others even in dreams as bhakti Shri Krishna also identifies this as a divine attribute called Apaishunam in Gita 162 The importance of this attribute can be gauged from the fact that not only in the awake state but also in dreams this must be practisedWe often try to escape situations by finding fault in people systems and machines and if all fails then in our fate and God Shifting the blame and pointing to flaws in others only brings negativity We should only search for defects within us and goodness and virtues in others Shri Rams message for a bhakt is to continually develop positivity and annihilate negativity This can only be done by feeling content and positive about what you have received and having positive feelings towards others by never looking at their faults DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings30The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-pardosh-shri-ram-enlightens-sabari-on-the-eighth-form-of-bhakti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-336-aanthava-jatha-labha-santosha-sapanehu-nahi-dekhai-pardosha-591391.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 13:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bharosa-finally-shri-ram-illuminates-the-ninth-form-of-bhakti-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-336-navam-saral-sab-san-chhal-heena-mama-bharos-hiyan-harsh-na-deena-591396.html T Ram Sewak BHAROSAFinally Shri Ram illuminates the ninth form of bhakti to Sabari in Shri Ramcharitmanas 336navam saral sab san chhal heena mama bharos hiyan harsh na deenaNinth form is to be simpleminded and guileless with all and complete reliance on Me without exultation or depressionThis form of bhakti is both its pinnacle and its epitome Shri Rams final dictum is that bhakti is just simple uncomplicated behaviour with all free from deceit and insincerity HE repeatedly asserts that bhaktis anchor is simplicity devoid of complex rituals or esotericism HE proclaims that bhakti requires nothing just an earnest demeanour without cunningness or craft Shri Krishna also identifies this as a divine attribute Arjavam in Gita 161Most of the problems in life arise when we introduce complexity in our behaviour and relationships This leads to expectations Nonfulfilment of these leads to anger and then arrogance and ego take over The key to joyful living is contentment and simplicity in everythingThe second part of this verse reflects Gita1866 where Shri Krishna says that abandoning all dharma Arjun should take refuge in HIM This is the core of bhakti complete surrender and reliance on HIM transcending the polarities of excitement and sadnessThese elements are all interconnected When we have convolution and trickery in behaviour we are caught in the trap of me and mine and dont have the attitude of complete surrender and trust in HIM Until we are guileless simplicity will not come into our behaviour Further we will remain mired in the swings of joy and despair until we perceive every sukh dukh and good fortune or adversity as HIS prasad We shall rise above these dualities and develop equipoise and equanimity only when we change our attitude Thus we must start by annihilating any guile developing straightforward behaviour towards all and cultivating an attitude of complete surrender and reliance on HIM Only this would lead us to HIM DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings31The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bharosa-finally-shri-ram-illuminates-the-ninth-form-of-bhakti-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-336-navam-saral-sab-san-chhal-heena-mama-bharos-hiyan-harsh-na-deena-591396.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-prabhu-priya-shri-ram-now-concludes-his-discourse-on-navadha-bhakti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-336-nava-hoyi-nari-koyi-soi-morey-sakal-torey-591401.html T Ram Sewak PRABHU PRIYAShri Ram now concludes his discourse on Navadha bhakti in Shri Ramcharitmanas 336Nava hoyi Nari koyiSoi morey Sakal toreyWhoever possesses any of these nine forms be it a man woman or any sentient or insentient being is most dear to Me Good lady you are blessed with unflinching devotion of all these typesShri Ram emphatically asserts here that the bhakt is most priya to HIM Here HE is the Sadguru elucidating the bhakti marg step by step and making it simple and accessible for allThe first step is creating the ambience through SantSang The second is developing interest a penchant for his Katha The third is being spotted by the Guru and preparing for the journey by cultivating humility through sewa The fourth step is purifying the bhakt mind through kirtan On the fifth HE turns the bhakt inwards through silent naam simaran or japa The sixth form prescribes an attitudinal regime that helps him attain selfcontrol and equanimity On the seventh Shri Ram raises the level urging the bhakt to see HIM everywhere and everything in HIM The eighth is the culmination of the sadhana through contentment and apaishunam and the final ninth step is the core of bhakti complete surrender and reliance on HIMThis discourse is like a ninecourse meal You may savour each form progressively reaching the pinnacle filling yourself or picking up one form like a meal course and completely satiating your hungerDivine messages often appear repetitive Shri Ram repeats the Navadha Bhakti in Shri Ramcharitmanas and Shri Krishna does that in Gita until Arjun says 1873 that all his delusions have vanished A Sadguru purposefully repeats expounds and delineates the message until the shishya has wholly internalised it Thus by repeating the message he makes us traverse the same path again and again so walking the same path becomes a habit that leads us to HIM DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings32The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-prabhu-priya-shri-ram-now-concludes-his-discourse-on-navadha-bhakti-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-336-nava-hoyi-nari-koyi-soi-morey-sakal-torey-591401.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 15:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-chhal-heen-jigyasu-shri-ramcharitmanas-has-some-lustrous-and-illuminating-conversations-one-is-between-shri-ram-and-lakshman-in-aranyakan-591409.html T Ram Sewak CHHAL HEEN JIGYASUShri Ramcharitmanas has some lustrous and illuminating conversations One is between Shri Ram and Lakshman in Aranyakand 31417 when they lived in Panchvati during their exile It starts asEk baar prabhu aasina lachhman bachanchhal heenaSur nar sai main poochhaun naiOnce as the Lord was sitting at ease Lakshman addressed HIM in guileless words Oh Lord of celestials humans sages and all animate and inanimate creation I ask of You as of my own masterThis dialogue is popularly called Shri Ram Gita While Shrimad Bhagavad Gita was imparted to a delusional Arjun on the battlefield Shri Ram Gita is an elucidation delivered to a Jigyasu Lakshman in the serene and calm environs of PanchvatiUsing the adjective guileless chhal heen for Lakshmans queries is essential here because sincere earnest guileless behaviour is a form of bhakti This mirrors Gita 434 that a question on spirituality should be honest and heartfelt it shouldnt be asked to demonstrate ones knowledge and mastery or embarrass anyone The guru and master must be looked up to as divinity incarnate and the seeker should ask a query with the same faith and reverencea big lesson to be humbleFurther there is a meaning to Lakshmans name viz Laksh man Lakshya means goal and man means mind The goal of every sadhak is mind control and the one who has reached the goal of mind control is LakshmanThere could be a doubt Why does Lakshman an avatar of Sheshnag the eternal thousandheaded serpent which is the resting place of Lord Vishnu and who identified himself as the param bhakt and sewak of Shri Ram have any queries on Gyan Bhakti and Maya The answer is that Lakshman is just the medium here The message is for us The critical point here is that irrespective of the setting HIS message is eternal whether in the serenity of a forest or on a battlefield DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings33The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-chhal-heen-jigyasu-shri-ramcharitmanas-has-some-lustrous-and-illuminating-conversations-one-is-between-shri-ram-and-lakshman-in-aranyakan-591409.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 16:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-jigyasa-lakshman-requests-shri-ram-with-complete-reverence-and-humility-elucidation-on-five-questions-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-314-k-591413.html T Ram Sewak JIGYASALakshman requests Shri Ram with complete reverence and humility elucidation on five questions in Shri Ramcharitmanas 314 kahahu maya kahahu dayaisvara samujhai jate jaiPlease explain to me Gyan spiritual wisdom Vairagya dispassion Maya Illusion and that Bhakti which leads to Your grace Also what is the difference between Ishwar the Supreme and the jeev individual being Please make me understand all so that I am devoted to Your feet and my sorrow infatuation and delusion disappearThe manner of Lakshmans five queries underlines five essential aspects of a jigyasa desire for knowledge From whom when what how and most importantly why are such questions to be askedLakshman invokes Shri Ram as the Supreme however the request for explication is as if from the Guru Only a Guru can unravel the science about the self the path to self realisation and satisfy such jigyasa In Gita27 Arjun realising his confusion and delusion pleads to Shri Krishna to be his GuruFurther jigyasa must be displayed when the Guru is relaxed and not preoccupied The appropriate ambience is essential as such conversations are more like transmission of thoughts from the Guru and reception by the shishyaThe questions must be profound and thoughtprovoking perplexing the jigyasu and hindering his path to selfrealisationFurther the yearning for clarity jigyasa must be expressed with full faith and devotion It should be a solicitation for the Gurus graceLakshman finally reveals the most critical element of his jigyasa the why He gives us two robust reasonsfirst he seeks the fruit of Gyan to rid himself of sorrow delusion and misconception Second the Amrit of bhakti to enhance his bhaktiThus the path he shows us is devout service to the MasterGuru thus progressing towards egolessness leading to faithbhakti and hence knowledge Bhakti and knowledge are ever in mutualism Therefore every jigyasa on a spiritual journey must satisfy these essential aspects to be fructiferous DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings34The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-jigyasa-lakshman-requests-shri-ram-with-complete-reverence-and-humility-elucidation-on-five-questions-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-314-k-591413.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-shravan-shri-ram-responds-with-great-affection-to-lakshmans-queries-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-thorehi-maha-saba-kahau-bujhai-sunahu-tata-mati-mana-chitta-lai-591421.html T Ram Sewak SHRAVANShri Ram responds with great affection to Lakshmans queries in Shri Ramcharitmanas 315thorehi maha saba kahau bujhai sunahu tata mati mana chitta laiIll explain everything briefly listen dear with your mind intellect and memory fully concentratedAfter Lakshman demonstrated the art of seeking spiritual guidance Jigyasa Shri Ram now imparts us the art of listening ShravanHE assures Laxman that hell make him understand everything although through a brief exposition Conveying such profound concepts concisely with the listener grasping them swiftly demonstrates the exceptional quality and adept intelligence of both the teacher and the student It happens when the connection between the transmitter Guru and the receiver jigyasu is robust welltuned and perfectly harmonious A jigyasu must understand that Gurus response to even convoluted questions need not be longwinded It is the receptacle of his mind that must be ever wide open to receive the entire rain of nectar of the Gurus graceShri Ram further instructs Lakshman to listen with his mind mana intellect mati and memory chitta entirely focused This is the art of listening attentive and concentrated Then even in concise explanations understanding blossoms When our mind wanders comprehension diminishes hindering our grasp of even the simplest things We have to listen and not merely hear Often we hear and dont register the content or we hear to retort Listening transcends mere hearing it involves hearing with a concentrated mind mana understanding it through our intellect buddhi and then absorbing it in our memory chittaIn Gita 1326 Shri Krishna asserts that those unable to pursue Gyan Yoga or Karma Yoga can transcend beyond life and death merely by shravan and devotedly worshipping the Supreme Such listening is about absorbing the divine word and connecting with HIMTherefore Shri Ram emphasises that Lakshman must hear HIM with complete integration of mind intellect and memory because listening to spiritual discourses is not just hearing but profound receptive and contemplative engagement with HIM DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings35The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-shravan-shri-ram-responds-with-great-affection-to-lakshmans-queries-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-thorehi-maha-saba-kahau-bujhai-sunahu-tata-mati-mana-chitta-lai-591421.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-maya-in-his-elucidation-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-shri-ram-has-changed-the-order-of-responses-for-two-reasons-first-while-a-jigyas-591430.html T Ram Sewak MAYAIn his elucidation in Shri Ramcharitmanas 315 Shri Ram has changed the order of responses for two reasons First while a jigyasu is confused about the order of his queries the Guru knows perfectly the sequence in which the concepts must be explained Secondly we are all constantly under the spell of Maya which is the biggest hindrance to self realisation Thus Shri Ram wishes to unravel the mystique of Maya first and then lead us to Vivek discretion Vairagya nonattachment and Gyanmain maya jehin nikayago gochar jaee so saba maya bhaiThe notion I and mine you and yours is the Maya Illusion It holds sway over all created beings Whatever is perceived by the senses and lies within the reach of mind is all MayaShri Ram knows HIS Maya is indescribable It is HIS delusional and enrapturing potency and causation cannot define its nature Hence HE explains Maya through its effectsMayas most common manifestation is our conviction that I did this I shall not allow that I am I have This is mine my power my property my relations my intellect You have done this or not done that this is yours and not yours We are always lost in this maze till such time reality strikes When its time to leave we realise that nothing ever belonged to us and nothing was ever under control There was never an I or you nothing was ever mine or your This is Maya this is the illusion that makes us all delusionalShri Ramcharitmanas1140 says there is no celestial human or sage whom this Maya cannot infatuate This Maya is allpervasive controlling all beings The whole manifested universe is in Maya its working on all in all and is most challenging to transcend However Shri Krishna rescues us in Gita 714 where HE asserts that HIS Maya can be surmounted by those who take refuge in HIM DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings36The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-maya-in-his-elucidation-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-shri-ram-has-changed-the-order-of-responses-for-two-reasons-first-while-a-jigyas-591430.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 19:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-avidya-maya-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-shri-ram-expounds-on-the-dual-nature-of-maya-tehi-soaou-bidya-apar-abidya-doaou-ek-roopa-ja-koopa-591439.html T Ram Sewak AVIDYA MAYAIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 315 Shri Ram expounds on the dual nature of Mayatehi soaou bidya apar abidya doaouek roopa ja koopaAnd hear of its two forms viz knowledgecreation and ignoranceillusion The one illusion is vile and extremely painful and has cast Jeev into metempsychosisThe whole existence is structured as two layers of Maya The Vidya form as HIS creation is the core and the Avidya Maya ie our illusion is wrapped around it entrapping the Jeev completely It is the Unreal reality the ultimate paradox What we perceive as true or real is inherently deceptive and transientWhat Shri Ram has referred to earlier as Maya is its Avidya illusion form This is the manifestation of Mayas delusional and enrapturing potency It is termed a vicious and agonising force because it leads Jeev into the continuous cycle of transmigratory existence It leads us to pain and sorrow because under its illusionary spell we create I Me Mine and You and Yours This leads to attachment and desire As Shri Krishna explains in Gita 26263 nonfulfilment of these desires leads to anger delusion and memory loss This leads to ruin namely entrapment in the painful and sorrowful cycle of birth and deathBut what is this ignorance or illusion It is the failure to decipher reality In this transient and material world we babble my and mine This is the illusion For instance the house we occupy and claim as mine is also the dwelling of creatures like lizards spiders etc Is this house yours or theirs Someone else owned it earlier and someone else will own it afterwards This thoughtlessness this ignorance of me and mine you and yours is indeed the well the trap We create for ourselves a world of makebelieve in this illusory existence What we perceive as real whether tangible or intangible are assumptions This mirage is Avidya Maya DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings37The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-avidya-maya-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-shri-ram-expounds-on-the-dual-nature-of-maya-tehi-soaou-bidya-apar-abidya-doaou-ek-roopa-ja-koopa-591439.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 20:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-vidya-maya-shri-ram-further-elucidates-the-second-form-of-maya-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-ek-rachai-jaakey-prabhu-taakey-591445.html T Ram Sewak VIDYA MAYAShri Ram further elucidates the second form of Maya in Shri Ramcharitmanas 315 ek rachai jaakey prabhu taakeyVidya knowledge brings forth the creation and holds sway over the three Gunas Sattva Rajas and Tamas It works as directed by HIM and has no intrinsic powerVidya Maya is HIS creative potency also called the Trigunatmika Maya threefold employing the three gunas under HIS guidance to manifest existence Unlike Avidya Maya it does not inherently cause any sorrow Everything perceptible to our senses including our bodies is Vidya Maya This declaration also finds reflection in Gita 910The Supremes incarnation avatar always coexists with his creative potency shakti the Yogmaya and Shri Ramcharitmanas 11 and 2123 illustrate Sitaji as this incarnate creative potency This seamlessly introduces us to the profound concept of HIS Leela the divine playLets explore this through a simple analogy This creation resembles a movie scripted by HIM a manifestation of HIS playful selfexpression It encompasses both positive and negative aspects akin to various sets in a film Though tangible they are unreal for they are not what they appear to be this is Vidya MayaFurther the illusion of the actors for their characters though unreal makes the movie appear real Under the spell of that illusion the viewers get emotionally invested in the film Only when it ends do they realise that they were invested for real in something unreal this is Avidya MayaMaya means that which is not HIS Leela blending Vidya and Avidya Maya makes the infinite appear finite and the immortal appear mortal As Shri Krishna affirms in Gita715 we cannot understand this divine dimension of Maya because we are all encapsulated in its realm We are all playing our roles in Vidya Maya while entangled in Avidya Maya fulfilling the ultimate purpose of all HIS Leela to help us realise the truth and reunite with HIM DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings38The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-vidya-maya-shri-ram-further-elucidates-the-second-form-of-maya-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-ek-rachai-jaakey-prabhu-taakey-591445.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 21:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-gyan-nirabhiman-after-explaining-the-intricacies-of-maya-shri-ram-gives-its-antidote-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-gyan-maan-jahan-ekau-naahin-591453.html T Ram Sewak GYAN NIRABHIMANAfter explaining the intricacies of Maya Shri Ram gives its antidote in Shri Ramcharitmanas 315 Gyan maan jahan ekau naahin In spiritual wisdom there is no blemish like pride etc Although Lakshmans first query was on Gyan Shri Ram strategically describes it after elucidating the nature of Maya Here Gyan signifies not merely knowledge or learning but a profound understanding It is the antidote to go beyond the illusionary Avidya MayaIn Gita 13812 Shri Krishna delineates Gyan outlining moral qualities and ascetic practices conducive to spiritual awakening True to his promise to Lakshman to explain everything in brief Shri Ram summarises beautifully that Gyan begins with Nirabhimanthe absence of selfprideArrogance and pride originate from the illusion of I and mine you and yours Gyan is comprehending this unreality and transcending it Shri Rams sequence of explaining Maya before Gyan underscores the necessity of this progressionGita 138 begins by underscoring Amaanitvam stressing the absence of egoistic selfpride Humility or absence of pride is thus the anchor of that Gyan understanding which enables an understanding of Avidya Maya By conquering pride and abandoning arrogance one develops an understanding of the transient nature of creation including our own physical form This understanding helps unravel the intertwined illusory aspects of Vidya and Avidya MayaThe brevity of mentioning pride etc is intentional representing the significance of humility Pride Ahankar is regarded as the worst of the shadripu the six enemies of the mind alongside Kaam Krodh Lobh Moh and Matsary Ahankar the ego when combined with material creation Vidya Maya ensnares individuals in the illusory dualitythe Avidya Maya Illustrating the potency of Gyan as the antidote to Maya Shri Ram imparts Gyan wisdom to Tara Balis widow in Shri Ramcharitmanas 411 dispelling her delusion This narrative serves as a poignant example of how understanding rooted in humility can liberate individuals from the enchantments of illusion DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings39The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-gyan-nirabhiman-after-explaining-the-intricacies-of-maya-shri-ram-gives-its-antidote-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-315-gyan-maan-jahan-ekau-naahin-591453.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 22:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-gyan-brahm-saman-shri-ram-continues-his-discourse-to-lakshman-on-gyan-understanding-591458.html T Ram Sewak GYAN BRAHM SAMANShri Ram continues his discourse to Lakshman on Gyan understandingwisdom in Shri Ramcharitmanas 315 dekh brahm saman sab maahin see the Supreme equally in allBut how do we see the Supreme Brahm in all By comprehending Brahm as the primal cause substratum and origin of the universes creation preservation and dissolution This is like how all gold jewellery shares the same gold or electricity flows through every electrical appliance This realisation however manifests only in a pure mind devoid of ahankarIn Gita 518 Shri Krishna articulates this as samadarsitva seeing all as equal since the same atma resides in all This theme recurs in Gita 689 and 630 emphasising perceiving HIM in all and all in HIMThe biggest obstacle to achieving this understanding is Dehabhiman ie identification with the physical body Overcoming it necessitates recognising the bodys impermanence and realising the Atmas essence ie transcending physical existence and uniting with Paramatma Brahm Once this realisation occurs the mind perceives Brahm in allanimate and inanimateHere Shri Ram is reverberating the profundity of the first mahavakya viz Prgyanam Brahm ie Pure Consciousness is Brahm All the inert and conscious aspects of the world originated from the Supreme HE also encapsulates the fourth mahavakya viz Aham Brahmasmi ie I am Brahm signifying the realisation of ones identity with HIM However Shri Ram underscores that the focus should not be on I but on Brahm by first emphasising the importance of getting rid of the ahankar of I Thus HE makes it a precondition for us to see Brahm in allShri Ram proclaims concisely that developing an unwavering singular consciousness about the Supreme and perceiving HIM as uniformly pervasive in all and in your intellect and mind with a complete absence of ego and possessiveness is Gyan This elucidation also embodies a convergence of the paths of knowledge Gyan and devotion Bhakti DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings40The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-gyan-brahm-saman-shri-ram-continues-his-discourse-to-lakshman-on-gyan-understanding-591458.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 23:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-sama-yama-niyama-shri-ram-now-gives-us-the-tools-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-viz-sama-yama-and-niyama-thatll-help-us-achieve-a-pure-and-steady-mind-sama-jama-niyama-silimukh-nana-591337.html T Ram Sewak SAMA YAMA NIYAMAShri Ram now gives us the tools in Vibhishan Gita Shri Ramcharitmanas 679 viz Sama Yama and Niyama thatll help us achieve a pure and steady mind sama jama niyama silimukh nanaquietude various forms of abstinence and observances are the sheaf of arrows Sama is an internal restraint It is the discipline of thoughts It is controlling your reactions mindfully while being aware of your thoughts It is the evenness in thoughts Through awareness and practice it can be achieved even in the presence of polarities It comes when there is true fulfilment within When the mind will not wander after anything It is then that you are ready for yogaYama comprises the Do not in life They are ahimsa satyam asteyam brahmacharya and aparigraha ie to abstain from violence falsehood theft dissoluteness and covetousnessNiyama is the Do in life and are saucha physical cleanliness and mental purity santosh contentment svadhyay study of scriptures tapa austerity and Ishwar Pranidhanam surrender to GodBoth yama and niyama are parts of the Ashtanga Yoga that includes Asana Pranayama Pratyaharasense withdrawal Dharana concentration Dhyana meditation and Samadhi That yoga comprises only asana and pranayama is a huge misconception While Shri Krishna delineates ashtanga yoga in Chapter 6 of Gita the jewel is 617 where he exhorts us to exercise moderation in eating and recreation sleep and whatever activities we do so that we can attain yoga the destroyer of all dukha Through yama and niyama a sadhak purifies his mind They comprise the moral code the initial step which is sadachara right conduct the very foundation of attaining yoga They are also the divine attributes that we find in Gita 161163 Their universality is thus undeniable Here Shri Ram enjoins us to have the sheaf of arrows of sama yama and niyama which if present in the quiver of mind shall make it pure and steady DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings18The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-sama-yama-niyama-shri-ram-now-gives-us-the-tools-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-viz-sama-yama-and-niyama-thatll-help-us-achieve-a-pure-and-steady-mind-sama-jama-niyama-silimukh-nana-591337.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 00:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-guru-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-shri-ram-now-reveals-the-armour-for-self-protection-kavacha-abheda-bipra-guru-pooja-591350.html T Ram Sewak GURUIn Vibhishan Gita Shri Ramcharitmanas 679 Shri Ram now reveals the armour for selfprotectionkavacha abheda bipra guru pooja Homage to the learned and ones Guru is an impenetrable armour Guru means the dispeller of darkness Indeed many of us would have experienced the power of the blessings and grace of our Guru both in worldly affairs and in our spiritual journey In Shri Ramcharitmanas while the Guru is elevated to an incarnation of God in the opening shlokas the learned and the Guru have been revered throughout The familiar shlokaGurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu equates the Guru to the divine trinity and the Supreme AlmightyThere are two aspects to this exhortation First anyone who venerates the learned and his Guru is bound to receive their blessings which are powerful and bountiful The dictum in Shri Ramcharitmanas 1166 is that a Guru can save you even from the wrath of Brahma but none in the world can save a person whose Guru is upset with himSecond it is about inculcating humility In Shri Ramcharitmanas Shri Ram and others exhibit extreme reverence for the learned and their Guru and humbly seek his permission before doing anything In fact Guru Vasishta was the final arbiter when deciding on Bharats strong urgings to Shri Ram to return to Ayodhya All through Shri Rams humility is compelling and by enjoining us to revere the learned and the Guru he expects us to develop modesty and humility the foundation of all virtuesThis idea resonates in Gita 1714 where Shri Krishna designates worship of the learned and the Guru as a form of tapasya and lists modesty as a divine attribute in Gita 162 Thus we are given here an assurance for individual safety in this world and in our spiritual journey if we have these two powerful elements in our chariot of righteousness humility and the blessings of our Guru DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings19The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-guru-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-shri-ram-now-reveals-the-armour-for-self-protection-kavacha-abheda-bipra-guru-pooja-591350.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 02:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bhajan-while-giving-us-the-allegory-of-the-dharma-rath-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-shri-ram-says-isa-bhajan-sarathi-sujana-591351.html T Ram Sewak BHAJANWhile giving us the allegory of the dharma rath in Vibhishan Gita Shri Ramcharitmanas 679 Shri Ram says Isa bhajan sarathi sujana Adoration of God is the dexterous charioteer An accomplished warrior may have a robust chariot with fast agile spirited horses and the best weaponry however the sine qua non for victory is a sagacious and skillful charioteer The Pandavas won Mahabharata because Shri Krishna was Arjunas charioteer Similarly in the battle of life the chariot of righteousness requires the astute charioteer bhajan for success in worldly affairs and the spiritual journeyIn Shri Ramcharitmanas 335 Shri Ram explains that bhajan is a form of bhakti Adoration immersion and chanting of HIS name with vishwas and shraddha even in the simplest manner leads one to salvation Similarly in Gita 122 Shri Krishna explains bhakti as constant worship with the mind fixed on HIM with steadfast surrender and supreme faithFurther Shri Krishna prescribes a simple path for a bhakta in Gita 121011 to do all actions for HIM take refuge in HIM and renounce the fruits of all actions Then erelong HE shall be the saviour Gita 1267Here Shri Ram is enjoining us to make bhaktibhajan the charioteer of our dharma rath As a charioteer takes care of the warrior at all times on the battlefield and safely takes him to his destination similarly bhajan protects a person and ensures that he steadfastly holds on to his dharma in the battle of life The charioteer bhajan guides and ensures that the horses in the form of bal vivek dama and parahit always take the chariot on the right trackThis exhortation underlines that only with bhaktibhajan as the pivot can one skillfully use the noble attributes for a righteous life Further even if unfortunately in the battle of life this chariot of righteousness does suffer some damage the charioteer bhajan shall ensure a safe onward journey DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings20The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-bhajan-while-giving-us-the-allegory-of-the-dharma-rath-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-shri-ram-says-isa-bhajan-sarathi-sujana-591351.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 03:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-dharma-rath-shri-ram-concludes-the-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-his-metaphorical-representation-of-the-dharma-rath-chariot-of-righteousness-with-an-emphatic-declaration-sakha-dharmamaya-asa-ratha-jankey-jeetan-kahan-na-katahun-ripu-tankey-591352.html T Ram Sewak DHARMA RATHShri Ram concludes the Vibhishan Gita Shri Ramcharitmanas 679 his metaphorical representation of the dharma rath chariot of righteousness with an emphatic declarationsakha dharmamaya asa ratha jankey jeetan kahan na katahun ripu tankeyMy friend he who has such a chariot of righteousness shall have no enemy left to conquer anywhereVibhishan Gita not only explains the attributes we must inculcate for a righteous life in this world but also reveals a path to salvation A person with such a dharma rath sees himself in all humans He attains that selfrealisation that he is a part of the Supreme Being Thus he has no enemies leftOnce that realisation has dawned one has also conquered the most significant enemy within the I our ego our ahamkara This world is nothing but a creation of our ahamkara and once that is overcome you are invincible This state of mind while extremely difficult to achieve is possible and here Shri Ram gives us that dharma rath that leads to achieving it Shri Krishna also declares in Gita 165 after delineating similar attributes that a person with such attributes is deemed for liberationShri Ram has used a straightforward allegory in response to a simple doubt born out of a bhaktas Vibhishan love HE reinforces the anchor of the bhakti movement that one can attain union with the Almighty through simple uncomplicated devotion No priests or intermediaries are required no complicated erudite language No rituals just pure love and HIS remembrance with full faith and simplicityThe message is succinct but we shouldnt miss its metaphorical importance The venue is a battlefield and the battle is between dharma and adharma This message is for all of us since this world is a battlefield where we have our own similar everyday battles Also this was Shri Rams advice to Vibhishan the future Lankesh for reestablishing dharma the purpose of HIS avatar DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings21The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-dharma-rath-shri-ram-concludes-the-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-his-metaphorical-representation-of-the-dharma-rath-chariot-of-righteousness-with-an-emphatic-declaration-sakha-dharmamaya-asa-ratha-jankey-jeetan-kahan-na-katahun-ripu-tankey-591352.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 04:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-navadha-bhakti-the-story-of-shri-ram-has-been-and-continues-to-be-told-by-innumerable-saints-and-poets-in-many-languages-and-mediums-howe-591353.html T Ram Sewak NAVADHA BHAKTIThe story of Shri Ram has been and continues to be told by innumerable saints and poets in many languages and mediums However Shri Ramcharitmanas remains the most famous narration and devotees of Shri Ram find in it a continuous oozing of the bhakti rasaShri Ramcharitmanas repeatedly underscores bhakti as the simplest and easiest path the one dearest to HIM It contains some matchless personification of bhakti in the form of Lord Shiva Bharat Lakshman Hanuman Kewat Jatayu Sharbhang and many more However Sabari is one bhakt that stands out and receives immense recognition and grace from Shri Ram himselfShri Ram proclaims in his delightful conversation with Sabari Shri Ramcharitmanas 335kaha raghupati sunu bhamini bata manahun ek bhagati kara natanavadha bhagati kahaun tohi pahinListen O good lady I recognise no other kinship except that of devotionNow I tell you the nine forms of devotionShri Krishna makes a similar declaration in Gita 929 when HE says that while he is the same to all beings those who worship him with bhakti are in him and he is also in themSabari was a simple old forestdwelling woman No person with excellent knowledge beauty wealth or power yet Shri Ram expounds to her the treasure of Navadha Bhakti While guiding us on that path his sermon pays tribute to her resolute and steadfast bhakti recognising her immense greatness as a bhakt HE emphasises that irrespective of caste lineage dharma wealth accomplishments etc he considers a person lacking in bhakti worth no more than a cloud without waterShri Ramcharitmanas frequently asserts the paramountcy of bhakti especially in Kaliyuga In 786 Shri Ram tells Kakbhushundiji a sage in the form of a crow that although he loves everyone and everything because all is his creation nonetheless his bhakt is the one dearest to himShri Rams revelation of Navadha Bhakti follows DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings22The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-navadha-bhakti-the-story-of-shri-ram-has-been-and-continues-to-be-told-by-innumerable-saints-and-poets-in-many-languages-and-mediums-howe-591353.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 05:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-sant-sang-shri-ram-elucidates-the-nine-different-forms-of-bhakti-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-335-prathama-bhagati-santan-kara-sanga-591354.html T Ram Sewak SANT SANGShri Ram elucidates the nine different forms of bhakti to Sabari in Shri Ramcharitmanas 335Prathama bhagati santan kara sanga The first form of bhakti is company of the saintsFor those who wish to tread the path of bhakti but are still determining where to start Shri Ram pronounces santsang as the first stepBut who is a sant and what are his qualities This question has been answered a few times in Shri Ramcharitmanas in 157 34546 541 and 73641In everyday parlance santsang and satsang are used interchangeably Some may doubt it because literally translated the two words appear different Satsang appears as a much higher concept sat means truth that which is realShri Ram clears the fog by explaining a sants qualities HE says sants are those men of virtue who have conquered desire anger greed delusion pride and envy Their disposition is such that even if someone harms them they continue to be good in return They neither identify themselves to their body nor have any awareness of it These holy men are free of all attachments and with complete surrender and love are constantly soaked in HIS bhakti They have realised their real self and discovered satsatya the ultimate truth Hence their company is satsangWe find reflections of this proclamation in Gita 255 where Shri Krishna describes such a person as stithpragna and in 1425 as someone who has transcended all the three gunasBhakti Marg is opening up the esoteric path of reaching HIM Making the journey simple easy and devoid of any rituals or knowledge of the scriptures Shri Ram makes it very simple for us Just being in the company of sants would be enough to reach HIM The ambience and their aura would be sufficient for a seeker to imbibe the spirit of surrender and love immerse in HIS bhakti and discover satya DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings23The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-sant-sang-shri-ram-elucidates-the-nine-different-forms-of-bhakti-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-335-prathama-bhagati-santan-kara-sanga-591354.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 06:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-katha-shri-ram-elucidates-the-second-form-of-bhakti-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-335-doosari-rati-mama-katha-prasanga-591357.html T Ram Sewak KATHAShri Ram elucidates the second form of bhakti to Sabari in Shri Ramcharitmanas 335 doosari rati mama katha prasangathe second is the penchant for the narratives and discourses about meKatha is the narration and interpretation of religious scriptures through storytelling in almost all Indian religions Listening to these kathas makes love and fondness for HIM grow in the heart of a bhakt The process is continuous shravanlisten mananthink chintancontemplate and maganimmersion in HIS bhakti Thereafter the ultimate feeling that develops is love for HIM and surrender of the karta bhavdoerIn our spiritual literature we come across two blessed listeners One is Arjun In Gitas closing verses1872 Shri Krishna asks if Arjun has heard him with a singlepointed mind Arjun responds1873 that having received the grace of knowledgethrough shravan his delusions have been destroyed and his doubts have vanished Arjun thus attains the paramselfrealisationSecond is King Praikshit who continuously listened to the katha of Shrimad Bhagavatamor Bhagavat Puran from Shukadev Muni for seven days and attained mokshasalvation through bhakti yogaShri Ramcharitmanas1140 enunciatesHari anant Hari katha ananta Kahahi sunahiyn bahu bidhi sab santaHE is infinite and his kathas are also infinite and these have been narrated by saints sants in countless ways and forms The vital link here is between the sants and katha The first form of bhakti has been identified as santsang So being in the company of saints and listening to Hari katha blesses a bhakt with HIS bhakti through that continuous process and leads him to mokshaShri Ramcharitmanas is replete with the virtues of Shri Ram katha and the fruits of listening to it While narrating Shri Ram katha to Goddess Parvati Lord Shiva also talks about its infiniteness and grace at the beginning in 1114 and at the close in 752 reaffirming that whoever hears this katha shall be blessed with unceasing bhakti DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings24The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-katha-shri-ram-elucidates-the-second-form-of-bhakti-to-sabari-in-shri-ramcharitmanas-335-doosari-rati-mama-katha-prasanga-591357.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 07:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-parahit-kripa-shri-ram-designates-parahit-benevolence-as-another-horse-of-the-chariot-of-righteousness-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-with-kripa-compassion-as-a-rein-bal-bibek-dama-parahit-ghore-kshama-kripa-samata-raju-jore-591244.html T Ram Sewak PARAHIT KRIPAShri Ram designates parahit benevolence as another horse of the Chariot of Righteousness in Vibhishan Gita Shri Ramcharitmanas 679 with kripa compassion as a reinbal bibek dama parahit ghore kshama kripa samata raju joreEven so strength discretion selfcontrol and benevolence are its four horses that have been joined with the reins of forgiveness compassion and evenness of mindParahit which is caring for the welfare of others selflessly has been placed on a very high pedestal both in Shri Ramcharitmanas and Gita In Shri Ramcharitmanas 74 Shri Ram tells Bharat parahit saris dharam nahin bhai ie there is no better righteous way of life than altruismIn Gita 124 Shri Krishna says that a successful meditator should ever be selfdedicated in serving all beings at his best to the extent that love for all becomes his creed Further in Gita 162 Shri Krishna denotes daya as a divine attributeAlthough there is a subtle difference between the two Kripa has been used here as a synonym for daya compassion All great men and women from all faiths who are revered have been epitomes of parahit with immense dayakripa Their lives have symbolised compassion selfless service and sacrifice for humanityCompassion guides and leads to benevolence While compassion is the emotion the act is altruism which leads to love for all and evenness of mind Therefore compassion must become our defining attribute the foundation of our way of lifeIn Shri Ramcharitmanas Shri Ram is adored and venerated as deen dayalu kripa sindhu and karuna nidhan underlining his glorious attributes of compassion and benevolence He was compassionate to all including the birds the vulture Jatayu the marginalised Ahaliya Kewat Shabari to anyone who sought refuge in him Sugriva Vibhishan the messenger Shuk the sinners Bali and even to the demons asuras who fought him Thus reminding us repeatedly that the purpose of this avatar was parahit DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings11The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-parahit-kripa-shri-ram-designates-parahit-benevolence-as-another-horse-of-the-chariot-of-righteousness-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-with-kripa-compassion-as-a-rein-bal-bibek-dama-parahit-ghore-kshama-kripa-samata-raju-jore-591244.html Sat, 21 Dec 2024 17:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-dama-the-fourth-horse-of-the-chariot-of-righteousness-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-designated-by-shri-ram-is-dama-self-control-bal-bibek-dama-parahit-ghore-kshama-kripa-samata-raju-jore-591255.html T Ram Sewak DAMAThe fourth horse of the Chariot of Righteousness in Vibhishan Gita Shri Ramcharitmanas 679 designated by Shri Ram is dama selfcontrolbal bibek dama parahit ghore kshama kripa samata raju joreEven so strength discretion selfcontrol and benevolence are its four horses that have been joined with the reins of forgiveness compassion and evenness of mind In Gita 161 Shri Krishna mentions selfcontrol as a divine attribute essential for a person embarking on his spiritual journey Further in Shri Ramcharitmanas 436 Shri Ram while illuminating the fundamentals of Navadha Bhakti to Shabari lists selfcontrol as the sixth form of BhaktiDama is the discipline of the external senses viz the five karma indriyas and the five gyan indriyas Controlling and disciplining the senses is the first big step for a sadhak in his spiritual journey and it is always in mutualism with samata evenness of mind This theme of restraint and regulation also resonates in the discourse on sankhya yoga in Gita 617 where moderation and regulation in all walks of life is recommendedThere are many views on why there are four horses but three reins One view is that the two horses of bal and parahit are yoked in the front and controlled with the reins of kshama and kripa The horses of vivek and dama are yoked in the second row and guided by the single rein of samata because control of sensory energy is impossible to achieve without evenness of mind Another view is that while all other attributes have been coupled with a controlling attribute dama is itself an attribute of controlAnother interesting perspective here is that if you reverse the word dama it becomes mada which contextually means inebriation with pride or arrogance We are all prone to mada of wealth knowledge beauty power fame etc The exhortation is to achieve dama prevent mada and become a Jitendriya DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings12The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-dama-the-fourth-horse-of-the-chariot-of-righteousness-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-designated-by-shri-ram-is-dama-self-control-bal-bibek-dama-parahit-ghore-kshama-kripa-samata-raju-jore-591255.html Sat, 21 Dec 2024 18:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-vairagya-santosh-after-comparing-the-sublime-attributes-to-a-chariot-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-shri-ram-delineates-the-other-noble-qualities-drawing-their-analogy-to-the-charioteer-and-the-weaponry-isa-bhajan-sarathi-sujana-birati-charma-santosh-kripana-591272.html T Ram Sewak VAIRAGYA SANTOSHAfter comparing the sublime attributes to a chariot in Vibhishan Gita Shri Ramcharitmanas 679 Shri Ram delineates the other noble qualities drawing their analogy to the charioteer and the weaponry Isa bhajan sarathi sujana birati charma santosh kripanaAdoration of God is the dexterous charioteer dispassion the shield and contentment the swordWell return to the charioteer laterBirati or Vairagya is also nonattachment indifference and detachment from the sense objects The question is why vairagya is essential Shri Krishna says in Gita 26263 that when a person thinks of sense objects attachment for them arises then desire is born and unfulfilled desire stems angerProtection from the attack of attachment desire and anger is possible only with the shield of vairagya Left uncontrolled anger leads to delusion from delusion comes the loss of memory which destroys discrimination and with that the person perishes Thus the absence of this shield makes a person vulnerable to derailment from the path of righteousness Vairagya is also counted as a divine attribute in Gita 162By comparing santosh to a kripan Shri Ram exhorts the active usage of its threeway ability to slay the three enemies of attachment desire and anger Further in Shri Ramcharitmanas 745 He enunciates the path of bhakti and lists the three essentials as a guileless disposition a mind free from perversity and absolute contentment The fulcrum of bhakti yoga is complete surrender to His will and while santosh leads one to bhakti it is also its outcomeContentment is also part of the five niyamas or religious vows for a sadhak In Shri Ramcharitmanas 730 living with santosh is highlighted as a key characteristic of the citizens of Ram Rajya Much of the angst frustration and conflict amongst people at work in families and in relationships is because of a lack of contentment We must practice living in santosh since santosham param sukham contentment is bliss DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings13The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-vairagya-santosh-after-comparing-the-sublime-attributes-to-a-chariot-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-shri-ram-delineates-the-other-noble-qualities-drawing-their-analogy-to-the-charioteer-and-the-weaponry-isa-bhajan-sarathi-sujana-birati-charma-santosh-kripana-591272.html Sat, 21 Dec 2024 19:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-dana-shri-ram-continues-the-analogy-of-the-weaponry-and-the-attributes-of-a-righteous-person-invibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-dana-parasu-buddhi-sakti-prachanda--591299.html T Ram Sewak DANAShri Ram continues the analogy of the weaponry and the attributes of a righteous person inVibhishan Gita Shri Ramcharitmanas 679dana parasu buddhi sakti prachanda Charity is the axe intellect the fierce lance All religions and ethical systems have awarded primacy to charity generosity and sharing with others Shri Krishna terms dana as a divine attribute in Gita 161 and further in 1720 22 delineates the sattvik rajasik and tamasik danaDana is born out of a capacity to restrain ones instincts of acquisition and aggrandisement and replace them with the spirit of sharing Dana is the actualization of dama selfcontrol through the development of the ability to detach oneself from wealth knowledge or any possessions Thus it also resonates with vairagya and santoshShri Ram enjoins us to practice sattvik dana and prescribes that the spirit of dana has to be an intrinsic attribute It cant be a oneoff feeling or event The disposition has to be continuous It should nudge and lead to a realization that All belongs to HIM nothing is mine and so whatever HE has given must be shared with HIS creation Certainly a hue of bhakti yoga hereWe also find extensive use of the conjoined term dana dakshina in Vedanta and in normal parlance Why so The associated use is based on the belief that the receiver of dana is actually doing a favour to the giver by accepting it Hence as a token of gratitude to the receiver for his kindness in accepting dana the giver gives him dakshina also The objective is to inculcate further humility in the giverSattvik dana also eradicates arrogance and erases any desire for gratitude fame or any benefit in this world or in another The analogy of the axe indicates that in our spiritual journey dana should be used to keep the path of righteousness clear of any hurdle of attachment desire or arrogance DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings14The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-dana-shri-ram-continues-the-analogy-of-the-weaponry-and-the-attributes-of-a-righteous-person-invibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-dana-parasu-buddhi-sakti-prachanda--591299.html Sat, 21 Dec 2024 20:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-buddhi-shri-ram-further-explains-the-metaphor-of-the-chariot-of-the-noble-attributes-in-the-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-dana-parasu-buddhi-sakti-prachanda-591312.html T Ram Sewak BUDDHIShri Ram further explains the metaphor of the chariot of the noble attributes in the Vibhishan Gita Shri Ramcharitmanas 679dana parasu buddhi sakti prachanda Charity is the axe intellect the fierce lanceBuddhi means intellect understanding or wisdom In Gita 183032 Shri Krishna classifies buddhi as sattvik rajasik and tamasik Here Shri Ram implies sattvik buddhi an understanding that knows the path of action or withdrawal from action and can differentiate between right and wrong bondage and liberationUnderlining its importance Shri Ram desires that we have a Buddhi which is incisive and farsighted Hence the analogy to a fierce lance an astra a weapon that can be used from a distanceSuccess is achieved only when Bal physical strength and Buddhi intellect are complementary Hence when Hanumanji jumped across the ocean searching for Sitaji devatas sent the mother of serpents to test whether he had enough bal and buddhi to carry out the assigned task Sitaji also permits Hanumanji to eat the fruits in Ashok Vatika even if it meant a conflict with Ravans soldiers only after assuring herself of his physical strength and wisdomPrimarily power manifests as Bahu bal physical strength Buddhi balintellectual power and Atam bal moral courage Physical power without intellect is often misused detrimentally Sattvik buddhi should be used to steer bahu bal and strengthen atam bal The ancient concept of Raj Rishi a king with physical intellectual and moral strength prescribes rulers to have a balanced mix of all threeGita is also replete with references to Buddhi and its importance Thus in 263 Shri Krishna significantly declares buddhi nashat pranashyati the person perishes with the destruction of buddhi Earlier in 239 HE enunciates the buddhiyoga which guides us to attain the same spiritual freedom through work which gyan gives This is the incisive buddhi that we must develop That which helps us live life fully and yet not have any bondage DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings15The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-buddhi-shri-ram-further-explains-the-metaphor-of-the-chariot-of-the-noble-attributes-in-the-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-dana-parasu-buddhi-sakti-prachanda-591312.html Sat, 21 Dec 2024 21:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-vigyan-the-next-analogy-by-shri-ram-in-the-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-is-perhaps-the-deepest-in-meaning-barh-bigyana-kathina-kodanda-591324.html T Ram Sewak VigyanThe next analogy by Shri Ram in the Vibhishan Gita Shri Ramcharitmanas 679 is perhaps the deepest in meaningbarh bigyana kathina kodandathe transcendent highest wisdom is the relentless bow Simply put Gyan is spiritual knowledge and BigyanVigyan is the experience of that spiritual knowledge or that ultimate Truth In Shri Ramcharitmanas vigyan has been used contextually as attaining that spiritual wisdom that perception of the Atma and Paramatma which is selfrealizationThis analogy of Vigyan to the mighty bow is important because a bow was not only the longest and widestranging weapon but the most important and respected fighters were the skilful archers Also in spirituality the path of selfrealization is perhaps the most difficult and for a warrior the bow is the most complicated weapon to master Hence the use of the word kathinaSelfrealization and attaining the highest wisdom is also the anchor of Gita So in 255 Shri Krishna specifically enjoins us to become Sthita Prajya a man of steady wisdom Such a person has cast off all the desires of the body mind and intellect and is in the self satisfied in the self by the self He has attained selfrealization and become the very source of all blissThat bhakti has been granted primacy in Shri Ramcharitmanas is evident here when Shri Ram sets the bar higher for us by adding barh to vigyan HE is referring to the stage of continued immersion in bhakti even after attaining selfrealization We find its resonance in Gita 1854 where Shri Krishna calls it para bhakti ie when after attaining selfrealization the sadhak develops supreme bhakti for HIM which leads to his merger with the SupremeShri Ram exhorts us to attain barh vigyan the transcendent highest wisdom and use it in the battle of life as a warrior uses his mighty bow to slay any inimical thought attitude or action that hinders our spiritual journey DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings16The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-vigyan-the-next-analogy-by-shri-ram-in-the-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-is-perhaps-the-deepest-in-meaning-barh-bigyana-kathina-kodanda-591324.html Sat, 21 Dec 2024 22:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-mana-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-shri-ram-now-focuses-on-one-of-the-most-challenging-tasks-of-life-and-the-spiritual-journey-ie-handling-the-mind-amal-achal-mana-tron-samana--591332.html T Ram Sewak MANAIn Vibhishan Gita Shri Ramcharitmanas 679 Shri Ram now focuses on one of the most challenging tasks of life and the spiritual journey ie handling the mindamal achal mana tron samanaA pure and steady mind is the quiver that holds a sheaf of arrows While Shri Ram enjoins us to have a pure and even mind its in the first shloka on Karma Yoga in Gita 248 that Shri Krishna tells us the reason for that as well He says evenness of mind in work is yogaThe mind is ever fickle turbulent restless stubborn and difficult to control All desires and thoughts pure or impure arise here The exhortation is to have purity and tranquillity of mental composure while facing all the dwandwas pairs of opposites of life viz pleasure and pain gain and loss victory and defeat etc It is certainly challenging to achieve But as Shri Krishna says in Gita 635 by practice and dispassion the mind can be restrained to a state of neutral equilibrium when faced with the highs and lows of lifes tidesThe highest form of freedom is internal which is achieved when we have trained our mind to be free of external stimuli Our daivik spiritual evolution starts when we begin to regulate our reactions Outstanding achievements in life and spirituality come when there is a balance of the mind between a sensory input and a motor output Then we create a sense of calmness within making our mind like a pure and calm freshwater lakeThe pivot of Vedanta is training the human mind to handle the world and oneself masterly We should be that force controlling ourselves and develop a mind as Shri Krishna says in Gita 619 like a lamp placed in a windless place that does not flicker Agni also symbolises purity It is undoubtedly the sine qua non for becoming your own master DAILY WORLD Namami Ramam Musings17The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas He can be occasionally reached at ramamnamamigmailcom https://dailyworld.in/blog/t-ram-sewak-mana-in-vibhishan-gita-shri-ramcharitmanas-679-shri-ram-now-focuses-on-one-of-the-most-challenging-tasks-of-life-and-the-spiritual-journey-ie-handling-the-mind-amal-achal-mana-tron-samana--591332.html Sat, 21 Dec 2024 23:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/democracy-was-indeed-in-peril-modi-saved-it-138521.html Manish Tiwari Chandigarh Many of those who oppose the present dispensation today say that democracy is in peril But letâs pause to think Had democracy been in peril Mamata Banerjee would not have won the elections in the manner she did and never enjoyed such freedom to speak and react in the manner she does against the Centre as well as the Prime Minister There is obviously no threat to the Indian democracy and there can never be notwithstanding what a particular class of people says especially those who constantly seek to propagate that Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs decisions have dented âœthe idea of Indiaâ and there appears to be an âœemergencylike situationâ On the contrary Modi has unified this nation made it inherently stronger improved its image the world over by leading from the front and speaking the obviousâat times more than the obvious and provided strong leadership in the hour of crisis when the country appeared to be drifting away and getting divided further on the basis of caste creed and religion There has been an overdose of âœtoo much of democracyâ in India for a long time that we can illafford at this hour For almost 20 years before the Modi Government was formed at the Centre the voter in this worldâs largest democracy had handed out a fractured mandate to political parties resulting in the formation of the NDA and UPA governments and leading to âœfractured decisionmaking and policy paralysisâ Take the case of Manmohan Singh the earlier Prime Minister His government often worked at the mercy of 10 Janpath and other coalition partners within the UPA regime On many occasions the then Prime Minister appeared to be losing control over his institutions colleagues and even the States including Jammu and Kashmir especially those states which were governed by regional parties The politics of âœcoalition and consensusâ had led to a freeforalltype of governance especially in the last few years of Manmohan Singhâs second term resulting in scamafterscam tumbling out of the UPA cupboards His government was weak and it could not take appropriate decisions for want of support from its coalition partners The voter was fed up and in 2014 brought Modi to power giving him a clear mandate to be much more âœdecisive and proactiveâ The Modi government brought about several bold reforms Needless to say many of which the Congress wanted but could not implement such as GST resolved the contentious Ram MandirBabri Masjid dispute that was for decades used by different political parties to create a big divide on communal lines abrogated Article 370 and created UTs to have a better Central governmentâs control on Kashmir and run its writ And last but not the least the government has continuously worked on the processes and systems to check corruption and financial mismanagement introduced the DBT scheme one nation one ration card besides effectively dealing with internal and external security threats Pushed to a corner after Pakistanâs continuous efforts to destabilise India by aiding and abetting terror attacks in Kashmir Modiâs strategy to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and economically deal with separatist forces and order surgical strikes across the Line of Control LoC did send a clear message to Pakistan His governmentâs decision to stand up against China first in Doklam and now in Ladakh and also against the expansionist policy of the Dragon has sent a strong message to our obdurate and unrelenting neighbour that India will not tolerate any aggression In fact there has been a clear shift in the governmentâs policy â which the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval would always like to pursue â from being defensive to âdefensiveoffensiveâ In India we like to see miracles happen However as one of the most populated countries in the world India faces grave challenges from all around and almost all the reforms and measures taken by Modi are in the right direction In the past 30 years I have not seen a leader as bold as Modi is A leader who does not mind putting his political career at stake by taking tough decisions including those of sending the Indian Army and air force across the border knowing full well that a single mistake could lead to disastrous consequences Ever since the Modi Government came to power it has been facing the charge of âœusing and misusingâ government machinery and institutions and also taking decisions some of which may not be in the countryâs economic and national interest A sudden spurt in the use of the sedition law is also an issue of concern in India even as the courts have already been taking appropriate decisions While any arbitrary use or misuse of the institutions such as the CBI ED NIA etc cannot be justified successive governments have been blamed for the plight of these premier investigation agencies Remember the Supreme Courtâs comment on âœthe CBI being a caged parrotâ And this is for those who harp on the idea of federalism The federal structure has only become stronger with the Central government today having better control over the union of states allowing it to prepare its policies more effectively How can a country function when states run by different political parties pull in different directions in the name of federalism and not agree on evolving national policies There are states such as Punjab Orissa etc which despite being ruled by opposition parties have been following the principle of federalism and working in tandem with the Central government Had Modi not been there at the helm the Corona crisis would have been far more serious for our country than what it has been One cannot blame the Centre for all the ills that plagued the states during the Corona crisis He chaired a series of meetings with the CMs to find ways and means and build a consensus on dealing with the crisis inspired people gave them hope and took swift decisions including giving approval to Indiamade Covaxin for âœemergency useâ without bothering much for the consequences Anything could have gone wrong Today there is no emergencylike situation except for those who thought there was no law in the country and that they could get away by doing any crime or indulging in illegal activities Democracy is therefore now in peril for only those whose ambitions have been shattered and those who always liked to enjoy âœtoo much of democracyâ I donât know Modi and I may not like to know him but I would want him as my âPrime Ministerâ For he has taken most of his decisions in public interest not divided the country but unified it and worked towards defeating the divisive forces Email Manishdailyworldin https://dailyworld.in/blog/democracy-was-indeed-in-peril-modi-saved-it-138521.html Mon, 05 Jul 2021 23:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/who-came-first-the-wet-market-or-the-virus-lab-114043.html By Kal K Korff Geneva Switzerland As far as WHO is concerned all hypotheses re SARSCoV2âs origins remain on the table This report is a very important beginning but it is not the end We have not yet found the source of the virus and we must continue to follow the science and leave no stone unturned as we doâ said WHO DirectorGeneral Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in both written and spoken remarks to the global press after his agency released their first Origins of the SARSCoV2 Virus report Citing not only the essential need for but also openly pushing for further studies Dr Ghebreyesus emphasized âœFinding the origin of a virus takes time and we owe it to the world to find the source so we can collectively take steps to reduce the risk of this happening again No single research trip can provide all the answersâ Obviously whenever any pandemic occurs understanding its origins is vital not only for containing and defeating it but most important to prevent future outbreaks While one can never know what one cannot possibly know where it concerns definitively determining the origins of the SARSCoV2 virus the WHOâs report makes it clear that a more indepth investigation is not only urgent it is crucial if the world is to learn the relevant lessons that it should executing actions that it must Red Shadows Historically speaking pandemics have never been free nor very far from politics During World WarI the Spanish Influenza or âSpanish Fluâ erupted it is estimated to have killed 50100 million people It was nicknamed the Spanish Flu only because the media in Spain were not restricted by wartime censors and finally started reporting on the true scale and lethality of this crisis instead of helping continue to hide this deadly secret from the public In China politics are first and paramount for there is only one political party the Chinese Communist Party CCP Daily life in China is politicized for all citizens The CCP has absolute authority its dictatorforlife literally Xi Jinping is not only guilty of some of the worldâs worst human rights abuses when he isnât busy destroying Christian churches organ harvesting and locking up millions of Uyghur Muslims in concentration camps Xi Jinping has purged andor imprisoned millions of his opponents countless Chinese citizens and even fellow members of his own Communist Party â all to create his emerging worldâs greatest super utopia replete with its own âœSocial Creditâ system As previously reported in Daily World Xi Jinpingâs regime has openly declared its goals of becoming the worldâs only eventual superpower displacing the United States How it is busy gleefully achieving his goals of literal world dominance which includes conquering Taiwan and Hong Kong his Silk Road initiative to which Iran is now its latest signatory partner becoming selfsufficient and the most powerful socialeconomic power they are all part of his formally declared 2020 2025 and 2050 Plans These and other problems and issues inherent in any dictatorship let alone the peculiar hybrid one that China implements today which is really TotalitarianCapitalism rather than pure Communism these considerations are relevant because they determined how China âhandledâ the pandemic by literally covering it up and downplaying its severity The CCPâs continuing âœcoverupâ remains a problem for scientists from around the world Not only did the CCP order all early samples of the SARSCoV2 which were collected to be âœdestroyedâ all samples that have survived from the earliest times still have not been shared with WHO investigators There is no moral nor scientific âexcuseâ for this Going forward the CCP remains the chief obstacle impeding genuine progress in the WHOâs investigation Origins Where it concerns determining the real origins of SARSCoV2 the only evidence ever officially offered to the world that the âœGround Zeroâ location where the virus outbreak started was at the Huanan Seafood Market HSM in the city of Wuhan located less than 300 meters 328 yards from the Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention comes courtesy of the Chinese Communist Party On January 1 2020 the CCP not only raided the HSM it made a very public showing of shuttering it quickly declaring that this was the origin location since several people tested positive for SARSCoV2 who had been to this market As the world now knows the CCP initially downplayed and outright denied reports of deadly humantohuman transmission The new WHO report provides further evidence that the HSM was not âœthe sourceâ as China claimed but instead was just one of many Put another way the HSM was a contagion spreading point it was not truly Ground Zero as was hyped As the WHO notes âœThe animal and environment working group reviewed existing knowledge on corona viruses that are phylogenetically related to SARSCoV2 identified in different animals including horseshoe bats Rhinolophus spp and pangolins However the presence of SARSCoV2 has not been detected through sampling and testing of bats or of wildlife across China More than 80000 wildlife livestock and poultry samples were collected from 31 provinces in China and no positive result was identified for SARSCoV2 antibody or nucleic acid before and after the SARSCoV2 outbreak in China Through extensive testing of animal products in the Huanan market no evidence of animal infections was foundââ âœMany of the early cases were associated with the Huanan market but a similar number of cases were associated with other markets and some were not associated with any markets Transmission within the wider community in December could account for cases not associated with the Huanan market which together with the presence of early cases not associated with that market could suggest that the Huanan market was not the original source of the outbreak ââœOther milder cases that were not identified however could provide the link between the Huanan Market and early cases without an apparent link to the market No firm conclusion therefore about the role of the Huanan Market can be drawnâ From Market To Lab Since the new official WHO report makes it clear that the Huanan Seafood Market is not the type of culprit that the CCP made a point to persistently claim that it was what about the Lab hypothesis Just what exactly is it and how viable does it remain as a candidate for being the ultimate source of the outbreak in Wuhan The Lab theory exists in different forms One version of it is that the SARSCoV2 was deliberately engineered using what is called Gain of Function GoF research GoF is the systematic or iterative modification of a virus so that over time it âœgains functionalityâ or becomes more adaptive or deadly depending on its composition and oneâs intent GoF is one of the âœHoly Grailsâ of genetic new frontier sciences Along with Gene Editing the Communist Chinese Party has been pushing to be the world leader on these two fronts for years now along with Artificial Intelligence and semiconductor designs and manufacturing Advocates of the GoF theory argue that based on the mutations they are observing of the SARSCoV2 it is becoming increasingly efficient in mastering how it spreads and even in how deadly it can be to its victims instead of becoming less virulent GoF Alarms Gain Of Function alarms went off when scientists realized how easy this process was to do This took place during the Obama administration where a moratorium on it was largely established while a year was allocated to study the ramifications of GoF more carefully then enact policy recommendations to handle this panacea responsibly After further diligence following this comprehensive review this key conclusion was made on January 7 2016 in a presentation by its Chief Investigator For the coronaviruses â Wild type strains are insufficiently transmissible and sufficiently susceptible to public health control measures such that a global pandemic has a minimal chance of occurring Increasing transmissibility can significantly increase risk of a global pandemic Need a modest increase for SARSCoV or a significant increase for MERSCoVâ As the WHO report confirms âœCertain gainoffunction studies with the potential to enhance the pathogenicity or transmissibility of potential pandemic pathogens PPPs have raised biosafety and biosecurity concerns including the potential dual use risks associated with the misuse of the information or products resulting from such research âœOn October 16 2014 the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy announced the launch of the US Government USG gainoffunction GOF deliberative process to reevaluate the potential risks and benefits associated with certain GOF experiments During this process the USG paused the release of federal funding for GOF studies anticipated to enhance the pathogenicity or transmissibility among mammals by respiratory droplets of influenza MERS or SARS viruses âœThe NSABB served as the official federal advisory body on the GOF issue and was tasked with providing recommendations to the USG on a conceptual approach for evaluating proposed GOF research The NSABB finalized its recommendations on May 24 2016 The US Government considered the NSABBâs findings and recommendations during the development of policy on gainoffunction research In January 2017 the US Government released policy guidance for the review and oversight of research anticipated to create transfer or use enhanced PPPs safety measures There you have it folks Corona viruses are not only easily to manipulate they need only a âœmodestâ increase Arguments for Lab Leak The WHO notes in their report that âœAlthough rare laboratory accidents do happen and different laboratories around the world are working with bat CoVs When working in particular with virus cultures but also with animal inoculations or clinical samples humans could become infected in laboratories with limited biosafety poor laboratory management practice or following negligence The closest known CoV RaTG13 strain 962 to SARSCoV2 detected in bat anal swabs have been sequenced at the Wuhan Institute of Virology The Wuhan CDC laboratory moved on 2nd December 2019 to a new location near the Huanan market Such moves can be disruptive for the operations of any laboratory The WHO reports also posits an argument against a lab leak by saying âœThe closest relatives of SARSCoV2 from bats and pangolin are evolutionarily distant from SARS CoV2 There has been speculation regarding the presence of human ACE2 receptor binding and a furincleavage site in SARSCoV2 but both have been found in animal viruses as well and elements of the furincleavage site are present in RmYN02 and the new Thailand bat SARSrCoV There is no record of viruses closely related to SARSCoV2 in any laboratory before December 2019 or genomes that in combination could provide a SARSCoV2 genome Regarding accidental culture prior to December 2019 there is no evidence of circulation of SARSCoV2 among people globally and the surveillance programme in place was limited regarding the number of samples processed and therefore the risk of accidental culturing SARSCoV2 in the laboratory is extremely low The three laboratories in Wuhan working with either CoVs diagnostics andor CoVs isolation and vaccine development all had high quality biosafety level BSL3 or 4 facilities that were wellmanaged with a staff health monitoring programme with no reporting of COVID19 compatible respiratory illness during the weeksmonths prior to December 2019 and no serological evidence of infection in workers through SARSCoV2specific serologyscreening The Wuhan CDC lab which moved on 2nd December 2019 reported no disruptions or incidents caused by the move They also reported no storage nor laboratory activities on CoVs or other bat viruses preceding the outbreakâ The key word here is âœreportedâ for if no one either knew of any inadvertent leak due to the move or if there was dual use going on or the involvement of the Chinese military there would be no records for WHO investigators to review Not only have all personnel who might have been âœthereâ not been accounted for all of the transparent data required to settle this issue one way or another is not being provided by the CCP as of this reporting The WHO has confirmed this NIH Assessment Another key conclusion in the final Obama era assessment was âœA modified strain of influenza virus that is as transmissible as a pandemic strain AND causes a disease with a case fatality rate of 5 or more would pose more risk of a global pandemic than any wild type strain heretofore identified No experiments likely to be conducted under the rubric of GoF research will drive risk more than this combination of phenotypes All other combinations of traits would lead to a pathogen that has a less total global risk than the wild type 1918 pandemic influenza strain Increasing the transmissibility of the coronaviruses while increasing risk compared to wild type strains of those viruses creates pathogens that pose no more risk of a global pandemic than the 1918 influenza strainâ As the WHO now prepares for the second round of its investigations it will focus on two key areas follow up more leads on possible lab origins whether by design or accident while also exploring food chain sources in other parts of China By genetic studies of mutations the true origins of this global pandemic may very well be found DAILY WORLD https://dailyworld.in/blog/who-came-first-the-wet-market-or-the-virus-lab-114043.html Sun, 04 Apr 2021 07:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/121-convicts-serving-in-punjab-police-policy-on-anvil-to-send-many-of-them-packing-112680.html Manish Tiwari Chandigarh After the Punjab and Haryana High Court coming down heavily on the Punjab government for allowing convicted police officers to continue in service some at sensitive positions the State police have prepared a list of 121 convicted officers including two AIGSSPrank officers and two DSPs and initiated the process to weed several of them out from their jobs Besides the four gazetted police officers who have been serving in the police department despite being convicted in different cases there are about 88 constables 15 head constables 11 ASIs and four SIs and inspectors Sources told Daily World on Sunday that the policy will soon be finalised with regard to action to be taken in those cases where the police officers have been convicted A committee comprising ACS Home Anurag Aggarwal former CRPF Director General AS Gill DGP Provisioning Modernisation Prabodh Kumar held a meeting last week and is likely to meet again to formulate the policy in view of the directions issued by the HC At present the discussions are at a preliminary stage However the Committee will be finalising the policy so that the competent authority can look at each case on merit by taking into account gravity of the charge against each convicted police officer and take a final call The State police could show many officials the door where they have been convicted on charges of corruption murder involvement in drug cases and escape of accused from police custody the sources added Police records show that as many as 33 police officials stand convicted by various courts in connection with escape from custody cases 7 NDPS cases 4 under Prevention of Corruption Act one murder and one case of firing on a senior officer However there are a large number of police officers who have been convicted in connection with quarrel cases 27 fraud 10 accident case 8 in line of duty 8 illegal detention 6 dowry 3 lost cartridges and incidents happening with service revolver 3 non appearance in court 2 inept investigation case 1 cheating 2 extortion by threat 1 Excise Act 1 case of making obscene gesture 1 abetment to suicide 1 and public servant framing incorrect record 1 A committee member informed Daily World that once the policy is finalized it would help the competent authority to arrive at suitable conclusions in dealing with each case of convicted officials It may be mentioned that while hearing a petition filed by a dismissed Punjab police official Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal in his order dated March 15 had taken a serious view of the convicted officers serving in the department and observed that âœthe government cannot act like an absolute despot at its whims and fancies by patronising certain officers while imparting a stepmotherly treatment to othersâ The HCâs observations came after the dismissed cop in his petition alleged that there were several police officers facing serious charges and some of them had been convicted but they were continuing in service The HC further ordered that till a final report is submitted by the Committee such officers shall not be assigned investigation either as investigating officer or in a supervisory capacity and will not be posted in the vigilance bureau pending a final decision is taken by the committee They shall also not be posted in the district where their criminal case is being tried the order added Following the HC directions the State Government recently shifted a convicted police officer Rajinder Singh Sohal from the post of SSP of Gurdaspur 7 SSP posts as noncadre posts in Punjab Chandigarh While the posting of PPS officers as SSPs of various districts in Punjab has remained a contentious issue for a long time it is learnt that the State Government has notified as many as seven districts as noncadre posts where PPS officers can be posted as district police chiefs Sources said it was not clear yet as to which were the districts where the SSP posts have been notified as noncadre posts It may be mentioned that the Punjab Government will file an affidavit on this issue in view of the directions from the High Court to explain why PPS officers have been posted as SSPs of several districts on IPS cadre posts The court has impleaded the Union Government as a party in the case observing that there were several other PPS officers who have been posted as SSPs of various districts in violation of the IPS cadre rules 1954 DW Bureau email manishdailyworldin https://dailyworld.in/blog/121-convicts-serving-in-punjab-police-policy-on-anvil-to-send-many-of-them-packing-112680.html Mon, 29 Mar 2021 22:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/lenovo-tab-p11-pro-launched-in-india-at-rs-44-999-101420.html DW Bengaluru Feb 12 IANS Chinese technology company Lenovo on Friday unveiled its flagship tablet Lenovo Tab P11 Pro in India at Rs 44999 The tab comes in slate gray colour and features 115inch OLED display with Dolby Vision and HDR support It also sports a dual rear camera setup 13MP5MP and dual front camera setup 8MP8MP As a market leader in tablets for three years we are excited to bring a product which ensures everyone from a student to a working professional has access to technology that equips them for an ever changing and dynamic world Pankaj Harjai Director Tablets and Smart Devices Lenovo India said in a statement With this flagship tablet we offer our consumers an entertainment powerhouse designed to stream shows and music in high fidelity along with the option to switch seamlessly between work and play Harjai added It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G Octa Core processor with 8nm chipset and delivers superior mobile gaming tablet performance breathtaking video The tab comes in single storage variant 6GB128GB However the internal storage can be expanded up to 256GB The tablets Snapdragon Elite Gaming features an additional 15 per cent graphics boost over Snapdragon 730 promising more immersive and graphicsintensive gaming sessions The tablet houses 8600mAh battery with Quick Charge 30 and supports USB TypeC Reverse Charging Functions The tab also comes preloaded with Microsoft Office app dedicated hotkeys that allow resizable multi windows screen print and Google Assistant that offers a PClevel productivity It also provides a seamless multitasking option allowing users to transition to a PClevel productivity UI when attached to the optional ultrathin keyboard with a trackpad for typing longer content the company said The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro along with the keyboard cover priced at Rs 10000 can be availed at Rs 49999 as a special offer on major online platforms from February 14 https://dailyworld.in/blog/lenovo-tab-p11-pro-launched-in-india-at-rs-44-999-101420.html Fri, 12 Feb 2021 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/india-smartphone-market-to-grow-10-in-2021-amid-5g-push-101321.html DW New Delhi Feb 12 IANS The smartphone market in India will potentially grow over 10 per cent yearonyear in 2021 and 5G shipments are expected to grow tenfold to cross 30 million units this year a new report said on Friday Even though the 5G network will not be available until late 2022 or early 2023 in the country smartphone vendors like OnePlus and realms are bullish on launching 5Gready devices for the masses according to market research firm CMR In 2021 and beyond the smartphone industry would gain strength driven by feature phone users transiting to entrylevel smartphones and new powerful offerings across price tiers including 5Gcapable smartphone offerings at mid to lower price tiers including in the Rs 20000 price band said Anand Priya Singh AnalystIndustry Intelligence Group IIG CMR OnePlus was the highest contributor in the 5G smartphone segment in 2020 capturing 58 per cent market share followed by Apple at 20 per cent with its iPhone 12 series Earlier this month realme launched X7 5G and X7 Pro 5G smartphones in India as the company aims to become a 5G leader in the country As a consequence of the supply chain and geopolitical challenges 2020 saw a gradual realignment of smartphone supply chains Enterprises seeking to derisk themselves from China looked at emerging alternatives including India As we move forward we believe Indias smartphone manufacturing ecosystem will get a fillip and gain strength in the postpandemic future Anand said in a statement The significant decline in the smartphone shipments in the H1 2020 encouraged the brands to come back strongly in H2 2020 The smartphone shipments exceeded 100 million for the first time in H2 2020 backed by aggressive marketing and attractive offers or discounts during the festive season and beyond Smartphone brands were able to turn around the story in H2 2020 As a consequence the smartphone market saw a mere 3 per cent decline for the full year said Amit Sharma AnalystIndustry Intelligence Group IIG CMR https://dailyworld.in/blog/india-smartphone-market-to-grow-10-in-2021-amid-5g-push-101321.html Fri, 12 Feb 2021 12:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/google-starts-testing-dark-mode-for-search-on-web-101340.html DW New Delhi Feb 12 IANS Google search website briefly tested dark mode for desktops last year and now a new report claims that the test is being conducted again The dark mode has been available on Google Search for Android for months now but its only now that Google is bringing it to desktop users We are always testing new ways to improve our experience for our users but dont have anything specific to announce right now The Verge quoted the companys spokesperson as saying Users will have the option to set the theme to Light Dark and System Default Setting the option to System Default will match the current theme of the users operating system The dark theme doesnt make the background completely black but rather a very dark grey The text has changed from black to white while links seemingly remain blue Google rolled out dark mode to several of its services including Gmail and Google Calendar so it makes sense to roll it out for Chrome OS as well Dark mode has been in high demand for any OS over the past few years Google also introduced dark mode for its Assistantpowered smart displays like Nest Hub Meanwhile it is unclear when the dark mode for desktop search might be officially rolled out more broadly https://dailyworld.in/blog/google-starts-testing-dark-mode-for-search-on-web-101340.html Fri, 12 Feb 2021 13:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/twitter-rival-koo-woos-indian-users-amid-data-leak-row-101131.html DW New Delhi Feb 11 IANS Homegrown vernacular microblogging platform Koo which has emerged as a favourite among a section of users who want to quit Twitter has found itself in the midst of several controversies including a data leak row and Chinese investment These issues have emerged at a time when the platform is trying to keep its systems up in the face of a sudden influx of users including several cabinet ministers and various ministries in the wake of the ongoing Twittergovernment war of words The issue of data leak row rocked the platform after a French security researcher who goes by the name Elliot Alderson on Thursday claimed that the platform was leaking user data like date of birth marital status etc You asked so I did it I spent 30 min on this new Koo app The app is leaking of the personal data of his users email dob name marital status gender said Alderson as he also posted a screen shot of a user data Koo Cofounder and CEO Aprameya Radhakrishna denied that there was any data leak Some news about data leaking being spoken about unnecessarily Please read this The data visible is something that the user has voluntarily shown on their profile of Koo It cannot be termed a data leak If you visit a user profile you can see it anyway Radhakrishna said in a tweet Alderson who has earlier alleged flaws in the Aadhaar platform and Aarogya Setu app quickly reacted saying Update Koo founder commented the leak Its a lie I did check this point before tweeting and it was not true Another controversy that has hit the platform is the issue of investment from China as the platform pitches itself as an AatmaNirbhar selfreliant App However the Koo CEO clarified that the Chinese investor which had invested in the earlier brand Vokal was on its way out Koo is an India registered company with Indian founders Raised earlier capital 25 years ago Latest funds for Bombinate Technologies is led by a truly Indian investor 3one4 capital Shunwei single digit shareholder which had invested in our Vokal journey will be exiting fully Radhakrishna said Koo earlier this month announced that it has raised 41 million as part of its Series A funding Infosys veteran Mohandas Pais 3one4 Capital is the latest addition to the investors on board it said adding that Accel Partners Kalaari Capital Blume Ventures and Dream Incubator also participated in the round Koo currently has about 3 million users and traffic to the platform rose as much as by 30 times on Wednesday according to a source who is familiar with the matter User base of the platform according to the source has also increased dramatically over the past two days The growth comes amid a controversy surrounding Twitter which refused to fully comply with the governments order for blocking some tweets and Twitter accounts citing the right to freedom of expression We have got more love than we expected Our systems are facing more load than ever Thank you for placing your trust in us Our team is working on overdrive to fix it We request your patience and support through this time Lets do this together Radhakrishna said https://dailyworld.in/blog/twitter-rival-koo-woos-indian-users-amid-data-leak-row-101131.html Thu, 11 Feb 2021 18:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/starlink-to-go-public-once-cash-flow-gets-predictable-elon-musk-100764.html DW San Francisco Feb 9 IANS SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has said that his spacebased Internet service Starlink will list publicly after the cash flow of the service becomes reasonably well Musk made the plans public after a users asked on Twitter Will starlink IPO soon Would love to invest In his reply Musk said Once we can predict cash flow reasonably well Starlink will IPO SpaceXs Starlink project plans to deliver highspeed Internet through a network of about 12000 satellites It has already put over 1000 of its Starlink satellites in orbit Starlink is now delivering initial beta service both domestically and internationally and will continue expansion to near global coverage of the populated world in 2021 says its official website Ordering Starlink became a talking point on Twitter on Tuesday with some people complaining that current prices of the service is way higher compared to what they already pay for Internet services in their area Taking part in the discussion Musk said that price of the service is meant to be the same price in all countries Only difference should be taxes shipping Musk said that SpaceX needs to pass through a deep chasm of negative cash flow over the next year or so to make Starlink financially viable Every new satellite constellation in history has gone bankrupt We hope to be the first that does not he said Starlink is a staggeringly difficult technical economic endeavour However if we dont fail the cost to end users will improve every year he said Starlink says that the service is ideally suited for areas of the globe where connectivity has typically been a challenge https://dailyworld.in/blog/starlink-to-go-public-once-cash-flow-gets-predictable-elon-musk-100764.html Tue, 09 Feb 2021 18:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/instagram-launches-parents-guide-for-young-people-safety-100711.html DW Feb 8 IANS Facebookowned photosharing platform Instagram on Monday launched a Parents Guide to help young people be safe on the platform The guide is aimed at helping young people to be safe by informing parents about all the safety features that exist on the platform As the Internet permeates into our lives especially the lives of young people parents want to be adequately equipped with the evolving digital landscape Tara Bedi Public Policy and Community Outreach Manager for Instagram India said in a statement They want to understand how a platform works and feel comfortable with their children leveraging its opportunities for creative expression while knowing the safety tools available to them that enable that expression in a supportive environment Bedi added The guide is a resource from Instagram available across many countries to provide parents with a better understanding of the changing digital landscape It acts as a conversation starter with their children as it provides information about tools that exist to keep their child safe on Instagram the company said ahead of Safer Internet Day which is observed on February 9 The 2021 version of the guide has inputs from key organisations working actively on the rights and safety of children Center for Social Research Cyber Peace Foundation Aarambh India Initiative Young Leaders for Activity Citizenship Its Ok To Talk and Suicide Prevention India Foundation The guide takes into account all the new updates on Instagram such as DM reachability controls which gives creator and business accounts the control to choose who can message them on Instagram and who can add them to groups on Instagram Direct Another example is Bulk comment management which gives people the option to delete comments in bulk as well as block or restrict multiple accounts that post negative comments There are others too like Support Requests and Emails from Instagram https://dailyworld.in/blog/instagram-launches-parents-guide-for-young-people-safety-100711.html Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/tesla-invests-15-billion-in-bitcoin-cryptocurrency-100736.html DW San Francisco Feb 8 IANS Tech billionaire Elon Musks electric vehicle company Tesla has invested 15 billion in the bitcoin cryptocurrency according to its annual 10K report filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission SEC on Monday Tesla said it will also begin accepting bitcoin as a form of payment for our products in the near future The announcement comes amid renewed interest shown by Musk in cryptocurrency and requests from Tesla customers for accepting bitcoin for buying the cars In January 2021 we updated our investment policy to provide us with more flexibility to further diversify and maximise returns on our cash that is not required to maintain adequate operating liquidity Tesla said in the report As part of the policy we may invest a portion of such cash in certain specified alternative reserve assets Thereafter we invested an aggregate 150 billion in bitcoin under this policy Moreover we expect to begin accepting bitcoin as a form of payment for our products in the near future subject to applicable laws and initially on a limited basis which we may or may not liquidate upon receipt it added Musk has also been sending tweets in support of Dogecoin over the past week leading to a rise in the cryptocurrencys value https://dailyworld.in/blog/tesla-invests-15-billion-in-bitcoin-cryptocurrency-100736.html Mon, 08 Feb 2021 20:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/apple-may-discontinue-iphone-12-mini-in-q2-this-year-report-100665.html DW San Francisco Feb 7 IANS In the wake of poor demand for iPhone 12 mini Apple may consider halting its production in the second quarter this year according to multiple reports based on the new forecast note by JP Morgan Chase JP Morgan Chase supply chain analyst William Yang adjusted his forecast for the current iPhone 12 series and the nextgeneration iPhone series expected to be launched in the second half of 2021 Yang lowered the production volume of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini by 9 million units and 11 million units respectively reports AppleInsider According to him given that demand for the iPhone 12 mini seems to be weak the supply chain may stop production of the phone in the second quarter of 2021 The analyst however raised the iPhone 12 Pro Max sales forecast by 11 million units iPhone 12 Pro by 2 million units and iPhone 11 by 8 million units Yang predicted that Apple aims to produce 80 million to 90 million iPhone 13 series higher than the 76 million scheduled for the iPhone 12 series in the second half of 2020 According to him there may not be new iPhone SE models in 2021 iPhone 12 mini is the smallest thinnest and lightest 5G smartphone in the world rearchitected to pack all the technology of iPhone 12 into a delightfully compact size while still delivering an impressively large and immersive edgetoedge display With a 54inch screen compared with the standard models 61inch display it sports the same dualcamera setup on the back as the 12 model and looks absolutely stunning in hands Apple delivered a phenomenal performance in the December quarter returning to the top position with 901 million devices shipped driven by the success of the iPhone 12 series according to data from the IDCs âWorldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker For Apple the festive quarter represents the highest shipment volume from a vendor in a single quarter and resulted in 234 per cent market share and 222 per cent YoY growth Apple is reportedly ramping up production of iPhones iPads Macs and other devices in India and Vietnam to end its dependence on China and new iPhone 12 series could be assembled in India as soon as this quarter Nikkei Asia reported https://dailyworld.in/blog/apple-may-discontinue-iphone-12-mini-in-q2-this-year-report-100665.html Sun, 07 Feb 2021 11:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/samsung-galaxy-z-flip3-fold3-may-launch-in-2021-2nd-half-100659.html DW Feb 6 IANS Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Fold3 may arrive in the second half of 2021 globally According to reports based on a tweet by tipster Ice Universe it will take at leats five months for the South Korean giant to launch the Galaxy Z Fold3 with S Pen support and Galaxy Z Flip3 According to an earlier Sammobile report Galaxy Z Flip3 may not be a fullfledged flagship smartphone and may arrive as a budget flagship device Samsung is reportedly planning to launch three kinds of foldable smartphone models this year According to OLED research firm UBI Research these will likely be called Galaxy Z Flip 2 Galaxy Z Fold 3 and a new Galaxy Z Fold Lite All three models will use ultrathin glass as cover windows Galaxy Z Flip 2 will have a 67inch internal screen and a 3inch external screen The internal screen size is the same as the first Galaxy Z Flip launched earlier this year But the external screen size has increased from the 11inch of the original Flip The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Lite will offer the same display configuration probably without the underdisplay camera tech paired with cheaper internals to achieve a lower price point The Z Flip successor will come with the same 67inch foldable panel but a bigger 3inch external one compared to the original Z Flips outer display of just 11inch The company earlier introduced Galaxy Z Fold2 that sports a 62inch cover screen and a 76inch main screen when unfolded Galaxy Z Fold2 is Samsungs third foldable smartphone after Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Flip https://dailyworld.in/blog/samsung-galaxy-z-flip3-fold3-may-launch-in-2021-2nd-half-100659.html Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/oppo-a15s-launched-in-new-storage-variant-at-rs-12-490-100600.html DW Feb 5 IANS Chinese smartphone maker Oppo on Friday announced the new storage variant for its Aseries smartphone OPPO A15s Previously available in 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage combination the smartphone now offers 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage at Rs 12490 The new variant of Oppo A15s is built to offer customers the freedom to save more data and enjoy a seamless experience the company said in a statement The smartphone features a 652inch waterdrop display with an 89 per cent screentobody ratio and an HD screen resolution It is powered by Helio P35 processor that stands out on the performance to power efficiency factor and provides a steadily reliable user experience the company said The device sports AIbased triplerear camera setup of 13MP 2MP macro and 2MP depth sensors On the front the device boasts an 8MP camera with AI beatification mode Furthermore the device comes equipped with a massive 4230mAh battery and runs on ColorOS 72 that supports impressive features such as systemwide dark mode Icon PullDown Gesture feature and 3finger Scrolling Screenshot on the smartphone OPPO A15s is available for sale in two vibrant colour variants Dynamic black and Fancy white across retail channels and Amazon https://dailyworld.in/blog/oppo-a15s-launched-in-new-storage-variant-at-rs-12-490-100600.html Fri, 05 Feb 2021 15:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/genetic-mutations-increase-risk-of-breast-cancer-by-80-percent-100581.html DW Feb 4 IANS According to statistics released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC in December 2020 and cited by the World Health Organization WHO breast cancer has now surpassed lung cancer as the worlds most commonly diagnosed cancer The subject experts suggested that to a large extent the disease is hereditary in nature The experts said that inheritance either by disease history in family or by genetic changes augments the probability of developing cancer According to them highly predisposed to developing breast and ovarian cancer are those whose family has a history of breast cancer or found inheriting a separate set of genes Speaking to IANS on World Cancer Day on Thursday Pragya Shukla Head of Department Clinical Oncology at the Delhi State Cancer Institute said that offsprings of a cancer survivor are also more susceptible to developing breast or ovarian cancer A woman is more prone to develop breast or ovarian cancer if either her mother is a cancer survivor or any of her immediate family members has a history of this disease she said MD Ray Additional Professor Surgical Oncology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS also said that breast cancer can be inherited if a woman has a close family member who had developed the disease However the family history is majorly defined by genetic mutations in a specific set of genes found augmenting the disease occurrence The Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital in Mumbai informed that the risk of breast cancer is over 80 per cent higher in those who inherit a specific set of mutated genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 The most common genes changes are those of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and women with these genes have more than 80 per cent chance of getting breast cancer during their lifetime said Sanjay Dudhat Head Oncosurgeon at the hospital BRCA1 BReast CAncer gene 1 and BRCA2 BReast CAncer gene 2 are genes that produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA Everyone has two copies of each of these genesa one copy inherited from each parent However when these genes undergo certain harmful changes their variant becomes potent enough to cause cancer cells People who inherit harmful variants in one of these genes have increased risks of several cancers most notably breast and ovarian cancer People who have inherited a harmful variant in BRCA1 and BRCA2 also tend to develop cancer at younger ages than people who do not have such a variant The Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi said that inherited mutated genes is a risk factor of breast cancer that one cannot change BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are hereditary genes that if passed from the mother who has suffered from breast cancer to the children can put them at a higher risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer said Ramesh Sarin Senior Consultant Surgical Oncology at Apollo However he added that screening and genetic counselling can help in early identification for the timely treatment of the disease Issue with any kind of cancer is that it never shows symptoms in early stages While there are no sure shot ways to prevent cancer certain steps can help lower the risk or detect breast cancer at an early stage Sarin said The experts recommended screening with several tests including mammography specialised monitoring and BRCA gene test to have an upper hand over the disease The BRCA gene test is a blood test that uses DNA analysis to identify harmful mutations in either one of the two breast cancer susceptibility genes It is not a routine test and is done only on people who are likely to have inherited either of the BRCA genes based on family history of breast and ovarian cancer Sarin recommended Dudhat advised to find out high risk individuals through genetic counselling and keeping them under proper screening programmes with regular mammography and in selected cases MRI mammography Sarin said that mammography in young girls is not recommended However he suggested that the family should be aware of the risk and also stays in constant touch with a breast physician for regular monitoring Meanwhile Shukla advised that annual screening is must for females above 40 years of age including mammography and xray of chest area However females in families having a history of breast cancer must be vigilant We prescribe screening of them from the age of 25 onwards she added https://dailyworld.in/blog/genetic-mutations-increase-risk-of-breast-cancer-by-80-percent-100581.html Thu, 04 Feb 2021 21:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/telegram-makes-it-official-to-import-your-whatsapp-chat-history-99116.html Jan 30 IANS Encrypted messaging app Telegram which added over 100 new million users in January has made it official to bring your chat history to its platform from apps like WhatsApp Line and KakaoTalk This works both for individual chats and groups and you can transfer photos as well as video calls Telegram which has now crossed 600 million users said in a statement that Messages will be imported into the current day but will also include their original timestamps All members of the chat on Telegram will see the messages the company said With this update you get even more control secret chats groups you created and call history can now also be deleted for all sides at any time Messages and media you move dont need to occupy extra space Older apps make you store all data on your device â but Telegram can take up virtually no space while letting you access all your messages photos and videos anytime you need them the company said The company also announced improved chats where the users can adjust the volume of individual participants to manage microphone levels Adjustments made by group admins are applied for all listeners Telegram said You can now see which of your groups have active Voice Chats from the top of the Call History page Telegram also has an improved audio player where when a track is playing tap the author name in the player to see their tracks from all your chats If you need to skip ahead or repeat something you missed press and hold on the Next and Previous buttons to fastforward and rewind Telegram has seen a significant uptake in new users as WhatsApps new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy trigged a fresh data sharing debate https://dailyworld.in/blog/telegram-makes-it-official-to-import-your-whatsapp-chat-history-99116.html Sat, 30 Jan 2021 12:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/telegram-makes-it-official-to-import-your-whatsapp-chat-history-99118.html Jan 30 IANS Encrypted messaging app Telegram which added over 100 new million users in January has made it official to bring your chat history to its platform from apps like WhatsApp Line and KakaoTalk This works both for individual chats and groups and you can transfer photos as well as video calls Telegram which has now crossed 600 million users said in a statement that Messages will be imported into the current day but will also include their original timestamps All members of the chat on Telegram will see the messages the company said With this update you get even more control secret chats groups you created and call history can now also be deleted for all sides at any time Messages and media you move dont need to occupy extra space Older apps make you store all data on your device â but Telegram can take up virtually no space while letting you access all your messages photos and videos anytime you need them the company said The company also announced improved chats where the users can adjust the volume of individual participants to manage microphone levels Adjustments made by group admins are applied for all listeners Telegram said You can now see which of your groups have active Voice Chats from the top of the Call History page Telegram also has an improved audio player where when a track is playing tap the author name in the player to see their tracks from all your chats If you need to skip ahead or repeat something you missed press and hold on the Next and Previous buttons to fastforward and rewind Telegram has seen a significant uptake in new users as WhatsApps new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy trigged a fresh data sharing debate https://dailyworld.in/blog/telegram-makes-it-official-to-import-your-whatsapp-chat-history-99118.html Sat, 30 Jan 2021 12:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/tata-motors-launches-limited-edition-tiago-99124.html Jan 30 IANS Automobile manufacturer Tata Motors on Saturday launched limited edition of its hatchback Tiago at Rs 579 lakh exshowroom Delhi As per the company the launch commemorates the first anniversary of Tiago Refresh and its success in the hatchback market Besides the company informed that Tiago Limited Edition will be available in manual transmission Since its launch in 2016 the Tiago has been very successful in its segment and has been appreciated by all said Vivek Srivatsa Head Marketing Passenger Vehicles Business Unit Tata Motors Following the same the products BS6 version was introduced in 2020 which also received a 4 star safety rating by GNCAP at launch making it the safest in its segment According to Srivatsa more than 325 lakh customers have chosen Tiago till now We are confident that through the introduction of this limited period variant and in alignment with our New Forever philosophy we will continue to bring excitement in this space while catering to the ever evolving demand of our consumers https://dailyworld.in/blog/tata-motors-launches-limited-edition-tiago-99124.html Sat, 30 Jan 2021 13:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/manoj-bajpayee-to-star-in-thriller-about-crime-journalism-98996.html Jan 29 IANS Actor Manoj Bajpayee will star in an investigative thriller that unfolds in the world of crime journalism Titled Despatch the film will be helmed by Kanu Behl known for directing critically acclaimed film Titli Enter the world of crime journalism with Despatch This edge of the seat thriller will be a direct to digital release Manoj tweeted on Friday The actor plays a character who finds himself sucked into the underbelly of business and crime As an actor I want to be part of stories that I want to tell and that deserve to be told Despatch is one such film With the digital age our stories can now reach and be accessed by viewers across the globe and Im confident this film will have many takers because it is relevant to our times I am looking forward to collaborating with Kanu Behl who is well versed with the changing times and has total control on his craft of storytelling Manoj said in a statement Behl shared that Despatch is a story he has been itching to tell for a while now adding It reflects our lives and times and could not be getting made at a more pertinent moment Collaborating with Manoj Bajpayee and Ronnie Screwvala producer on a piece looks to push cinematic boundaries is exciting and I look forward to embarking on this journey https://dailyworld.in/blog/manoj-bajpayee-to-star-in-thriller-about-crime-journalism-98996.html Fri, 29 Jan 2021 20:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/samsung-galaxy-s21-series-galaxy-buds-pro-goes-on-sale-in-india-98801.html Jan 29 IANS Samsung on Friday announced that the sale of its latest flagship Galaxy S21 Series and Galaxy Buds Pro has started in India Galaxy S21 Series and Galaxy Buds Pro will be available across Samsungcom Samsung Exclusive Stores leading online portals and leading retail outlets starting today The base Samsung Galaxy S21 starts at a price of Rs 69999 The Galaxy S21 base model is priced at Rs 81999 and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G will be available at a starting price of Rs 105999 Potential customers can buy Galaxy Buds Pro for Rs 15990 in India Customers buying Galaxy S21 series will be eligible for exciting cashback offers benefits and upgrade bonus Customers will get cashback offer worth Rs 10000 on Galaxy S21 Ultra Rs 7000 on Galaxy S21 and Rs 5000 on Galaxy S21 with HDFC Bank debit and credit cards the company said in a statement As part of Samsung Upgrade Program customers will get an upgrade bonus of up to Rs 7000 on Galaxy S21 Ultra Rs 6000 on Galaxy S21 and Rs 5000 on Galaxy S21 when they exchange their old smartphone Customers upgrading from Galaxy S20 Series Galaxy Note 20 Series Galaxy S10 Series and Galaxy Note 10 Series will get an upgrade bonus of Rs 10000 on Galaxy S21 Ultra Rs 7000 on Galaxy S21 and Rs 5000 on Galaxy S21 In a special offer customers purchasing Galaxy Buds Pro will get 10 per cent instant cashback on ICICI Bank DebitCredit Cards and EMI transactions https://dailyworld.in/blog/samsung-galaxy-s21-series-galaxy-buds-pro-goes-on-sale-in-india-98801.html Fri, 29 Jan 2021 11:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/bill-gates-receives-first-dose-of-covid-vax-97679.html Jan 25 IANS Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates who has been a target of conspiracy theorists for his push for vaccinations has received the first dose of a Covid19 vaccine One of the benefits of being 65 is that Im eligible for the Covid19 vaccine I got my first dose this week and I feel great Gates said in a tweet over the weekend Thank you to all of the scientists trial participants regulators and frontline healthcare workers who got us to this point he said The Microsoft cofounder has been a top target of conspiracy theories related to the Covid19 falsely linking him to the origin of the pandemic in one way or another The billionaire called the allegations bizarre The Seattleheadquartered Bill Melinda Gates Foundation in December announced that it will offer an additional 250 million to fund the research development and equitable delivery of tools for Covid19 tests treatments and vaccines We have new drugs and more potential vaccines than we could have expected at the start of the year But these innovations will only save lives if they get out into the world Gates said in a statement The total commitment by Gates Foundation in its global fight against the pandemic totalled 175 billion taking into account the latest commitment https://dailyworld.in/blog/bill-gates-receives-first-dose-of-covid-vax-97679.html Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/oneplus-buds-z-limited-edition-launched-in-india-97680.html Jan 25 IANS OnePlus on Monday launched a limited edition of its Buds Z in collaboration with Los Angelesbased artist and designer Steven Harrington for Rs 3699 in India For our users who are looking for the right combination of great sound quality and aesthetic design the OnePlus Buds Z Steven Harrington Edition will prove to be a valuable addition said Pete Lau Founder and CEO OnePlus in a statement According to the company the new OnePlus Buds Z Steven Harrington Edition features the artists signature stylized graffiti along with artistic caricatures and designs The limitededition earphones have a twotone purple and mint colour combo with a matching charging case Equipped with a dynamic 3D stereo powered by Dolby Atmos these earphones construct a thoroughly immersive soundstage On a full charge these limitededition earphones provide an impressive 20 hours of playback time while a quick 10minute topup provides three hours of vibrant audio It comes with three sizes of silicone ear tips to ensure a snug stable and comfortable fit For the OnePlus Buds Z it was not just about adding quirky design elements but also visually telling the story of sound and communication Harrington added The limitededition earphones are equipped with Bluetooth 50 environmental noise reduction for voice pickup and Quick Pair for the most convenient way to stay connected while watching a movie or simply enjoying music on the go In addition to superior audio quality it offers an IP55 rating for sweat and water resistance for sports like jogging and workouts at the gym https://dailyworld.in/blog/oneplus-buds-z-limited-edition-launched-in-india-97680.html Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/pichai-commits-150mn-for-equitable-access-to-covid-vaccines-97697.html Jan 25 IANS Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Monday pledged more than 150 million to promote vaccine education and ensure equitable distribution so that everyone can benefit from this triumph of scientific achievement and quickly The tech giant announcing an additional 100 million in ad grants for the CDC Foundation the World Health Organization WHO and nonprofits around the globe Well invest another 50 million in partnership with public health agencies to reach underserved communities with vaccinerelated content and information Pichai said in a statement Well also be opening up Google spaces to serve as vaccination sites as needed Since the beginning of the pandemic said Pichai the company has helped more than 100 government agencies and global nongovernmental organisations run critical public service health announcements through its Ad Grants Crisis Relief programme Our efforts will focus heavily on equitable access to vaccines Early data in the US shows that disproportionately affected populations especially people of colour and those in rural communities arent getting access to the vaccine at the same rates as other groups Pichai emphasized To help Googleorg has committed 5 million in grants to organisations addressing racial and geographic disparities in Covid19 vaccinations According to Google Searches for vaccines near me have increased five times since the beginning of the year In the coming weeks Covid19 vaccination locations will be available in Google Search and Maps starting with Arizona Louisiana Mississippi and Texas with more states and countries to come Pichai informed To help with vaccination efforts starting in the US the company will make select Google facilities such as buildings parking lots and open spaces available as needed These sites will be open to anyone eligible for the vaccine based on state and local guidelines To help find accurate and timely information on vaccines Google has expanded its information panels on Search to more than 40 countries and dozens of languages with more rolling out in the coming week Well begin showing state and regional distribution information on Search so people can easily find when they are eligible to receive a vaccine Pichai said Soon Google will launch a Get The Facts initiative across Google and YouTube to get authoritative information out to the public about vaccines https://dailyworld.in/blog/pichai-commits-150mn-for-equitable-access-to-covid-vaccines-97697.html Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/lg-may-exit-smartphone-market-but-its-not-game-over-97422.html Jan 24 IANS The mobile business of LG Electronics has been in the red since the second quarter of 2015 Its accumulated operating loss reached nearly 45 billion last year and now the South Korean company is planning to exit from the competitive smartphone market LG has been quite brave with its recent mobile forays experimenting with what comes next in smartphones Consider for instance the rather exciting foldable LG Wing or the forthcoming rollable device However significant and sustainable market success has alluded LG to date including in India LGs share in the global smartphone market is estimated to be between 1 and 2 per cent According to Prabhu Ram HeadIndustry Intelligence Group IIG CMR as a diverse conglomerate LG is best placed to clearly map emerging opportunities and challenges in a rapidly evolving postvirus world It may potentially choose to eschew the faltering smartphone business for its strengths in the consumer appliance business as well as futurefocused robotics and automotive Ram told IANS LG Electronics last week announced that its mobile communications MC unit is open to every possibility for its future operations amid rumours that the company may sell the struggling mobile business Due to its quick decline in the market there have been 23 consecutive quarters where the company had faced a financial loss LG has been striving to make a turnaround in its mobile business in recent years shifting its smartphone production base to Vietnam while expanding outsourcing deals LG has been showcasing and unveiling some exciting stuff in reputed exhibitions like MWC and CES but on the ground we havent seen them gaining much in the recent years Honestly I dont see their exit having any impact on the industry said Faisal Kawoosa Founder and Chief Analyst techARC Its good that LG decides to exit this business sooner at least from Indias perspective he added In the light of immense competition from Chinese mobile manufacturers LG has not been able to reclaim its lost market share in India LG certainly is bringing more innovation to its smart TV segment The company announced the first rollable TV last year and during the CES 2021 it showcased its transparent OLED panel LG has always launched competent smartphones and after Samsung it has been the only smartphone player that has worked on innovation in shapes and technology like the scratchfree G6 or the foldable G8xThinQ said Ramesh Somani Chief Editor and Publisher Exhibit Magazine and BBC TopGear India Their exit will be a big loss to the innovative spirit of the smartphone industry and at the same time their shrinking market share will not make for a business case he added To boost its premium smartphone sales LG last year launched the Explorer Project Under the project the company released the Wing a dualscreen smartphone with a rotating form factor For this year LG was scheduled to launch a smartphone with a rollable OLED display https://dailyworld.in/blog/lg-may-exit-smartphone-market-but-its-not-game-over-97422.html Sun, 24 Jan 2021 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/google-threatens-to-stop-search-in-australia-over-new-law--96876.html Jan 22 IANS Google on Friday threatened to pull its Search engine from Australia if a proposed media bargaining law that directs Google to pay news publishers goes into effect Mel Silva Managing Director of Google Australia and New Zealand appeared before a public hearing of the Senate Economics Legislation Committee that is reviewing a proposed new law called the News Media Bargaining Code She said that in its current form the Code remains unworkable and if it became law would hurt not just Google but small publishers small businesses and the millions of Australians that use our services every day Coupled with the unmanageable financial and operational risk if this version of the Code were to become law it would give us no real choice but to stop making Google Search available in Australia Silva told the panel Australias Competition and Consumer Commission ACCC which drafted the law suggested last year that this shouldnt affect Googles search business Google will not be required to charge Australians for the use of its free services such as Google Search and YouTube unless it chooses to do so the ACCC had said The proposed News Media Bargaining Code law is currently in draft and targets Facebook and Google Facebook has also threatened to block its news from being shared in Australia Silva told the committee that withdrawing our services from Australia is the last thing that I or Google want to have happen especially when there is another way forward We propose technical amendments in three areas to address the key problems weve outlined These allow Google to pay publishers for value without breaking Google Search First rather than payment for links and snippets the Code could designate News Showcase and allow Google to reach commercial agreements to pay Australian news publishers for value in addition to the valuable traffic we already provide through Search Secondly the Codes final offer arbitration model with biased criteria presents unmanageable financial and operational risk for Google she said If this is replaced with standard commercial arbitration based on comparable deals this would incentivise good faith negotiations and ensure were held accountable by robust dispute resolution Finally the algorithm notification provision could be adjusted to require only reasonable notice about significant actionable changes to Googles algorithm to make sure publishers are able to respond to changes that affect them https://dailyworld.in/blog/google-threatens-to-stop-search-in-australia-over-new-law--96876.html Fri, 22 Jan 2021 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/swara-bhasker-96965.html Jan 22 IANS Actress Swara Bhasker has donned multiple looks in her new web series Aapkey Kamrey Mein Koi Rehta Hai and she says trying different things lets her maintaion the thrill and passion of her job From a suave and independent officegoing woman to ethnicwear to donning a smart look in short hair and glasses Swara dons various avatars in the fiveepisode horror comedy series The idea is to try things you havent done before for me it keeps the thrill and passion of the job alive Swara said I tried out multiple looks for âAapkey Kamrey Mein Koi Rehta Hai and it was quite exciting I wanted to try chopping my hair for the close crop look but I was shooting for other projects and it wasnt possible So I tried about five wigs and different eye colours to master this look and theres an interesting twist to why I am looking this way you should watch the show to know more she added Aapkey Kamrey Mein Koi Rehta Hai also stars Sumeet Vyas Naveen Kasturia Amol Parashar and Ashish Verma It is currently streaming on MX Player https://dailyworld.in/blog/swara-bhasker-96965.html Fri, 22 Jan 2021 19:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/signal-back-after-24-hour-outage-users-facing-error-messages-95644.html Jan 18 IANS Encrypted messaging app Signal that has seen a surge in new users was up and running and a massive 24 hour long outage but some users were still experiencing error messages After experiencing technical difficulties last weekend where users were unable to send messages the messaging kept trying its best to revive the chats Signal is back Like an underdog going through a training montage weve learned a lot since yesterday â and we did it together Thanks to the millions of new Signal users around the world for your patience Your capacity for understanding inspired us while we expanded capacity the company said in a tweet on Sunday Although some users may still see error messages in their chats Signal didnt explain what caused the outage As an unfortunate side effect of this outage users might see errors in some of their chats the company admitted This does not affect chats security but you may have missed a message from that contact The next Signal app updates will fix this automatically Signal has offered two fixes if users want to clear the error messages manually On Android if you see Bad encrypted message tap the menu in the topright tap Reset secure session On iOS tap the Reset Session button below Received message was out of sync The errors do not affect chat security and will be automatically fixed in the next app update Signal said https://dailyworld.in/blog/signal-back-after-24-hour-outage-users-facing-error-messages-95644.html Mon, 18 Jan 2021 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/samsung-hopes-s21-series-to-boost-smartphone-sales-in-2021-95376.html Jan 17 IANS Samsung Electronics on Sunday said that the company is confident that the Galaxy S21 series and its ecosystem devices such as Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy SmartTag will continue to drive category growth this year Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S21 family the entrylevel S21 the midtier S21 and the highend S21 Ultra at an online event last week Of the three models the highend S21 Ultra supports the SPen stylus which was previously used only for Galaxy Note phablets TM Roh President and Head of Mobile Communications Business said that early feedback from carriers and partners was fantastic with many stating they are excited about the bold new design advanced prograde camera seamlessly integrated ecosystem experience and bestever performance at a great value During this challenging time our consumers need the latest innovations more than ever From the ultimate experience of superintelligent industryleading prograde camera and video capabilities for S21 Ultra to a core flagship experience available across the S21 series we look forward to offering amazing experiences at a greater value to our consumers Roh said in a statement Samsung said the S21 Ultra features its most intelligent and brightest screen with a quadrear camera setup dual tele lens system and 4K video capabilities We feel confident that the Galaxy S21 series and its ecosystem devices such as Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy SmartTag will continue to drive category growth this year Roh said The Galaxy S21 8GB128GB will cost Rs 69999 Phantom Violet White Pink Grey colours while Galaxy S21 8GB256GB will be available for Rs 73999 Phantom Violet White Grey colours Galaxy S21 8GB128GB will come for Rs 81999 Phantom Violet Sliver Black colours while the 8GB256GB version will cost Rs 85999 Phantom Violet Sliver Black colours The topend model Galaxy S21 Ultra in 12GB256GB will cost Rs 105999 Phantom Black Sliver colours while Galaxy S21 Ultra with 16GB512GB variant will be available for Rs 116999 Phantom Black colour We remain committed to providing the best mobile experience to our consumers and will continue to actively listen and consider consumer feedback in our product innovations Roh noted According to Patrick Chomet EVP and Head of Customer Experience Office Mobile Communications Business Galaxy S21 series is built for those who want premium mobile innovations to capture and share their world Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 are for people who want to take and share high quality photos and videos to enjoy a premium viewing experience plus powerful connectivity no matter where you are he said To support our Galaxy community in this journey we are transitioning to removal of the charger plug and earphones in our latest line of Galaxy smartphones https://dailyworld.in/blog/samsung-hopes-s21-series-to-boost-smartphone-sales-in-2021-95376.html Sun, 17 Jan 2021 12:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/oneplus-band-stay-fit-with-this-budget-wearable-in-new-year-95391.html New Delhi Jan 17 IANS As the demand for wearable devices grows in India OnePlus is leaving no stone unturned to use this opportunity in fulfulling consumers needs in the affordable segment The company has debuted in the wearable market with the launch of its firstever healthtracking fitness band OnePlus Band that comes with an ability to track heart rate and blood oxygen levels Priced at Rs 2499 the OnePlus Band features an AMOLED display 13 inbuilt exercise modes that include yoga and cricket The fitness band that is the companys latest foray outside of smartphones comes in three colour variants black navy and tangerine grey It also features sleep tracking and can act as a phone accessory with support for displaying notifications as well as music playback and camera shutter controls We reviewed the OnePlus Band for a week and heres how it fared The overall design and look of the fitness band are impressive as it includes a rectangular 11inch AMOLED display Like most of the band it comes with a strap and a capsule that just have a touchscreen with no buttons The band comes with an option to set screen brightness at five different levels and it also lets you decrease the brightness as per your choice While using the band under direct sunlight we found the displays visibility absolutely good which is a plus point for the fitness band The fitness tracker also features heart rate fitness and sleep tracking The fitness band offers realtime heart rate monitoring and you can also be notified about irregular readings with personalised heartrate alerts One of the interesting sensors in the band is its blood oxygen saturation SpO2 monitor SpO2 is a measure of the amount of oxygencarrying haemoglobin in the blood relative to the amount of haemoglobin not carrying oxygen The sensor on the band beams infrared light on the skin to measure blood oxygen saturation levels by sensing changes in the blood colour The supported exercise modes include outdoor run indoor run fat burn run outdoor walk outdoor cycling indoor cycling elliptical trainer rowing machine cricket badminton pool swimming yoga and free training The band offers a lot of personalisation options through the OnePlus Health app which can be downloaded via Google Play Store The app also helps in tracking information about your steps heart rate SpO2 levels and sleep tracking The new OnePlus band comes with a 100mAh battery and the company claims to offer up to 14day battery standby on a single charge We charged the device around a week ago and it has been running since then The band is IP68 certified for dust and water and sweat resistance At this price point this fitness band takes on the likes of the Mi Band 5 and Redmi Band Conclusion The OnePlus fitness band looks good and has decent features With this band you can surely meet the New Years resolution of staying fit and healthy Photo IANS https://dailyworld.in/blog/oneplus-band-stay-fit-with-this-budget-wearable-in-new-year-95391.html Sun, 17 Jan 2021 13:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/apple-india-store-announces-rs-5-000-cashback-offer-no-cost-emi-94938.html Jan 15 IANS Apple Store India the companys online shop on Friday announced a new cashback and nocost EMI offer Starting January 21 consumers can avail a cashback of Rs 5000 on orders above Rs 44900 in India as well as a nocost EMI offer up to six months on Apple products According to Apples website the cashback is available for qualifying HDFC Bank Credit Cards Apple says that the maximum cashback of Rs 5000 will be applicable on a single order that totals up to Rs 44900 or more Multiple orders cannot be combined for the cashback The cashback once an order is successfully paid will be credited to the users HDFC credit card account within a period of 7 days The offer cannot be clubbed with the Education Program offers and is valid only on a single item purchase once per card Much like the Rs 5000 cashback offer the nocost EMI offer also ends on January 28 2021 Apple clarifies Card eligibility subject to terms and conditions between you and your card issuing bank The NoCost EMI offer is applicable on HDFC Bank Credit Cards on EMI transactions on a sixmonth tenure only The Apple India Online Store went live in September 2020 It offers customers a full range of products and support with the same premium experience found in Apple store locations around the world https://dailyworld.in/blog/apple-india-store-announces-rs-5-000-cashback-offer-no-cost-emi-94938.html Fri, 15 Jan 2021 15:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gods-other-warriers-in-tattered-clothes-torn-tents--92414.html By Harcharan Bains I have travelled to Delhi thrice to express solidarity with the farmers Each time I undertook the journey without announcing it to the media to avoid unnecessary controversies At least part of the reason for my triple âpilgrimageâ was tribal loyalty and solidarity I belong to a family that had agriculture as its sole source of income until my brothers left for the UK in the late sixties and early seventies It remained a major source even afterwards I have been an active farmer myself for three most critical years of my life I have even worked as a âfarm handâ on fields not my own to fight unsuspected poverty and adversity Midway through my third pilgrimage to Delhi I realised something that continues to disturb me I still think my visits to Delhi were a pilgrimage In fact I am likely to repeat those if the agitation lasts beyond January 4th I still think that acts like mine are needed to support the farmers whose future is seriously endangered by the three Acts in question I still believe I owe it to my tribe to stand by it They are fighting for me and our children too But something else has been disturbing me since my last trip It is this During the third trip I was suddenly made aware of the rickety shabby and unsafe tents under which I we often see migrant labour live In Punjab these days and even in Haryana we have colonies of these makeshift and makebelieve tents of tornpolythene rags that serve as roof These exist in clusters For some reason here we donât call them âslumsâ These slums and the ungainly tents stink of all kinds of filth For me seeing these during my trip to to and fro Delhi was not like beholding something new Like everyone else in my state I have been seeing the spectacle for decades In fact on a few occasions I have chatted the inmates of these tents up and laughed with them It has generally been a warm exchange of words even sentiments A couple of times I had been invited in and offered tea and biscuits which I had gladly and gratefully accepted Some friends may recall some of the pictures of my visits to these slumtents which I had then shared on Facebook It was a joy always being with the dwellers in these slums a joy especially laughing with the kids there Their laughter and the gleam in their eyes always mocked the dance of poverty all around them Only this morning I stopped by a cluster of such âslumsâ on the outskirts of Chandigarh It had rained early in the morning Though the rain had stopped it was still drizzling as I stepped out of my car to be greeted by a little girl of about 7 or 8 She flashed that smile which spells innocence She didnât seem either to be conscious of the abject poverty around her there or more likely she didnât care Nor did she seem conscious in the least of the stark contrast between her environs and how I must have come across to her All that happened between us was that I smiled a hellow at her and she returned the greeting with a wordless and toothless smile that might have challenged Shakespeare to define its stunning beauty and innocence More children joined her seeing a car stop by in front of their âhouseâ But barring her brother who seemed younger by a couple of years the children scampered away shouting to no one in particular Perhaps it was their song to shut destiny up I chatted with the âowner of the houseâ and his mates He is the girlâs father He is Badhaee B DH AEE as in gayee gone O that happened to the name of one of the farm hands who used to work with us when I was an adolescent And the girl She is Radha She had to be There was something so pure yet so comely about her Here in front of me I thought stands the girlhood of my country looking me straight in the eye but refusing to embarrass me with questions I wouldnât have an answer if she asked any about why life is what life is for the likes of her But what existed between her and me and between me and her father was more than love It was instantaneous love plus mutual respect I am often surprised by the refusal of some people to acknowledge that love happens in the most unusual places and in the most unusual ways and that there is no structural process to reach it or for it to reach us I have always found love â sincere and most lifeaffirming love Ââ in places and among people where one would least expect it Itâs one of the great blessings of life that love always laughs loud to catch you by surprise I was aware that moment that love was smiting on both of us this girl and me I went closer and put my arm around her shoulders and gave her mild hug She sort of demurred but then looked up at me and then at her father and then back at me and flashed a most charming toothless smile to announce that life is beautiful For a moment I forgot the questions I was preparing in my mind I made some routine but affectionate queries about the man his family their back ground â where they had come from etc âœAur aap babuâ âœMain bus yoon hi yahan se nikal raha tha bachchon ko baarish main khelte dekhne ko ruk gyaâ He smiled an approval âœAa jao kuchh pee lo Sardee bahut haiâ I donât know why I said âœmay be some other time ✠and it was over and I was back in my car By the time you read this I might already have gone back to have that cup of tea there in the slum But this question has been shadowing me like a spectre since thenâDo I really need to go to Delhi to see how poverty and adversity stalk my country â and how the brave defeat it everyday without mass support without ideologies without political mobilisation and without vocalisation on social media There is dignity that shares space with these children in their torn clothes in slum roofs and with men and women whose bodies smell of hard work men and women who pay poverty and adversity the compliment of confronting it with political mass muscle They fight and defeat poverty single handed and alone And there is sloganeering no singing of martial songs on human courage no breastbeating What you have in these tents in slums is human courage and more importantly human dignity that makes adversity slink away with its tail tucked between its hind legs There is no endless supply of langar or support from organisations worldwide to those battling misery in these slums They battle rain and wind and a lot else not for 20 days or 26 or 30 days or for two months or four The fight is passed on from one generation to another And there are no singers no poets no media no political parties no organisations no unions not even the vociferous and selfadvertising conscience of the social media coming forward to help these half clad warriors They keep no media advisors They have just smiles of courage as their weapon And yet defeat fears them These tattered tents in pools of dirty rain waterhere is where human courage and human dignity reside Here is where I must make a pilgrimage every time I find God and His grace missing from my planet Hail farmers migrant labour and dwellers in tents made of tattered polythene THE AUTHOR Is freelance journalist and Principal Advisor to former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal https://dailyworld.in/blog/gods-other-warriers-in-tattered-clothes-torn-tents--92414.html Wed, 06 Jan 2021 16:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/imminent-challenges-for-president-biden-91694.html By Harinder Bali In less than three weeks from now Jo Biden will begin his tenure as the 42nd President of the United States of America He will take over from Mr Donald Trump who leaves behind a complicated and divisive legacy Jo Biden will have his task cut out both at the domestic and the International arena Most of the issues he will have to address within the first hundred days of Presidency will be either the problems either created or left unresolved by the outgoing President Let us look at some of the problems which will demand immediate redressal a First and foremost will be controlling the rampaging pandemic which has caused havoc to both human lives and the economy Although the pandemic has affected the entire world the US has been the worst affected Almost 20 million people have been infected and close to 300000 have lost their lives In the last few months the control mechanisms seem to have fallen apart as President Trumpâs focus shifted from controlling the pandemic towards saving his Presidency Mr Jo Biden would have to put on rails a comprehensive program to combat the pandemic He has already put a Covid Advisory team in place to brace up to face the challenge His Presidency will begin on the right notes has the advantage as two very effective vaccines have already been approved for safe use Getting vaccine rapidly to everyone across the country is a monumental job and the new team will have to put a comprehensive supply chain in place to achieve it He would need to convince the American people many of whom are apprehensive about vaccine efficacy and safety to get vaccinated at the earliest Unlike his predecessor he would have to carry all the state governments along in this nationwide vaccination program Along with vaccination he would have to emphasize the common man on the street to observe social preventive measures like wearing masks and maintaining social distance If he succeeds in controlling the pandemic it will have a positive impact on the American economy as well b President Biden and his team will have to make all efforts heel the wounds of electioneering which have viciously divided the American people along party lines Mr Donald Trump leaves behind a fractured legacy As Mr Trumpâs tenure neared its completion he became more and more President of the Red States than the United States of America Mr Jo Biden has always claimed that if elected he would be the President of the entire USA and not only of the states that vote for it He needs to make good that promise and progressively bring the warring sections together It is going to be a challenging and prolonged process He is expectedly going to face severe opposition from the Republican supporters as well as from Republican lawmakers His job is not likely to be made any easy by the outgoing President who would continue to claim that the Presidency was stolen from him and Jo Biden is not the legitimate President Mr Jo Biden would need all the diplomatic acumen at his command to make American one country again C The economy has taken a battering due to the pandemic Unemployment numbers are at an alltime high and millions have applied for unemployment security He would need to reassure the American public that by controlling the pandemic the economy would come back on the rails and more jobs would be created D The USA has seen major diplomatic confrontation in the last few months with China the second most powerful country globally Mr Trump had blamed China for the origin of the Coronavirus and delayed information about it to the world He derisively repeatedly called the Covid virus the Chinese virus Many countries have held China responsible for the pandemic and for following unethical policies detrimental to other countriesâ interest China is an expansionist bully that has spread its tentacle across the globe to undermine other countriesâ national interests However due to its huge economy and global reach it is impossible to isolate China or have prolonged conflict Mr Jo Biden and his administration would need to engage with China so that constructive cooperation can be done while also combatting its expansionist behaviour The fine balance between aggression and diplomatic engagement would test the incoming administration E The US under Mr Trump had withdrawn from several multilateral and bilateral commitments and engagements This includes the WHO the WTO and NATO Until recently the US was the largest donor to WHO Mr Trump stopped aid to the WHO blaming it for biased and partisan behaviour in the months leading to the pandemic Despite serious lapses during the pandemic the WHO is the only multinational body that looks after health worldwide Mr Jo Biden would certainly like to reclaim USâs preeminent position in the WHO It is expected to join back WHO and introduce checks and balances in the organization to prevent recurrence of lapses in the future F Mr Donald Trump had a serious problem with the climate body and it walked out from the Paris Agreement The new administration will certainly join back the world body for climate change G The NATO alliance countries have been facing difficult times due to Mr Trumpâs policies in the last few years It is expected that Mr Biden would reengage with the NATO alliance countries and allay their fears for long term strategic cooperation H Afganistan would also demand the immediate attention of the new President Mr Donald Trump had committed to pull out of Afghanistan during his 2014 election campaign In the last few months Mr Trump was in undue haste to fulfil his promise to the American electorate At present there is only a limited presence of US soldiers in the strifetorn country Afganistan is likely to fall back into prolonged civil war unless a comprehensive peace plan acceptable to all stakeholders is in place Despite Doha talks between warring factions there is no peace accord on the horizon Mr Biden would have to play a preeminent role and continue to have a military presence in Afghanistan to stabilize the country I Iran has been at the receiving end of outgoing Presidentâs wrath Much against its NATO alliance and the world opinion Mr Trump pulled out of the Nuclear Treaty with Iran and imposed stifling economic sanctions on the Islamic country These sanctions have pushed Iran into the waiting arms of China and Turkey Most experts on this subject believe that Mr Jo Biden will restart engaging with Iran to check its nuclear ambitions while at the same time easing economic sanctions These negotiations may cause more than a little heartburn for its natural allies Israel Saudia Arabia and the UAE But for peace and stability in the region it is absolutely essential to get Iran back on the negotiating table J North Korea and its maverick dictator Mr Kim Un Jong continue to be a potential threat to the park strait region Although Mr Trump had two very wellpublicized interactions with Kim no concrete outcome has come out of those engagements Mr Jo Biden would have to take those negotiations further for a beneficial solution to the Korean problem At home Mr Biden would face severe position from within its own democratic party particularly leftleaning Bernie Sanderâs followers Opposition from a powerful segment of the Democratic Party became obvious even as the PresidentElect was finalizing senior members of his administration He is likely to face severe opposition from the House of Representatives as the majority there is with the Republicans The world would be watching with extreme concern and anticipation about how the USA demonstrates its exemplary democratic power at home and how it reclaims the worldâs leadership which has remained unchallenged since world war II China is emerging as a strong superpower and is expected to overtake the US as the worldâs number one economy by 2028 The coming four years of Biden administration will determine to a considerable extent how the world economic order as well as geopolitics unravel in the coming decades The writer is associated with Paras Hospital Panchkula Views are personal https://dailyworld.in/blog/imminent-challenges-for-president-biden-91694.html Sun, 03 Jan 2021 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/punjab-bureaucracy-lets-talk-about-gen-next-90941.html By Manish Tiwari While covering the Punjab government in the past two decades I have come across many IAS officers who I thought brought laurels to their cadre But now itâs time to talk about Gen Next This generation â some of the emerging secretary and principal secretarylevel officers â has not just impressed many with their performance and positive approach towards doing good to the people but has remained focused is wellinformed and most importantly balanced in decisionmaking and their delivery to the system They have in fact kept the hope alive for the Indian bureaucracy and also the publicâs faith in the system Some of the officers include Principal Secretary Excise and Taxation A Venu Prasad 1991 batch Principal Secretary Local Bodies Ajoy K Sinha 1996 Principal Secretary Personnel Vivek Pratap Singh 1996 Secretary Local Government Ajoy Sharma 1999 Secretary Employment Generation Rahul Tiwari 2000 Special Principal Secretary to the CM Gurkirat Kirpal Singh 2001 Excise Commissioner Rajat Aggrawal 2003 Chandigarhâs Municipal Commissioner KK Yadav 2003 Director Public Relations Ravi Bhagat 2006 and Director Food and Civil Supplies Anandita Mitra 2007 They are not only known for using their discretion in the public interest but have been disciplined and extremely hardworking For the civil servants though the state of Punjab that has seen turbulent times for several decades has not been easy to handle Today when the State has been battling against the Covid19 outbreak for almost a year bad financial position besides many other issues such as the farmersâ protests some of the top officers including Chief Principal Secretary to Punjab CM Suresh Kumar and the 1987batch IAS officer Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan have been providing leadership to the Punjab bureaucracy by their delivery to governance and more importantly â the people The officers such as Financial Commissioner Revenue Viswajeet Khanna and Financial Commissioner Development Anirudh Tiwari too have shown the poise and balance in handing State affairs Within the bureaucracy there is hardly anyone who appreciates a retired IAS officer holding an important position in the government even after superannuating but the way Suresh Kumar who has long been considered a nononsense bureaucrat and his two other colleagues Principal Secretary to the CM Tejvir Singh and Special Secretary to the CM Gurkirat Kirpal Singh have delivered to the system and not allowed any blot to come on the Chief Minister in the past four years has been something the Gen Next must take note of They have worked as a cohesive team not only in the interest of the Chief Minister and his government but for the people at large The CMO has never been as powerful and asserting as it is today and it goes without saying that it enjoys the full confidence of the Chief Minister On the other hand the Chief Secretaryâs Office has also become as important as it would be in the past Ever since Vini Mahajan has taken over as the Chief Secretary the State bureaucracy has been more focused even as several ambitious plans are on the anvil and are likely to unfold in early 2021 I have a personal bias for Vini Mahajan as I have known her for the past 20 years when she was the Special Secretary Expenditure and watched her grow as a successful bureaucrat including her stint in the Prime Ministerâs Office initially as the Director and then as Joint Secretary handling several important departments and states She has been a true leader professionally very sound and imbued with effective decisionmaking and Gen Next has to learn a lot from her in fact from most of what she has done as an officer Critics often talk about what the government has not done and it appears very few know what all it has done in the past four years While corruption is as rampant as in the past one thing that the Capt Amarinder government can take credit for is â that there is governance sans vendetta and malice He can also be credited with identifying good officers for his core team that has the ability to deliver About 20 years back when I interacted with the bureaucrats such as former Chief Secretaries K R Lakhanpal Ramesh Inder Singh and Subodh Agarwal I would always ask myself Will the Next Generation have the sense of balance and maturity as some of these officers Over a period however one has realised that not only officers such as Suresh Kumar and Vini Mahajan had the potential to be in the top slot but almost all the midlevel emerging secretaries and principal secretaries whose names find mention in this article are the future chief secretaries Manishdailyworldin https://dailyworld.in/blog/punjab-bureaucracy-lets-talk-about-gen-next-90941.html Wed, 30 Dec 2020 22:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/chinas-lucrative-organ-theft-90376.html By RN Prasher On 1 March 2020 The Independent Tribunal into Forced Organ Harvesting from Prisoners of Conscience in China released its 562page final report The six members of the Tribunal were experts of international renown in areas of law transplant surgery international politics Chinese history and businessSir Geoffrey Nice Queenâs Counsel QC from UK headed it Earlier Mr Nice was the lead prosecutor in the trial of Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic at the International Criminal Tribunal The members of the Tribunal the prosecutors and the lawyers worked pro bono without taking any payment for their effort The Tribunal had avowed to forego any emotions on the issue They examined 50 witnesses and their cold legalistic conclusion was âœa Forced organ harvesting has happened in multiple places in the Peopleâs Republic of China PRC and on multiple occasions for a period of at least twenty years and continues to this day b Medical testing of groups including Falun Gong and Uighurs was related in some way to the group concerned because other prisoners were not tested The methods of testing are highly suggestive of methods used to assess organ function The use of ultrasound examinations further suggests testing was focused on the condition of internal organs No explanation has been given by the PRC for this testingâ Based on witness testimonyand documentary evidence the Tribunal concluded that thousands of people had their bodies âœcut open while still alive for their kidneys livers hearts lungs cornea and skin to be removed and turned into commodities for saleâ China performs the largest number of transplant surgeries in the world While in most of the countries the waiting period is two years or more in China it could be as short as two weeksAs the Tribunal found the tests have been done and databases are ready to be matched with the prospective recipient The evil started much before Falun Gong fell foul of the Chinese Communist PartyThe 1979 documentRules Concerning the Dissection of Corpses and the 1984 Provisions for Regulations on the Use of Dead Bodies or Organs from Condemned Criminals give graphic details including the provision that the family of the executed person has to pay for the bullet used to kill if they want the ash urn The rules emphasised close coordination between health personnel and prison and public security officials and the need for confidentiality The âœsupply chainâ is facilitated by the fact that in china 46 offences attract the death penalty of which the most frequently used against dissidents are organising prostitution seriously endangering public safety intentional assault production and sale of hazardous food products and insubordination On 18 June 1996 the US Congress Subcommittee OnInternational Operations And Human Rights was informed that documents of the Chinese Communist Partyâs central Committee requireunmarked ambulances with surgeons not dressed in white medical uniforms to drive directly to execution site and extract the organs as the vehicle rushes towards transplant facility On 27 June 2001 a member of the US Congress described before the same Subcommittee how a person was shot in the heart if corneas were needed and in the head if other organs were to be extracted It was stated that the Chinese as a ruledo not consent to organ donation as both the Buddhist and the Confucian beliefs dictate that the body be kept whole after death This led to the inevitable conclusion that most of the transplanted organs came from persons who and whose families had not consented to organ removal The worst disclosure was that the recipients of these harvested organs included a large number of Americans whowith tourist visasenjoyed this âœmedical tourismâ to get the transplants This resulted in substantial foreign exchange earnings for the communist state the GDP of which in 2000 was less than 10 per cent of what it is now To boost this âœlucrativeâ business attention shifted to Falun Gong a group following spiritual practices physical exercises and moral principles as part of daily life By 1999 its followersâ number had grown to 70 million sending jitters down the communist party ranks On 25 April 1999 Jiang Zemin who like Xi Jinping was Party General Secretary Chairman of the Central Military Commission and President of the country issued orders for defeat of Falun Gong He described the group as a grave threat to the Party Since then mass arrests torture and organ harvesting has been the fate of Falun Gong practitioners An article in Cambridge China Quarterly in 2015 mentioned that Chinese universities are asking prospective students as a precondition for admission to bring a certificate from public security authorities that they have no links to Falun Gong Many of the followers escaped to the West and some of them gave evidence before the Tribunal US Congress has passed four resolutions calling on China to stop the persecution of Falun Gong Yet sufficient evidence has been included in the Tribunalâs report that organ harvesting from even living Falun Gong members is continuing encouraged in part by the Americanâs and Europeansâ demand for quick and cheap availability of organs As the organ business boomed China has found new sources The crackdown on Kazakhs and Uighurs has resulted in more than a million of them being sent to detention camps euphemistically called vocational training centres New York Post reported in June 2019 that upon entry at these centres in addition to blood being drawn for testing the organs are also examined giving clear indication that the detainees are considered potential âœdonorsâ There are indications that many Tibetan prisoners have also met that fate Total absence of due process in China means that once a recipientâs requirement is matched by the data from a detainee the detainee can be chargedwith a capital offencequickly convicted and executed to permit organ extraction Howsoever horrifying this âœfarmingâ method may seem it is a reality and no government in the world has made it a criminal offence for its citizens to travel to China for organ transplant A draft law titled Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act with the objective of preventing China from extracting organs from prisoners of conscience was introduced in the US Congress on 16 December 2020 Chris Smith member of the Congress who cosponsored the Bill said âœtransnational human trafficking gangs terrorist organisations profiteers and even governments â Chinaâs Communist regime in particular â kill innocent people and sell their organs for profitâ The proposed law seeks to empower theSecretary of State to deny passport or revoke it if already issued to an American who is or tries to be recipient of an organ extracted in violation of National Organ Transplantation Act While the bill awaits approval we can only harbour a vain hope that European Union and India will soon follow the American initiative and make it an offence to travel to China to receive a stolen organ The persistent silence on this issue however shows that just below the thin gilt of democracy lies the same indifference to human rights as exists in totalitarian regimes The writer is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are strictly his personal https://dailyworld.in/blog/chinas-lucrative-organ-theft-90376.html Mon, 28 Dec 2020 18:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/china-land-grab-worldwide-88578.html By RN Prasher Building artificial islands on reefs in the South China Sea and the creeping encroachment in Ladakh Bhutan Nepal and Mongolia are not the only tricks in the bag for Chinaâs expansionism These are limited to areas adjacent to Chinaâs international borders Simultaneously China is expanding deep inside other nations far away from its borders and sometimes across continents and oceans With the largest foreign reserves of any nation in the world China can afford to buy what it wants There was a time when national power and prestige were more important than wealth and no nation would trade away the former for the latter In recent times however mercantilism is driving foreign policy more than anything else As long as the price is right nations are willing to sell anything even their land From 2008 till 2018 Chinaâs economy grew at an unprecedented pace rising from 45 trillion to almost 14 trillion Its foreign reserves almost doubled in the first six years of that period China with 20 per cent of the worldâs population and only 8 per cent of global cultivable area saw its chance to acquire land in other countries for ensuring its food security However that goal soon became subservient to the desire of the new hegemon to penetrate every aspect of life in other nations ranging from military strategy to educational and cultural penetration Thus while large tracts were bought for agriculture strategically located smaller parcels gave China an opportunity to get an insiderâs view of other countries Meanwhile other nations even the mighty USA counted their coins as the dragon crept in China is the biggest buyer of land in other countries followed by the UK and the US The last two are transparent democracies with frequent changes in the ruling party and hence any longterm covert activity is not feasible In China on the other hand the same communist party has ruled for the last 71 years with no possibility of a change in the near future The recent exposÃs of Chinaâs successful internal subversion in other countries leave no room for doubt about Chinaâs goal of subverting democracies worldwide Let us take the case of a small peaceful democratic country New Zealand NZ A Chinese company Shanghai Pengxin has a 75 percent stake in a company which owns 10000 acres farmland in the NZâs South Island and another 20000 acres in the North Island Then in 2014 this company signed a deal to further buy more than 34000 acres in the North Island This caused a considerable disquiet and a leader of the farmers called it selling the âœfamily silverâ In the face of strident opposition the deal did not fructify The reasons for China focussing on possessing farmlands in this small Pacific nation lie in the highly questionable business ethos of China In 2008 it was found that in China infant formula and other baby foods were adulterated with industrial chemical melamine which is used to make glues laminates and tableware The milk was diluted and the addition of this chemical which contains nitrogen gave it the appearance of proteinrich milk during tests China is not known for speaking the truth about such scandals but it is estimated that 300000 babies were affected some of whom died and others suffered longterm consequences like kidney damage There was a domestic outcry against Chinese brands of baby food Chinese tourists flocked to Australia and NZ to buy loads of baby formula NZ is the largest exporter of dairy products It is thus that China dairy companies tried to buy lands in this country When that did not succeed beyond a point they went for buying controlling stakes in NZ dairy companies In 2019 China dairy company Yili acquired Westland NZâs second biggest dairy producer Then in September 2020 Chinese company Mengniu acquired Bellamyâs Australiaâs leading baby formula maker for 1 billion Again in November this year the same stateowned Chinese company acquired Australiaâs Lion Dairy and Drinks Chinese companies have been on a landbuying spree in Australia to augment food supplies as the rising middle class in China has caused a spurt in demand for high quality food In 2015 and 2016 Chinese companies made repeated bids to acquire the largest ranch in the world the Australian S Kidman Co The government of Australia however did not approve these attempts In spite of this setback by 2017 China had become the largest foreign landowner in AustraliaThe land grab is not limited to farmlands China owns an airport in Western Australia on a lease for 100 years the port of Darwin for 99 years and a whopping 23 million acres of Australiaâs land It owns coalmines wind farms and water supplies As with other aspects of foreign relations Chinaâs acquisitions are not based on reciprocity No foreign entity can buy land in China in fact even Chinese citizens and companies cannot buy land in China All land is stateowned and is held by everyone else on lease that can be terminated at any time Given the present state of the ChinaAustralia relationship perhaps it is time that Australia adopts Chinaâs policy by terminating some of these leases of strategic assets Reports have recently emerged of Chinese companies acquiring large tracts of land near defence installations in the US and in Japan Guanghui Energy Company owned by a retired officer of the Chinese army set up a subsidiary GH America Energy in the US and is in the process of setting up a wind farm next to Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas The facility is used for pilots training turning out 350 pilots every year The idea seems to be to snoop on these defence activities while making inroads into the American electric grid in the bargain Meanwhile across the Pacific Ocean a Chinese company has bought 20 acres of land merely 3 kilometres away from Japanâs Air SelfDefence Forceâs Air Base in Hokkaido These are just examples of the Chinese land acquisition which span over 33 countries that include the US Canada the UK Japan Thailand Malaysia Vietnam and the UAE Even the urban properties are on the Chinese radar with Forbes Magazine putting it dramatically âœReal estate agents with million dollar listings in New York Miami and Los Angeles all have one thing in common Chinese clientsâ What about India Chinese citizens and companies cannot buy land in India without the approval of the Reserve Bank Yet we know that China allows its operatives to have a second passport Once such operatives present themselves as citizens of a country not on the barred list they can buy land without any approval There does not appear to be much information on whether Chinese companies have acquired land in India using such gaps in the law An analysis of such land purchases and their location may be useful in showing whether these are usual commercial transactions or whether strategic issues have played a part in such acquisitions Chinaâs aggressive policies do indicate the need for India and other democracies adopting policies based on reciprocity Chinese companies and individuals should not be allowed to acquire freehold real estate in India because Indians are not allowed to buy properties in China with the same rights The writer is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are strictly his personal https://dailyworld.in/blog/china-land-grab-worldwide-88578.html Mon, 21 Dec 2020 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/-let-every-medical-stream-practice-its-science-88329.html By DR Harinder Bali Government has allowed AYUSH postgraduate doctors to perform many surgeries which come exclusively in the domain of modern medicine Government has justified this move by arguing that these doctors are trained during their MS course to perform these surgeries modern medicine doctors are reluctant to serve in the rural areas and these are relatively simple surgeries This move of the Government can have disastrous consequences for the country and the notification needs to be rescinded immediately Ayurveda inarguably is the oldest science of treating patients it finds mention in great detail in the Vedas as well as in many of our holy scriptures Ayurveda was a state religion for many centuries producing some of the finest Vaids and surgeons whose contribution has been recognized the world over Sushruta is regarded as the father of modern surgery and is revered the world over His statue is proudly displayed prominently in the main lobbies of many hospitals not only in India but also in many hospitals of the world Similarly the contribution of many other physicians and surgeons is not only recognized but also celebrated worldwide The name of great physician Charak the author of Charaka Samhita readily comes to mind Likewise other medical streams like Unani Homeopathy Tibetan medicine Chinese medicine Naturopathy and many others have their own very illustrious histories and heritage All these different medical streams need to be encouraged and promoted so they can progress in their own right and become a viable alternative to modern medicine stream I donât think anyone including the practitioners of modern medicine has an issue with recognizing the contribution of these alternative systems of medicines nor in the state helping them to improve their systems to advance their growth The problem has only arisen when the Government by notification has tried to completely subvert and undermine the system and allow practitioners of these alternative systems of medicine to start performing surgeries which fall exclusively and specifically in the domain of modern medicine Let me make a few points unambiguously clear at the very outset a I have the highest regard for Ayurveda and all other alternative medicines I have done some research on Yoga I have written a comprehensive review in the Indian heart Journal on cardiovascular effects of Yoga I am convinced that Yoga is an excellent science with enormous potential not only to prevent risk factors from developing but also in managing patients with heart disease Beyond that I have no great competence or expertise to comment on any of the alternative streams as I havenât studied any one of them in great detail b I believe with great conviction that AYUSH has a critical role to play in preventive medicine and also in many chronic diseases like allergies skin disorders joint disorders and psychosomatic illnesses c I have no problem in the state promoting AYUSH in a big way by setting up more institutes promoting research and introducing subsubject specialization d I have no issues with any AYUSH doctors Some of my closest and dearest friends are AYUSH doctors I respect their expertise and also value their friendship enormously e Problem is only in them doing surgeries which are in the domain of modern medicine f I have more than thirty years of experience and can say with all the conviction at my command that each one of these surgeries demands intensive knowledge and extreme competence There is so much super specialization within super specialization that it is neither ethical nor moral to do procedures beyond oneâs core competence I for one donât even do paediatric cardiac interventions nor Electrophysiology in my speciality of interventional cardiology I promptly refer these patients to those who are experts in treating them I canât even begin to imagine to venture into such procedures like endoscopy laparoscopy Etc Therefore I believe every patient irrespective of his background education level caste creed or colour deserves the best and should be treated by the most competent doctor in that speciality This notification allowing AYUSH MS doctors to conduct surgeries will be an unmitigated disaster a Ayurveda and other alternative streams stopped growing at least a thousand years ago Successive governments for a variety of reasons stopped patronizing Ayurveda stopped funding it as well as denied jobs to practitioners of this science Consequently once a flourishing medical stream stopped growing with progressively fewer people pursuing it as a career and even fewer seeking treatment from those practising it Same information and knowledge that was described thousand years ago in the Vedas continue to be guiding principle even now To the best of my knowledge no major addition has been made either in the diagnostic or therapeutic fields No one has made any effort to identify the active ingredients in different herbs or to systematically identify long term good or harmful effects of these medicines on various systems of the body These alternative sciences have been lying dormant for centuries with no real progress to make them relevant to the contemporary world Besides there are very few institutes teaching these streams of medicine The existing ones are grossly short of funds to carry out any meaningful teaching or research Diagnosis is limited only to history taking and no modern investigative tool is available for making an accurate diagnosis There is no practice of conducting clinical trials randomization in trials or of systematically analyzing data to see efficacy or lack of it of the prescribed medicines There is no imaging modality available to aid in diagnosis b Modern medicine in the last two hundred years has made astronomical strides to reach to present level It is making continuous progress even as I write this column Right from the very beginning it chose the path of objectivity documentation systematic trials publication in peerreviewed journals periodic and continuous upgradation of textbooks and constant reevaluation of already existing knowledge in the light of newer information Old modalities of treatment were discarded as soon as the more recent and improved techniques of diagnosing and treating patients became available It evolved a system of imparting knowledge to budding doctors both formally and informally and continuously encouraging them to question everything and anything till they were satisfied The Government set up a large number of medical colleges and medical Institutes not only to impart existing knowledge but to carry out research to continuously enhance knowledge Students were encouraged to publish their research and experiences in peerreviewed journals Students learnt to evaluate every new observation and information scientifically before incorporating it in their clinical practice This systematic evaluation and constant endeavour to improve all the time is the hallmark of modern medicine Whereas formal education in a medical college is only a prerequisite to understand the already known facts about the human body and different diseases the education of a doctor continues all his life Every doctor is trained to intuitively observe analyze and imbibe any and every new information and critically analyze it for its significance Modern medicine has been continuously incorporating technological advances in diagnostics and therapeutics In the last thirty years ultrasound CT scans and MRI have revolutionized the way doctors carry out investigations for diagnosis These investigative capabilities and their constant improvement has taken medicine to an entirely new level To become a surgeon not only one has to have thorough knowledge in that specific field but also prolonged practical experience under the close and watchful eyes of an experienced surgeon Every surgeon has vast experience in recognizing and treating all types of complications and the ability to innovate at a split second in case of any unexpected observationoccurrence during surgery It takes at least ten to fifteen years after obtaining a formal postgraduate or speciality degree MCh DM to be able to become an expert surgeon Additionally every surgeon possesses a thorough knowledge of anaesthesia pharmacology and many other sister specialities He gets comprehensive training to recognize and treat the various adverse reaction of medicines critically evaluate and interpret all laboratory investigations and prescribe medication in proper dose and strength Can an AYUSH MS doctor do it c To perform surgery one would need some form of anaesthesia local spinal epidural or general Anaesthesiology is a modern medical speciality Where and how is an AYUSH surgeon going to use it So who would give the anaesthesia d AYUSH doctors are being permitted by the notification to perform surgery for benign tumours Who would decide a particular tumour is benign or malignant In addition to histopathology a pathologist studies immunohistochemistry cell of origin and also receptors on the cell to decide best treatment for a particular patient To the best of my knowledge there is no concept of microscopic evaluation of tumours in AYUSH Who would decide whether a specific tumour is benign or malignant f Surgery involves the use of antibiotics as prophylaxis and for treatment if and when an infection occurs What antibiotics and based on what investigations are the AYUSH doctors going to prescribe these antibiotics To prescribe these medicines would involve optimum training in microbiology and pharmacology g Human anatomy is not the same in every individual There are different types of anomalies aberrancies and abnormal courses and branching pattern of arteries veins nerves which a surgeon knows by training experience and clinical observation What would an AYUSH surgeon do should he come across uncommon anatomy He could end up injuring or cutting one of the structures with disastrous consequences for the patient H Should a complication occur in the hands of an AYUSH surgeon who is going to handle it Another AYUSH doctor or a surgeon practising modern medicine The Government has argued that these AYUSH surgeons would be willing to provide muchneeded healthcare in the rural areas where allopathic doctors are reluctant to go It means that there would be different types of doctors for urban and rural areas Modern medicine doctors with proper qualification serving the urban and elite populationWhile inadequately qualified doctors would be treating the rural population and those living in remote areas This concept raises a fundamental question Are rural people not entitled to quality healthcare just like their urban counterparts Quality healthcare just like the right to life should be a fundamental right of every citizen No state which claims to be a welfare state should deny itâs citizens quality healthcare merely based on residence education level or any other criteria This notification permitting AYUSH MS doctors to conduct surgeries will be disastrous may hurt many people and cause enormous harm to millions The Government should immediately withdraw it Such notification will not improve the condition of AYUSH doctors but will undoubtedly cause massive damage to practitioners of modern medicine and accelerate the process of brain drain It is an extremely retrogressive step and would make doctors of our country a laughing stock in front of the whole world The right course of action to improve AYUSH streams is to improve funding for setting up good institutes and to encourage students to take up those streams Each of these streams must conduct large trials systematically analyze results and publish them in peerreviewed journals to show the safety and efficacy of everymedicine It sure is a long road but a beginning has to be made Short cuts will not do The writer is associated with Paras Hospital Panchkula Views are personal https://dailyworld.in/blog/-let-every-medical-stream-practice-its-science-88329.html Sun, 20 Dec 2020 16:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/there-he-goes-holding-the-lords-finger-adieu-koshy-88086.html By Rajbir Deswal Yesterday only a choked Mr Rabinder Nath Vasudeva a retired IPS officer and a saintly soul called me up to inform about Mr Koshy Koshy another IPS officer of Haryana cadre having been convalescing in a Faridabad Hospital saying that he wasnât too well Mr Vasudeva could hardly speak These two officers were my mentors when I joined the Haryana Police in 1983 Those days young officers stayed in the house of their immediate seniors in a district like a family member till accommodation was made available to him The bonhomie was matchless I had this kind of a relationship with these two mentors of mine who educated me in policing The sad news of Mr Koshy Koshy having breathed his last came as a bolt from the blue for he was 71 only Many in Haryana Police had known him to be an extremely helpful knowledgeable able and upright police officer Having remained with the Bureau of Police Research and Development for a long time he was known all over the country for his contributing to the cause of training not only within the countryâs premiere training institutions but almost all over the world He had studied the US UK Singapore models of policing and was an Internationally acclaimed police trainer Coming from Erankulam District of Kerala he passed his Masters in English literature from Agra University and was a man given to reading and writing Koshyâs diction matched only the maestros He had been allotted to Haryana having cracked the IPS examination He remained posted through out Haryana on important assignment but he loved police training as his pet indulgence A man of incorruptible integrity Koshy was a fearless officer who introduced very many reforms whatever area of policing he commanded He wore many hats and was interested not only in photography and birdwatching but was always keen to be listening ghazals and hold your breath even Haryanvi Ragnis His Facebook wall is infact an enviable gallery of picture of rare varity of birds He would be seen with his camera holidaying sometimes in Harike Lake in Punjab and sometime in Sultanpur Bird Sanctury He patronised many a birdloversâ societies He was invariably invited to very many Ragni coemptions that were held If you tried to tell him the meaning of a particular Haryanvi nuance he would smile and tell you that he already knew it He loved music and had an eye for newer gadgets about which he seemed to know every technical detail He practised astrology and homeopathy too He was fond of wearing sober dresses At home I always found him wearing his lungi I had a very special relationship with Mr Koshy He groomed me on the one hand and on the other pampered me to the extent that his other colleagues told him that he was spoiling me He was such a large hearted man that he would quietly ignore your bonafide mistakes and faults and would always try to correct them He himself was of small frame but he had a special fascination for tall and handsome Haryanvi officers He would fondly introduce me to others sayingâRajbir is our hero Our poster boy His magnanimity and kindness to me cannot be repaid ever He offered me liberty to smoke with him a fact which many people did not like He allowed me to put an extra star an epaulet on my shoulders even during my initial training phase Infact on hindsight I find lot many of my colleagues and senior officers who would proudly claim an association and personal bonding with Mr Koshy He was a very humorous person He was always full of jokes and witticisms He would keep making reference to the witty side of things in the South Koshy was a near encyclopaedia of cultural practices in South India He was fond of rice and coffee Koshyâs contribution to modern day policing in India can never be forgotten He introduced newer reforms as were chartered by the BPRD He was in the policethinktank of his times and interacted freely with other intellectual police giants and iconic figures Having headed the BPRD he retired contributing his bit to the National Disaster Management Force as well He had an inscription put on his working table saying ✠If God be with you who can be against youâ A devout Christian and a noble one he never missed his Lent fasting of 40 days His ancestors came from the Syrian Christian stock belonging to the times when St Francis came to India Perhaps that he was a believer it always helped him to handle difficult situations coolheadedly though at times Koshy was known to be losing temper but he would gather himself the soonest laughing the situation away Many chapters of my second book âœCulture Bright Darkâ came from his advising me whether it was on Christians of Haryana or Ragnis of Haryana or lesser know places of Haryana He knew by journalistic background also before my joining the police and he always encouraged me for writing He was quite popular in my own family as well My father kept asking me about Mr Koshy Our hearts go out to Mrs Susan Koshy his lady wife George and Shalini his kids On his demise I recall the inscription that he kept on his working station and I can see Mr Koshy going away from all of us holding The Lordâs finger Adieu Koshy Sir Rajbir Deswal a retired IPS officer Haryana cadre is advocate Punjab and Haryana High Court Chandigarh https://dailyworld.in/blog/there-he-goes-holding-the-lords-finger-adieu-koshy-88086.html Sat, 19 Dec 2020 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/lessons-from-the-pandemic-86495.html DR HK BALI As we come to close of 2020 there is finally some good news to celebrate Much awaited vaccine for SARSCoV2 virus which has been causing havoc all around the world is finally going to be available At least in Europe and the US two vaccines manufactured by Pfizer BioNtech and Moderna using novel mRNA technology is going to be available for mass use Both have reported having shown more than 94 per cent efficacy in preventing infection in phase III clinical trials Other vaccines produced by Astra Zeneca Oxford Russian Sputnik V three Indian vaccines and a Chinese vaccine have also shown promising results They are likely to be available for mass use in the next few months Finding an effective and safe vaccine for a viral disease in less than one year is a remarkable achievement for the scientific community Earlier it used to take 56 years to produce an effective vaccine Vaccinating close to seven billion people of the world is going to be next big challenge It may take as much as two years to achieve this target As we celebrate the availability of the vaccine we need to take stock of what we have learnt from this pandemic Although this was the first pandemic of the twentyfirst century it certainly is not the last one This pandemic has brought the world to its knees killed millions seriously sickened tens of millions completely disturbed everyday life and brought economic activity to a standstill across the globe It has also exposed our lack of preparedness to face natural or humanmade disasters Even the most developed countries of the world were not able to cope with the massive health crisis Developing and underdeveloped countries had no clue how to safe lives while keeping their economies running What are the lessons we need to learn from this pandemic so humanity is better prepared to face the next one A International level This pandemic started in Wuhan and the first case was reported in late November 2019 The Chinese Government suppressed that information and continued to deny its severity for almost two months China informed the WHO about possible human to human transmission in late January 2020 If the information had been available to the world as soon as the first cluster of cases were identifiedit is possible pandemic could have been averted So the foremost lesson is that world needs to strengthen WHO so it can do better surveillance and inform different countries if any suspicious cases are reported from anywhere in the world There is a need to have WHO centres in all major cities of the world and trained personnel should have uninhibited access to all healthcare facilities in that city In the current digital age technology it should not be challenging to transmit such information in realtime across the globeWHO should also have the authority to recommend closure of all borders including airports to limit the disease to only a localized area There is also a need to strengthen the UN and other international bodies to impose punitive actions against countries not conforming to surveillance of healthcare facilities by WHO regulators The international community should also declare possessing experimenting with and use of biological warfare agents by any government as a crime against humanity National level In India we need to strengthen our public health system by increasing spending on healthcare to at least 5 per cent of our national GDP Subdistrict hospitals district hospitals should have fully equipped ICUs comprehensive testing laboratories and realtime availability of reports We also need to create a workforce to run these ICUs efficiently Only having medical equipment and beds is not sufficient but trained human resources are even more essential to take care of sick patients The workforce includes trained intensivists anaesthetists nurses respiratory physicists and technicians to run these ICUs The Government needs to encourage and incentivize medical personnel to opt for a career in running and manning ICUs Medical students should be encouraged to choose basic medical sciences like microbiology virology parasitology as career options All hospitals should start using Artificial Intelligence AI for rapid laboratory diagnosis data storage data availability and dissemination of information The Government also needs to create infrastructure for mass production of medical equipment like ventilators monitors infusion pumps and ICU beds should the need arise There should be a statutory obligation for large corporates to commit to mass production of medical equipment PPEs masks in case of a national medical emergency Similarly hospital chains should commit to legally binding conditions to reserve a certain percentage of beds in case of emergency Children in primary school should be taught about personnel protection like the use of masks social distancing and hand hygiene as a compulsory subject There should be regular and periodic health drills to see preparedness for a pandemic Similarly all service providers should have periodic training sessions for their employees about preparedness for a pandemic All employees should have at least 25 per cent of their workforce at all times working virtually from homes C Individual level Most important change should be at the individual level Each one of us must be alive to the possibility of another pandemic at all times Everyone should start giving utmost importance to personnel hygiene New normal will be entirely different from what we have seen before the beginning of the current pandemic We will have to learn to avoid very large gatherings prolonged close contacts and crowded indoor meetings Virtual should become the preferred mode of communication wherever and whenever possible Everyone should be psychologically and logistically prepared for sudden and prolonged lockdown at very short notice We should destigmatize infectious diseases The Government needs to stop the centuriesold practice of pasting posters on doors of affected patients People should be advised and encouraged to get tested at the first signs of disease and not to hide suspicious symptoms We need to develop the capability to ramp up testing at very short notice Laboratories should be equipped to have extensive facilities for testing and shorter return times The most critical lesson to learn is that humans should stop tampering with nature and learn to live in harmony with other animals Killing and eating exotic animals should be made a nonbailable offence Too close contact with animals like bats mongrels should be discouraged This pandemic has brought life to a standstill Still at the end of the day if it is indeed the beginning of the end of a pandemic the current pandemic had low severity high recovery low hospitalization rates and low mortality Next one may not be so forgiving and maybe as bad as the great Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 19 The current pandemic may turn out to be a blessing and a great teacher for humanity We should learn not to tinker with nature and to respect other animals both small and big on this planet We should also learn to share information irrespective of national boundaries religious and cultural divides It may also teach us how to share limited resources for the common good of humanity We have learnt how to develop a vaccine in the shortest possible time Next few months are going to be a huge challenge for governments across the world to make vaccines available to everyone irrespective of oneâs country of origin religious or cultural beliefs Different countries would need to collaborate both at the regional level and also at the international level to achieve this target in the shortest possible time This pandemic may also make all of us value each other and value life more than we ever did This year has been a fight for the survival for humanity We can neither afford to lose this fight nor afford not to learn lessons for the future of humanity The writer is associated with Paras Hospital Panchkula Views are personal https://dailyworld.in/blog/lessons-from-the-pandemic-86495.html Sun, 13 Dec 2020 18:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/indus-water-treaty-and-a-recalcitrant-pakistan-66819.html RN Prasher The writer a retired IAS officer has been Principal Secretary Irrigation Haryana and a Member of the Bhakra Beas Management Board In the first part of this article we spoke about the inherent inequity of the Indus Water Treaty its shaky legal foundations and the perpetual perfidy of Pakistan belying all the expectations in the Treaty ofthe spirit of goodwill friendship and cooperation and the optimal use of water As India dragged its feet in calling out this intransigence Pakistanâs antiIndia rhetoric became louder Kashmir is being called Pakistanâs jugular vein carrying the rivers that form its lifeline An editorial in NawaiWaqt of April the 4th 2011 thunderedâœIndia has captured the jugular veins of Pakistan for the last 63 years in order to inflict destruction upon Pakistan but Pakistani leaders are not concerned about the seriousness of this issue Pakistan should convey to India that a war is possible on the issue and this time war will be anuclear oneâ Sartaj Aziz Advisor to then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifsaidon July 12 2018that the revocation of the Treaty by India would be taken as an act of war Art 601 of the 1969 UN Convention on the Law of Treaties reads âœA material breach of a bilateral treaty by one of the parties entitles the other to invoke the breach as a ground for terminating the treaty or suspending its operation in whole or in partâ Further Article 603b says that a material breach of a treaty consists in âœthe violation of a provision essential to the accomplishment of the object or purpose of the treatyâ The UN International Law Commission adopted in 2011 the document titled âœDraft Articles on the Effects of Armed conflicts on Treatiesâ Even this draft document contains a provision in Article 17 that a treaty may be terminated or suspended or a party may withdraw from the treaty for âœmaterial breachâ of the provisions of the treaty Since Pakistan has continuously breached its obligations under the treaty India would be within its rights to suspend or even revoke the Treaty Many commentators point out that there is no provision in the Treaty for its suspension or revocation Historically armed conflict between contracting states has been considered a sufficient groundfor suspension or abrogation of treaties between them It has been argued that there should be a formal declaration of war before a treaty can be suspended or revoked There are however precedents for suspension of a Treaty even when there was no formal declaration of war In the early years of the Second World War when the US was still neutral Roosevelt was advised by the Attorney General that since âœâthe implicit assumption of peacetime international trade â no longer exists â the fundamental character of the change in conditions underlying the treaty â leaves the Government of the United States entirely free to declare the treaty inoperative or to suspend it for the duration of the emergencyâ Doubts have been raised on whether terrorism directed at India and emanating from Pakistan can be designated as âœarmed conflictâ between these two countries for the purpose of suspending the Treaty The consensus on the issue is that hostilities by such armed groups have a more detrimental effect on the target country than declared war because of the element of surprise and the targeting of civilian population and of places that are not usually attacked in war such as schools hospitals and religious places A research paper published in 1972 in the American Journal of International Law concluded âœHostilities may be covert or overt Covert hostilities include instances where one State shelters or assists groups in its own territory that then attack targets in another State Such conflicts can seriously threaten the victim and the same policies should apply to claims made against this background as apply to other more conventional conflict situationsâ Pakistan has used terrorism as a state policy against India openly harbouring even those terrorists that India had to release at Kandahar to save the passengers of a hijacked plane Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf admitted in November 2019 âœâ Kashmiris who came to Pakistan received heroesâ reception here We used to train them and support them We considered them as Mujahideen who will fight with the Indian Army â they were our heroesâ Thus the continuing proxy war against India by Pakistan through terrorists and the material breach of many explicit stipulations of the Treaty constitute sufficient grounds for suspension or termination of the Treaty The next doubt raised by naysayers is that India cannot handle all that water The premise is wrong the rivers will continue to flow with India getting the freedom to use water for its needs More hydropower projects can be put up in Himachal Ladakh and JK unhindered by the legal shenaniganswith which Pakistan delayed Baglihar and Kishenganga projects Even the Kashmir valley needs more water and the legislative assembly of JK had passed a resolution in 2003 demanding abrogation of the Treaty and another in 2016 for its revisionFoodsurplus generating Punjab Haryana and some adjoining districts of Rajasthan are short of water and states have been at loggerheads over sharing the meager water of theRavi Beas and Satluj rivers allotted to India under the Treaty Diversion of some waters from the Western Rivers would alleviate this water stress and strengthen our food security Such diversion is entirely feasible River Chandra a major tributary of the Chenab flows immediately to the north of Rohtang Pass while the river Beas flows to the south of it Recently a road tunnel has been constructed connecting the two sides of this Pass The north end of the tunnel is at the same level as the Chandra River A small barrage on this river with another similar tunnel for water will transfer the muchneeded water to Beas Since Chandra is at a much higher altitude the transferred water will have considerable fall and will generate power that will offset the cost of the project Once the water comes to Beas it will come to Bhakra Dam too through the BeasSatluj Link and will generate more power at multiple points on the way This water will serve the needs of Punjab Haryana Rajasthan and even the drinking water needs of Delhi Pakistanâs supplies will not materiallysuffer as a few MAFs transferred in this manner will only reduce the water that is wastefully flowing through Pakistan to the Arabian Sea All this will remain wishful thinking until the mandarins in the South Block can be persuaded to cast aside their fear of China coming to the aid of Pakistan The series conclude https://dailyworld.in/blog/indus-water-treaty-and-a-recalcitrant-pakistan-66819.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 11:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/investment-fleeing-china-is-not-low-hanging-fruit-66839.html The writer Mr RN Prasher is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are his personal Chinaâs doomsayers have been gleefully forecasting an exodus of industries from China after the international virus outbreak from Wuhan Various countries of the world have announced policies designed for attracting manufacturers seeking to exit China The outcome has not been as disastrous for China as predicted but at the same time the flight has not been as significant as was made out by Chinese commentators To know the extent of the likely move of industries from China we have to see why industries moved to China in the first place It has always been an oppressive and opaque regime with scant regard for the rule of law including international law Analysts usually cite low wages as the reason for foreign capital being attracted to this totalitarian country Yet many countries in Southeast Asia Africa and Latin America can give that advantage A high level of infrastructure is another reason given for foreign investorsâ attraction to China Most of the foreign capital however had moved into China when there were dayslong traffic jams and the smog forced children to go to schools with face masks years before Covid19 appeared China attracted world capital by its high ratings in the ease of doing business You could start construction within a week of your broaching the subject Land was provided on the spot with any residents on the land being summarily removed and buildings demolished without notice as all land in China belongs to the state In many cases the entrepreneur got the land and electricity and water connections free of cost There are no effective labour laws no inspectors no unions and environmental pollution has been barely a concern for the authorities Prison labour was used extensively earlier and is not unknown even now although nomenclatures may change as in the present âœgainful employment of reeducated Uighursâ You could merrily violate intellectual property rights and quality standards were rarely enforced Finally there were hidden subsidies from state financial institutions and stateowned mining oil and shipping companies supplying raw materials and logistics Did you ever wonder how Ali Express shipped an item costing less than a dollar anywhere in the world with zero shipping charges On top of it the state apparatus including the Chinese missions abroad MNCs and Chinese researchers in foreign universities helped in stealing cutting edge research from developed countries Further RD within China of defense and exportpotential products was assisted by statefinanced research institutions At no time in the history of the world any state had such a massive coordinated effort to develop manufacture and export withoutany ethical legal and environmental constraints These advantages gave economies of scale that further reduced the costs and prices and created monopolies which easily eliminated competition No other country could beat these advantages and that explains the China success story There were a few disadvantages that business ethics always ignore Most were related to the conscience defined by John Walcott as the âœterrifying little sprite that batlike winks by the day and wakes by nightâ An American businessman who was gushing at the ease with which he set up his industry in China for which a whole village was uprooted told the present writer in Beijing that he was sleepless at night He was responsibe for implementing the onechild policy for his workers and it was his obligation to get aborted any worker who became pregnant in violation of the policy But business is for profit and his conscience dozed off batlike with the early rise of the golden orb in the east Even today if some businesses are talking of moving out of China it is not out of patriotic ethical or humanitarian considerations but because of looming threats to their profits In fact the talk started much before the virus appeared and was stirred mainly by the trade war with the US Taiwan had started the âœInvest Taiwanâ initiative in 2019 under which companies moving production from China to Taiwan could avail lowcost loans to cover the cost of relocation Flexium Quanta computers and SK Hynix had started moving some production to Taiwan in that year to avoid higher tariffs on imports from China Mitsubishi had started moving its production for exports to the US from China to Nagoya in Japan US companies like Dell too followed as in August 2019 Trump asked US companies to âœstart looking for alternatives to Chinaâ citing his powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act IEEPA Not only electronics but apparel shoes bags and electrical industries also started relocating in 2019 The legality of Trumpâs threat was questionable yet with rising labour costs in China increased cyber security risks terms in contract compelling surrender of IPR boycott of products using slave labour from Xinjiang or derived from cruel methods of farming and slaughtering animals meant that manufacturing in China was making less commercial sense Of course most of them retained production capacity in China corresponding to the large local demand Forbes reported in October 2019 how Vietnam that was carpet bombed by the US with not only explosives but also with herbicides and napalm bombs became an unintended beneficiary of Trumpâs actions Many industries particularly furniture and footwear manufacturers shifted production to that poor country which was still run by communists but offered ease of doing business and cheap labour Vietnam has been part of this silent revolution for two decades and as early as 2010 37 per cent of Nikeâs production came from that tiny country against 34 per cent from China Even European companies that had not been burdened by punitive tariffs by their countries were moving part of their production out of China because even in July 2019 the dominant role of China in the global supply chain was perceived as a significant business risk The Covid19 epidemic and suspicions about Chinaâs role in its international spread as well as its taking advantage of human misery by jacking up prices of personal protection equipment and supplying shoddy goods further increased the consumer clamour for moving out of China Governments and trade could not ignore consumer sentiments against the âœMade in Chinaâ label and many countries including India started investigating even the false labelling of the country of origin As the number of infected people worldwide moved into the millions and deaths into the hundreds of thousands the push became a shove Countries of South and Southeast Asia Eastern Europe and Latin America vied with each other to grab the global investment that was streaming out of China Most of the capital machinery and electronics companies from Taiwan and Japan are likely to rather go home than to developing countries Not less than 40 companies from Taiwan have decided to move out at least partly from China with some like Quanta Computers which makes data servers for the largest US companies like Facebook and Google having already started construction in the Taiwan city of Taoyuan More than 100 other companies that were already in China or were planning to go to China have obtained the Taiwan governmentâs approval for expanding capacity or for starting new ventures in Taiwan Among these is bicycle maker Giant Manufacturing which has taken approval for investing 5 billion in Taiwan to shift from China Japan has budgeted 22 billion to assist companies coming home Even the Japanese companies that were moving from China to Vietnam Thailand Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries will get financial assistance under the programme The biggest success story of attracting investment that is fleeing China and not going to the home country has been that of Vietnam As if anticipating this exodus that country had improved its infrastructure simplified approvals and invested in health and education particularly primary education after opening up in 1986 Microsoft has already started making some of its Surface Line in Vietnam Google has also chosen Vietnam for producing its lowcost smartphone Pixel 4A while taking its smart devicesâ production to Thailand There is a long list of countries including Turkey Mexico Malaysia and even Nepal that are eying the capital fleeing China Each of these offers cheaper land and labour but comes short on one or more of the following ease of doing business law and order infrastructure and skilled manpower So where does India stand in this race The recent Ladakh clash with China has reduced the ambivalence that our successive governments have displayed towards China Now it is not forbidden to call out China for unfair trade practices and to claim that trade with China hurts India Government orders have restricted Chinaâs capability to take over Indian companies and there is deeper scrutiny of Chinaâs FDI in India Large tracts of lands have been reserved for companies moving out of China In spite of these moves ease of doing business and infrastructure remain our weak spots While highways have improved and power shortages have been more or less taken care of grid constraints still limit optimal utilization of generation capacity Lossmaking public sector distribution companies continue to be monopolies over most of India with their workers resisting privatisation In spite of the pronouncements of successive governments a long line of inspectors continue to harass industries and workersâ unions do not play a constructive role as they do in a country like Japan Our ports are slow and internet speeds are slower than in most of the competing countries Parts of the country have unreliable phone connectivity and satellite phones continue to be banned for personal and commercial purposes Goods movement through public sector railways is prone to pilferage and delays There is no focussed state effort to subsidise RD for making our exports competitive in cutting edge technologies It was indicated two months ago that 1000 companies are in dialogue with India to relocate from China It remains to be seen whether that number translates into reality or whether these companies ultimately go to Vietnam or some similarly small but smarter country https://dailyworld.in/blog/investment-fleeing-china-is-not-low-hanging-fruit-66839.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 12:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/investment-fleeing-china-is-not-low-hanging-fruit-66842.html The writer Mr RN Prasher is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are his personal Chinaâs doomsayers have been gleefully forecasting an exodus of industries from China after the international virus outbreak from Wuhan Various countries of the world have announced policies designed for attracting manufacturers seeking to exit China The outcome has not been as disastrous for China as predicted but at the same time the flight has not been as significant as was made out by Chinese commentators To know the extent of the likely move of industries from China we have to see why industries moved to China in the first place It has always been an oppressive and opaque regime with scant regard for the rule of law including international law Analysts usually cite low wages as the reason for foreign capital being attracted to this totalitarian country Yet many countries in Southeast Asia Africa and Latin America can give that advantage A high level of infrastructure is another reason given for foreign investorsâ attraction to China Most of the foreign capital however had moved into China when there were dayslong traffic jams and the smog forced children to go to schools with face masks years before Covid19 appeared China attracted world capital by its high ratings in the ease of doing business You could start construction within a week of your broaching the subject Land was provided on the spot with any residents on the land being summarily removed and buildings demolished without notice as all land in China belongs to the state In many cases the entrepreneur got the land and electricity and water connections free of cost There are no effective labour laws no inspectors no unions and environmental pollution has been barely a concern for the authorities Prison labour was used extensively earlier and is not unknown even now although nomenclatures may change as in the present âœgainful employment of reeducated Uighursâ You could merrily violate intellectual property rights and quality standards were rarely enforced Finally there were hidden subsidies from state financial institutions and stateowned mining oil and shipping companies supplying raw materials and logistics Did you ever wonder how Ali Express shipped an item costing less than a dollar anywhere in the world with zero shipping charges On top of it the state apparatus including the Chinese missions abroad MNCs and Chinese researchers in foreign universities helped in stealing cutting edge research from developed countries Further RD within China of defense and exportpotential products was assisted by statefinanced research institutions At no time in the history of the world any state had such a massive coordinated effort to develop manufacture and export withoutany ethical legal and environmental constraints These advantages gave economies of scale that further reduced the costs and prices and created monopolies which easily eliminated competition No other country could beat these advantages and that explains the China success story There were a few disadvantages that business ethics always ignore Most were related to the conscience defined by John Walcott as the âœterrifying little sprite that batlike winks by the day and wakes by nightâ An American businessman who was gushing at the ease with which he set up his industry in China for which a whole village was uprooted told the present writer in Beijing that he was sleepless at night He was responsibe for implementing the onechild policy for his workers and it was his obligation to get aborted any worker who became pregnant in violation of the policy But business is for profit and his conscience dozed off batlike with the early rise of the golden orb in the east Even today if some businesses are talking of moving out of China it is not out of patriotic ethical or humanitarian considerations but because of looming threats to their profits In fact the talk started much before the virus appeared and was stirred mainly by the trade war with the US Taiwan had started the âœInvest Taiwanâ initiative in 2019 under which companies moving production from China to Taiwan could avail lowcost loans to cover the cost of relocation Flexium Quanta computers and SK Hynix had started moving some production to Taiwan in that year to avoid higher tariffs on imports from China Mitsubishi had started moving its production for exports to the US from China to Nagoya in Japan US companies like Dell too followed as in August 2019 Trump asked US companies to âœstart looking for alternatives to Chinaâ citing his powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act IEEPA Not only electronics but apparel shoes bags and electrical industries also started relocating in 2019 The legality of Trumpâs threat was questionable yet with rising labour costs in China increased cyber security risks terms in contract compelling surrender of IPR boycott of products using slave labour from Xinjiang or derived from cruel methods of farming and slaughtering animals meant that manufacturing in China was making less commercial sense Of course most of them retained production capacity in China corresponding to the large local demand Forbes reported in October 2019 how Vietnam that was carpet bombed by the US with not only explosives but also with herbicides and napalm bombs became an unintended beneficiary of Trumpâs actions Many industries particularly furniture and footwear manufacturers shifted production to that poor country which was still run by communists but offered ease of doing business and cheap labour Vietnam has been part of this silent revolution for two decades and as early as 2010 37 per cent of Nikeâs production came from that tiny country against 34 per cent from China Even European companies that had not been burdened by punitive tariffs by their countries were moving part of their production out of China because even in July 2019 the dominant role of China in the global supply chain was perceived as a significant business risk The Covid19 epidemic and suspicions about Chinaâs role in its international spread as well as its taking advantage of human misery by jacking up prices of personal protection equipment and supplying shoddy goods further increased the consumer clamour for moving out of China Governments and trade could not ignore consumer sentiments against the âœMade in Chinaâ label and many countries including India started investigating even the false labelling of the country of origin As the number of infected people worldwide moved into the millions and deaths into the hundreds of thousands the push became a shove Countries of South and Southeast Asia Eastern Europe and Latin America vied with each other to grab the global investment that was streaming out of China Most of the capital machinery and electronics companies from Taiwan and Japan are likely to rather go home than to developing countries Not less than 40 companies from Taiwan have decided to move out at least partly from China with some like Quanta Computers which makes data servers for the largest US companies like Facebook and Google having already started construction in the Taiwan city of Taoyuan More than 100 other companies that were already in China or were planning to go to China have obtained the Taiwan governmentâs approval for expanding capacity or for starting new ventures in Taiwan Among these is bicycle maker Giant Manufacturing which has taken approval for investing 5 billion in Taiwan to shift from China Japan has budgeted 22 billion to assist companies coming home Even the Japanese companies that were moving from China to Vietnam Thailand Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries will get financial assistance under the programme The biggest success story of attracting investment that is fleeing China and not going to the home country has been that of Vietnam As if anticipating this exodus that country had improved its infrastructure simplified approvals and invested in health and education particularly primary education after opening up in 1986 Microsoft has already started making some of its Surface Line in Vietnam Google has also chosen Vietnam for producing its lowcost smartphone Pixel 4A while taking its smart devicesâ production to Thailand There is a long list of countries including Turkey Mexico Malaysia and even Nepal that are eying the capital fleeing China Each of these offers cheaper land and labour but comes short on one or more of the following ease of doing business law and order infrastructure and skilled manpower So where does India stand in this race The recent Ladakh clash with China has reduced the ambivalence that our successive governments have displayed towards China Now it is not forbidden to call out China for unfair trade practices and to claim that trade with China hurts India Government orders have restricted Chinaâs capability to take over Indian companies and there is deeper scrutiny of Chinaâs FDI in India Large tracts of lands have been reserved for companies moving out of China In spite of these moves ease of doing business and infrastructure remain our weak spots While highways have improved and power shortages have been more or less taken care of grid constraints still limit optimal utilization of generation capacity Lossmaking public sector distribution companies continue to be monopolies over most of India with their workers resisting privatisation In spite of the pronouncements of successive governments a long line of inspectors continue to harass industries and workersâ unions do not play a constructive role as they do in a country like Japan Our ports are slow and internet speeds are slower than in most of the competing countries Parts of the country have unreliable phone connectivity and satellite phones continue to be banned for personal and commercial purposes Goods movement through public sector railways is prone to pilferage and delays There is no focussed state effort to subsidise RD for making our exports competitive in cutting edge technologies It was indicated two months ago that 1000 companies are in dialogue with India to relocate from China It remains to be seen whether that number translates into reality or whether these companies ultimately go to Vietnam or some similarly small but smarter country https://dailyworld.in/blog/investment-fleeing-china-is-not-low-hanging-fruit-66842.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 12:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/fighting-war-without-strategy-66844.html The writer Mr RN Prasher is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are his personal The war against COVID19 is a rare instance when all countries of the world have a common enemy Realpolitik is still motivating nations to seek advantage of this âœwarâ to weaken other nations As a result almost all nations have been fighting lone battles in their own ways Even the World Health Organization WHO which should have been the sole uniting and harmonising factor for fighting this epidemic has abdicated its role It has been either in the green room rehearsing its lines or fighting a solitary battle on the backfoot not against the virus but against allegations of partisanship For fighting a war planning is required at four levels grand strategy strategy operations and tactics The first two have been conspicuous by their absence in fighting the virus The WHO should have facilitated a forum at which a grand strategy could have been decided and then individual nations could have formulated their strategies based on local strengths weaknesses threats and opportunities None of this however took place and the WHO was seen only as playing the China game The famous Chinese general Sun Tzu said in the 6th century BC that tactic without strategy is the noise before defeat The events of the last six months do look like aimless noise and the present scenario more like a situation of defeatThe WHO did issue a 28page document with the grand title âœ2019 Novel Coronavirus 2019nCoV Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan It did not have a grand strategy or even much of a strategic plan it contained mainly operations and tactical details There was much wishful thinking and jargon as is usual when information is lacking and there is the pressing need to appear to be active Much has been written about the lack of transparency from China and the consequent delay in initiating steps to prevent the international spread of the epidemic This WHO document speaks of the objective of âœpreventing further international spread from Chinaâ Yet it contains no directive to prevent international flights from China and no such directive was issued by the WHO even subsequently Even as China stopped internal flights and locked down its cities it directed foreign airlines that in order to meet the needs of passengers moving in and out of the country and the international transport of supplies they should âœcontinue transport to nations that have not imposed travel restrictionsâ The head of the WHO lent support to this contention by saying that there was no reason for measures that unnecessarily interfere with travel and trade âœIn fact we oppose itâ he said The WHO was critical of the USA when Trump ordered a ban on flights from China Tedros the head of the WHO said that such bans would increase fear and stigma with little public health benefit in line with Chinaâs Peopleâs Daily calling the flight ban âœracistâThe cavalier approach of the WHO can be seen from the fact that this position was taken even as the objective of preventing further international spread from China was aired and the document clearly stated âœIt is expected that cases will continue to be exported to other countries while the outbreak continues in Chinaâ The Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan did contain a homily to âœminimize social and economic impact through multisectoral partnershipsâ without elaborating any further There was no follow up by the WHO or any nation on this critical aspect which as subsequent events show severely dented the economy of many nations and the social consequences of the lockdowns loss of employment opportunities and school closures shall be felt for a long time The document talked of âœcoordination of procurement and supply mechanisms to ensure that countries and populations most in need are assured of access to crucial supplies and commoditiesâ Nothing was to done to ensure this coordination and there was a mad scramble for masks and other personal protection equipment China instructed its embassies around the world to mop up these supplies and send them home As the pandemic spread internationally countries were begging Chinese suppliers who jacked up prices by 200 to 300 per cent and supplied inferior products It is always easy to be wise after the event though in the present case it was a natural obligation for the WHO to make a grand strategy as also a strategy plan in anticipation of an epidemic given that so many of these had broken out in the last few years Let us begin with the ingredients of the grand strategy It does not take specialised knowledge to forecast that any epidemic more seriously affects the older population particularly those with an existing morbidity Simultaneously the economic effects of an epidemic lead to a downturn in the economy loss of employment purchasing power and state revenues This in turn leads to fall in nutritional levels and rise in psychological aberrations The impact is more severe and lasts for decades in the younger population particularly in children The 19th century military strategist Carl von Clausewitz had said that war should be compared not to art but rather to commerce There is expectation of gain and risk of loss in war and wars are fought to maximise gains and minimise losses Planners have to make coldblooded decisions about sacrificing something to gain something else This applies equally when formulating strategy to fight against a virus There was clearly a conflict between sacrificing the economy and the interest of the younger population and saving the old and the sick at the cost of the former In the absence of any comparative analysis of the two scenarios by the WHO nations took their own kneejerk approaches While countries like Sweden kept the economy open others like the US and India locked down their countries in somewhat different ways Autocracies like China could afford to tyrannically lock down people literally welding steel doors shut in some cases and letting nature take care of who lives and who dies Leaving aside the inhuman approach of China the two different approaches adopted by democracies produced different results A lot of deaths initially took place in Sweden even as the markets workplaces restaurants and street cafes remained open In the USA many factories and goods transport remained operational and that limited the impact on the economy while limiting the spread of infection It is a different matter that social disturbances due to the killing of a black person during his arrest brought an end to all precautions and caused a huge surge even as some communities insisted on opening up without even basic precautions In India the total lockdown even of supply chains kept the initial spread very low but devastated the economy and resulted in mass movement of migrant workers again causing a major surge in infections With this hindsight knowledge one can safely say that the objectives of an effective grand strategy would be 1 Prevention of persontoperson spread 2 Minimising the impact on the economy 3 Higher priority to protecting the younger population It is absolutely essential to stop international movement of persons from affected areas right at the onset by cancelling all visas and flights even though it causes considerable inconvenience International flights should be mainly used for maintaining supply chains of critical medicines and the equipment required for fighting the pandemic Only people like medical personnel and researchers should be allowed to travel internationally with the WHO being the final arbiter for the need to travel Domestically standard operating procedures shall be needed for identifying containment zones and free zones and for rigid restriction of movement between the two Grey areas defeat the purpose The regulation of movement between these two zones has to be ruthlessly devoid of any emotional appeals In order to save the economy critical supply chains have to be identified even augmented This may require even compelling industries to run and divert production from luxury items to those needed for prevention palliation and cure with a purchase guarantee Workers should be provided isolated sleeping areas in or near the industry No worker should be allowed to leave even if he or she is a resident of a nearby locality in order to prevent bringing infection to the workplace Goods transport should be run under compulsion if necessary Goods vehicles should be protected against crime on the relatively deserted highways There should be decontamination stations at regular intervals where drivers can have safe rest and food also The WHO should coordinate balancing of supply and demand of medicines and equipment across nations with authorization for necessary diversion of production and supply This organisation should be the coordinator financer and information storehouse for development of diagnosis cure and vaccines Patent regime should be suspended for such new products and processes for the period of the pandemic to facilitate replication and affordable prices In addition the WHO should take responsibility for designing uniform data reporting procedures and formats Diverse practices followed by nations seriously affect the reliability of data and the efficacy of the response This is a wishlist and shall remain wishful thinking until the world realises that nations exist for people and not the other way around It is certainly wishful thinking that this realisation will dawn on totalitarian states like China Till that happens however we shall continue fighting pandemics in a haphazard way much like the noise before defeat https://dailyworld.in/blog/fighting-war-without-strategy-66844.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 12:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/law-and-disorder-in-china-66849.html The writer Mr RN Prasher is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are his personal When Mao took over in 1949 his Red Guards had all the power and no responsibility A person had to be only branded an enemy of the revolution and then the revolutionaries had the freedom to do what they liked with him There were no trials and no prescribed punishments Burning alive mutilationsand drowning were all accepted as proper punishments for the counterrevolutionaries and the landlords It would be justified to conclude that the foundations of communist China rest on the breakdown of the rule of law Mao himself had said in 1948 that a tenth of the peasantswould have to be destroyed He boasted in 1957 that he had already killed 400000 intellectuals Without even the semblance of a trial 15 percentof the landlords were executed 25 percent were sent to camps and 60 percent put to forced labourThe Economist in its September 10 2016 issue said that Mao even prescribed a quota for executions in each province Political violence handmaiden of the revolution right from the 1949 Land Reform Movement resulted in the death of 10 percent of the populationDeaths due to famine caused by the Great Leap Forward were of the same order as the worldwide deaths in WW II Deng Xiaoping the head of state from 1978 to 1989 and a victim of Maoâs Cultural Revolution of 196676 claimed that one million people were killed by mobs in that period The anarchy that reigned during the Cultural Revolution has been compared to William Goldingâs dystopian novel âœLord of the Fliesâ The Chinese communistâs lust for blood continues with annual executions exceeding the total of the rest of the world This number is claimed to be a state secret but is estimatedat several thousand each year The number of capital offences is 45 with many of these being nonviolent The leading one iscorruption which is called âœserious violation of party disciplineâ CCDI the Central Commission for Discipline Inspections is the feared organ of the party and is liberally used to silence opposition Corruption is pandemic in the party the Peopleâs Liberation Army PLA and the bureaucracy but as long as one is loyal to the party there is acceptance The old system of guanxi or relationships and connections ensures that âprincelingsâ float on wealth as long as they are loyal to the party Xi Jinping the head of state who dons multiple hats in the party and the government is one such princelingbeing the son of Xi Zhongxun the former vicepremier Xiâs wealth is estimated at a billion dollars in a country where the Foreign Policy magazine reported that in 2018 500 million people earned less than 550 a day Until 1984 the condemnedwere a spectacle paraded through the main streets in police vehiclesLarge crowds gathered to watch dozens being executed in succession After execution the body was rushed for organ harvesting As public executions became less common aTV reality show âœInterviews Before Executionâ began to be aired in 2006 on the Henan Legal Channel It remaineda big hit continuouslytill it was stopped in 2012 A BBC report documented in March 2012 how Ding Yu a journalist and her team rushed to interview prisoners who were about to be executed At times Ding rebuked the prisoner for her crimes even as the person was about to be executed in a little while For the privileged lethal injection is administered in execution vans as âœsome places cannot afford to send the convict to Beijingâ Nearly 40 of these vans are in operation with the party saying that these are costeffective and humane The powerful miningtycoon and Mafioso Liu Han went about his business for two decades amassing more than 6 billion with no call from the CCDI Then he fell foul of the powers that be and was convicted and executed by lethal injection Not surprisingly Jack Ma the owner of Alibaba and the richest man in China is a member of the Chinese Communist Party His personal wealth of 35 billion apparently is no hindrance to being member of a party committed to socialism and Marxism in China Some writers refer to the billionaire supreme leaderXi Jinping as the capo dei capi the boss of all bosses or the Godfather an allusion to the rich powerful and ruthlessly coldblooded character in Mario Puzoâs eponymous book Did execution of a few thousand every year have a deterrent effect on crime During a visit to Beijing in 1993 the present writer noticed that the drivers in taxis were protected from the passengers by a strong steel grill It turned out that incidents in which passengers had robbedand murdered the driver were unpleasantly frequent China seems to be the only country where taxi drivers have to be protected with a steel cage During the SARS epidemic in 200203 China had threatened death sentence for citizens who avoided quarantine Again during the present Covid19 epidemic state officials threatened that concealing infection would attract the death penalty Capital offences like âœseparatismâ and âœseriously endangering public safetyâ are flexible enough to permit a prosecutorâs creativity to cover many situations The United Nationâs 2016 publication âœDeath Penalty and the Victimsâ states that in China âœdiverse forms of torture and inhumane treatment to extract information about the accusedâ create a high risk that innocents will be convicted on the basis of false confessions extracted by torture It further notes that the Supreme Peopleâs Court review of death sentences remains rudimentary and lacking in transparency The party reassured of acquiescence not only from domestic intellectuals but also from the international community has created a standard operating procedure for dealing with âœinconvenientâ high profile persons A person âœdisappearsâ and after a few months reappears in custody to make a confession thereby obviating the need for a trial and evidence The allegations invariably involve immorality Meng Hongwei former viceminister of public security was president of Interpol when he disappeared in 2018 during a family visit in China After a year he pleaded guilty and was sentenced in January 2020 to 13 years in prison Meanwhile Interpol received his resignation through Chinese officials and quietly appointed a new head When his wifeGrace Mengalleged that the person who pleaded guilty was not her husband but a double she was also accused of corruption Now six months later the CCDI has published a document accusing Meng of indulging in âœlustâ Xu Zhangrun professor of law at the prestigious Tsinghua University has been critical of the party and Xi The university banned him in 2019 and he remained prepared for arrest with a small bag packed with some clothes and a toothbrush Hewas takenprisoneron July 6 2020 and accused of consorting with prostitutes The long list includes Ren Zhiqiang who fell foul of Xi for calling him a powerhungry clown in an online essay and Xu Zhiyong a law teacherimprisoned for criticising Xiâs handling of the epidemic ManyChinese rulers have been followers of Confucius who lived 2500 years agoHe prescribed personal and state morality for rulers along with justice kindness and sincerity A vegetarian hepromoted the use of chopsticks as knives and forks at the food table reminded him of the slaughterhouse Other rulersfollowed Wang Anshi who advised emperor Shenzong in 1071 âœAfter our treasury is abundant we can use forceâ Mencius said that it is justified for people to overthrow or even kill a ruler who works against their happiness and is harsh on them On the overthrow of the hated king Zhou he said that he had merely heard of the killing of villain Zhou not of the murder of the king Before it is toolate Xi Jinping may betterstart reading the wise words of Mencius in addition to the realpolitik of Wang Anshi https://dailyworld.in/blog/law-and-disorder-in-china-66849.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/china-has-become-a-fascist-state-66851.html The writer Mr RN Prasher is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are his personal Fascism and Communism have much in common Both have a totalitarian single party regime headed by an allpowerful leader The party is above the individual and any rights of the individual For both of these ideologies armed conflict is the means of choice to achieve their perceived âœnational interestâ Both these ideologies are expansionist in their approach to their neighbours Fascism and Communism have their differentiating characteristics too In fascism the leader is unchallenged numero uno and the leaderâs goal is to enhance national pride In Communism the party is the bedrock of the nation and the national goal is the survival and strengthening of the party and spread of its ideology over the globe While communism does not believe in the right to private property and freedom of trade and business Fascism believes in the rise of corporates that pay obeisance to the party and the state Communism promotes the idea of class struggle and builds a vision where the past will be incinerated and the future will rise like the mythical Phoenix from its ashes Fascism on the other hand propagates a glorious past and hopes to march from the present decadence to that glory again Instead of class struggle Fascism believes in struggle among races and a superior race that will dominate the world Fascism has a preferred religious ideology that merges into the political ideology transforming âœothersâ into enemies to be exterminated The differences are stark and one is not mistaken for the other Fascism is visible in some periods in ancient Rome but its full development was seen in Italy under Mussolini where this term was coined It was derived from the Latin fascis bundle and ancient Etruscan and then Roman symbol of power that depicted a bound bundle of sticks with an axe It was initially adopted as the symbol of Mussoliniâs National Fascist Party Interestingly it stands behind the podium in the chamber of the US Congress It symbolises bound unity and the might of the state apparatus USSR was founded as a Communist state under the ideologue Lenin but developed many characteristics of a Fascist state under Stalin Many writers call his period âœRed Fascismâ Usually the Chairman or the General Secretary of the party holds the de facto power in Communist states while there is a titular de jure president At the end of his term and life Stalin abolished the post of General Secretary but Khrushchev brought it back as First Secretary Later Brezhnev restored the original designation The General Secretary used to draw his power from the Politburo and this arrangement continued until the USSR imploded in 1989 Leaders that came after Stalin ran the USSR as a communist state and Stalin remained the sole aberration When we come to China its founder ideologue Mao was communist to the core His powerful personality cult notwithstanding Mao could not be accused of corporatism He remained the paramount leader of the party and the nation without holding any formal office in the state In contrast Xi Jinping dons all possible hats in the party and the State He is the President of the country Chairman of the party General Secretary of the party Chairman of the Central Military Commission and a lot more in between and around He has a titular Prime Minister Li Keqiang hardly a familiar name Xiâs position is fairly comparable to Hitler the sole supreme Fascist leader He had designated himself the Führer of the National Socialist Party as well as the Reich Chancellor under the slogan âœEin volk ein Reich ein Führerâ or One People One Nation One Leader Hermann GÃring remained the titular president Hitlerâs dream was to create worldâs most powerful militaryindustrial complex establishing strong ties with private industries He used economic policies to create a vast war machine in a short period of time Following in Hitlerâs footsteps Xi created the Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development CCIMCD and designated himself its Chairman The power of this commission is to use Chinaâs economic policies and civilian technologies to boost the Peopleâs Liberation Armyâs PLA prowess On July 21 2016 the Central Military Commission of which Xi is Chairman issued a document titled âœOpinion on the Integration and Development of Economic Construction and National Defence Constructionâ to create an advanced national defence technology industrial system through economic policies China has always tilted in favour of the Han majority During Xiâs watch however the atrocities on minorities have reached levels comparable to Hitlerâs infamous âœFinal Solutionâ to what he called the Jewish Question The Uighurs of western China have experienced mass surveillance mass incarceration in what are euphemistically called Vocational Education and Training Centres extraction of slave industrial labour from âœsuccessfulâ trainees and even organ harvesting from living prisoners Some estimates project a figure of up to two million Uighurs detained and indoctrinated to force them to assimilate into the majority Han This assimilation into the majority race sometimes takes unusual forms During the present writerâs visit to Tibet an unwritten policy was noticed under which government jobs contracts and housing were reserved for Han Chinese or mixedrace persons Young Tibetans girls lured by this policy were going for Han husbands thereby mitigating to some extant the deficit of Chinese girls of marriageable age caused by the Onechild Policy The UKâs Daily Mail reported on November 4 2019 that in Xinjiang once the Uighur head of a family is sent for indoctrination hs wife is required under a mandatory surveillance program to âœinviteâ an official into her house for monitoring for up to six days at a time during which period the official lives eats and sleeps with the family The programâs name âœPair Up and Become Familyâ reveals its true purpose of having more mixed breed offspring in that region which will âœpromote ethnic unityâ It brings immediately to mind the Nazisâ eugenics program titled âœNational Socialist Racial Hygieneâ for selective breeding of a pure Aryan master race Other religious minorities like Christians have also faced the brunt of Chinaâs intolerance of differences The Guardian reported on January 13 2019 that in China churches are being closed pastors are being jailed and scriptures are being rewritten in an effort to âœsiniciseâ Christianity that would follow the bidding of the party The plight of Falun Gong members is no different and there are credible studies of organ harvesting from extrajudicially detained followers of this sect China has a huge organ transplant program with more than 20000 transplants every year but it is claimed by the state that these are all from âœvoluntary donorsâ All this reminds one of Nazi Doctor Josef Mengele who used to screen prisoners into groups for work for the gas chamber and for his cruel medical experiments All these facts lead to the unambiguous conclusion that China under Xi is a Fascist state and the socalled Communist Party of China is now a Fascist party with Xi as its Führer Xi has once again displayed inhumanity towards the Chinese by welding shut their doors to contain the virus infections He has played with the lives and happiness of the rest of humanity by permitting international flights out of China while banning domestic flights thereby infecting every country on the globe All these facts taken together should convince even a diehard sceptic that China under Xi has clearly crossed the proverbial Rubicon to move from a Communist state to a Fascist state Until that nation and its multiheaded leader mend their ways to again become a member of civilised humanity China deserves to be treated as a pariah state and not as a responsible country deserving to be permanent member of the Security Council https://dailyworld.in/blog/china-has-become-a-fascist-state-66851.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/chinas-aggression-is-a-trap-66852.html The writer Mr RN Prasher is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are his personal speculations are being made about the motives that have driven Chinaâs recent actions on Indiaâs borders One view is that it is the continuation of that nationâs hegemonic belligerence towards its neighbours and halfbrothers like Taiwan and Hong Kong Assertion of the apocryphalninedash line shortened from the elevendash line by Zhou Enlai against half a dozen countries of Southeast Asia in disregard of the ICJ ruling the acerbic belligerence towards Taiwan and tightening of controls in Hong Kong against committed obligations point to a pattern The stand off at Doklam was also a link in the series of spats with India which included objections relating to Arunachal and spraypainting territorial claimson rocks in Ladakh The other view is that the intensity of this last conflict between the forces of India and China does show that it is not business as usual It is clear that until the middle of 2019 President Xi Jinping was feeling pretty confident about his hold over the CCP and the PLA He had made himself secure in office virtually for life The BeltandRoadInitiative BRI was his crowning glory and he felt confident enough to assert Chinaâs goal of being the prima donna on the world stage Yet there were ominous signs BRI was causing alarm among borrowing nations after the takeover of Sri Lankaâs port by China because that tiny nation defaulted on Chinese loans Hong Kong has remained a flash point since last year and the New National Security Law is a kneejerk reaction from Xi The Chinese economy has been facing a deflationary trend since the end of 2018 and state efforts to boost consumer demand have not produced the desired results Covid19 and Chinaâs delay in sharing information with the world has led to a clamour from the affected countries for investigation into Chinaâs conduct moving manufacture out of China decoupling from that country and to a resurgence of support for Taiwan Yet the proverbial last straw on Xiâs back was the eruption of fresh infections in Beijing and the resultant lockdown of the capital city This was such a loss of face for the country the party and for Xi personally that a distraction was badly needed There were already reports of differences between the Prime Minister and the President Xi could not allow the murmurs within the party to become louder Unable to do anything immediately with Taiwan Hong Kong Australia or the US he chose India knowing that India is not yet in a position to have an allout war with China There are calls within India to give it back to China The trade front has been opened already with measures in place to prevent takeovers to put quality checks on imports and to encourage domestic production to substitute Chinese products Chinese firms are being excluded from bids for strategic projects and some existing contracts have been scrapped These are welcome steps and should have been taken much before the sacrifice of our soldiers Yet in the heat of the moment we should not lose sight of the fact that China is trying to provoke us into a wider conflict so that it can display superiority over Indian defence to the satisfaction of its domestic audience A little consideration will show that time is on the side of India The economic boom in China had been losing its steam since US President Donald Trump called Chinaâs bluff and forced China to sue for peace on tariffs Chinaâs secrecy and perfidy during the pandemic has led to a loss of goodwill and trust with real consequences for its international trade The second wave of infections will hit the Chinese economy even harder Discontent about the loss of lives because of secrecy the cruel response of the state during the first wave and the reduced employment opportunities even after the lockdown was lifted are further making the partyâs hold tenuous All Xi needs at this time is an armed conflict to rally the Chinese around him again If we look at the comparative advantages of the two countries for economic development in the coming decades we find that our biggest asset in addition to democracy rule of law reasonably independent judiciary and trust of the international community is demography China a nanny state ruthlessly manipulated the reproductive lives of its citizens causing it to become the fastest ageing country in the world with the exception of Russia its only friend among large countries The onechild policy discouraged the birth of girl children and encouraged parents giving up infant girls for foreign adoption The change became so deeprooted that when restrictions were lifted in 2015 except for a spurt in births in 2016 there has been a continuous decline in births from 2017 onwards Although the state had enthusiastically projected that with the new twochild norm for everyone there would be 21 million births in 2019 the actual figure was 146 million much lower than even the figure of 179 million for 2016 Economic pressures resulting in higher hours of work expensive babysitting and the obligation of looking after two parents and four grandparents 421 is veering away young persons not only from the idea of a second child but even from one child Marriage itself is seen as an obstacle to filial duty Marriage rates have been falling since 2013 and there has been a rise in divorce rates since 2006 Ageing has become Chinaâs Achillesâ heel The dependency ratio fell till 2010 but has been rising continuously thereafter It will reach 66 pc by 2050 with onethird of the population supporting the remaining twothird State revenues will fall hittingexpenditure on education childandelderly health care and infrastructure The example of Russia shows that the firstcasualty of thisdemographic bomb is defence In case of China 421 is already making it difficult to recruit soldiers A single child and the six elders dependent on him or her for oldage support do not constitute a recipe for a good soldier Yet there is no alternative and 80 pc of combat troops come from onechild families according to Maj Gen Liu Mingfu professor at the National Defence University Beijing 421 has exacerbated wealth inequality Inheriting from six elders a rich familyâs only child becomes exponentially richer The rising inequality prompted Chinaâs prime ministerâs recent admission that 40 pc of the population has a monthly income of 140 that being the rent for a oneroom apartment in cities The aging crisis is compounded by the high incidence of smoking 30 pc of the worldâs smokers are in China and they consume 40 pc of the worldâs tobacco The worldâssingle largest tobacco company China National Tobacco Corporation contributes up to 10 pc of the governmentâs revenue As a result the implementation of antitobacco measures is halfheartedWomen and children have high exposure to secondhand smoke While less than 3 pc women smoke they constitute30 of the lung cancer cases The incidence of smoking in the 1524 years age group is rising In five years time we shall start seeing the impact of all these factors on the Chinese economy Scholars are in agreement that China will get old before it gets rich China is fudging demographic figures and scholarsestimate that against the official figure of 16 the actual fertility rate could be just 118 and the ageing Chinese population may be declining already The panic in the Communist Party has led to restrictions on abortions and declarations like âœthe birth of a baby is not only a matter of family itself but also a state affairâ The shift from the onechild policy and forced abortions to forced pregnancies will not stop ageing and the steady decline in the working population India should bide its time https://dailyworld.in/blog/chinas-aggression-is-a-trap-66852.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/coal-economic-forces-may-heal-the-environment-66854.html The writer Mr RN Prasher is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are his personal Humans have used coal since at least the 4th millennium BC In the 3rd millennium BC it was used in funeral pyres in Britain and the Romans used it for smelting iron ore It was critical to the Industrial Revolution and was the fuel of choice for steam engines In the 20th century oil gradually replaced coal for transportation and its main use remained for power generation and metallurgy Coal has been notorious for its inevitable environmental impact Open pit coal mining results in degradation of land air and water while underground mines suffer from gas explosions and continuous slow fire The volcanolike Burning Mountain of Australia actually comprises underground coal deposits that have been burning for 6000 years Coal combustion produces large amounts of greenhouse gases and is the main cause of acid rain Coal ash adds to soil air and water pollution Coal smoke was the earliest contributor to air pollution as it continues to be even today Environmental activism has its roots in coal smoke Air inthe 19thcentury industrial Britain was thick with coal smoke and the Coal Smoke Abatement Society came into being in 1898 There was however a conflict in all industrial countries whether nature should be conserved for its own sake with humans remaining a part of nature or natural resources should be managed for fulfilling human desire for dominating nature Antagonistic moral and ethical norms evolved from these conflicting goals The conflict continues even today The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22 1970In 1971 Greenpeace came into existence as did the European Management Forum which later became the World Economic Forum and their yearly jamboree at DavosThe UN Conference on the Human Environment was held in 1972 All these initiativesfailed to stop the march of coal Coal consumption continued to relate to population and economic growth Accelerating environmental degradation caused by coal did contribute to intense movements for population control and sustainability but could not impact the rise in coal consumption As the demand for metals and electricity expanded the production of coal boomed in spite of all these movements Since 1971 coal production has increased from three billion tonnes to eight billion tonnes While the metallurgy industry in developed countries was the first to take note of additional costs in terms of carbon tax ash management and worker health and made a gradual shift to electricity the shift further contributed to the rapidly increasing electricity demand The high capital cost of solar and wind equipment obstruction of hydro projects by environmentalists and the high price of gas made coal the cheapest alternative for generating electricity China India and the US continue to remain major consumers of coal accounting for more than 60 per cent of global consumption with China itself using more than 45 per cent After a slight dip in 201516 the demand continued to grow with Indonesia Vietnam Malaysia and Philippines adding to the growth All these countries were slow in abandoninguse of coal in metallurgy and increased prosperity alsofuelled electricity demand One of the election promises of Trump in 2016 was to revive coal in the USA both for the metal industry and for power generation In the two decades of this millennium the world has doubled its coalbased power generation to 2045GW 1GW1000 megawatts As of now an additional 200GW is under construction and a further 300GW is planned While India and China are the main contributors to this addition 268 GW of coalbased capacity was retired in the EU and the US anda further 213GW is on the anvil for being phased out These contrary trends on the use of coal for power generation in Asia on the one hand and USEU on the other show that forces of economics may be succeeding in the short span of a decade where five decades of environmental activism failed The following factors seemed to be causing the demise of coal for power generation 1 Lower oil prices The discovery of vast shale deposits in the US helped that country shift from being a major importer of oil to a net exporter The spat between the US and China since 2018 on the trade imbalance and the alleged tariff inequities did its bit to slow down economic growth and lower oil prices The proverbial last nail was Covid19 and the resulting lockdowns which caused a crash in oil demand and prices 2 There was considerable increase in coal prices during the last several years till 2018though the slowdown did result in a fall during 2019 On the other hand electricity from the sun and the wind became cheaper as windmills and solar panels became cheaper In the last few years renewable energy has been consistently quoted at lower rates than coalbased energy Even in the US with its history of high coal consumption renewable energy overtook coalbased energy in 2019 Worldwide 75 per cent of new capacity added in 2019 was from renewable sources 3 Lower economic activity resulted in lower than expected power demand The thermal plants with their higher energy cost were the first victims The plant load factor PLF of thermal plants has been falling worldwide In India coalbased plants have been operating at less than 60 PLF Since these plants have a high fixed cost the lesser energy produced at lower PLF has a higher per unit cost There is huge stranded capacity of coalbased generation and many plants under construction are not likely to be completedOf the 40GW of the stressed capacity in India 15 GW has not been commissioned 4 The biggest impediment to largescale adoption of wind and thermal generation was the fact that these cannot give power continuously for all the 24 hours Storage was expensive until recent times However with falling battery prices storage is now viable and financial institutions and investors are no more interested in putting their money in thermal plants The recent news about a âœmillionmile batteryâ coming soon will further accelerate the trend away from coal and oil Some communities in the US have already gone offgrid with windsolar generation coupled with battery storage The cumulative impact of these factors has been a drastic fall in coal consumption in all countries of Europe In the UK the âœoriginalâ coal producing country consumption fell from 60 million tonnes to 13 million tonnes in just six years from 2012 to 2018 In the US the earlier second largest consumer of coal investors are backing away from coal as its economics become even more âœtoxicâ than its fumes Market forces choose their own direction these pander neither to the activist nor to a PresidentIn the next decade these forces are likely to phase out coal and perhaps even oil to a large extent and give us back the blue skies no thanks to the environmental activists https://dailyworld.in/blog/coal-economic-forces-may-heal-the-environment-66854.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/the-hutongs-and-chinas-introversion-66809.html The writer Mr RN Prasher is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are his personal In the first part of this article we saw how the key to the building of the Great Wall of China lies in Chinaâs historical introversion and xenophobia The design of living spaces in China reflects the same desire of excluding the âœotherâ The trend survived the dynasties of imperial rule the proletariat revolution the Cultural Revolution Dengâs reformation and the present capitalismwithoutdemocracy euphemistically called Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Yet the Chinese Communist Party CCP under Xi Jinping is demanding that the gates of living spaces be smashed to facilitate the intrusive state In the book Streetlife China Dutton describes the old Chinese city street as âœWalls within walls and behind those walls more wallsâ The walled city was divided by alleys called hutongs in a way that one could not go from one hutong to another without going out onto an arterial road The hutong insulated a micro community from the other hutongs Each hutong had a gate and generally a nameplate on it The houses on a hutong were based on a courtyard pattern with houses of a clan around the courtyard with a single opening to the hutong which otherwise had blank walls on both sides with no windows opening on to it The entry to the hutong was regulated with outsiders needing permission to enter and the gates were closed at night The pattern strengthened the bond within the clan and between the clans on the same hutong all having the common desire to protect their clans from outsiders The courtyard in these Chinese houses has been contrasted with the open space of western societies In the latter the house sits in the middle of the open space with a view from all sides On the other hand buildings with no view of the outside surround the Chinese courtyard In turn the buildings are surrounded by walls While the western design is symbolic of openness and inclusivity the Chinese courtyard is introverted and exclusive The Chinese Emperors ruled over a hierarchy that had the clan as the lowest unit The control was maintained through the head of the clan and all such heads on a hutong ensured the rule of law in their microcosm With the Communist revolution the hutongs presented an ideal structure for social control by the state A party minder in the hutong could report to the party all happenings that took place in the alley and could convey the diktats of the party to all the families living there The communists continued to rely on the filial bond for social control with consequences for any dissent visiting the entire family The party further encouraged snitching on the neighbours to prevent the households on any hutong from ganging up against the party apparatus The revolution demanded that the cities transform from decadent consumption centres to centres of production and the new slogan was âœproduction first livelihood laterâ This was in tune with the communist philosophy that the reason for the existence of the individual is to serve the commune Thus the new form of the urban space was the âœworkunitâ compound danwei where families lived mostly with community kitchens and worked within the same walled compound Such compounds had social amenities including play areas shopping area school and library Again each such compound had gates with regulated entry that were closed at night Each compound had a manager from the party and the life and work culture was maintained as per the directives of the party Such compounds were everywhere in Maoâs China and many of them exist even now with their guarded gates although some of the walls along the arterial roads have shops opening on the road With the advent of capitalism and respect for private property this millennialong continuity of introverted living spaces with hierarchical social control metamorphosed into urban gatedcommunities similar to those in western cities Of course in China everything is larger than life and some of these gated communities are so huge that they cause a long detour for those living outside One such gatedcommunity Tiantongyuan in north Beijing has 400000 residents Even for an insider it may take up to half an hour to reach a facility at a stoneâs throw from his residence but beyond the perimeter wall This is not a bother for the party What bothered them was that these highrise blocks insulated behind locked gates were getting beyond microlevel party control With roads security power parks schools healthcare and other facilities inside these communities being maintained by residents these represented a threat to the patriarchal state If allowed to continue the next stage could be a transition from the inwardlooking society to one yearning for freedom from the rigid party control In 2016 the state issued new regulations that internal roads in these communities should gradually open up to the public ostensibly to ease traffic congestion Simultaneously a prohibition was declared for constructing such communities in future In cities like Shanghai 80 percent of communities are gated The residents protested with some even pointing to Beijingâs Zhongnanhai the gatedcommunity where senior leaders of CCP live Protests in China however have limited scope and life The communist state cannot survive if it cannot watch people Beijing is said to have 15 million registered neighbourhood âœvolunteersâ maintaining surveillance over their neighbours These vigilantes were very effective in hutongs but they face professional hazards in prosperous gatedcommunities Introversion used to have a negative connotation in the western world till two decades ago With liberalisation of western thought now we hear about the comparative advantages that introverts enjoy Susan Cain in her 2012 book âœQuiet The Power of Introverts in a World That Cannot Stop Talkingâ cites Lincoln Darwin Einstein JK Rowling and even Bill Gates as introverts Teachers in the US used to discretely comment on the introvert Chinese students particularly in English language classes The same teachers now say that these students are better listeners in the class as compared to whites or blacks who prefer to gossip in the class It is now recognised that there have been very successful introvert artists and writers Van Gogh being a prominent one Yet as the Chinese begin to publicly celebrate their introversion we need a note of caution Certain kinds of introversion makes a person so determined to achieve his goal that he crosses the boundaries of rationality believes in his omnipotence and becomes unstoppable Adolf Hitler was one such introvert We can only hope that the next such megalomaniac is not already emerging in introverted China The Hutongs and Chinaâs introversion https://dailyworld.in/blog/the-hutongs-and-chinas-introversion-66809.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 11:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/the-great-wall-and-chinas-historical-introversion-66811.html The writer Mr RN Prasher is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are his personal All generalisations are suspect Alexander Duma fils said tongue in cheek âœAll generalisations are dangerous even this oneâ Yet we do have discourse on gross generalisations like âœnational characterâ The dilemma is aptly condensed in the few words of Arthur Schopenhauer âœEvery nation mocks at other nations and all are rightâ We have to go far back in historyto ensure that our opinion of national character of another nation is not tainted by prejudice Thus using history as the source of light to illuminate national character we shall look at a critical component of Chinaâs national character has China as a nation been historically introvert In the 4th century BC Aristotle succinctly put the cause and effect relationship between national character and the nature of government âœThe various qualities of men are clearly the reason why there are various kinds of states and many forms of governmentâ When history shows that a nation throughout its history had an undemocratic government it speaks volumes about its national character Democratic concepts are fruit of a universal tree which has grown over millennia with roots in all continents No single nation can claim its exclusive authorshipMagna Carta The Declaration of Independence and the French Revolution notwithstanding An inward looking nation that designated all foreigners as barbarians over its entire history is least likely to adopt democracy The superlative Great Wall of China said to be the only manmade structure visible from the moon is the quintessential symbol of Chinaâs historical goal of âœkeeping out the barbarians and their ideasâ Sections of it were built in the 7th century BC and additions continued till 17th century Ming dynasty showing an unbroken inward looking selfrighteous trait on record for 2400 years When imperial China called itself the Middle Kingdom it was an expression of their land being at the centre of the civilized world with increasing degree of barbarism as one receded from it Within Beijing the then Northern Capitalwas the Forbidden CityHereresided the epitome of Chinese civilisationthe Emperor the Son of Heaven Surrounding it was the zone of aristocrats with the âœless civilisedâ commoners at the periphery Some may be tempted to conclude that the proletariat revolution would have ended such elitism Yet the national character fossilized over millennia is not diluted by political ideology Mao did not attempt to discard the intimidating nomenclature of the Forbidden City nor was it destroyed during the Cultural Revolution Xi Jinping is the son of a Communist veteran and he gained leading positions in the party even when his father was purged and Xi was exiled during Cultural Revolution rising to become Governor of Fujian in 1999 The present Prime Minister Li Keqiang is also the son of a senior party functionary On 10th September this year Xiâs peasants and workers Party celebrated six centuries of the Forbidden City The Global Times which speaks for the Party gushed over the palace compound being born again The fabulous Ming emperors accentuated the isolationist policies confining contacts with foreigners to a few ports When Britain granted East India Company the exclusive right to trade with China the Qing dynasty restricted them to Canton modern Guangzhou The disdain for foreign barbarians and their culture continued into this last of the dynasties the Qing An exasperated British King George III sent an elaborate diplomatic mission to Qing emperor Qianlong Châien Lung seeking more freedom of operations for the Company The emissary was received with due pomp and there was an elaborate exchange of gifts the British gifts including a âœplanetarium so complex that it took 18 days to assembleâ dropping many jaws The reply of the Emperor was however nothing like diplomatic or polite reminding us of Xi Jinpingâs âœwolf warrior diplomacyâ The Emperor noted the âœrespectful spirit of submissionâ of the British King but declined his request stating that all Europeans including Britainâs âœbarbarian merchantsâ must trade with his âœCelestial Empireâ at Canton He added that his empire âœpossesses all things in prolific abundanceâ and there was no need to import âœthe manufactures of outside barbariansâ To the obvious question as to why he permitted this trade at all the emperor was condescending Because Chinese tea Silk and porcelain were absolute necessities for Europeans he permitted the trade so that Britainâs wants may be supplied and the Kingâs country may participate in the Emperorâs beneficence It was not mentioned that China got silver in exchange till Britain forced opium on them through the Opium Wars He reminded the British monarch âœthe distinction between Chinese and barbarian is most strictâ The letter was rounded off with an ominous warning âœDo not say that you were not warned in due time Tremblingly obey and show no negligenceâ Chinese rulers have historically prohibited travel to the âœBarbarian landsâ without state approval which was granted only for trade The intrepid traveller Xuanzang Hiuen Tsang was denied permission to visit India and he had to travel through China surreptitiously hiding by day and travelling by night To avoid checkpoints on the usual route he had to traverse the merciless Gobi and Taklamakan deserts In modern times Lin Biao Marshal of the Peopleâs Republic of China the architect of Maoâs victory in the civil war Vice Premier Vice Chairman Minister for National Defence and designated successor of Mao died in a plane crash in Mongolia as he was attempting to flee China with his family There have been cases every year of attempted escape from this walled society the latest being defection of the Chinese spy Wang Liqiang to Australia and of virologist LiMeng Yan to the USA On august 30 Taiwan coastguard rescued a boat carrying people fleeing Hong Kong A week earlier another such boatload of people trying to flee to Taiwan were intercepted and arrested by the Chinese navy in international waters It is true that people of all nations big or small democratic or otherwise exhibit jingoism and selfrighteousness to varying degrees India too has its share of these traits We all suffer from âœothernessâ based not only on race which is not amenable to a scientific definition but also based on language food habits hygiene and other lifestyle traits All nations during their history have built forts and walls around their cities Yet nowhere a wall enveloped the nation physically and metaphorically as it does in China In no other nation Xenophobia for the rest of the world has been so entrenched in state policy for so long as in China No empire except China has been continuously explicit and rude in spewing disdain for other people their rulers and their civilisation In the next part of this article we shall talk about this introversion being reflected in the communities buildings and people of postimperial China https://dailyworld.in/blog/the-great-wall-and-chinas-historical-introversion-66811.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 11:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/why-xi-jinping-launched-the-clean-plate-campaign-66814.html The writer Mr RN Prasher is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are his personal In the first part of this article we analysed the reasons for increase in rural poverty in China relative to urban prosperity due to focus of the state on urbanization urban infrastructure and industries and the service sector This is not to belittle the high agriculture productivity achieved in China The average productivity for whole of that country for wheat and rice compares with that of Punjab which is highest for India However China is three times the size of India but has lesser arable land For both rice and wheat acreage in China has been declining while it has been increasing in India though overall production of these grains is 50 higher in China than in India China has boosted productivity through much higher application of fertilisers though heavy subsidies and through âœrice bagâ responsibility system for provincial governors which casts a responsibility on them to balance supply and demand The subsidies are huge though reliable data from that country is difficult to come by A document of the Chinese State Councilâs Development Research Centre calculated that in 2012 the state contributed more than 1200 Yuan more than 190 at 63 Yuan in 2012 per tonne of grain in terms of subsidies and other agricultural support For comparison US wheat was around 280 per tonne in that year which was a record high The growth in productivity in agriculture hits a peak sooner or later unless there is a major technological breakthrough This has happened in Punjab and it can be presumed that it might have already happened in China With rising prosperity of urban areas share of meat in diet has increased and correspondingly corn imports have been very high Simultaneously villages around expanding urban areas have increasingly taken to producing milk meat and vegetables leading to reduction in area under wheat and rice The new activities though lucrative require much higher levels of chemicals and inorganic fertilisers and use of plastics and have contributed significantly to environmental degradation Even the economic advantage can become illusory as happened last year when the spread of swine flue compelled pig farmers to destroy their livestock A report by Chinaâs Bureau of Statistics said that Chinaâs pig population had fallen by 40 million while Rabobank said this was an underestimation and the number could be as high as 200 million In December 2019 pork prices in China were up by 97 as compared to December 2018 In spite of many fervent declarations about food selfsufficiency China has been importing increasing quantity of grains both for human consumption as well as for cattle feed Such imports helped China gain influence with the leaders of these countries who won the support of farming lobby by securing orders from China But this happy scenario suffered a crash with the advent of Covid 19 The secretive communist state did all in its power to hold back information from the world directly and through WHO Nations of the world reacted with anger and indignation at this social and economic disaster inflicted upon them and demanded not only an investigation but also a de coupling from China The very nations US Canada and Australia that used to feel thrilled selling their grain surpluses to China are at the forefront of the demand for winning succour from dependence on China A triple whammy of drought floods and pests has added to the woes of the rural poor The wheat growing regions suffered serious drought Chinaâs State Grain and Reserves Administration estimated in July that the major wheat producing provinces in the north eastern and central China would produce only about half the wheat output of last year The output of corn and soybean was also lower Soon thereafter the rice producing south and south east came in the grip of recurrent floods the fifth wave of which is still continuing The Yangtze River basin has been flooded for the last two months at a level that is endangering the safety of the Three Gorges dam This region produces 70 of Chinaâs rice output The western region has lost some part of its agriculture production to locus attacks In the face of all this the state and the party has been claiming that there is no crisis as the country has reserves equal to one yearâs consumption China has been importing grains for the last several years with almost panic imports this yearraising the reserves to consumption ratio to 45 against FAO recommendation of 17 Some of these reserves are too old to befit for human consumption In July a video circulated on Weibo Chinaâs version of Twitter showed old grain stocks reduced to a powdery substance in stateâs Sinograin warehouse Rather than come out with the truth about the scale of the problem the authorities issued an order banning the carrying of phones and cameras to the warehouses When Mao faced a famine of monumental proportions in 19581962 after the failed Great Leap forward he launched the sparrow elimination campaign blaming the little birds for the food shortage Once the sparrows were eliminated thriving insects caused more agriculture losses forcing Mao to import 250000 sparrows from the USSR Now once again the expected food shortages are creating a spectre of rural unrest and damage to largerthanlife image of a prosperous China cultivated in the international arena Xi Jinping has reacted in the classical Mao way claiming that there is enough food in the country but it is immoral to waste food On August 11 he launched the âœClean Plate Campaignâ In a nation where it was considered a matter of prestige to pile the table with food for guests a war cry is being heard against wasting food Social media sites in China used to have extremely popular personalities called âœMukbangâ who would devour mountains of food in front of the camera They rushed to remove these posts as overnight they become objects of shame People visiting restaurants were asked to order one meal less than the number of diners A wag wondered what a single patron could order â maybe just a âœClean Plateâ The waiters were to advise the diners if they ordered too much food and ensure that the dishes were smaller than before One restaurant put a weighing scale at the entrance with the message that those already overweight should eat less True to allpervasive state power in the communist state inspectors were posted at major restaurants to report on people who left anything on the plate The latest to join the bandwagon is China Horse Industry Association CHIA that held a conference on August 21 to discuss how to reduce forage consumption by horses As the world watches in amusement Xi Jinping is a worried man His Belt and Road Initiative BRI is stuck in the aftermath of the virus with borrowing nations expressing their inability to pay the exorbitant loans Grabbing collaterals in too many caseslike he did with Shri Lankaâs Hambantota port would isolate China His own experts are predicting a whopping 130 million tonnes food shortage by 2025 Eliminating leftovers may not be enough to keep the biggest population on earth satiated In the concluding part of this article next week we shall show the implications for the world of a China suffering food shortages and rural poverty https://dailyworld.in/blog/why-xi-jinping-launched-the-clean-plate-campaign-66814.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 11:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/why-xi-jinping-launched-the-clean-plate-campaign-66815.html The writer Mr RN Prasher is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are his personal A favourite theme of the Chinese Communist Party CCP and the Sinophiles is that China has lifted out of poverty 700 million of the 800 million poor people during the 40 years of reforms and opening up of the economy after Deng Xiaoping modified the ideology of the communist state to âœsocialism with Chinese characteristicsâ Leaving aside the ideological jargon for the moment and focussing on the statistics embedded in this claim some facts stand out Forty years ago it was the year 1980 China came under communist rule in 1949 that is 31 years before 1980 Thus after three decades under the âpropeasantworker and antibourgeoisieâ rule there were 800 million poor in this âœPeopleâs Republicâ The population of China in 1980 was a little more than 980 million Presuming that future growth in population did not boost the number of poor Chinese it shows that 81 percent of China was poor after 30 years of Communist rule Of course statistics regarding China are never sacrosanct and authors Zheping Huang and Tripti Lahiri in their 2017 article estimated the poverty level in 1981 to be 90 percent when for the whole world the figure was around 40 percent China is touted as a success story because the world figure today is 10 percent while China is at 2 percent This is good as far as it goes but it does not go very far Poverty is a relative concept People living on 300 per month in a hypothetical place where half the population lives on 100 per month do not feel they are poor The same people living in the USA where the national minimum wage is more than 1400 per month will be considered absolutely destitute even after adjusting for purchase power parity PPP After Dengâs reforms as usually happens those in proximity to the seat of power predominantly cornered the wealth generated As a result the income inequality which was already high before the reforms boomed A study by researchers at the London School of Economics and Political Science estimated that in China âœthe share of national income earned by the top 10 percent of the population increased from 27 per cent in 1978 to 41 percent in 2015 while the share earned by the bottom 50 per cent dropped from 27 per cent to 15 per centâ Thus the bottom 50 percent who used to have the same share as the top 10 percent saw their share reduced 27 times over these 37 years of âsocialism with Chinese characteristicsâ From the time of Maoâs advent until Dengâs reforms China remained a predominantly rural country with 80 percent of the population living in rural areas The policies remained focussed on agriculture but with disastrous results when the Great Leap Forward of Mao led to the Great Chinese Famine of 1958 to 1962 which is considered as one of the deadliest manmade catastrophes in human history Due to the Bamboo Curtain as secretive China was then called the true human toll is not known and the estimates vary between 15 and 55 million human lives lost to starvation With Dengâs reforms there was a surge in industrialisation and urbanisation and the rural population dropped to around 40 percent of the total The focus has shifted entirely to industry and the service sector and agriculture has gone through a period of serious neglect The huge overall economic growth has rendered the poor who were always concentrated in the rural areas even poorer relative to their urban cousins It is mainly these rural poor about whom Prime Minister Li Keqiang recently said that 40 percent of the Chinese people live on a monthly income of 140 Evidently these poor cannot live in cities because this figure represents the rent of a oneroom apartment in an average city The poverty of the rural areas was exacerbated by the onechild policy and migration of the younger population to the urban sprawl When the only child migrated in search of affluence the farm suffered During a visit to some villages in China in 1993 the present writer saw untended orchards where unpicked fruit was rotting Lack of educational facilities in the rural areas had sent the young to cities and lack of medical facilities had crippled the old Some rural families showcased themselves to the tourists and earned some money by serving the cuisine of rural China but the neglect of agriculture was evident Historically Chinese society has strong filial bonds and the young kept sending money to parents and grandparents in the villages but that was sufficient only for sustenance with nothing left for making capital investment on the farm The onechild policy added to the woes as that child now had to support parents and four grandparents While the official CCP propaganda shows harvesters reaping large commune farms in reality poor farmers own small parcels of land and work these by hand and sometimes with animal power A YouTube video âœFarmers of Tuanshanâ gives a good idea of conditions in which farmers live and cultivate their fields in this village famous for its heritage homes Lack of capital is not the only reason for poor investment in agriculture In China all land vests in the state or in the CCPcontrolled collectives and farmers hold it on a kind of lease Whenever the land is needed for an infrastructure project an industry or for urbanisation it is taken away by the state without notice and without giving alternative land rendering the family unemployed Even the rural homesteads are taken away and demolished at short notice rendering people homeless The alternative offered is an apartment that is too far away too expensive and unsuited to the needs of a farmer Most of them lose the right of any redress as they are coerced into signing an âœagreementâ to surrender their land The National Public Radio NPR reported the case of Liu a farmer in Shandong province who returned from a walk to find demolition crew preparing to level his home When he went to the police for help he was arrested on charge of obstructing the work of state officials He was released the next day after the demolition was over A study concluded that only in 22 percent of the cases were the farmers consulted about their compensation All these factors have resulted in a situation where the country with the largest population in the world cannot produce enough food and has to rely on imports It is a different matter that huge surpluses in countries like the USA Australia and Canada actually gave leverage to China and threats used to be issued to cutoff food imports if any of these countries became too critical of China on any issue The situation is undergoing a change after the Covid19 episode In the second part of this article we shall show how China is anticipating food shortages in the coming years https://dailyworld.in/blog/why-xi-jinping-launched-the-clean-plate-campaign-66815.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-the-gita-contains-many-master-keys-66372.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan The Gita contains many master keys which have the capacity to open up many doors and bypass hurdles we face in the path of self realisation One such master key is to see yourself in others and others in you Krishna implores us to realize that its HIM in all of us and he is hinting at the unmanifested formless Krishna elsewhere asks us to raise ourselves to bow to a donkey or a thief as if we are bowing to the LORD Based on the inputs brought in by the senses our minds are programmed to divide and judge situations into safepleasant or unsafeunpleasant This is necessary and useful to protect us from imminent dangers Like any technology the mind is doubleedged too and crosses its mandate to became our master This is essentially the birth place of Ahankaar What this master key says is to make the mind a slave to minimise divisionjudgement so that cohesionunity appears No complex physical entity including our body can survive without this cohesion When we use this master key we develop compassion for others and raise awareness about ourselves The best way to realize this is to start with a person whom we consider a foe for whatever reason and see that person as the LORD Certainly it is difficult as many unpleasant memories and feelings are attached to them and with time that unpleasantness melts to give way to joy In fact there must have been situations where all of us have done this and we just need to put it into practice more often Awareness about self and Compassionfor others are the two oars of the boat to row in the path given by the Gita towards shores of the inner self Once we understand this could we see Lord Krishna in Corona https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-the-gita-contains-many-master-keys-66372.html Sat, 19 Sep 2020 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-in-the-gita-lord-krishna-says-you-66374.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan In the Gita Lord Krishna says you yourself are your own friend and you yourself are your own foe The following story of the trapped monkey illustrates it well Some nuts are kept in an earthen pot with a narrow mouth surahi in which the monkeyâs hand barely fits The monkey inserts its hands by squeezing through the mouth of the pot and grabs a fist full of nuts As the fist is full its size goes up and so it canât come out of the pot The monkey makes all sorts of efforts to get the closed fist out of the pot It keeps thinking that someone has laid a trap for it and never realises that the trap is set by itself No amount of explanation would convince the monkey to let go of these nuts instead it would think that we are trying to grab its nuts From the outside it looks quite simple that it has to drop a couple of nuts to loosen the fist so that its hand comes out But realising this simple fact when we are trapped is the challenge The closed fist is our foe and open fist is our friend and itâs our choice to open or close making us friend or foe to ourselves respectively In life we encounter so many similar traps Those nuts are nothing but I My Me and Mine Ahankaar binds our hand to them Gita repeatedly tells us in so many ways to let go of Ahankaar so that we are free of these traps thus leading to ultimate freedom It is easier to get the realisation about these traps when we slow down rather than in a fast paced world with a lot of noise The opportunity presented by COVID19 is an ideal time to come to these realisations https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-in-the-gita-lord-krishna-says-you-66374.html Sat, 19 Sep 2020 15:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-a-small-change-in-the-trim-tab-66375.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan A small change in the trim tab attached to the rudder changes the course of a large ship Similarly a nudge to study the Gita can reorient our course in life Time available due to the current COVID19 lockdown can be utilised to dive into the Gita The Gita is an eternal text book from Kindergarten to Post Graduation for internal realization and it is likely that in the first reading very few concepts are understood They can be easily understood if we approach from the view point of manifested which is within the realm of our naked senses including the scientific instruments built to extend these senses and unmanifested which is beyond our senses The story of manifested goes from Big Bang to the formation of stars to fusioncooking of atoms of higher chemical elements in the core of these stars to spread of these elements in explosion of stars to formation of planetary systems to appearance of intelligent life It is an accepted fact by the scientific community that these manifested life forms planets stars and even the universe have a definite time frame of existence Though the estimated time scales may vary Our understanding that we exist from birth to death is correct from the manifested point of view As per the Gita from the unmanifested point of view we exist before birth and after death With this clarity at the back of our minds we can easily understand the relationship between them as explained in the Gita to attain the goal of realizing the unmanifestedMoksha While the ahankaar is the obstacle the amount of ananda joy one gets filled with irrespective of pleasure or pain outside is an indicator of the distance traversed to reach the unmanifested https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-a-small-change-in-the-trim-tab-66375.html Sat, 19 Sep 2020 15:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-the-gita-was-born-in-the-battlefield--66376.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan The Gita was born in the battlefield and the current COVID19 days are similar to the Kurukshetra battle One phrase in the Gita neatly sums it up Nimitta maatra â just being an instrument in the hands of the Almighty Arjun wanted to see the reality of Krishna as it is yathaarth and needed an extra sense to grasp the same just like the blind man needed an eye to see complete elephant He was given the same by the Lord to see the Vishwaroopam of Krishna Apart from showing reality in space Krishna gives him access to the future and Arjun sees that many warriors are entering into the mouth of death Then Lord says that these warriors would die soon and you are just an instrument in that process Krishna clarifies that Arjun is not the Kartadoer and secondly he ensures that Arjuna would be free of Ahankaar when he comes out as victor as victory is the biggest booster of Ahankaar At the same time Krishna didnât let Arjun leave the battlefield Nimitta Maatra is internal realisation and what flows out of this is bound to be pure and free of Ahankaar In the times of COVID19 for a person on the street or in a situation room the difficulties are similar to those of Arjuna With virtually no treatment in the near future we are simply Nimitta Matra inside and should do our best in the role assigned outside This small realisation can actually be a boon as many concepts of the Gita are not clear until they are experienced in life especially in a tough situation A lump of coal transforms into a diamond under extreme pressure and gold becomes pure in a flame These testing times are breeding grounds to nurture the realization of nimitta maatra and this small thread has the potential to take us closer to our inner self through the path of surrender https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-the-gita-was-born-in-the-battlefield--66376.html Sat, 19 Sep 2020 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-the-gita-is-about-maintaining-harmony-in-the-inner-world--66391.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan The Gita is about maintaining harmony in the inner world and the law is about maintaining order in the outer world Any Karma has two parts one is the intent and another is execution In the words of law they are called using Latin words mens rea and actus reus respectively in the context of crime For example a surgeon and a murderer both plunge a knife into someoneâs stomach The surgeonâs intention is to savecure but the murdererâs intention is to damagekill Death can occur in both situations but the intentions are completely opposite Law is situational while the Gita is eternal Driving on the left side of side of the road is legal in one country and may be an offense in another Law is black and white but not life which has many grey areas As long as one pays actus reus taxes the law is not bothered about whether it was done with pleasure or pain mens rea Law is very comfortable as long as execution is within the defined parameters of law of the land If someone is thinking of committing a crime law wouldnât bar that but the Gita says this thinking should go Bend the tree when it is young Gita says be aware about karma when it is at the intention stage ie in the present and we donât have any control once it goes to execution which is in the future While the focus of law is on execution contemporary moral literature exhorts us to have goodnoble intentions But Gita helps us to transcend beyond intentions When intention good or bad meets with success or failure either Ahankaar gets a boost or internal build up starts like lava which would burst at a weak moment Both the situations take us away from our inner self Just by observing ones intentions one can transcend them and reach the inner self https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-the-gita-is-about-maintaining-harmony-in-the-inner-world--66391.html Sat, 19 Sep 2020 16:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-there-are-three-different-paths-given-in-gita-66392.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Gita appears different to different people based on their orientation There are three different paths given in Gita Karma yog Sankhya yog and Bhakthi yog Karma yog is ideal for someone who is mind oriented Sankhya yog is for Intellect and Bhakti for heart oriented In todays world majority falls in the category of mind oriented Its based on belief that we are tied up with chains and need to work hard to break them to free ourselves So its action oriented Any conversation with them would end up with âWhat should I do nowâ This path leads us to Nishkam karma ie unmotivated action Sankhya yog is also known as Gyan Yog and this is about awareness or knowing but not knowledge Its begining point is the belief that we are in a dark room and have to just lighten a lamp in the dark to quell the darkness as no amount of action or flight can remove that darkness This path takes us to realize about choiceless awareness Bhakti Yog is about surrender They equate themselves as a wave which owes its existence to ocean and the ocean being paramatma the supreme being At the beginning the language and understanding of these three paths would be quite different If a path of awareness is explained to a mind oriented person he would keep looking for some action for awareness Certainly these are not water tight paths and combination of them is what one experiences For example when karma and Sankhya paths meet we will get awareness that final destiny of all karmas is a mirage and would become unattached to karma while performing it like an act in a drama Just like the entire universe is combination of three particles electron proton and neutron the spiritual world is combination of these three paths Krishna says all these paths have one common destination of realizing self which is free of Ahankaar https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-there-are-three-different-paths-given-in-gita-66392.html Sat, 19 Sep 2020 16:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-gita-lays-emphasis-on-our-senses--66394.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Gita lays emphasis on our senses as they are the gateways between our inner and outer world Neuroscience postulates âœNeurons that fire together wire togetherâ The Gitaâs words too convey a similar message using the language of its time Our brain has about a 100 billion neurons Some of them are wired by DNA to take care of automatic functions of body and some are wired by us during our life times On the first day before a driving wheel we all found it difficult to drive and then slowly got used to it This is because of hard wiring that the brain does with unutilised neurons to coordinate all the activities involved in driving Same happens with all the skills Starting from simple walking to sports to complex surgeries by a surgeon Hardwiring saves a lot of energy for brain and makes our lives easy A new born is a âuniversal babyâ capable of many things The Domestication done by family peers and society leads to formation of many neural patterns These patterns expect us to look for a particular type of impulses and sensations from external world and we work hard to get them For example we all like to hear praise about ourselves as our neural patterns expect and enjoy the same These patterns are foundations for expectations prejudices and judgements Combination of these patterns coupled with efforts made are nothing but âAhankaarâ and in todayâs world success and happiness is defined as getting sensations matching our neural patterns One gets centered in self once these are broken As a result joy flows as we are no more dependent on external sensations and Krishna calls it âAtma Ramanâ To live a Gita life is to use various instructionsinstruments given in Gita to break these patterns which makes us joyful and free of judgements https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-gita-lays-emphasis-on-our-senses--66394.html Sat, 19 Sep 2020 16:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-the-gita-is-about-what-we-are-66395.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan The Gita is about what we are It is like being truthful apart from knowing the truth and that happens when we are centered space in the present moment time The underlying dilemma of Arjuna is what would happen to his image in the eyes of world if he kills his friends relatives elders and teachers for the sake of kingdom This appears very logical and this is the first barrier to be crossed if one has to live the Gita life The real dilemma of Arjuna is about his future whereas Krishna says that we have the right to do karma but no right to the karmaphal Why Because karma happens in the present and karmaphal is something that comes up in the future Like Arjuna our tendency is to strive for outcome oriented actions Some times modern life gives us an impression that future outcomes can be controlled But in reality the future is a combination of so many possibilities over which we do not have any control Once again its our ahankaar feeding on our past and projecting future on the present creates dilemmas Coming to space the entire universe consisting of galaxies stars and planets is characterized by rotation which is primarily a stationary axishub and a rotating structure The hub never moves and without this hub no rotation of a wheel is possible Every storm has a calm centre â without it no storm can sustain momentum The farther away from the centre the greater would be turbulence We too have a calm centre which is nothing but our inner self and the turbulent life with its many attributes revolves around it Arjunaâs dilemma is about one of such attributes â his image Like him we form images about ourselves by looking into the eyes of others rather than looking into our innerself Gita says that the time to be is the Present and space to be is innerself https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-the-gita-is-about-what-we-are-66395.html Sat, 19 Sep 2020 16:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-ust-as-it-is-said-all-roads-lead-to-rome--66396.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan ust as it is saidâAll roads lead to Romeâ all paths given in the Gita lead us to the Inner Self Some of the paths appear to be in contrast with each other However this is like a circle where a journey on either side would take us to the same destination The Gita operates at various levels Sometimes Krishna comes to the level of Arjuna and sometimes he comes as the Supersoul Paramatma This creates difficulties in comprehension at the initial stage as both these levels appear to be different Scientists faced similar difficulties while understanding light at the beginning of the last century Initially it was proved that light is a wave and later it was realized that it also behaves like a particle Both theories appear to be opposing each other But light with which we are so familiar is a combination of apparent contradictions Similar is life Once an elephant entered a village and a few blind men attempted to identify or understand it Depending on which part of the elephant they touched they imagined what an elephant might be like The one who touched trunk said that the elephant is like a long and rough creature The one who touched the tusk said that this animal is hard as a rock Another who touched the stomach said that it is huge and soft And so their deductions went Different peceptions of one reality is the reason for all the differences we see in the world today In reality the elephant is none of these but it is also all of these Our state of mind is no different from these individuals with people things and relationships being that enigmatic elephant Partial understanding leads us to misery The Gita is essentially a journey from a partial understanding to a complete one Like in the 8020 principle even a few steps into this understanding can bring joy to life https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-ust-as-it-is-said-all-roads-lead-to-rome--66396.html Sat, 19 Sep 2020 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-bhagavad-gita-is-a-700-verse-conversation-66398.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Bhagavad Gita is a 700 verse conversation between Lord Krishna and Warrior Arjun in the battle field of Kurukshetra Just before the start of war Arjun gets the feeling that war would kill many of his friends and relatives and argues that this is bad from many points of view Arjunâs dilemma eminates from his presumption that âœI am doerâ Aham karta and is also known as Ahankaar This Ahankaar keeps us telling that we are distinct but reality is different Though ego is usually given as meaning to Ahankaar but ego can be taken as one of many manifestations of Ahankaar The entire conversation is about this Ahankaar be it directly or indirectly and Krishna gives various paths and milestones yardsticks to get rid of it If we take Kurukshetra war as a metaphor all of us enter into a situations like Arjun did in our daily lives be it in family work place and interms of health wealth relationships etc As long as one lives these dilemmas are natural till Ahankaar is understood Gita is about what we are and certainly not about what we know nor what we do Like no amount of theory can let us ride a bycle nor swim no amount of philosophy can help us unless we see life eye to eye and guiding principles of Gita would help us to to reach the final destination the inner self which is free of Ahankaar From surface it appears that times have changed since Gita gyan was given to Arjun by Lord Krishna Certainly there is lot of change brought about by developments in science in the past couple of centuries but in reality from an evolution stand point of view humans didnât evolve any further The internal side of dilemma remains the same While outer manifestations trees might look different inner part roots remain same https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-bhagavad-gita-is-a-700-verse-conversation-66398.html Sat, 19 Sep 2020 16:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-239-that-after-elucidating-about-sankhya-awareness-66085.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Krishna says 239 that after elucidating about sankhya awareness 211238 he would now explain yoga or Karma Yoga the practice of which will free one from karma bandhan bondage of action While explaining Sankhya yoga Krishna makes Arjun aware that he is that indestructible Chaitanya consciousness which doesnât have death From this verse onwards Krishna starts explaining the same through karma yoga Thus karma bandhan and yoga need to be understood in this context Yoga literally means union and is used in many contexts Krishna mentions equanimity as yoga 248 where attachment to success or failure is abandoned Even in 238 the emphasis of Krishna is to maintain equanimity towards pleasure and pain winning and losing and profit and loss Karma Bandhan refers to the impressions or scars both pleasant and painful left on us by the karmas we perform and the reactions we get from within and outside Scientifically they can be called neural patterns These impressions drive our behaviour from the unconscious level and hence Krishna tells us to free ourselves from karma bandhan through yoga Our natural tendency is to cling to impressions that give pleasure and profit We develop a simultaneous aversion to pain and loss The more deepseated these impressions more is the intensity of clinging and aversion The strength of these impressions can be metaphorically compared to writing on a stone sand and on water When the impression is on stone it is deeper and affects us for a much longer time Less so with writing on sand Writing on water on the other hand is erased instantaneously Krishna is referring to impressions on water when he says that karma yoga frees us from karma bandhan and it makes us so saral gentle that nothing can affect or bother us https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-239-that-after-elucidating-about-sankhya-awareness-66085.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gitaacharan-verse-238-captures-the-entire-essence-of-the-gita-66087.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Verse 238 captures the entire essence of the Gita Krishna tells Arjuna that he would incur no sin when he fights read as performing any karma if he were to treat sukh pleasure and dukh pain labh gain and nasht losses and jaya victory and apajaya defeat with equipoise This verse simply says that all our karmas are motivated and this motivation makes the karma impure or sinful But we hardly know or do any karma without being motivated by pleasure profit or victory and to avoid pain loss or defeat From Sankhya and Karma Yoga point of view any karma can be divided into three parts viz Karta doer Chesta action and Karmaphal fruit of action Krishna divided karmaphal into pleasurepain profitloss and victorydefeat Krishna is indicating in this verse to separate these three to achieve equanimity One way is to drop Kartapan feeling of doership and become a sakshi witness The realisation is that in the grand drama called life we play a negligible role Another way is to realise that we donât have any right over karmaphal result of action as it is a combination of many factors apart from our efforts The paths of dropping of kartapan or karmaphal are interconnected and progress in one will automatically bring progress in another Coming to chesta action it was there much before any of us arrived on the planet It can neither be owned nor can its results be controlled This verse can also be approached from the Bhakti Yoga point of view where Bhaav intent is everything Krishna gives Bhaav priority over karma This internal surrender brings equanimity automatically Depending on oneâs orientation one can choose their own path Whatever may be the approach just by meditating on this verse one can attain an inner self free of ahankaar https://dailyworld.in/blog/gitaacharan-verse-238-captures-the-entire-essence-of-the-gita-66087.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gitaacharan-krishna-explains-about-swa-dharmam-66090.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Krishna explains about swadharmam 231237 Paradharmam otherâs nature 335 and finally advises shunning all Dharmas 1866 to unite with Paramatma Arjunâs despondency arose out of his egocentric fear of damaging his reputation if he fought the war and killed his brethren Krishna tells him 234236 that he would damage his reputation even if he avoided battle as fighting is his swadharmam The community would feel that Arjuna was fearful of engaging in battle and for a Kshatriya fearing battle is worse than death Krishna further explains 335 that swadharmam even if itâs faulty or devoid of merits is better than paradharmam and death in the path of swadharmam is better than paradharmam which is fraught with fear Paradharmam is perceived as easy and better by our outward looking senses especially when we observe successful people whereas Swadharmam requires discipline and hard work and needs to be slowly uncovered in us Ordinarily our sense of selfworth comes among other things from being favourably compared the prestigious place family where we are born grades in the school good earnings in a job or profession and powerfame that comes our way But for Krishna everyone is unique and would blossom uniquely as per his Swadharmam He says that while the unmanifest in all is the same each manifested entity is unique Finally Krishna advises1866 us to shun all Dharmas and take refuge in him for he would then liberate us from all sins This is akin to surrender in Bhakti Yoga and is one of the foundations of spirituality Just as a river loses its swadharmam of meandering on becoming a part of the ocean we too should lose ahankaar and swadharmam to unite with paramatma https://dailyworld.in/blog/gitaacharan-krishna-explains-about-swa-dharmam-66090.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-explains-swa-dharmam-own-nature-66092.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Krishna explains Swadharmam own nature 231237 and he tells Arjun that such an unsought battle Kurukshetra opens the door to heaven 232 and escaping from it would result in loss of Swadharmam fame and would incur sin 233 This advice to Arjun on the battlefield needs to be viewed in the right context Krishna is actually talking about harmony and synergy with oneâs swadharmam and not about a war Krishna finds disharmony between what Arjun is his thoughts utterances and actions He attempts to guide Arjun towards harmonizing them In case of Arjun the harmony is in fighting the battle as per his Swadharmam and disharmony is in avoiding the battle In fact harmony rules creation where the smallest electrons protons and neutrons to biggest galaxies planets and stars are in harmony We enjoy our favourite music only when the radio and radio station are in harmony tune There is no greater example of harmony than the human body consisting of so many organs and chemicals whose synergistic functioning makes us what we are Harmony refers to things and situations as they are not as we desire them to be in our frame of reference and value system Since our childhood we have been taught that good deeds take us to heaven and bad deeds to hell after death Krishna indicates that heaven and hell are not afterlife places but exist here and now depending on whether oneâs potentiality meets opportunity or not When we understand othersâ swadharmam harmony comes in families workplaces and relationships which is heaven and the lack of it is hell We experience pleasure and pain depending on whether our desires are fulfilled or not When internal harmony with Swadharmam is achieved it is heavenly irrespective of the outside world https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-explains-swa-dharmam-own-nature-66092.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-explains-about-swa-dharmam-own-nature--66093.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Krishna explains about Swadharmam own nature 231237 and advises Arjun that as a Kshatriya he should not hesitate to fight231 as it is his Swadharmam Krishna commences the Gita with âthatâ which is eternal unmanifested and pervades all It is termed as atma for easy understanding Then he talks about Swadharmam which is one step before âthatâ and subsequently comes to Karma The journey to realise the inner self can be divided into three stages The first stage is our present condition the second is realising Swadharmam and finally reaching the inner self In reality our present condition is a combination of our Swadharmam experiences knowledge memories and assumptions gathered by our wavering mind Swadharmam gets uncovered slowly when we free ourselves from our mental baggage Kshatriya is the combination of âKshatâ meaning âhurtâ and âtrayateâ meaning âto give protectionâ Kshatriya is he who gives protection from hurt The best example is of a mother who shields the baby in the womb and protects the children till they are on their own So she is the first Kshatriya we come across in our lives She may be untrained and might not be experienced in childcare but it comes naturally to her This trait is a glimpse of Swadharmam Once a rose was smitten by the majestic lotus flower and started nurturing the desire to be a lotus But there is no way that a rose can become a lotus The rose wanted to be different from what it is capable of and we have similar tendencies to try to be different from what we are resulting in the despondency of the kind faced by Arjun The rose can change its colour size and shape but will still remain a rose which is its Swadharmam https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-explains-about-swa-dharmam-own-nature--66093.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-229-some-see-this-atma-as-a-marvel-66095.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Krishna says 229 some see âthisâ atma as a marvel some speak of âthisâ as a marvel others hear of âthisâ as a marvel and even then none know âthisâ at all âNoneâ refers to an observer who is using his Indriyas senses to understand the observed atma Lord Krishna says that as long as there is a separation between these two the observer cannot comprehend the atma Once a salt doll wanted to explore the ocean and it set about its journey Through violent surface waves it enters the deeper parts of the ocean and slowly starts melting into it By the time it enters the deepest part it melts completely and becomes part of the ocean It can be said that it has become the ocean itself and the salt doll is no longer a separate entity âObserver salt doll is the Observed oceanâ which is essentially ending the division and bringing unity The Salt doll is akin to our Ahankaar Ahamkartha I am doer which always tries to keep us distinct and separate from reality with our possessions thoughts and actions Essentially nobody wants to be nobody or ordinary But the journey is one of unity and oneness and that happens only when Ahankaar ceases to be like the salt doll which means putting everything we own both things and thoughts at stake It is the journey where the destination arrives the moment we cease to be where âIâ âMeâ âMyâ and âMineâ remain disposable instruments not identities At the peaks of polarities of pleasure and pain we get a glimpse of nir sans ahankaar In these moments of realisation we get the glimpse of what we are and that it doesnât matter what we know what we do and what we have https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-229-some-see-this-atma-as-a-marvel-66095.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-219-220-that-atma-neither-kills-nor-is-killed-66098.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Krishna says 219 220 that Atma neither kills nor is killed and only the ignorant think otherwise It is unborn eternal changeless and ancient He further says that Atma changes physical bodies like we discard worn out garments to wear new ones In a scientific context this is well explained by the law of conservation of energy and the principle of interconvertibility of mass and energy If Atma is equated with energy Lord Krishnaâs words become crystal clear The law of conservation of energy says that energy can never be destroyed but can only be converted from one form to another For example thermal power stations convert thermal energy into electricity A bulb converts electricity into light So it is just conversion and there is no destruction A bulb has a limited lifespan When it fuses it is replaced by a new bulb but electricity still remains This is similar to the way in which we discard worn out clothes for new ones For us death is an inference not an experience Our understanding is that all of us will die one day and we infer this when we see others die To us death means bodies getting immobilized and senses ceasing to function There is no way for us to know about our own physical death or to experience it except for what we infer ie death is a certainty for us all Our lives revolve around death and the fears associated with it Lord Krishna says everything else is possible but death isnât a possibility it is just an illusion When clothes are worn out they can no longer protect us from the elements and we replace them with new ones Similarly when our physical body is unable to perform its duties it is replaced https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-219-220-that-atma-neither-kills-nor-is-killed-66098.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-tells-arjun-225-that-this-atmasoul-is-said-to-be-unmanifested-66099.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Krishna tells Arjun 225 that this atmasoul is said to be unmanifested inconceivable and unchangeable once you are aware of this there is no need to grieve for the physical body Krishna further says that 228 all the beings are unmanifest before their birth they manifest between their birth and death and once again unmanifest after their death Many cultures use the ocean and wave analogy to explain the same The ocean represents unmanifest and wave represents manifest Waves arise from the ocean for some period of time and they manifest in different sizes shapes intensities etc Our Indriyas senses can only sense the manifest ie waves Finally waves merge back into the ocean from where they arose Similarly a seed holds the potential to grow into a tree In the seed the tree is present in its unmanifested form It becomes manifested when it starts growing into a tree It ultimately dies after producing many seeds Manifested is that which Indriyas with their limited capabilities can sense Even the scientific instruments are for the enhancement of the capabilities of our Indriyas Microscopetelescope is to enhance the ability of the eyes to magnify Xray machine is to enable eye to see things in different frequencies of light Krishna says this unmanifest is inconceivable which means that our Indriyas even aided by scientific instruments wonât help us to perceive this The mind is incapable of conceiving the unmanifest as the mind is a combination of Indriyas Like all of us Arjuna identifies himself with the human body as he has no realisation or experience beyond that Krishna tries to bring about a paradigm shift in Arjunâs thinking by enlightening him about the unmanifested It took the lord himself to make a scholar like Arjuna understand this and we are no exception https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-tells-arjun-225-that-this-atmasoul-is-said-to-be-unmanifested-66099.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-at-the-very-beginning-of-the-gita--66142.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan At the very beginning of the Gita 214 Krishna says that the meeting of the indriyas senses with the external objects causes polarities of pleasure and pain He tells Arjun to learn to tolerate them as they are transient In the contemporary world this is expressed as âThis too shall passâ If this is inculcated at experiential level we can transcend these polarities to find them equally acceptable There are five indriyas viz vision hearing smell taste and touch Their corresponding physical parts are eyes ears nose tongue and skin The sensory parts are those parts of the brain which process the physical inputs of the respective organs However these sense instruments have a lot of limitations For example the eye it can only process a particular frequency of light which we call visible light Secondly it cannot process more than 15 images per second and this is the basis for the creation of videos and movies giving us the pleasure of screen watching Thirdly it requires a minimum amount of light to be able to view an object These limitations of indriyas hinder our ability to differentiate between the Sat permanant and the Asat impermanent and make us perceive the rope as a coiled snake Even the sensory parts of these instruments in the brain are handicapped by the limitations of the instruments Secondly they suffer from the finetuning done to them especially during childhood which is termed as hard wiring This results in motivated perception to see what we want to see This inability to see Sat and the tendency to gravitate towards Asat results in misery Krishna says 215 that when we maintain a balance during the onslaught of the polarities of pleasure and pain we are eligible for the Amrut moksha which is liberation here and now https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-at-the-very-beginning-of-the-gita--66142.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-two-types-of-wise-men-have-guided-humanity-66167.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Two types of wise men have guided humanity in its quest to understand the inner self One approaches from the positive side and another from the negative though the destination remains the same in both cases The difference lies in the starting point of the journey and our choice of path depends on our nature The positivelyoriented describes âthatâ which is indestructible eternal stable and pervades all as âcompleteâ and to which nothing can be added âCreativityâ is a metaphor for it The negativelyoriented describes âthatâ which is indestructible eternal stable and pervades all as âemptyâ and from which nothing can be removed âSpaceâ is a metaphor for it In any case both âCreativityâ and âSpaceâ are capable of having creationmaterial manifestation It is easy to intuitively understand that âcreativityâ brings about creation On the other hand science came to the conclusion that the universe was created out of âemptinessâ and âspaceâ has the power to bring this universe in to existence âSpaceâ is all pervasive starting from the smallest atom to the mighty universe Krishna says in the oftquoted verse223 âthatâ dehi soul canât be burnt by fire weapons canât cleave it water canât dissolve it wind canât wither it Can a weapon destroy âspaceâ or âcreativityâ Certainly not At best it can transform the physical manifestation of âcreativityâ Similarly fire can neither destroy creativity nor space Its abilitypower is limited to turning wood into ash and both are materialphysical forms Water too cannot dissolve creativity or space Similarly wind has neither the power nor the skills to wither them âCreativityâ can bring creation into existence but creation doesnât have power to affect âcreativityâ The important thing is the direction Clouds come and go in the sky but they canât influence the sky https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-two-types-of-wise-men-have-guided-humanity-66167.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-tells-arjun--66169.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Krishna tells Arjun âœThere is no time past present or future when you I and these rulers on the battlefield are not presentâ He further adds that the âmaterial sideâ of the indestructible eternal âliving entityâ is certain to perish and therefore the battle ahead must be fought This eternal âliving entityâ is known by many names such as atma chaitanya soul and consciousness Krishna refers to the same as Dehi Krishna starts with the essence of creation and speaks of a âliving entityâ which is indestructible immeasurable pervades all and is eternal Secondly the same eternal entity has a material side which invariably perishes When Krishna mentions about rulers he is referring to that âliving entityâ in them which is indestructible and eternal Essentially we are made up of two parts body and mind which would invariably perish They are subject to polarities of pleasure and pain and Arjun is going through that pain Second part is Dehi which is eternal Krishnaâs emphasis is to realise this and stop identifying with body and mind asat and start identifying with Dehi sat Buddhatva enlightenment is when identification itself drops which is an experience and canât be explained in words The part of the Gita where Krishna asks Arjun to fight is the most difficult part to understand Some say that the Kurukshetra war never took place and is only a metaphorical representation of our everyday struggles It is unlikely that the war would have come to an end by Arjunâs withdrawal from it Krishna advocates facing battles armed with weapons of awakening and realization Krishna knows that with Ahankaar Ahamkarta Arjun will be a permanent slave to despondency even if he withdraws from the war Krishna therefore asks him to realise Sat and fight the battle https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-tells-arjun--66169.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-dwelling-further-on-sat-realpermanence--66172.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Dwelling further on Sat realpermanence and Asat unrealimpermanence Krishna asks us to contemplate on âthatâ which is indestructible and which pervades all The popular and easy understanding about creation is that it is the work of a creator But Krishna points towards âcreativityâ which is a constant evolutionary force For example it causes sprouting from seeds The sprout and the seed both creations can be destroyed but not âcreativityâ which is at work tirelessly and pervades all around While the creation is bound by time âcreativityâ is beyond time Creation takes birth and ceases to exist after death whereas âcreativityâ is indestructible Creativityâ is the real kartha in the sense that it engenders creation It creates feelings and emotions It creates physical forms like our body and mind Knowledge and memory are always of past and creation karmaphal is in the future âCreativityâ always happens in the present âCreativityâ is the ability to use knowledge and wisdom to absorb the pleasant and unpleasant sensations perceived by senses and react independent of them Our senses are only capable of sensing creation and one needs to transcend them to realise âcreativityâ One can align with it through realization but it can never be owned The best moment of joy is when we are aligned with âcreativityâ be it in our profession or in our personal lives For a karma yogi this is easily attained with mastery of a skill While our real nature is âcreativityâ we usually try to identify ourselves with creation This false identification with creation gives us the illusion of Kartha and is the source of Ahankaar The moment we identify with creativity we can see creativity all around To do this Krishna asks us to see others in ourselves and ourselves in others and finally to see HIM in everything and everywhere https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-dwelling-further-on-sat-realpermanence--66172.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-sat-realitypermanence--66173.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Krishna says Sat realitypermanence never ceases to be and Asat unrealimpermanence has no existence A Gyani is one who can distinguish between the two The rope and snake analogy is often quoted in many cultures to understand the intricacies of Sat and Asat A man reached back home at dusk and found a snake coiled at the entrance to his home But in reality it was a rope left by children that looked like a snake in the semidarkness Here the rope signifies Sat and the snake Asat Until he realises Sat ie the rope he is likely to adopt many strategies to handle Asat ie imagined snake He could attack it with a stick fight run away flight or he try to light a torch to check out the reality The best strategies and skills would go in vain when our perception is that of Asat Asat derives its existence from Sat just as the snake doesnât exist without the rope Since Asat owes its existence to Sat it can influence us like a nightmare which can make our body react as if it were sweating in sleep A litmus test given by Krishna to identify Asat is that âwhich didnât exist in the past and wouldnât be there in the futureâ If we take the example of sensual pleasure it wasnât there before and wouldnât be there after some time The same is the case with pain and for that matter all polarities The indication is that Asat exists in time whereas Sat is eternal The Sat is the inner self which is eternal and Ahankaar is Asat which sustains itself with the support of the inner self The day we discover our inner self rope the Ahankaar snake automatically disappears https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-sat-realitypermanence--66173.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-that-there-are-four-types-of-devotees-66177.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Krishna says that there are four types of devotees The first one wants to come out of difficulties and misery he is facing in life The second one desires to have physical possessions and worldly pleasures Most devotees fall in these two categories irrespective of culture gender belief systems etc Krishna says that these two kinds of devotees pray and perform rituals to various Devatas It is akin to approaching an appropriate doctor based on the ailment one suffers from Krishna further says that the desires of these devotees are fulfilled because of their Shradha It is in essence a form of surrender The following example will illustrate Shradha Two farmers who have adjacent farms decide to dig a well to irrigate their farms The first farmer would dig for a day or two and upon not finding any water would change the location and start digging afresh The second farmer persistently kept digging at the same place By the end of the month the first farmer is left with many ditches and the second one got water from the well Even when our senses donât find anything tangible like water in this case it is inner Shradha that keeps us moving as in the case of the second farmer Shradha is a fearless positive force and free of doubt Krishna hints that he is behind this Shradha which results in success Shradha in our relationships family ties and profession has the power to achieve miracles The third kind of devotee is about to cross the boundary of desires He is a curious person and seeks knowledge of self The fourth kind is a Gyani a wise one and he has crossed the boundary of desires He sees the Lord in everything and everywhere and has attained union with the almighty https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-that-there-are-four-types-of-devotees-66177.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-that-there-is-no-kartha-for-any-karma--66180.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Krishna says that there is no kartha for any karma Karma is in fact the result of the interaction among the three Gunas viz Satva Rajo and Tama which are a part of Prakriti nature Krishna advises Arjun to transcend these Gunas to be free from sorrows Arjun wanted to know how to be Gunaateeth transcending Gunas and what a person would be like when he attains this state We have already discussed Dwandwaateeth transcending polarities Drishta witness and Samatva equanimity qualities that are enshrined in the Gita Krishna indicates that a combination of these three constitutes Gunaateeth According to Krishna a person who has attained the state of Gunaateeth is one who realizes that gunas are interacting with gunas and therefore remains a saakshi witness He neither craves for a particular Guna nor is he averse to any other one Gunaateeth is simultaneously Dwandwaateeth also After understanding the polarities of pleasure and pain he remains neutral to both He is neutral to praise and criticism as he realises that these are products of the three gunas Similarly he is neutral to friends and enemies realising that we are friends to ourselves and also enemies to ourselves The physical world is polar and swings are natural On the other hand a swinging pendulum also needs a stationary point Lord Krishna is hinting at reaching that stationary point from where we can just witness the swinging without being part of it ie polarities Gunaateeth gives equal importance to gold stone and a handful of soil This metaphorical comparison conveys that he doesnât assign higher value to one and lower value to another He values things as they are not as valued by peers Krishna further says that Gunaateeth is one who shuns the feeling of Kartha This happens when we realise through our experiences that things are automatic and there is hardly place for Kartha https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-that-there-is-no-kartha-for-any-karma--66180.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-samatva-equanimity-is-a-common-thread-that-runs-across-the-gita--66182.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Samatva equanimity is a common thread that runs across the Gita Lord Krishna highlights Samatva bhav Samatva drishti and Samatva buddhi at various places Samatva is easy to understand but difficult to internalize The degree of Samatva in us is an indicator of our progress in the spiritual journey In the physical realm most societies have accepted Samatva as equality before law for all citizens Krishna gives many examples of Samatva when he says the wise see as equal the prey and the predators pleasure and pain profit and loss etc The difficulty with humans is that we tend to identify with one or more artificial divisions based on culture religion caste nationality race and many more The ability to overcome these divisions and to treat two different people equally is the first step towards Samatva This is naturally much deeper than exhibited behavior The next level of progression in Samatva is an ability to see two people close to us with Samatva Examples include being happy for success of our childrensâ friends especially when our own kids didnât do well treating mother and mother in law equally treating daughter and daughter in law equally etc The highest level of Samatva is the ability to equate others to ourselves It is the ability to maintain Samatva when others get what we believe belongs to us like a promotion fame credit property etc This comes when we can see othersâ weaknesses in us and our strengths in others Krishna advises us to see ourselves in others and others in us and finally to see Krishna in everyone and everywhere This is nothing but Advaitha which says there are no two The obstacle in attaining this highest form of Samatva is our mind which is trained to divide Instead of allowing it to dominate we should be able to make it subservient https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-samatva-equanimity-is-a-common-thread-that-runs-across-the-gita--66182.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-most-of-us-believe-66184.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Most of us believe that we are the cause of all our actions and masters of our destiny In the Gita Lord Krishna says that interaction between Gunas propertiescharacters creates Karma but not due to any Karta Three Gunas are born out of Prakriti mother nature and bind the soul with the physical body The three Gunas Satva Rajo and Tamas are present in each one of us in different proportions Satva Guna is the attachment to knowledge Rajo Guna is the attachment to action and Tamas leads to ignorance and heedlessness Just as the combination of Electrons Protons and Neutrons produce materials with a wide range of properties the combination of the three gunas is responsible for our nature and actions One of the Gunas tends to dominate over others in each one of us In fact interaction among people is nothing but interactions between the Gunas of the individuals A magnetic dipole placed in an electro magnetic field rotates along the field Objects get attracted in a gravitational field There are many such physical and chemical properties Similarly karma happens not due to any kartha but due to gunas Lord Krishna points out the inbuilt automaticity in the physical word Even our own physical body operates fairly automatically While the analogy appears to present a tidy framework to explain the relationship between Gunas and Karma ârealisationâ of this truth and the transition is possible when own experiences sink in The main obstacle in this path of realisation is Ahankaar Our domestication makes us believe that we are the Karta giving rise to Ahankaar But in reality the interaction of these three Gunas creates Karma Lord Krishna says that this responsibility of selfimprovement falls squarely on our own shoulders and none other can make this happen https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-most-of-us-believe-66184.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-that-there-are-four-types-of-devotees-66187.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Krishna says that there are four types of devotees The first one wants to come out of difficulties and misery he is facing in life The second one desires to have physical possessions and worldly pleasures Most devotees fall in these two categories irrespective of culture gender belief systems etc Krishna says that these two kinds of devotees pray and perform rituals to various Devatas It is akin to approaching an appropriate doctor based on the ailment one suffers from Krishna further says that the desires of these devotees are fulfilled because of their Shradha It is in essence a form of surrender The following example will illustrate Shradha Two farmers who have adjacent farms decide to dig a well to irrigate their farms The first farmer would dig for a day or two and upon not finding any water would change the location and start digging afresh The second farmer persistently kept digging at the same place By the end of the month the first farmer is left with many ditches and the second one got water from the well Even when our senses donât find anything tangible like water in this case it is inner Shradha that keeps us moving as in the case of the second farmer Shradha is a fearless positive force and free of doubt Krishna hints that he is behind this Shradha which results in success Shradha in our relationships family ties and profession has the power to achieve miracles The third kind of devotee is about to cross the boundary of desires He is a curious person and seeks knowledge of self The fourth kind is a Gyani a wise one and he has crossed the boundary of desires He sees the Lord in everything and everywhere and has attained union with the almighty https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-krishna-says-that-there-are-four-types-of-devotees-66187.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-if-one-word-could-describe-the-entire-gita-it-would-be-drishta--66189.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan If one word could describe the entire Gita it would be â Drishta â a witness which appears in many contexts An understanding of this is important as most of us think âweâ do things and control situations Arjun who was about sixty at the time of the Kurukshetra war had lived a good life and enjoyed all luxuries As a warrior he had tasted victory in many a battle At the time of war he felt that he was the Karta Ahamkarta Ahankaar and felt that he would be responsible for the death of his kith and kin which led to his despondency on the battlefield The entire Gita is Lord Krishnaâs attempt to tell him that he is not the Karta The natural question that follows is ✠If I am not karta then what am Iâ The Lord explains in the Gita that Arjun is â Drishta â a witness Due to 60 years of good and bad life experiences Arjun finds it difficult to grasp the idea that he is only a â Sakshi â and not the â Karta â Only the Lordâs painstaking explanation convinces him of this fact Though most cultures tell us that we are just a â Drishta â those at the start of their spiritual journey end up being confused with the idea Drishta Sakshi is a state of intellect but is not manifest in the physical world It is the ability that helps us step back from the day to day happenings around ourselves and have internal stability It helps us realise that though it is in the nature of things to give us pleasure and pain we should always act without desiring any particular outcome karmaphal It is the ability to witness our feelings and subordinate them https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-if-one-word-could-describe-the-entire-gita-it-would-be-drishta--66189.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-arjuna-compares-the-mind-to-the-wind-66191.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Arjuna compares the mind to the wind and wants to know as to how to control it so that it maintains balance Krishna says that itâs certainly difficult but it can be achieved through the practice of Vairagya The mind is evolved to judge inputs brought in by the senses into safe and unsafe and uses memory while doing so This ability helped us survive and prosper during evolution The same ability of the mind can be used for internal judging which is called awareness We can feed our own thoughts and feelings back to the judging mind to improve the quality of judging Similar feedback mechanisms are used to enhance machine learning as well as to stabilize electronic systems Lord Krishna is hinting at developing this faculty through practice as this doesnât come naturally In terms of neuroscience itâs like building new neural networks Itâs easier to understand Vairagya by understanding its polar opposite Raag Raag is broadly a chase for pleasures in the manifested world like physical beauty careers and material possessions As per the principle of polarity every raag ends in vairagya but our attention is always on raag and we tend to overlook vairaagya Some philosophies like Stoicism advocate the use of death which is the peak of Vairagya Itâs called âMemento Moriâ ie constantly revisiting death In this they keep somethingmemento as a reminder of death at a prominent location in the work place or at home so that they constantly revisit it Indian philosophy refers to this as Shamshan Vairagya Krishna says that if you put Vairagya into practice it will stabilize the mind at the centre These lockdown periods gave us glimpses of vairagya moments A small steak of vairagya generated can help us to attain a balanced mind for peace and joy https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-arjuna-compares-the-mind-to-the-wind-66191.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-transcending-polarityduality-dwandwa-atheeth--66192.html K Siva Prasad is an IAS officer and these writings can be accessed at anchorfm GitaAcharan and mediumcom GitaAcharan Transcending polarityduality Dwandwaatheeth is another master key in the Gita Krishna advises Arjun repeatedly in different contexts to attain this state The common question that intrigues humanity is âHow does unpleasantnesspain come to us even when we strive to make sincere efforts to attain pleasureâ Instead of looking deeper within we reconcile ourselves by saying that maybe our efforts arenât sufficient However ahankaar coupled with hope motivates us to restart the process of pursuing pleasure and this goes on till the end of life Understanding of Dwandwaatheeth answers this question In the manifested world everything exists in relation to its polar opposite Dwandwa Birth is the polar opposite to death pleasure is to pain winlose profit loss attachdetach praisecriticism conditional lovehate and the list goes on The rule is when we chase one of these its polar opposite automatically follows If we lift the stick from one end the other end is bound to raise Another metaphor is that of the swinging pendulum When it travels to one side itâs bound to come to its polar opposite side As per the principle of polarity the pain of COVID19 will swing to pleasure in due course and history shows that similar difficult situations have brought us pleasure through improved science and technology Extreme polarities like COVID19 have the potential of accelerating the travel to the inner self Krishna tells us to transcend these polarities Being in the present is transcending the past and the future Similarly unconditional love is to transcend conditional love and hatred and so on All we need is awareness of these polarities and to observe them when we are swinging between them As long as we live exposure to polarities is natural and this awareness would help us transcend them https://dailyworld.in/blog/gita-acharan-transcending-polarityduality-dwandwa-atheeth--66192.html Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/new-education-policy-2020-miles-to-go-before-we-sleep-64736.html By Sachin Rana More than three decades have passed since the last policy on education was enacted  Now in a paradigm shift New Education Policy NEP2020 is in vogue and aspires to create a wave of Reform Transform Perform in the education sector of the country The policy is being portrayed as the landmark which will be holistic comprehensive and inclusive Once implemented it shall be impacting more than 400 universities 40000 colleges and 250 crore students approximately The NEP 2020 has been prepared by the committee headed by Dr K Kasturirangan ji and he has meticulously taken feedback from the indian and foreign educational experts The policy has also fetched comments and feedbacks from more than 225 lakh people coming from 25 Gram Panchayats 12500 institutes and 675 districts By any simple account it would be the highest level of participation that any policy has ever taken from the common people  In one of its recommendations the name of the earlier Ministry of the Human Resources Development has been changed to the Ministry of Education that is to bring the core function of the ministry to impart education and training back into the forefront The NEP 2020 is aiming to recognize identify and foster the unique capabilities of each student The focus is on multidisciplinarity and a holistic education across the sciences social sciences arts humanities ethics and human and constitutional values and sports in order to ensure the unity and integrity of all knowledge The policy also envisages that the extant 102 structure in school education shall be modified with a new pedagogical and curricular restructuring of 5334 covering ages 318 The policy is also facilitating multi entry and multi exit points to the students with Academic Bank of Credit and Choice Based Credit System However the challenges are many for this aspirational policy to achieve the intended outcomes The public expenditure on education has not been ever given due share In the policy of 1968 it was directed that at least 6 per cent of the GDP should be spent on Education However so far it is still a distant dream India ranks 62nd in total public expenditure on education per student and measures of the quality of education pupilteacher ratio in primary and in secondary education  and the country spent 3 per cent of its total GDP on education in 201819â said International Institute for Management Development IMD Education is in concurrent list of 7th Schedule of Article 246 of the Indian Constitution However in the vibrant federal structure like ours the role of the States is equally important and they should be taken onboard before deciding such an important policy  West Bengal and Jharkhand for instance have raised their objections on the policy Therefore it is expected from the Union Government to take them along so that students of these States do not lag behind Even though the policy is advocating the options to the students to study subjects as per their interests and understanding But are we sure that the students are in a position to make such decisions The rationality of their decisions will be limited by their exposure and the advice of their relatives and at best the teachers The course selection can only be made effective when there are apt number of students opting for a course and the school or college in the vicinity is offering such a course In view of the lack of such options the old system of education will continue wherein students are made to study what is made available by the institution Under the policy there is a concept for the Cluster of Institutions wherein a cluster should be made from the small institutions so as to have a minimum of 3000 students and the resources to be shared by them However former UGC chairman Sukhdev Thorat and teachersâ unions in Maharashtra opposed the concept of school complexes sharing resources such as library laboratory and teachers Under the Right to Education Act each school must have these facilities Further the inclusion of social workers in the teaching sphere for the children of the age of 3 to 6 years and emphasis on peer learning is sure to leave many qualified teachers unemployed  The issue of the vacancies in the education sector will pose another challenge to the policy implementation and the issue of the teachersâ protest their rights and the contractual nature of the jobs etc need to be settled in a time bound manner As highlighted in the policy itself âœteachers truly shape the future of our children and therefore the future of our nation It is because of this noblest role that the teacher in India was the most respected member of society Only the very best and most learned became teachersâ This can be achieved by creating an All India Service for Teachers wherein teachers are selected on merit by an independent agency of the Union Government and deputed to universities of the States for imparting quality education For clear recognition it may be named as Indian Teaching Service ITS Similarly a State agency may recruit other State level teachers for deploying them in the Schools This NEP is the most important policy of our country as it will be the guiding document for the generations to come Without any iota of doubt the policy has been drafted with the best intentions futuristic and visionary mindset to not only provide best quality education to children but also to make India an education destination like it was once during the time of Takshshila Nalanda and Vikramshila But miles to go before we sleep The author is an IAS officer and working as Special Secretary cum Director Technical Education Chandigarh The views expressed are personal  https://dailyworld.in/blog/new-education-policy-2020-miles-to-go-before-we-sleep-64736.html Sun, 13 Sep 2020 11:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/hollow-from-within-64738.html By Sumit Kumar Singh Conscription into military service and the pitiable standard of living of soldiers are resulting in the Peopleâs Liberation Army being a force with men and women having no stomach for fighting for the nation The worldâs largest army has been in the news in the past few months for all the wrong reasons particularly over its illconceived actions along the Line of Actual Control with India in Ladakh While the PLA lost a large number of its soldiers in the clash with Indian Army troopers on June 15 in Galwan Valley China has grudgingly admitted after days of silence on the matter that two of its officers died in that battle The actual PLA toll according to those with knowledge of what happened that night in Galway Valley was more than what they claimed The sacrifices of its soldiers have not even been recognized by the Chinese army and the nationâs political leadership to date The PLA has evolved over the years from a âpeasant armyâ to the present day force wherein it is desperately trying to match the joint operations capabilities of the US It remains far away from being a professional armed force Letâs look at its recruits who are conscripts They generally belong to the socially backward and disadvantaged sections Single child policy has created social insecurities and dependencies of the fastaging population Each soldier is known to bear responsibility for at least six aged people which reduces his risktaking ability and inhibits him from putting his life in danger This policy has also led to strong aversion to âbody bagsâ in Chinese society Borne out of cultural belief that a child is a gift and should be nurtured and protected older people are reluctant to expose their children to mortal danger The fact that children of senior party leaders do not join the PLA reveals Chinaâs pseudonationalism University graduates have a strong preference for technical jobs that too mostly out of China Sources have revealed that the PLA has been forced to incentivise jobs in the armed forces with inducements like easy membership of the Communist Party of China CCP better chances of going to university post the conscription period and soft loans for starting businesses The rank and file of PLA are not driven by valuebased soldiering and thoughts of serving the nation but are forced to serve a fixed period to avail of certain perks which in a democracy will be rightfully available to all an Army officer explained Pay and allowances for the conscripts are highly discriminatory While a conscript is paid 800850 Yuan equivalent of Rs 85009000 an officerâs pay starts at 10360 Yuan which is almost 13 times the pay of a recruit Given the high cost of living and dependencies of older parents a soldier finds it difficult to make ends meet There are restrictions on a soldier that he cannot stay with family in parts of Tibet whuch creates additional burden both emotional and financial Even though it is difficult to get data from China reports indicate that soldiers postpone their marriage and do not start a family while in the army âœThe ones who do do so at a very late age Delayed marriages are placing an additional burden on the social fabric of the countryside in Chinaâ the Army officer said Despite all this there is no concept of âwelfareâ in the PLA It is evident from the fact that PLA has not even tried to develop accommodation for its soldiers where families can live even in developed areas of Tibet On the other hand from the days of Mao PLA has nurtured a highly privileged officer class While they command much higher pay which can go up to 35000 Yuan or the equivalent of Rs 37500000 for a General they have limited accountability Till recently the PLA was running profitmaking ventures which provided for much better living standards of officers in comparison to the soldiers The gold standard of a professional army is its apolitical nature and a âcapability basedâ promotion opportunities available to all members in a transparent manner But the PLA sets itself apart over here too An important criterion for future promotion is not capability but membership of the CCP Being a âprincelingâ is a definite advantage In fact lobbying and bribing are common in PLA ranks for gaining favours like promotion Further loyalty to the ârising starsâ and the party are considered more important else one runs the risk of being âpurgedâ on cooked up charges Sources said that in the first quarter of this year more than 93000 officials had been âpurgedâ and mostly jailed Purging of senior military commanders has been taking place since 2013 and a number of senior Generals have been forced to retire and some are still languishing in jail While a facade is created of âcorruptionâ the actual reason as reported is that they may be professional soldiers who had perhaps fallen out of favour with the central leadership âœIn a recent trend PLA generals who were from the âantiXiâ camp have also been selectively targetedâ said a source Another significant trend is the supremacy of âpolitical commissarsâ appointed in the PLA by the CCP who enjoy much greater powers than the military commanders This trend starts from the rank of Commanding Officer upwards It goes without saying that these are not professional soldiers but party loyalists and thus have very limited understanding of military operations The PLA has been largely used by bosses in China to intimidate the opposition within the country and maintain a vicelike grip over Chinese society The fact that PLA has not seen active combat since 1979 has morphed the worldâs largest army into the worldâs largest âpersonalâ army serving only the top bosses of the party and not the country The efforts at modernisation backed by an everrising defence budget are yet to demonstrate their effectiveness Armed with weapons and battle systems which are a poor replica of western technology mostly stolen by China the PLA is yet to transform itself into an integrated and reliable war machine Marred by lack of professionalism and corruption there is an atmosphere of fear suspicion and riskaversion within PLA ranks to survive which their leaders prefer to tow the partyline in public though they may not be convinced of its merit The PLA has been using its retired soldiers and officers too for expanding its nefarious designs Given the number of veterans in China which stands at 57 million and is second only to the membership of the CCP they form an influential group Post retirement soldiers are employed either on projects of PLA Rocket Force and Nuclear Forces or are used for selling illegal weapons These can be easily found in the markets of Chiang Mai ThailandThere is no sense of âwelfareâ for the veterans after they retire and need the help of the state It is conveniently left to the provinces to provide for them In the last decade the veterans have increasingly felt disgruntled leading to unprecedented protests by them all over China in 2018 Fearing a backlash and to assuage the veterans the CCP was forced to establish new âPension Regulationsâ Beijing has only instituted a number of measures since 2018 on paper to address the problems of veterans âœThe PLA is used to viewing soldiers as cannon fodderâ said the officer Though they have been trying hard to change the perception of the world true professionalism is miles away from the haloed offices of Beijing IANS https://dailyworld.in/blog/hollow-from-within-64738.html Sun, 13 Sep 2020 11:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/pakistan-a-saga-of-paranoia-denial-and-cheating--64740.html BY BINAY KUMAR SINGH The Pakistan International Airlines PIA air crash in June that killed 97 people and the circumstances causing it beg a closer look It is widely believed that the pilots of the illfated PIA aircraft were fake who in all likelihood cheated in exams to secure a Civil Pilot Licence or perhaps went a step further and had imposters sit in their places It is reported that around 260 commercial pilots of Pakistani origin have been grounded across multiple airlines to set things in order The upshot of this incident is that Europe has taken an unprecedented step of banning PIA flights for six months But then this should not be a surprise for those well versed with Pakistanâs history of cheating The birth of Pakistan in itself was in every way a stillborn idea The annulling of the landslide victory of Sheikh Mujibur Rahmanâs Awami League of East Pakistan in 1970 General Elections by President General Yahya Khan of West Pakistan and the consequent call for self determination by East Pakistan ended in the mindless murder of three million Bengalis These events which precipitated the vivisection of Pakistan into Bangladesh in December 1971 bear a fitting testimony to the bankruptcy of the founding principles of Pakistan And yet the country continues to peddle the belief that faith is the glue that keeps it going and that the serious socioeconomicsecurity problems facing the country are the work of a âhidden handâ India Hussain Haqqani a prolific academic and a former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States in his seminal book âReimagining Pakistan Transforming a Dysfunctional Nuclear Stateâ argues that Pakistan was a premature feeble offspring at birth and although it survived critical infancy it never gained the strength necessary to combat its inborn ailmentsâ In my opinion the inborn ailments are the severe drought of selfless visionary leaders conspiracy thinking inferiority complex falsification of history obsession or paranoia about India and internecine power struggles that often throw up a corrupt military dictator The consequence of these âinborn ailmentsâ is widespread cultural and moral decadence of the Pakistani society Surprisingly though the Pakistani elite comprising mostly its Army generals and some politicians still manage to project a strong but misplaced notion of national pride built around superiority of its race military and nuclear weapons leaving millions of innocent Pakistanis in grinding poverty It is instructive to mention that Pakistan is home to the worldâs third largest illiterate population there are only 15 countries in the world with a lower literacy rate than Pakistan Corruption fraud and cheating form the very lifeblood of this dysfunctional state as substantiated in the following part of this article Fake websites have been created to promote fake global rankings listing InterServices Intelligence ISI as the worldâs best intelligence service and the former Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif as the worldâs best commander A ridiculous proposition ISI is anything but a professional agency that intimidates the common man through hired thugs and mercenaries As for the venerable General Raheel Sharif his military acumen and leadership remain to be tested in a worthmentioning military operation On the contrary Raheel Sharif is a symbol of corruption and nepotism He has managed to milk his position Army Chief from 2013 e2016 to grab hundreds of acres of land worth billions of rupees without consent of the civilian government In June 2020 it was reported that Pakistan enhanced military spending by 12 per cent to a whopping Rs 1700 billion including pension bill as against a total development budget of Rs 650 billion even as barely literate and unemployed youth continue to bulge at an alarming rate As per the latest Economic Survey the current allocation for defence is harebrained and unsustainable as Pakistan is heading towards massive joblessness around 19 million which would further accentuate the deplorable social conditions that Pakistanis are already reeling under According to one estimate just onefifth of Pakistanâs defence budget would be sufficient to finance universal primary education in the country which currently remains abysmally poor The increased defence spending is justified by creating antiIndia hysteria supported by a massive misinformation campaign and fraudulent propaganda It is widely known that the beneficiaries of such disproportionately high defence budgets have mostly been the highranking military officers mostly Army generals to the exclusion of Admirals and Air Marshals As per a news report in April 2016 former Army Chief 19982007 and former President of Pakistan 20012008 General Pervez Musharraf was in possession of Rs 2156 million in net cash in an offshore account in addition to immovable property worth several millions Also former Army Chief 20072013 and head of InterServices Intelligence 200407 General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is known to possess a multimillion dollar Swiss bank account He was also accused by a fellow officer of being involved in a major land scam in a Defence Housing Scheme Pakistanâs nuclear weapons programme like most other national achievements has a nefarious past It is common knowledge that Abdul Qadeer Khan born in Bhopal India the so called efather of Pakistanâs nuclear weapon programmeâ built the technology from a stolen design and sourced material from a network of grey markets to try and destroy his country of birth He is also instrumental in the secret proliferation of this technology to rogue countries like Libya and North Korea So much fuss about Pakistanâs nuclear weapons being the most important epillar of national prideâ In December 2019 a reputed international news agency carried a report that more than 600 young Pakistani girls mostly from the minority communities were fraudulently sold in marriage to the Chinese with the tacit approval of the state sadly most would end up in prostitution In May 2020 a massive scam amounting to 630 million was reported in a power project linked to the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor CPEC The Chinese companies involved made windfall profits to the tune of 70 per cent by swindling Pakistani customers It is widely acknowledged that Prime Minister Imran Khan can do little to rescue the common man as a retired Army Commander General Asim Saleem Bajwa who wields immense powers as the head of CPEC Authority would not dare antagonise the Chinese firms In many ways paranoia denial fraud and cheating have begun to define Pakistanâs national character crushing the wellmeaning but voiceless average Pakistanis under its weight In the aftermath of the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albrightâs statement powerfully summarises the arguments made thus far âœPakistan has everything that gives you an international migraine It has nuclear weapons it has terrorism extremism corruptione it is very poor e it is in a location thatâs really really importantâ In 73 years of its existence Pakistan has nothing that even a marginally successful country can talk about IANS https://dailyworld.in/blog/pakistan-a-saga-of-paranoia-denial-and-cheating--64740.html Sun, 13 Sep 2020 11:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/why-xi-jinping-launched-the-clean-plate-campaign-61472.html The writer RN Prasher is a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre The views expressed are his personal In the first part of this article we analysed the reasons for increase in rural poverty in China relative to urban prosperity due to focus of the state on urbanization urban infrastructure and industries and the service sector This is not to be little the high agriculture productivity achieved in China The average productivity for whole of that country for wheat and rice compares with that of Punjab which is highest for India However China is three times the size of India but has lesser arable land For both rice and wheat acreage in China has been declining while it has been increasing in India though overall production of these grains is 50 higher in China than in India China has boosted productivity through much higher application of fertilisers though heavy subsidies and through âœrice bagâ responsibility system for provincial governors which casts a responsibility on them to balance supply and demand The subsidies are huge though reliable data from that country is difficult to come by A document of the Chinese State Councilâs Development Research Centre calculated that in 2012 the state contributed more than 1200 Yuan more than 190 at 63 Yuan in 2012 per tonne of grain in terms of subsidies and other agricultural support For comparison US wheat was around 280 per tonne in that year which was a record high The growth in productivity in agriculture hits a peak sooner or later unless there is a major technological breakthrough This has happened in Punjab and it can be presumed that it might have already happened in China With rising prosperity of urban areas share of meat in diet has increased and correspondingly corn imports have been very high Simultaneously villages around expanding urban areas have increasingly taken to producing milk meat and vegetables leading to reduction in area under wheat and rice The new activities though lucrative require much higher levels of chemicals and inorganic fertilisers and use of plastics and have contributed significantly to environmental degradation Even the economic advantage can become illusory as happened last year when the spread of swine flue compelled pig farmers to destroy their livestock A report by Chinaâs Bureau of Statistics said that Chinaâs pig population had fallen by 40 million while Rabobank said this was an underestimation and the number could be as high as 200 million In December 2019 pork prices in China were up by 97 as compared to December 2018 In spite of many fervent declarations about food selfsufficiency China has been importing increasing quantity of grains both for human consumption as well as for cattle feed Such imports helped China gain influence with the leaders of these countries who won the support of farming lobby by securing orders from China But this happy scenario suffered a crash with the advent of Covid 19 The secretive communist state did all in its power to hold back information from the world directly and through WHO Nations of the world reacted with anger and indignation at this social and economic disaster inflicted upon them and demanded not only an investigation but also a de coupling from China The very nations US Canada and Australia that used to feel thrilled selling their grain surpluses to China are at the forefront of the demand for winning succour from dependence on China A triple whammy of drought floods and pests has added to the woes of the rural poor The wheat growing regions suffered serious drought Chinaâs State Grain and Reserves Administration estimated in July that the major wheat producing provinces in the north eastern and central China would produce only about half the wheat output of last year The output of corn and soybean was also lower Soon thereafter the rice producing south and south east came in the grip of recurrent floods the fifth wave of which is still continuing The Yangtze River basin has been flooded for the last two months at a level that is endangering the safety of the Three Gorges dam This region produces 70 of Chinaâs rice output The western region has lost some part of its agriculture production to locus attacks In the face of all this the state and the party has been claiming that there is no crisis as the country has reserves equal to one yearâs consumption China has been importing grains for the last several years with almost panic imports this yearraising the reserves to consumption ratio to 45 against FAO recommendation of 17 Some of these reserves are too old to befit for human consumption In July a video circulated on Weibo Chinaâs version of Twitter showed old grain stocks reduced to a powdery substance in stateâs Sinograin warehouse Rather than come out with the truth about the scale of the problem the authorities issued an order banning the carrying of phones and cameras to the warehouses When Mao faced a famine of monumental proportions in 19581962 after the failed Great Leap forward he launched the sparrow elimination campaign blaming the little birds for the food shortage Once the sparrows were eliminated thriving insects caused more agriculture losses forcing Mao to import 250000 sparrows from the USSR Now once again the expected food shortages are creating a spectre of rural unrest and damage to largerthanlife image of a prosperous China cultivated in the international arena Xi Jinping has reacted in the classical Mao way claiming that there is enough food in the country but it is immoral to waste food On August 11 he launched the âœClean Plate Campaignâ In a nation where it was considered a matter of prestige to pile the table with food for guests a war cry is being heard against wasting food Social media sites in China used to have extremely popular personalities called âœMukbangâ who would devour mountains of food in front of the camera They rushed to remove these posts as overnight they become objects of shame People visiting restaurants were asked to order one meal less than the number of diners A wag wondered what a single patron could order â maybe just a âœClean Plateâ The waiters were to advise the diners if they ordered too much food and ensure that the dishes were smaller than before One restaurant put a weighing scale at the entrance with the message that those already overweight should eat less True to allpervasive state power in the communist state inspectors were posted at major restaurants to report on people who left anything on the plate The latest to join the bandwagon is China Horse Industry Association CHIA that held a conference on August 21 to discuss how to reduce forage consumption by horses As the world watches in amusement Xi Jinping is a worried man His Belt and Road Initiative BRI is stuck in the aftermath of the virus with borrowing nations expressing their inability to pay the exorbitant loans Grabbing collaterals in too many caseslike he did with Shri Lankaâs Hambantota port would isolate China His own experts are predicting a whopping 130 million tonnes food shortage by 2025 Eliminating leftovers may not be enough to keep the biggest population on earth satiated In the concluding part of this article next week we shall show the implications for the world of a China suffering food shortages and rural poverty https://dailyworld.in/blog/why-xi-jinping-launched-the-clean-plate-campaign-61472.html Mon, 31 Aug 2020 11:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/breathing-while-running-59476.html The Author is MrNaresh Singh Nayal Asst Indian Blind Team NIEPVD Dehradun UK Why do we need to breathe while running When to breathe while running How and from where to breathe while running Why do we need to breathe and from where while running What role breathing plays in running How breathing affects performance in running There so many questions concerning breathing while running Breathing plays a very significant role in the whole process needed for running or while running Lets tackle these Why do we need to breathe while running Its very simple we all know that air contains oxygen which goes inside the lungs to burn the fuel for combustion This results in the production of energy which makes running easy and effortless More will be the oxygen more will be the spark will and hence it will produce more food for the body cells and tissues This energy is then converted into power which is ultimately consumed while performing the action ie running When to breathe while running Have you ever heard about breathing patterns Yes its there and plays a vital role Breathing is a continuous process and to prolong running we need to rely on this process The inhaling and exhaling of should match our stride frequency especially when we go with the pace running If it is not in a proper pattern it will fluctuate our stride frequency and stride length too How and from where we need to breathe while running We must breathe in more volume that too matching our stride frequency pattern Normally we breathe through our nasal path but it changes when we increase our pace Sometimes we feel very relaxed with nasal breathing It is true but still we are at the same pace for a longer time or we are not increasing or say bettering the pace So it is required the air or oxygen in more quantity is being inhaled by our mouth This increases the oxygen supply and the energy production will be faster in our body to convert it in productive energy Ultimately it will easy the efforts What role breathing plays in running Breathing plays a seriously vital role in running A good clean much volume of oxygen will increase the production energy It will decrease the impurity of blood which is formed by the process of combustion The carbon dioxide and the byproduct called lactic acid is being formed in our body If the action is performed with an appropriate amount of oxygen the carbon dioxide will be replaced regularly and the waste byproduct will be dispersed in the form of sweat mainly So if this process is happening properly we will not feel tiredness and the onset of lactic acid will be delayed The ultimate result will be no drop in our running pace The recovery during running will be faster How breathing affects performance in running It affects running drastically If we breathe morestrokes we run faster but if we breathe muchvolume we run farther with the same maintained pace Breathing is more effective and needed in volume while running long distances because of prolonged activity It prepares better food energy which converts into power energy in running It delays the onset of lactic acid formation which will maintain our stride length and frequency for a longer time and more distances It provides instant recovery during runs which help in prolonging our repetitive action The foremost thing is that it supplies more oxygen which helps in maintaining a higher hemoglobin level and it will keep our RBC level intactIt betters the functioning mechanism of the heart It pumps more volume of blood in fewer strokes which is known as an s heart But it comes or develops with more and more years of training Now it will help us to decide how and from where we breathe while running So keep breathing effectively and keep running more effortlessly Stay healthy https://dailyworld.in/blog/breathing-while-running-59476.html Fri, 21 Aug 2020 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/training-programs-why-and-how-55569.html The author is MrNaresh Singh Nayal Asst Coach Indian Blind Football Team NIEPVD Dehradun UK When things are going well everything seems perfect But if something unpleasant happens we ponder upon the facts and reasons behind its occurrence And we often dont realize that these socalled facts are nothing but conclusions derived out of our own or someone elses manipulations So it is always better to dream plan and execute things smartly and use a systematic as well as scientific approach in making longrun decisions Think of the reasons why you ever started running or took any other sport While answering this question try to be honest with yourself If you started for mere enjoyment then you would feel blissful even with 60 percent of your total capable efforts But if you plan to step into a higher level of that physical activity then you are on the verge of progression It requires proper planning execution and some other important factors also come into play Therefore you must follow this under a certified supervision Have you ever wondered why milestones are always kept at proper and particular distances only Why runners of different running categories follow different training plans Why coaches for different events are deputed strategically by the Sports Authority of India Why do athletes need to go through different levels of competition The answer is to achieve a proper progression under properly guided abled and effectively executed coaching plans But if we dont follow this correctly then the answer is very simple Either the training plan collapses or the trainee himself collapses It is better to go with the first one than the latter as the traineerunner is undoubtedly more valuable We can always prepare a different training program but a runner or trainee of the same calibre and experience is quite tough or say nearly impossible to find If we look into the present scenario things are changing Most of us are following virtual means of training programs or we are coaching ourselves So do follow your dreams but dont be in a hurry of chasing and achieving them Be patient and explore Always follow the progression of load at any terms but never forget the killer overtraining Certain hours of training are essential before shifting to the next level At last I would like to conclude by saying just follow the right choice for your bodys recreation and always listen to your body But be impartial while listening to it Dont be fascinated by the colours of rainbow upto that extent which provokes you to jump from a high point to catch it Just enjoy the beauty of it Be very smart and choosy while selecting the runs for a calendar year https://dailyworld.in/blog/training-programs-why-and-how-55569.html Wed, 05 Aug 2020 12:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/impact-of-covid-19-on-education-schools--43191.html The Author the Dr Arjumand Zaidi the Director of St Xavierâs Convent School National President Youth For Human Rights India she can be reached at wwwarjumandzaidiinfo The world has come to a halt with the Coronavirus pandemic and unlike anything ever before we have united in the fight against it Since it is affecting everyone across the globe the field of education has to navigate their way around this But the sudden impact that has taken over every field is overwhelming There is a growing concern about managing education in this unpredictable time Even though we are lucky to live in a time where technology has achieved many feats and has made it easier for communication to take place among all of us But even then this is an unusual situation and it is difficult to cope with in terms of students needing teachers and constant care Our best friend during this time has been the internet with whose help we have organised groups on social media to help kids and their parents receive help and direct their kids according to teachersâ instructions Now more than ever we need to come together and use our time wisely and make sure that we come out of this using positive energy This is the time parents can use to get to know their children and the progress their children might have made along with helping them study Parents and children can use this time to bond and understand how they can do better not only as students and teachers but as human beings Good education begins at home and seeing as there is enough time for us to use it as best as we can We should be positive and work towards becoming better at the things we love and the things that matter If we keep up the good positive energy we will come out of this stronger and happier and more excited about our future than worried about our past The future is full of possibility and we are all capable of achieving great things The recovery from this pandemic should be undertaken slowly and steadily to ensure that parents and students are not overwhelmed with everything that has happened Schools should be well aware of measures to be taken to ensure that parents and children are made to feel comfortable and safe and not worried about what will happen This is a difficult time for everyone and we should remember that it is just as difficult on students as it is on parents There should be relief sessions to organise awareness programs and counselling sessions for students and parents alike to ensure that they feel good when they come to the school Educational institutes should have facilities for the counselling of parents and children for specific ways to include healthier diets and nutrition to improve the health Students should also be reassured about the conduction of exams and boards and should not feel too stressed as this is an extremely unpredictable situation for everyone In this difficult time we should remember to take our mental health as importantly as our physical health Measures should be taken for the relief of stress about any upcoming events and the parents and students should remember to be patient kind and cooperative with the school staff and administration We need to treat everyone with kindness because this is a trying time for every individual and every family Students should especially be kind and understanding when it comes to their teachers and should maintain decorum and deal with online classes respectfully Even though teachers might not be present in these situations students should maintain a clear line of respect for the effort teachers and the school staff are making in this trying time Let us not lose hope and instead focus on preparing for the future a very unique and different future to the one we were hoping to meet before this We should know that our survival will become a lesson of inspiration for the generations to come and we cannot disappoint our future https://dailyworld.in/blog/impact-of-covid-19-on-education-schools--43191.html Tue, 16 Jun 2020 18:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/blog/a-shout-out-to-all-the-nation-builders-42927.html The author is Ms Sonika Sethi she can be reached at sonrok15gmailcom In a recent report by UNESCO more than 91 percent of the student population across the world has been affected by COVID19 pandemic This amounts roughly to 157 crore students across 191 countries India has a similar woeful tale to narrate Approximately 32 crore students studying in schools and colleges across the country have been forced to stay home due to the pandemic and its associated precautionary measure lockdown However the situation on the academic scenario is not as grim as it seemsCudgels have been taken up by the government to reach out to all the students out there by promoting virtual classroom teachinglearning methods While the Education Minister of the country the Chief Ministers of all the states and all the whoâs who embarked upon a selfcongratulatory trail selfapplauding and selfpatting on the back for creating a channel between the students and their education they conveniently chose to overlook and appreciate the central link required to forge this chain the teacher The Prime Minister of the country urged the entire nation to come out and show support and respect to all the âœCorona Warriorsâ including doctors nurses paramedics and police personnel on 5 April at 9 pm by switching off all the lights in their houses and lighting diyas candles or switching on the flash lights of their mobile phones The nation wholeheartedly supported the appeal and stood on their balconies or terrace to show solidarity Some even went to the extent of bursting firecrackers and sounding horns A few enthusiasts even fired gunshots to ward off the evil spell caused by the Chinaborne virus A few days later the Armed forces of the country paid a befitting tribute to these âœwarriorsâ by showering them with flowers and petals via their hightech choppers The media print and social is going berserk with pictures and posts of Ministers statesmen and NGOs in a rush to garland and honour the health workers The average Indian has taken all this in a spirited manner However no such efforts or appreciation has been shown towards the teachers of schools and colleges the socalled Nation Builders who have been equal contributors in these trying times Mustafa Kemal Ataturk former President of Turkey said âA good teacher is like a candle â it consumes itself to light the way for othersâ What Ataturk didnât realize was that in the times of COVID19 the poor teacher will have to burn both its ends to meet the demands of its students as well as the society Most of them have not been paid salaries ever since the lockdown but instead of holding any grudge against it they are reaching out to their students in the remotest corners of the country The government has been conveniently handing out to them a number of nonacademic chores too Some of which include calling random numbers to enquire about the wellbeing of the families distribution of ration purchase of grains in the mandis so on and so forth The teachers who are already grappling with this new form of techbased teaching are further burdened by the school or college authorities who chalk out webinars and faculty development or training programs to enhance their skills Often these webinars are on such trivial issues like stress management or time management They hardly realize that most of the stress in the lives of the teachers these days owes its genesis to such unwanted activities A female teacher in the lockdown period gets up early in the morning cleans her house as there are no maids to make her life easy she cooks breakfast makes preparations for lunch because by the time she ends her online classes it would be lunchtime She hurriedly finishes her lunch washes the dishes and then runs off to log in to the training classes the authorities have arranged for the faculty The session ends near tea time She serves tea to the family who expect some snacks along with tea since sheâs at homeand the kids definitely need variety In the evening she does laundry cooks dinner and then sits down to prepare her notes for the next dayâs class or some assignments for the students Her plight is unimaginable One would say that her family should be lending a helping hand in doing the household chores Well the kids have their online classes too and later on they get busy with the homework So she is not only a teacher but also a maid a cook a washerwoman a wife and a mother As if this was not enough some parents find this to be an opportune time to indulge in âœteacher bashingâ Some of them are so callous that they post rude posts and comments in their social media groups The other day a friend read out a post where one of the parents was complaining that she overheard the teacher while her son was taking his online class and the teacherâs accent and pronunciation were âœatrociousâ Another complained about the faulty teaching methodology of the teacher Why canât the parents stop their whining and complaining and for a moment appreciate the teacherâs intent and efforts in trying to reach out and teach their wards The society instead of finding faults should appreciate the fact that the teachers too like everybody else were unprepared for such circumstances and are new to these technical applications Still they are doing their best to unlearn the old methodology and adapt to the new pedagogical approaches while simultaneously trying to strike a balance between their work and personal life So the next time some minister or administrative decides to gloat over the successful implication of virtual classroom teaching they must remember to include a word of praise for the teachers the nation builders who are neckdeep in the task of educating the future generation of the country despite such odds In case they forget hereâs a shout out to all the teaching fraternity which is doing a tremendous job Someone has rightly said âA great teacher can teach Calculus with a paper clip and literature in an empty field Technology is just another tool not a destinationâ https://dailyworld.in/blog/a-shout-out-to-all-the-nation-builders-42927.html Mon, 15 Jun 2020 12:44:00 +0530