It is almost 3 am and we just returned from visiting multiple grieving homes. At the crack of dawn, the lifeless bodies of nine young girls will make their last journey, to an unexpected and untimely fiery end.
At about 2 pm in the afternoon, 13 or so hours ago, 7 teachers of a wellknown local school and two friends were swept away by waves as they frolicked unsuspecting in the frothy, sinister waters of Chorwad beach.
At 7pm, 8 or so hours ago, we were gathered in the BJP karyalay, awaiting news of the arrival of the lifeless forms of what hours before had been 9 promising lives.
At 11.30pm, about 4 hours ago, we began the pilgrimage to all nine wailing homes.
This was no longer an election stunt, since the voting booths closed 36 hours ago. It was a lesson in leadership. It was about sharing the pain of a few unfortunate families. I saw another side of my political brethren as they absorbed some of the heartrending grief of their fellow citizens of Rajkot.
Is this what netas do? Is this how leaders are made?
In a jhopadpatti at the edge of beyond, I began to find meaning in my just begun political safari. We spent over an hour looking for this particular home. The father is in the army and was hastening back upon hearing the news of his daughter. From some corner of MadhyaPradesh. Sadly, he will not make it in time to light the funeral pyre of his beloved 'dikri'.
The family has no friends and there wasn't anyone around to lessen their desolate grief. At all the other homes, we experienced milling crowds of wellwishers.
The house was barely livable. A sister and a brother sat mutely, uncomprehendingly next to the still form of their sibling.
A mother wailed somewhere in the background, heard but not seen.
We called two party workers to the scene, rudely awakening them from their nearby slum homes. They were there in a few minutes and taking charge within seconds.
The faces of the family came alive as they spoke to us about their daughter. This had been a special teacher, I sensed. The grief was then all the more.
We left soon to return to the comfort of our homes, so far away from the harsh realities of what is very likely the real India.
I had felt helpless when I first heard the news. I will go to sleep in a few moments, wiser and more appreciative of 'politicians'. Many travel the same paths I propose to take, paths of service before self.
Good night! :-)
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wake up and VOTE!!
In 2004, only 33% people in
"Don't forget this burden will fall on you also, even if you do not vote," We, the people of
Truth is always bitter and the truth is when it comes to voting, we get entangled in petty things overruling competency. We are the best whiners in the world. We keep cursing our politicians for all the problems we face. We have conditioned ourselves to do so and have become used to blame the system or the politicians for every problem
It is quite natural that we are never blessed with the best of the choices. That’s the way of life. Among the choices, however, it is our duty to pick up the best of the lot. Either we should locate the right choice we needed or become one. Same theory can be applied in voting. As an eligible intelligent responsible voter, you should know your candidates before you vote.
1. Education - What is their qualification?
2. Personal Assets - What is their current asset value?
3. Criminal Background - Do they have criminal records against them?
Equipped with this information you can make an informed choice and vote for a better candidate and contribute towards good governance. The results will not be immediate but we should start cleansing now to achieve it at the highest level.
What is that you can do to bring in a change? Before we criticize politicians or the system, let’s do your duties. Go to the polling booth on the polling day as early as possible and exercise your duty. Encourage ATLEAST FIFTY(50) people, including your family, neighborhood and friends to do the same. Try to educate the illiterate around you that the Rs 500 or Rs 1000 he was paid by the candidates on Election Day may give him a temporary relief but would keep him there for ever. Educate him to vote for a bright future. Ask him to vote for a change his life style or their children’s social status. All I can say to you people is:
¨ Don’t fail to vote
¨ Cast your vote with care.
¨ Keep aside personal interests, caste, creed, region, religion when you vote
¨ Discourage regional parties and independent candidates
- Vote, and if you cannot vote (age limit, no election card etc.), then make sure that you make ATLEAST FIFTY (50) other people vote…
Don't sit at home making cynical comments. Go out and vote; be a part of the change-effect. Don't allow criminals and the corrupt get elected.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Our experience
This was the first time we did some work for a social cause. We have been trying our best to spread awareness amongst people about the elections that are going to be held on the 30th of this month.The work that we have been doing has really made us proud. We feel that we have fulfilled our duty as citizens of India. We are glad that we have tried to make a difference. We were an integral part of the team involved in spreading awareness in the school, around residential areas and places where people were completely unaware about the election scenario. The response of the people has been terrific and this has compelled us to work with increased dedication and enthusiasm. Though at some places, we did not get the response we had expected but that did not dampen our spirits and we continued our endeavour. At certain times, things got quite demanding and we all had to push our limits and squeeze in extra hours to cope up with our daily routines. The short span of time that we have spent working will be cherished by us for the rest of our lives. This experience has moulded us into more responsible citizens of India and we would be glad to be of service of our country whenever need be.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Youth Consious Country -Neel Shukla
THE CHANGING COUNTRY: THE YOUTH BECOMES CONCIOUS
I am a student who just appeared for the first board exam of my life and just like all of you, I am very eager about our country and to see it progress. However, just like all of you, I was also very pessimistic about it until our very own Kiran Sir was approached by the Chief Minister of Gujarat himself – Mr. Narendrabhai Modi to contest for the Lok Sabha seat from Rajkot. This only goes to show that the current scenario requires well educated and dedicated people with a deep understanding of the political system.
What I would like to tell the youth of Gujarat and in fact the youth of India is that I come from an educational institution that rests more or less on Kiran Sir’s shoulders. He is someone who has vision, which a lot of people have but the difference here is that he implements what he says. He is very passionate for education and wants to see the youth of India grow and development. He has made a lot of opportunities available in the field of education and sports for many like me.
It is rare that one comes across people like Kiran Sir and I say this not just as a student from his school but because there have been a lot of times where I interacted with him and thus I say this from individual experience. He has made me realize that knowledge is meant to be shared and not held back, which is what awes me. Kiran Sir is the kind of leader who can be approached by anybody without any hesitation. I would love to work with him at any opportunity I get.
I urge all of you, my friends, to please participate in this process by actively voting for Kiran Sir as well as waking up the sleepy citizens to come out and vote. Let us all support Kiran Sir in everyway possible way.
If Mr. Kiran Bhalodia, an educationist has taken this leap ahead, it is time, we as the youth of this country should only go forward and take this venture ahead in whatever way we can.
Neel Shukla.
I am a student who just appeared for the first board exam of my life and just like all of you, I am very eager about our country and to see it progress. However, just like all of you, I was also very pessimistic about it until our very own Kiran Sir was approached by the Chief Minister of Gujarat himself – Mr. Narendrabhai Modi to contest for the Lok Sabha seat from Rajkot. This only goes to show that the current scenario requires well educated and dedicated people with a deep understanding of the political system.
What I would like to tell the youth of Gujarat and in fact the youth of India is that I come from an educational institution that rests more or less on Kiran Sir’s shoulders. He is someone who has vision, which a lot of people have but the difference here is that he implements what he says. He is very passionate for education and wants to see the youth of India grow and development. He has made a lot of opportunities available in the field of education and sports for many like me.
It is rare that one comes across people like Kiran Sir and I say this not just as a student from his school but because there have been a lot of times where I interacted with him and thus I say this from individual experience. He has made me realize that knowledge is meant to be shared and not held back, which is what awes me. Kiran Sir is the kind of leader who can be approached by anybody without any hesitation. I would love to work with him at any opportunity I get.
I urge all of you, my friends, to please participate in this process by actively voting for Kiran Sir as well as waking up the sleepy citizens to come out and vote. Let us all support Kiran Sir in everyway possible way.
If Mr. Kiran Bhalodia, an educationist has taken this leap ahead, it is time, we as the youth of this country should only go forward and take this venture ahead in whatever way we can.
Neel Shukla.
Shama Shah - Testimonials
There’s not much that I need to say when the person being talked about is Mr. Kiran Bhalodia. His actions are word enough. I hope you are not rolling your eyes thinking this yet another student just spewing out goody-goody words about him. The fact is even though I try to very objectively talk about him, I end up saying what I already have because that is how the man, we all know as Kiran Sir, is.
Indian poilitics today, seems to be on a down-hill ride with each new leader only disappointing us with unfulfilled promises and never-ending speeches. As the Lead-India campaign rightly says, how long will we expect a 60-year old individual, who is not considered fit to work in an office and thus is expected to retire, to administrate an entire nation. This is just so true. How long should we wait for an educated, elite member of the society, to take the reigns in his hands and make us feel our votes have not been wasted? I guess the time is now…what Kiran Sir has done for us is to show us that it is never too late and it is actually every citizen’s basic duty to contribute to the workings of the country in any way we can, be it by becoming a part of the system or the least, by voting.
These days, I come across more of the drawing room politicians than actual ones. All we do is to sit in our drawing rooms and comment on the decisions that our so-called leaders are taking but we won’t even once think of waking up and taking a stand. If someone does recommend this, we say it’s such a dirty system; it’s not something that we can do, or the most favorite of them all, “we are not meant for this”!
I won’t go on with this because we have heard this on and off…lets just say, Kiran Sir has shown us a path which if we choose to walk on, the coming generations would have less to complain about, whether it be about the country itself or the way our government works…
My appeal to all you is just this…the least we can do is vote!!!
Shama Shah
Indian poilitics today, seems to be on a down-hill ride with each new leader only disappointing us with unfulfilled promises and never-ending speeches. As the Lead-India campaign rightly says, how long will we expect a 60-year old individual, who is not considered fit to work in an office and thus is expected to retire, to administrate an entire nation. This is just so true. How long should we wait for an educated, elite member of the society, to take the reigns in his hands and make us feel our votes have not been wasted? I guess the time is now…what Kiran Sir has done for us is to show us that it is never too late and it is actually every citizen’s basic duty to contribute to the workings of the country in any way we can, be it by becoming a part of the system or the least, by voting.
These days, I come across more of the drawing room politicians than actual ones. All we do is to sit in our drawing rooms and comment on the decisions that our so-called leaders are taking but we won’t even once think of waking up and taking a stand. If someone does recommend this, we say it’s such a dirty system; it’s not something that we can do, or the most favorite of them all, “we are not meant for this”!
I won’t go on with this because we have heard this on and off…lets just say, Kiran Sir has shown us a path which if we choose to walk on, the coming generations would have less to complain about, whether it be about the country itself or the way our government works…
My appeal to all you is just this…the least we can do is vote!!!
Shama Shah
Testimonials - Bhavya Vyas
I cannot find the perfect words to begin describing our Kiran Sir. In the past 16 years of my school life, I’ve seen him, observed him and learnt a great deal from him. A brilliant orator, a charismatic leader and one of the most innovative and intellectual personalities I have had the goon fortune of meeting. He has been a most versatile individual, knowledgeable about almost everything, be it the most happening developments in the world or the most destructive calamity, natural or man-made. His speeches in the morning assembly at school invigorated students and teachers alike. His jokes woke up those still sleepy from all-nighters. He has always been highly respected in the school community, in the whole TGES family. And yet, we students did not dare do anything we shouldn’t while he was present in school.
I still remember how he would be the first to set up huge helping programs in the face of a calamity. His speeches would be touching, they used to move us all, encourage us to take part wherever required for the social cause. We students were motivated to be actively involved in times of need by seeing his participation in the same. The Gujarat earthquakes, the Godhra riots, the Mumbai floods, the numerous bomb blasts, the list goes on and on. The school would set up collection centers for funds and various necessary items for distribution. Our whole system would be on the move over a long period of time till the situation was dealt with, and Kiran Sir would personally be there to ensure that at all times.
One of the most notable traits I recall from his morning speeches is this – he always had an interesting topic to talk about. If there had been an important piece of newscast the day before, he would be updated not only with the facts and figures but would also have his own novel ideas to add. On the other hand, he always had a back-up of immensely creative thoughts and actions in mind which he would put up for discussion and debate. I do not remember a single speech when he would be just speaking of this and that, there would always be a specific target or objective for his speech.
His administrative skills are enviable. He has a strong hold over all his schools, and yet one which is flexible and adaptable to the situations. He has zero tolerance for things which are out of place and yet accommodates any action taken when the time calls for them, whatever they might be. And the success of all his ventures in a surprisingly short amount of time is an example of this. As a student, I can testify to the fact that today, his schools are considered the topmost by students and parents alike.
His unfailing presence at all school functions was astonishing, considering his active business and social life, and yet he would be one of the first on the courtyard the next morning. In fact, there was a popular joke among the students some time ago that one of the most efficient machines ever to be constructed was Mr. Kiran Patel.
This is our Kiran Sir. A highly respected administrator, an innovative thinker and a motivating force to all his students. A person to look up to and learn from. On behalf of the student community, I wish him all the best for all tasks and challenges facing him now and in the future.
-Bhavya Vyas
I still remember how he would be the first to set up huge helping programs in the face of a calamity. His speeches would be touching, they used to move us all, encourage us to take part wherever required for the social cause. We students were motivated to be actively involved in times of need by seeing his participation in the same. The Gujarat earthquakes, the Godhra riots, the Mumbai floods, the numerous bomb blasts, the list goes on and on. The school would set up collection centers for funds and various necessary items for distribution. Our whole system would be on the move over a long period of time till the situation was dealt with, and Kiran Sir would personally be there to ensure that at all times.
One of the most notable traits I recall from his morning speeches is this – he always had an interesting topic to talk about. If there had been an important piece of newscast the day before, he would be updated not only with the facts and figures but would also have his own novel ideas to add. On the other hand, he always had a back-up of immensely creative thoughts and actions in mind which he would put up for discussion and debate. I do not remember a single speech when he would be just speaking of this and that, there would always be a specific target or objective for his speech.
His administrative skills are enviable. He has a strong hold over all his schools, and yet one which is flexible and adaptable to the situations. He has zero tolerance for things which are out of place and yet accommodates any action taken when the time calls for them, whatever they might be. And the success of all his ventures in a surprisingly short amount of time is an example of this. As a student, I can testify to the fact that today, his schools are considered the topmost by students and parents alike.
His unfailing presence at all school functions was astonishing, considering his active business and social life, and yet he would be one of the first on the courtyard the next morning. In fact, there was a popular joke among the students some time ago that one of the most efficient machines ever to be constructed was Mr. Kiran Patel.
This is our Kiran Sir. A highly respected administrator, an innovative thinker and a motivating force to all his students. A person to look up to and learn from. On behalf of the student community, I wish him all the best for all tasks and challenges facing him now and in the future.
-Bhavya Vyas
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)