Let Society be a Part and Parcel of Our New Year Resolutions

If there is something in this world that keeps moving all the time, that is nothing else but TIME. As we grow, we see old years passing by and new years coming into our lives. And it's always our hope and wish that new year brings us happiness, peace and prosperity. This is what almost everybody believes in. What we sometimes fail to understand is one cannot live a peaceful and a happy live unless the society around us is happy and peaceful. As human beings we are social and hence the society determines standards of our lives to some extent or the other.

Along with the personal goals and wishes that everyone likes to aim for in a new year, unless one takes up resolutions that makes society and the nation a part and parcel of their resolutions and goals, the years keep passing, and our hope of peace and happiness remain as a hope and nothing changes except the mere numeric year. I am sure we all do not want 2013 to be a mere numeric year for us in our lives but we want 2013 as an year that brings a changes in our lives. And as I said, the real happiness can be experienced only when the whole society around us experiences happiness. Let's resolve to undertake the following in 2013:

1. I will spend time and resources for serving the poor, downtrodden, old and those handicapped by physical and mental challenges to what ever least extent that I am capable of.
2. I will cast my vote in every election that comes in my constituency be it local, state or national elections.
3. I will not go by what media says but I will consider what media says and go by my own judgement and come to an opinion on any issue.
4. I will not get involved in any kind of corruption that is possible either as a giver or a taker
5. I will respect all the fellow beings and women as our family members and strengthen India's culture of treating everyone as a part of our own family. "Vasudaiva kutumbakam"
6. I will execute all my fundamental duties such as paying taxes, keeping my surroundings clean and neat, protecting public property etc.
7. I will stand up and question any Government authority when I find them not doing their job or when they behave carelessly with the citizens.
8. I will do my bit in protecting our Indian culture, arts and folk which we are proud of and which makes us very unique in the world and I will strongly protest the westernization of our culture.
9. I will keep reading good literature of at least 1 to 2 pages everyday and learn and live by the good thoughts and values
10. I will live by the attitude of "Nation First and Self Last"

I am sure that the above 10 things are not sufficient enough to make our society a very happy and prosperous one but I am sure you would agree with me that if all of us can follow at least the above mentioned ones, we can see 2013 as an year of Change.

Be the change that you wish to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

Telangana, a subject of political convenience for political parties

Blogging has been the best way of expressing my thoughts and views on several interesting socio-political and economic issues. My blogs have not only given me an opportunity to speak up on different issues but also they gave me a chance to keep myself updated with different perspectives on same issues through the interesting comments made by visitors of this blog.

I am happy that I am back to my blogging business. Had it been a few days back, I would have chosen the topic that everyone likes i.e, Modi, the man of Media :) Or had it been two days back, I would have chosen to talk about the God of Cricket Sachin and his retirement to ODIs. But since I have started today, I thought I will blog on Telangana all party meeting that's being convened tomorrow at Delhi by the central Govt.

This meeting at Delhi is so interesting and so significant for us that one can see all kinds of cheap politics that political parties can play with emotional and sensitive issues. The congress party which is a ruling party both at the state and the center and also as the party which invited all the recognized political parties of Andhra Pradesh for the meeting has no clear stand on Telangana. They try to make Telangana matter so complex and so never ending that they invite two members from each party so that they can fool people of both regions by expressing two different opinions which they think would please people from both the regions. The Congress party thinks that this is a great solution that they offer for the most intriguing problem. They think this is a great strategy that emerges out of the 120 years of long political experience of Congress. And they think that carry the legacy of Ambedkar and Indira Gandhi in decision making. The best part of the whole episode is Mr Shinde says he has casually convened the all party meeting to understand the issues and the views. Is he not aware of Chidambaram's dec 9th statement inside and outside parliament? Is he not aware of the Justice Shri Krishna's committee and its deep dive analysis and recommendations? Isn't the congress aware of public opinion that's expressed through various bypolls that happened in Telangana? Isnt the congress aware of the political stands of various political parties? Why should the Home Minister causally convene a meeting of such sort on such a sensitive issue for which thousands of youth have put their lives. If they are so serious in showing a solution, let them first have their stand clear before they ask for an opinion from other parties.

It's not just congress which plays this game of undermining the sentiments of people but its the same case with all major political parties including TRS which calls itself a party of people's movement. The TDP which played a spoiler role when Chidamabaramji aanounced the formation of Telangana, says that they too are in support of Telangana. What a joke? And it thinks that people are convinced with their stand. YSRCP, the party that emerged with altogether a different kind of ideology says they too respect the sentiments of people of Telangana people and they too would express an opinion respecting the sentiments of people of Telangana. Do the people of telangana forget that its president Jagan shouted slogans against Telangana with a placard opposing Telangana in the Lok Sabha. The TRS which believes that its the only party which has been with the people of Telangana all along the way says the meeting is useless. If it is so, what's the action plan that it has to achieve the goal? If the meeting is so useless,  then why doesn't KCR register a strong protest with the central Government. Has he uttered at least a single word on the PM and Soniaji for their carelessness in resolving the issue?

Telangana by and large has become the matter of politicial convenience for all the major political parties of Andhra Pradesh including the TRS. Power may come and go, one may win and lose but in a democracy, the aspirations and the dreams of people occupies the highest position in the agenda of political parties is what the architect of our constitution, Dr Ambedkar said. He also said the constitution gives the full power to the parliament to act in accordance with the dreams of people. Neither the political parties nor the Parliament seems to do justice to the spirit of our constitution. If that's the case, I think its high time for people of Telangana, organisations and the leaders leading the movement to rethink their strategy. It's ime to think if they want to put political parties in forefront of the movement. Its time for them to look forward for an alternative parliament which can act. Then alone the long aspiration and dream of people of Telangana may get realized, Then alone the souls of hundreds of martyrs of the movement would rest in peace. Then alone a solution can emerge for the most intriguing problem that has paralyzed the whole state for last 3 years.

Vivekananda Youth Convention at Warangal

Youth life is the most precious part of the life. It's the best time one passes through. The way in which we utilize this period will decide the nature of coming years that lie ahead of us. Our happiness, our success, our achievements, our name and fame all depend upon the way in which we live in this youth period. Not just our indivisual happiness or success, but even the country's success in the future will depend upon how we conduct ourselves during this age.

The most special feature of this age is that we can mould ourselves physically, mentally and spirituality in the way we want. We possess all the required energy and enthusiasm required for that. This is best articulated by none other than our youth Icon and the greatest patriot of this country Swami Vivekananda.

The teachings of Swamiji are most relevant for the youth specially in this current scenario when the youth is in a dilemma not understanding how to channelise their energy in a right purpose, how to keep themselves away from several distractions brought by westernization and globalisation. Keeping this in mind, a number of organizations including the Government of India and Rama Krishna Math are organising several youth conventions across the country on the eve of 150th birthday of Swami Vivekananda to take his message to the youth.

The youth convention with around 10,000 students organised by Rama Krishna Seva Samithi at Arts College grounds at Warangal is one such program in the recent past. Swamijis from Rama Krishna missions from across the country travelled to Warangal to pass on Vivekananda's message to the youth and humanity. Gujjula Narsaiah, renowned educationist and my mentor has chaired the program while Prabhuji, the coordinator of Rama Krishna Seva Samithi has been the organising secretary of the program. It is one of the biggest mass programs that I have ever been part of. India needs more and more such programs in every nook and corner for it to come closer to becoming a truly global leader.

Pilani, An Unforgettable Journey

Pilani, by its unique culture, lifestyle and values occupies a special place in any BITSian life. It leaves an undelible impression on shaping up the mindset and personality of a BITSian. Post Pilani also, Pilani continues to be a source of inpiration, a source of freindships and a source of values. It's a privilege and exciting experience for any BITSian to go back to the campus and get reminded of the place that has taught us what life is all about, to get reminded of the passions that we discovered in ourselves, the freindships that we built, finally the fun we had. I along with Chethan, Ravindar, Mohan were fortunate enough to experience one such trip to Pilani.

Rounds within the campus, interaction with the BITSians, discissions with Nirmaanites, meetings with profs, shikanji and khela rabdi at Redis, lacha session at ANC, fun session at Nuthan, Chai at IC took us back to good old Pilani days. All in all, it was a wonderful and refreshing trip.

School Building Inauguration at Akividu and Siddapuram

Education is the foundation for any society to progress and prosper. This is one program that's planned in that direction by Sagar in his home town in West Godavari with the help from Two cents of Hope. Following are few pics of the school buildings inauguration programs that I have attended at Akividu and Siddapuram villages of West Godavari.

In Akividu meeting, I spoke about how great people like Vishweraya, Ambedkar etc. have succeeded in life inspite of their challenging backgrounds and how they have contributed to the nation in their lifetime. I tried to fill inspiration in them by providing such examples that one can achieve great hieghts in one's life if one has a passion and if one works hard towards that passion.

In Siddapuram, I spoke about corruption, the root cause and some measures through which each one of us can participate in eradicating corruption. I also spoke how we as a nation are losing our uniqueness by ignoring and abusing our own culture and values and by blindly westernising ourselves. I said we as a Nation need to work on these two issues if we have to progress and prosper towards becoming a supreme power.

Gram Swaraj - Gandhiji's Path for Poorna Swaraj

This speech delivered at a conference on Rural Development at NIT Warangal is a small tribute to Mahatma's thought leadership. This speech is based on Gram Swaraj concept that he proposed for holistic development of villages along with some of my own experiences and observations. Please find the full text of the speech at the following link:

Youth empowered is India empowered

Following are the few snaps of “Dr.Abdul Kalam Gram Ratna Award” program that was conducted in August this year. Objective of the program was to recognize and encourage the rural talent by indentifying and felicitating at least two students from each village of Hasanparthy Mondal, Warangal District who perform exceptionally well either in their Class X / Intermediate / EAMCET / Polytechnic exam / BITSAT / AIEEE / any professional course/exam. Kakatiya University Vice Chancellor Prof Venkata Ratnam along with famous educationist have graced the occasions as guests for the program and presented the Gram Ratna awards to the best students of the villages. Several other local leaders attended the program along with Headmasters of around 20 different Govt and private schools and around 500 students. There were exceptional inspiring speeches by the guests present. Thanks to all who have supported this program.

Following 22 villages alonmg with 3 villages of other mondal have participated in the program: Ananthasagar, Arvepalli, Bhimaram, Bironpally, Chinthagattu, Devannapet, Gunturpally, Hasanparthy,Jaigiri, Komatipally, Madipalli, Mallareddypalli, Mucharla, Munipally, Nagaram, Pegadapally, Pembarthy, Seethampet, Seethanagaram, Siddapur, Sudanapally, Vangapahad and Yellapur.