tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19111271454576700512024-03-13T08:32:33.199+05:30The Heartbeat of a Simple Common HumanDhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911127145457670051.post-62504515348165275132013-03-23T18:34:00.000+05:302013-03-23T18:42:09.244+05:30PolitenessOn one fine morning, I was on my way to office, when an elderly stranger stopped me and requested me to give him 'lift' on my bike. I obliged to his request. During the few minutes of our conversation, I could understand that he was very polite. When he got down at the nearest bus stop, he said, “Thank you, Sir. GOD BLESS YOU!” Many strangers have hitchhiked on my bike earlier. Some said, “Thank you!” just for the sake of it. Some said, “Ok” as if I thanked them :) . There were some who just left without even looking back. In such a context, I felt special and very happy for receiving the blessing of this stranger.
<BR/><BR/>
We have heard our elders say, “Be polite, be good, do good”, besides many such instructions. How many of us and how many of our elders who preach it, practice it? We have become so short tempered that we shout, scold and abuse for petty reasons. I am not against criticism. I believe that positive criticism makes one a better individual. However, can’t we politely criticize? Can’t we be polite and discuss whatever the problem is? Politeness seems to be becoming an extinct habit. I find it disturbing when I see elders abusing each other during quarrels. They don’t mind even if there are kids around. Isn’t it a wrong message being passed to the future generation?
<BR/><BR/>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o1mYLQFskQ4/UU2m25__azI/AAAAAAAAAQs/gzklMwK832o/s1600/treat-everybody-with-politeness.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o1mYLQFskQ4/UU2m25__azI/AAAAAAAAAQs/gzklMwK832o/s320/treat-everybody-with-politeness.jpg" /></a><BR/>
Politeness is a virtue. It does not cost us anything. Being polite can earn us many friends. On the contrary, rude people can never have ‘true’ friends. Does anyone like to mingle with people who hurt others with their words? Even if we are wrong, we would not want anyone to scold us. :)
<BR/><BR/>
Politeness is not merely saying ‘Thank you’, ‘Sorry’, ‘Please’ and the like often. The way we say ‘No’ to something needs to be polite. Here is a common well-known example. We go to a restaurant and a friend orders a dish we don’t like. It’s up to us whether we say ‘No man on earth would ever eat that!’ or ‘If you don’t mind, can we have something else? I don’t like this dish though everyone says it is very tasty.’
<BR/><BR/>
As if I am the epitome of politeness, I have written positively about politeness so far. :) Now flipping the coin to the ‘negative’ aspect of politeness, I believe that sometimes it is wrong to be polite. I would feel unhappy if a close friend of mine says “Thank you”, “Sorry” often. I would rather be happy if the friend doesn’t use these words at all. I somehow feel that more the polite we are, the lesser the closeness of the relationship. The other main point that some people criticize about politeness is that it involves circumlocution. (Sometimes it involves telling lies as well. :) ) Of course, it is true, but I personally prefer circumlocution to hurting others by being too straight forward.
<BR/><BR/>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fnPdtFrJncc/UU2nM-Zd4DI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/AEm4JyKBeW4/s1600/quote-politeness-is-only-one-half-good-manners-and-the-other-half-good-lying-mary-wilson-little-113337.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fnPdtFrJncc/UU2nM-Zd4DI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/AEm4JyKBeW4/s320/quote-politeness-is-only-one-half-good-manners-and-the-other-half-good-lying-mary-wilson-little-113337.jpg" /></a> <BR/>
Before closing this article, coming back to the incident which ‘motivated’ me to write this article, there was something else I learnt from it. Apart from being a reminder for me to be polite, the incident also makes me realize how well we can impact others in a very short time. We sometimes say, “It will take years for this guy to change his behavior.” Now I feel that this statement is not right always. This long duration of years may be because we are not teaching them in the right way. It was barely 5 minutes of a conversation and barely 5 seconds for that stranger to say “Thank you Sir. GOD BLESS YOU!”, but didn’t it cover a main portion of “Moral Studies” classes that I attended for years in school? Yes it did and I am looking forward to learn many more such topics in a similar way.
<BR/><BR/>
<i>If you are the first-time visitor to this site, please do read my earlier posts.
Out of all my previous posts, these are the ones I like the most myself. :)</i><BR/>
Life is Precious @ http://dhaston.blogspot.in/2010/11/life-is-precious.html <a href="http://dhaston.blogspot.in/2010/11/life-is-precious.html"></a><BR/>
My Dream India @ http://dhaston.blogspot.in/2010/04/my-dream-india.html <a href="http://dhaston.blogspot.in/2010/04/my-dream-india.html"></a><BR/>
Dhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.com6Madhavapuri Hills, Miyapur, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India17.5080764 78.33728389999998917.492933400000002 78.3171139 17.5232194 78.357453899999982tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911127145457670051.post-71777614921086791022012-04-29T12:20:00.007+05:302012-04-29T20:49:19.715+05:30Capital PunishmentIt's nearly 2 years since Kasab, the terrorist involved in 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was sentenced to death. However, he hasn't been hanged to death yet and whenever we hear any news about him, most of us say that he should have been killed by now. Are we right when we say that? Considering the fact that he brutally killed many people, he does deserve to be severely punished. However, is capital punishment the right choice? Isn’t there any other way to punish such a heartless terrorist?<br /><br />I am neither a human rights activist nor a supporter of any bloody terrorist. However, I oppose death sentence in any form, be it hanging, lethal injection or electric chair. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4AksGH2y88/T5zlgryPscI/AAAAAAAAAOM/8hdDkyqe3H8/s1600/Lethal%2Binjection.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 127px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4AksGH2y88/T5zlgryPscI/AAAAAAAAAOM/8hdDkyqe3H8/s320/Lethal%2Binjection.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736712375035212226" /></a>None of us have the right to destroy something that we do not own. How can we then take the life of another human being? Killing someone can not be treated as victory. In my opinion, the real victory is when such a terrorist repents and does something good to the society with remorse. I agree that expecting a terrorist to become a good citizen is odd. However, when the terrorist organizations are able to brainwash youth to become suicide bombers, can’t the police (at least with the help of psychiatrists) brainwash these terrorists to become good over a period of years?<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIrF7eMYucc/T5zlzvAgcxI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Wc8MveogVBs/s1600/Abolish%2BDeath%2BPenalty.jpg"><img style="float:left; display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 210px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIrF7eMYucc/T5zlzvAgcxI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Wc8MveogVBs/s320/Abolish%2BDeath%2BPenalty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736712702317851410" /></a>Many countries have abolished death sentence. How is the victim who, in most cases, is already dead, going to benefit from the criminal’s death? I don’t mean to say that he should be released into the society. An alternative for capital punishment is life imprisonment without parole. Forcing the criminals to labour hard for at least 10 hours a day and giving the ‘earned’ money to the victims’ families is a far better alternative than capital punishment. The tough manual labour the criminal is made to do in jail, should make him cry, ‘Why am I struggling like this? My life would have been good had I not committed this crime.’ <br /><br />Now, looking at the other side of the coin, there are people who argue that it is not possible to keep such terrorists in jail as his fellow-terrorists will resort to anything to take him out. Aren’t we wrong to say, ‘since we are inefficient to keep him locked up in jail, we will kill him.’? Are his fellow-terrorists going to stop their anti-social activities if he is hanged to death? Definitely not. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2yOzaVV2I-U/T5znDO8XJ0I/AAAAAAAAAO0/HShKgkRVXCE/s1600/death-penalty.jpg"><img style="float:right; display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 140px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2yOzaVV2I-U/T5znDO8XJ0I/AAAAAAAAAO0/HShKgkRVXCE/s320/death-penalty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736714068100065090" /></a><br />The debate of whether or not there should be capital punishment is never-ending. This debate has been for centuries and there may never be a unanimous conclusion on this issue. We all can just hope that there will be an ideal society in future in which we don’t find any anti-social elements and never have the need to even think about capital punishment.<br /> <br /><em>There has been a really long gap between the previous post which I wrote and this one. The reason (excuse :)) is, I was in search of an interesting topic. Feel free to comment on this post. I would also like you to tell me a topic to write my next blog on.:)</em>Dhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911127145457670051.post-68255439410692104342012-04-11T20:57:00.004+05:302012-04-11T21:05:06.924+05:30Self motivationThere was a young boy who came regularly to soccer practice but never made it to the starting team. While he was practicing, his father would sit at the far end of the field, waiting for him. The matches began and for four days, the boy didn’t show up for practice or the quarter or semi-finals. <br /><br /> The boy appeared for the final game, went to the coach and said, “Coach, you have always kept me in the reserves and never let me play in the games. But today, please let me play.” The coach said, “Son, I’m sorry, I can’t let you. There are better players than you and besides, it is the finals; the reputation of the school is at stake and I cannot take a chance on you.” <br /><br /> The boy pleaded, “Coach, I promise I will not let you down. I beg of you, please let me play.” The coach had never seen the boy plead like this before. He said, “Okay son, go play. But remember, I am going against my better judgment and the reputation of the school is at stake. Don’t let me down.”<br /><br /> The game started and the boy played like a house on fire. Every time he got the ball, he shot a goal. Needless to say, he was the star of the game. His team had a spectacular win.<br /> <br /> When the game finished, the coach went up to him and said, “Son, how could I have been so wrong? I have never seen you play like this before. What happened? How did you play so well?” The boy replied, “Coach, my father is watching me today.” The coach turned around and looked at the place where the boy’s father used to sit. There was no one there. He said, “Son, your father used to sit there when you came for practice, but I don’t see anyone there today.” The boy replied, “Coach, there is something I never told you. My father was blind. Just four days ago, he died. Today is the first day he is watching me from above.”<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>P.S:</strong> Unlike all my earlier posts, this is not written by me. This is one of the best short stories I've ever read and felt like sharing it here. Isn't this story superb?Dhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911127145457670051.post-32782571626078245642011-06-25T18:22:00.001+05:302012-04-30T21:11:17.865+05:30Principles Vs. ProfessionalismEvery one of us has our own principles, most of which are derived from our religion and from the way we are brought up. When the situations force us to change our long-established principles, it leads to confusion and unhappiness. ‘Professionalism’ (Being an IT professional, in specific) is one in the list which conflicts some principles. To make my stand on this unusual topic clear, here is an anecdote from a book. <br /><br />Many years ago, a rider came across some soldiers who were trying to move a heavy log without success. The corporal was standing by, as the men struggled. The rider asked the corporal why he wasn’t helping. The corporal replied, “I am the corporal. I give orders.” The rider dismounted, went up to the soldiers and helped them lift the log. With his help, the log got moved. The rider quietly mounted his horse and went to the corporal and said, “The next time your men need help, send for the Commander-in-Chief.” After he left, the corporal and his men found out that the rider was George Washington.<em> Success and humility go hand in hand. Simplicity and humility are two hallmarks of greatness.</em><br /><br />These kind of stories sound good to the ears and if they match the pulse of the reader, simplicity and humility can become his/her principles. Professionalism completely opposes the principle of humility. I came to this conclusion in my college days itself. Once, a HR manager from a software firm gave a presentation in an event held in my college. After the event was over, I helped him disconnect his laptop (upon the instruction of TPO) and took it with the intention of giving it to him in his car which was just outside the door of the auditorium. He said in a stern voice, ‘Never demean yourself by carrying someone’s luggage.’ I was into a rude shock. I intended to help him, but he looked at the situation as a 'professional'.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZCD10z4Rdw/TgXcbF7Bc3I/AAAAAAAAAMM/VDYNwRuq8MQ/s1600/Humility.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZCD10z4Rdw/TgXcbF7Bc3I/AAAAAAAAAMM/VDYNwRuq8MQ/s320/Humility.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622142067846247282" /></a> As another example, assuming that we see a housekeeping staff struggling to place the water can on the water dispenser, if we help him, we would be considered ‘unprofessional’. If we want to be called ‘professional’ in this case, we should be like the corporal in the story. People, for whom simplicity, humility and such qualities are principles from their childhood, find it difficult to accept this total contrast. <br /><br />The next principle here is respect towards elders. Most of us were taught to call our elders as sir or madam or brother or sister etc. etc. (This is as per our nation’s pledge – All Indians are my brothers and sisters… Of course, conditions apply. :D). It is believed to be the way to show our respect towards elders. Professionalism does not take age into consideration. Anyone working for the common goal of an organization is equal. So, we have to address anyone by name, even if he is of the age of a grandfather. :) This is totally out of phase with the general principle.<br /><br />People with "Be yourself" principle also find conflict with professionalism. There may be more such principles which create the situation of “Principles versus Professionalism”. So, when there are such conflicts, which one should we follow? Should we give up our deep-rooted principles? Or should we be adamant in accepting the change? I don’t have any answer to this question. Keeping personal life and professional life separate, is a compromise between the two. However, isn’t it difficult to ‘act’ as a ‘professional’? Will it not end up in unhappiness? Further, is it not practically difficult to keep them separate? These questions remain unanswered to me. <br /><br />Recently,I called my lecturer and addressed him by his name. Thank God! I at least realized it immediately and said ‘Sir’ with a slight pause after his name. How would he have felt had I not realized it then? When this kind of incidents happen, when people criticize us for following our principles and when we are tagged ‘unprofessional’ because of possessing ‘Be yourself’ attitude, what should we do? As for me, in the game of 'Principles Vs. Professionalism', I always wish that 'Principles' win, but 'Professionalism' grabs the win at times. :) 6WXQHNBATM44Dhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911127145457670051.post-41419739157524967442011-04-15T11:22:00.000+05:302011-04-16T16:56:23.920+05:30Freshers in IT industry<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bjgzor9Zeaw/TafdesdLnmI/AAAAAAAAAL4/bNbR08aLF7k/s1600/Pro%252520Accountants.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bjgzor9Zeaw/TafdesdLnmI/AAAAAAAAAL4/bNbR08aLF7k/s320/Pro%252520Accountants.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595684581430500962" /></a><br /><br />Many freshers enter IT industry with varied expectations. For some, lucrative package and onsite opportunities are a priority. Some others (like me) are desperate to get into whatever job comes their way and fortunately or unfortunately, get placed in an IT company. :) For some, just the ‘feel’ of being an IT professional (carrying a laptop) and enjoying other corporate privileges drive them into the IT industry. <br /><br />When we were school students, elders used to say that it’s the foundation of a bright future and the most important phase of life. When in Intermediate, we hear them say, “This is more important than your life at school. Work hard for these 2 years. Then, you can enjoy your life!” All the time and hard work put in studies till the Intermediate education seem to be pointless after getting admission in a good engineering college. The first 2-3 years of engineering is generally spent towards 'enjoying’ life. Then comes the desire and need to get a job. Finally, after getting placed, (we think that) the time of stress and anxiety is all over! This is the case for most of the freshers entering IT industry.<br /><br />Everything will be great (at least) in the first few months. The salary getting credited every month as opposed to pocket-money requests to parents, not being dependent on anyone, the pride in saying ‘I am a software engineer in ‘X’ company, I was in a meeting till now etc.’ are few things that fuel a fresher’s happiness. As time passes by and we lose the “fresher’s tag”, slowly disappointments creep in and happiness tends to fade out. <br /><br />Why do we lose our happiness at work? Why does the stress begin from the scratch again?! Sometimes it’s because of the circumstances and sometimes it’s because we are not mentally prepared for the circumstances. Workload, job satisfaction and career path are very important points which generally a fresher misses out to consider. These are the points which may lead to one’s disappointment at a later stage.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tJSyqoftKFk/TakyvEMQ24I/AAAAAAAAAMA/D0O_USvpcxc/s1600/pwen293l.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tJSyqoftKFk/TakyvEMQ24I/AAAAAAAAAMA/D0O_USvpcxc/s320/pwen293l.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596059796144970626" /></a><br /><br />High workload is obviously what almost everyone hates to have, since it is stressful. Low workload is what many prefer to have, but can have a very negative impact on one’s career if it is at all times. Money is certainly a very important thing to consider, but job satisfaction is equally important. After all, what’s the point in making money, when we hate what we do throughout the day! Also, what’s the point in being satisfied with the job, but being totally underpaid! :)<br /><br />Now, coming to the next point namely career path. This is the major mistake which a fresher can make. In the hurry to get out of bench or for whatever the reasons, generally a fresher accepts whatever the project he/she is assigned. That could turn out to be either way. Firstly, we ourselves should have clarity on what we want to become, on which platform we want to work on, etc. Only then, we have the chance of defining our career path.<br /><br />Work culture is relatively less important when compared with the previous ones, but needs to be taken into account. The stricter a company is, the lesser the happiness. It’s common to be discontent when we don’t get what we deserve, but it’s also unfair to expect recognition for all the little things that we do.<br /><br />Besides all these, there are certain 'trends' in IT industry which can either add to one’s excitement or disappointment. Every company desires to have 100% employee retention and 0% attrition. However, many companies give lower hikes to the existing employees when compared to the ones recruited from other companies. I somehow cannot digest this policy! If all companies stop giving major hike to employees shifting from other companies, at some point of time, the thought to ‘jump’ from one company to another will cease in the minds of employees. Instead, they can give relatively higher hikes to existing employees, thus increasing the probability of 100% retention. (But, this may never happen. :D)<br /><br />Each job will have its own pros and cons. A government job will have the highest job security, its own privileges but it also has few disadvantages. For example, as rightly said by one of my family friends (an elderly man), government job is the one where a donkey and a horse are considered the same. No offence meant! What it means is that the one who works very hard and the one who works as lazily as possible will be rewarded the same way, based only on experience and not on excellence. This is not the case in IT industry. There will be at least a slight difference between the two! :)<br /><br />If freshers can focus at least on the aforementioned points and tune the frequency of mind appropriately, I believe they’ll have no regrets of entering IT industry nor will they be disappointed at a later stage. If anyone has any regrets, I shall only say, “You may not be able to change the circumstances, but you can change your attitude to the circumstances.” :)<br /><br />P.S: This is not intended to defame IT/anyone/any organization. This is just my view on IT industry and felt that it might help someone somewhere somehow sometime. :D :P<br /><br />[This has ended up in a lengthier blog than I expected. :)]Dhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911127145457670051.post-64177784451004647102011-03-17T10:53:00.000+05:302011-03-19T22:26:06.494+05:30As an organizer...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tu4sMb4XYwA/TYTd2P3q63I/AAAAAAAAALk/_OCRRgNrxfU/s1600/target-audience.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tu4sMb4XYwA/TYTd2P3q63I/AAAAAAAAALk/_OCRRgNrxfU/s320/target-audience.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585833361888963442" /></a><br /><br /> My B.Tech friends know the best about my abilities and inabilities in organizing events. The first event I organized was the farewell party to seniors in Intermediate. (I was just the anchor for the event and a sort of co-organizer.) From that event till the recently organized Table Tennis tournament, I have been making some mistakes or the other while having new experiences. <br /><br /> The tour in B.Tech, which I organized along with my friends, was the biggest in terms of the budget (Rs. 1.6 Lakhs), time (10 days of tour & 2 months of planning), responsibility, risk, mistakes, learnings and enjoyment. Organizing such a big event was an achievement in itself. (It was after 4 or 5 years that ECE students from my college were going for a tour and I was the main organizer for it!). Focussing on what went well and covering up the mistakes will be another mistake on my part. :) So, here are few things I learnt from the mistakes I made as an organizer. <br /><br />1) Knowing when to discuss with everyone concerned and when to take a decision independently is a skill. I wish I’ll be able to acquire and master that skill. <br />2) Transparency and honesty are required, but (over-)sensitivity should have nothing to do with an organizer. Others may doubt our honesty, but we should remember that none of us have any certificate of honesty. Till the event is over, we don’t have any way of proving ourselves.<br />3) Patience is one more trait required for an organizer. It’s nothing wrong for others to be impatient with an organizer. After all, they are the ones who may be the victims of poor organizing. :D<br />4) We should not get disheartened when things go wrong. It’s very easily said, but very difficult to follow. I could not enjoy the first few days of the tour as I was dispirited with unanticipated criticism.<br />5) Before committing to organize an event, we should be mentally prepared for what might happen even if the event is unsuccessful. However, we should be positive by considering the satisfaction and the happiness we get if the event is a success.<br />6) Organizing an event should not be considered a burden. It’s a responsibility that we have to take up willingly.<br />7) Organizing an event involves lot many constraints, the main ones being the budget constraints and the time constraints. Focussing on one aspect and ignoring others is a mistake that usually one makes.<br />8) Plan your work. Work your plan. Be ready with Plan B or be set for ad hoc planning in case plan A is unsuccessful. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9_fUDyxun20/TYTfArajipI/AAAAAAAAALs/i947waEFoAo/s1600/64320892_1-Pictures-of-Event-Planners-Party-Decorators-Show-Organizing-Company.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9_fUDyxun20/TYTfArajipI/AAAAAAAAALs/i947waEFoAo/s320/64320892_1-Pictures-of-Event-Planners-Party-Decorators-Show-Organizing-Company.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585834640593357458" /></a><br /> Like everyone else, I was an organizer for just few times for different events, but was among the audience for umpteen times. There are few points which are expected from the audience as well.<br /><br />1) It’s human tendency to focus on a small black dot on a big sheet of white paper. We generally blame the organizer for the mistake which he/she makes and totally ignore the other successfully completed ‘modules’ of the event.<br />2) Different people have different wish-lists. Something which is of high priority to few in the audience may be of low priority to many others. We can blame the organizer only if he/she ignores something which almost everyone in the audience considers to be very important.<br />3) Most of the times, it’s easy to criticize but difficult to improve. When we put ourselves in the shoes of the organizer, it’s only then that we realize that this statement is true.<br />4) We should be proactive in helping the organizers if we think that we can really make the event better than how it goes on.<br /><br /> To conclude, for an event to be successful, it depends not only on the organizer but also on the audience. So, whether we are in the audience or in the organizing committee, it doesn’t matter. It’s WE together who have to make an event a success. :)Dhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911127145457670051.post-27330853575750298532011-01-10T22:15:00.000+05:302011-01-18T22:49:37.417+05:30QuotationsWe come across many quotations everyday in the form of forwarded SMS, emails etc., but only few of them last in our memory for a significant time.We often fail to recognize the power of quotations in influencing people’s mindset. If we can remember and put forward good quotations at the right time and in the right context (in our speech, written communication, casual conversations etc.), it will be really great of us and useful for others. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TTXI0NpZp2I/AAAAAAAAALY/RwRMXmuGZ0Q/s1600/quote-wallpaper86.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TTXI0NpZp2I/AAAAAAAAALY/RwRMXmuGZ0Q/s320/quote-wallpaper86.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563573714028177250" /></a><br />My interest towards collecting quotations began after a small incident. It was sometime during my second year of B.Tech that I received a very pessimistic email from one of my best friends. (Don’t wonder why he emailed me instead of calling me. Both of us didn’t have cell phones then.) He was very disappointed with his first year results, was struggling in hostel, was finding it difficult to adapt to city life even after a year and was frustrated with many more such unpleasant circumstances. <br /><br />Seeing that email, I didn’t know how to react. I knew that I was helpless. What I could do was to motivate him with my reply. I wondered how it was possible. I myself was disappointed with my first year results (I was not satisfied in spite of getting 85% - this is a typical case of bookworms :D ) and was only then slowly adjusting myself to hostel life. After thinking for sometime, I replied with a quotation, “<strong><em>Tough times never last, but tough people do</em>.</strong>” I then added few more simple statements like "Don't worry. All the best." etc. etc.<br /><br />After a couple of days, I received a reply from him, this time an optimistic one. “Thanks for your support and encouragement. I hope I’ll be able to do well this semester…” I was very happy that I could make a difference. It was in fact, the quotation which really made the difference. <br /><br />This incident enabled me in finding a new pastime. I started noting down the quotations which I liked and www.quotexite.com, www.wallxite.com found themselves in the list of the few websites I browsed whenever I had access to the internet. <br /><br />Apart from the aforementioned incident, there are many more such small incidents that take place often and keep my hobby of collecting quotations alive. <br /><br />Among the quotations in my collection, here are a few which I came across at a perfect time. <br /><br />1) “<em><strong>The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure</strong></em>” – This was the quotation on my orkut home page (Today’s fortune column) during the time when I was afraid that I might not be able to complete the assigned 3 mini projects on time. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TTXDlhqmHSI/AAAAAAAAALI/-mjWsjh2eLI/s1600/a%2Bgoal.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TTXDlhqmHSI/AAAAAAAAALI/-mjWsjh2eLI/s200/a%2Bgoal.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563567964145720610" /></a><br /><br />2) “<strong><em>Near or far, dear ones are always close to heart</em></strong>” – This was the one I read when I was little disappointed with few close friends leaving India to pursue their higher education and career aspirations. (I don’t know whether I was disappointed because of friendship or because of jealousy. :p)<br />3) “<strong><em>Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength</em></strong>.” – I don’t remember when I saw it for the first time, but for people like me who keep worrying about petty things, anytime would be a perfect time to read this quotation.<br />4) “<strong><em>We generally miss the people whom we never want to miss</em></strong>”.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TTJ65FF8xuI/AAAAAAAAAKw/9SNkyCp-0p0/s1600/1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 126px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TTJ65FF8xuI/AAAAAAAAAKw/9SNkyCp-0p0/s200/1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562643610794247906" /></a> <br />5) “<strong><em>Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts</em></strong>.” – The above two quotations came as a forwarded email and the image made the quotations even livelier.<br /><br />If above quotations can be categorized as ‘Perfect timing quotations’ (for me :)), there is another category of ‘Inspiring and thought-provoking quotations’. Few such quotations which I liked are:<br />1) <strong><em>A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle</em></strong>. (Help others.)<br />2) <strong><em>Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm</em>.</strong> (Gear up for challenges.)<br />3) <strong><em>It is better to be hated for what you are, than to be loved for what you are not</em></strong>. (Self-explanatory. ;))<br />4) <strong><em>Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment</em></strong>. (This is an important point to remember.)<br />5) <strong><em>Argument wins the situation but loses the person</em></strong>. (I am sure that some will hate this. :))<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TTXDDbWVQDI/AAAAAAAAALA/NJQZTRJBzSo/s1600/Attitude.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TTXDDbWVQDI/AAAAAAAAALA/NJQZTRJBzSo/s200/Attitude.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563567378334564402" /></a><br />6) <strong><em>Nothing in this world is impossible to a willing heart</em></strong>. (Positive attitude!)<br /><br />The list of quotations is never-ending. A quotation liked by some, may be detested by some others. Further, a quotation liked at a certain time, may appear silly at some other time. Just because we do not like a quotation, doesn't mean that it is useless. We need to realize that each quotation is useful and can impact the thought process of someone or the other. <br /><br />But, why do I collect quotations? Is it only to use them at few incidents? The answer to this question is the quotation, “<strong><em>Many things in life will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue those</em></strong>.”<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TTXCZb86H7I/AAAAAAAAAK4/F8k_e_wBDCo/s1600/Passion.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TTXCZb86H7I/AAAAAAAAAK4/F8k_e_wBDCo/s200/Passion.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563566656941858738" /></a><br /><br />P.S: Please keep forwarding me quotations. :D I feel that over the past few months, I am losing this hobby.Dhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911127145457670051.post-2732797778526210212010-12-13T21:10:00.000+05:302010-12-15T21:30:31.413+05:30"Horror Night"Sometime ago, I saw a forum called ‘Horror nights’, where people shared their horrifying experiences at night. After reading that thread, I remembered this incident of mine, which dates back to the winter of 2002/03.<br /><br />I was a 10th Standard student then and unfortunately an insomniac. One night, as usual, my parents and my siblings were asleep, but I was still rolling on bed, unable to get closer to the gate of dream world. Everything was calm and peaceful around. Since it was very cold, even fan was switched off and so there was a pin-drop silence in my home. <br /><br />As an attempt of falling asleep, I said prayers, counted numbers and did all the silly tricks, I knew. As a result of all my tricks, I started feeling sleepy. Till this point, it was a sort of daily routine for me. Suddenly, I heard a sound (from outside my house), which I never heard before. I simply ignored it and tried to sleep. I was about to fall asleep when I heard that sound again, this time a little louder than before. My drowsiness was gone. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TQY-4urAgxI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/FqJ9kZkzOr8/s1600/scary-ghost-template-l.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TQY-4urAgxI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/FqJ9kZkzOr8/s200/scary-ghost-template-l.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550192735102731026" /></a>“Let me see if that sound repeats again. If it does, I’ll find out what it is,” I said to myself. After a minute or so, the sound was heard again, this time even louder than the previous two times, implying that ‘it’ was getting closer to my home. My imagination went to its peak. “What is it? Where is this strange sound coming from? Is it someone who is making that sound? Or is it a ghost? Or is it an alien? Or is it any supernatural power?” My heart started beating twice faster than normal. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TQY_M7KoTvI/AAAAAAAAAKY/qsCzOuIULWQ/s1600/alien.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TQY_M7KoTvI/AAAAAAAAAKY/qsCzOuIULWQ/s200/alien.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550193082053971698" /></a><br /><br />There is no word in dictionary to express how I felt that moment. It was a blend of curiosity, imagination, a little bit of ego and above all, fright. “If I wake up my parents or siblings and say that I hear a strange sound, they may make fun of me. So, let me go out and see what it is.” I got up from the bed and went to the door silently, expecting to hear that sound again.<br /><br />I was about to open the door when fear gripped my soul. “What will happen if I see a ghost or an alien? Am I not too weak-hearted to see anything paranormal? Am I not putting my life at risk?” With these kinds of negative thoughts popping up in my mind, I came back to my bed and tried to sleep. ‘It’ was heard few more times and each time the sound was heard, my heartbeat could have been heard by anyone meters away. <br /><br />After sometime, ‘it’ was gone and slowly after some more time, I was asleep. The next morning, after I woke up, I said to my parents and siblings that I had heard a strange sound the previous night. My sister laughed at me and said that I was scared. Indeed, I was scared, but I could not accept it because of my ego. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TQY_f7r4h9I/AAAAAAAAAKg/Gaj4sE6bRlM/s1600/2604084682_b15f028761.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TQY_f7r4h9I/AAAAAAAAAKg/Gaj4sE6bRlM/s200/2604084682_b15f028761.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550193408610961362" /></a>My parents said that it could have been the sound of an owl or a bat. I was neither convinced nor unconvinced. I was an adolescent then, not a small kid who cannot even recognize the sound of a bird. It was most probably not the sound of a bird or an insect. ‘It’ was something else. <br /><br />May be, I should have gathered all my courage and found out what it was, then itself. What I did might appear to be a cowardly act, but then, the sound was very strange that many adolescents of that age would have done similar to what I did then. <br /><br />I don’t know whether to wish to hear that sound again or not. That was the only night I heard that sound; I haven’t heard it again till date. What was ‘it’? That remains to be a mystery for me.<br /><br /><br /><em> <strong>P.S:</strong> In each of my previous posts, there was a kind of "lecture" from my end. :D Just to continue that 'tradition', here is a quote which I heard recently. 'Opportunity knocks the door only once, but misfortune keeps on knocking the door till you open it.' I missed out the (good?) opportunity of proving my courage then. :)</em>Dhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911127145457670051.post-56908334995662820192010-11-13T17:54:00.000+05:302010-11-22T21:25:32.407+05:30Life is precious“Once, during my college days, I returned to my room late night after watching a movie. My roommate said that my friend, Kumar waited a long time for me and left an hour ago. I thought that it was a casual visit and did not want to disturb him by calling him at that peak time. So, I slept peacefully without knowing then that I was making a grave mistake.<br /><br />The next morning, I was having coffee when my roommate rushed to me and said with a quiver in his voice, ‘Kumar… Kumar committed suicide.’ I was shell-shocked. Hundreds of questions crossed my mind that moment. ‘Why did he do this? Why did he come and wait for me yesterday night? Did he want to say something to me before dying? Did he really commit suicide or was it a murder?’ I broke into a cold sweat. Coffee refused to go down my throat.<br /><br />He used to say often that I was his best friend. Probably, his last wish was to see me once before dying. Suddenly, I remembered how much he was worried and upset a few weeks ago regarding his performance in studies, gradually becoming poorer and poorer. My conscience started pricking me. ‘Why was I so careless? Why didn’t I encourage him to perform better the next time, instead of worrying about the past? Why didn’t I soothe him then? I must have contacted him at least yesterday night. May be he would have changed his decision.’ Tears rolled down my eyes.<br /><br />Not everyone will resort to the extreme step, but everyone will need care and support during their tough times. Show sensitivity and consideration for others. You may not be able to consider everyone to be your friend but atleast feel, just feel that everyone is human. Everyone will have their own emotions, opinions and feelings. We must care for those who are in need of it. The age-old quote ‘A friend in need is a friend in deed’ is true for all the ages to come. I failed as a friend. Please do not make the mistake I made.”<br /><br />This story is based on a real-life experience of one of my friends. When he was narrating me this sad experience, for the first time, I could notice tears in his eyes.<br /><br />I <em>fabricate</em> that incident and share it here, not with the intention of spoiling your mood or wasting your time, but to drive home the point that ‘Some things in life can never be reverted and there isn’t any penance for some mistakes that we make intentionally or unintentionally. When needed, take risks in life but never keep life itself at risk. After all, <strong><em>Life is precious</em></strong>. Take care of yours and that of others.’<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TOqSEAc5keI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/wnMVcIsOaCk/s1600/LIFE-PRECIOUS.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 100px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TOqSEAc5keI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/wnMVcIsOaCk/s200/LIFE-PRECIOUS.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542402888971162082" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TOqRQlEl2kI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/atZlxXKrDPA/s1600/takecare4.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 147px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TOqRQlEl2kI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/atZlxXKrDPA/s200/takecare4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542402005448120898" /></a>Dhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911127145457670051.post-18398369685095816682010-07-10T18:19:00.000+05:302010-07-10T18:56:08.109+05:30Lessons Learned in IntermediateAlmost everyone who has done Intermediate Education in A.P consider those 2 years as very strenuous and worst phase of education. Seeing the title of the blog, if you think that I am an exception and that I still remember the formulae of Physics, Chemistry, 1A, 1B, 2A or 2B (Mathematics), you would be totally wrong.<br /><br />Apart from helping me secure a good rank in EAMCET and thus enabling me to pursue my engineering in a reputed institute, sometimes I wonder if those 2 years had any impact on my life. When I search the back end of my memory related to the times of my Intermediate, I realize that there was an impact on my attitude and thought process, the effect of which continues till date.<br /><br />Our elders usually give us many messages on various occasions. Most of them enter through one ear and escape through the other, without making any difference. However, some messages are thought-provoking, inspiring and get embedded in our minds. Some of my Inter lecturers gave us a few such messages, which I still remember and follow with my own amendments.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TDhvpsBUl9I/AAAAAAAAABQ/cQvycuxicF8/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TDhvpsBUl9I/AAAAAAAAABQ/cQvycuxicF8/s200/1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492262507560343506" /></a>My English lecturer, Koteshwar Rao Sir, was a wise, elderly man who used to say quotations or short stories to make the class interesting. In some context, he gave us this message. “<span style="font-weight:bold;">It is important for you to be good and it is even more important that people believe that you are good. Build up a very good character in such a way that, one day, if someone falsely accuses you, none should believe that you could be wrong. It doesn’t mean that you should fool people into believing that you are good, though you aren’t.</span>” I feel it’s very true. What will happen if you are very good, but people blame you to be very bad? You may even end up becoming bad, as you may get the attitude, “Anyway, people think that I am bad though I am good; then what is the use of being good?” <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TDhw0OZdYYI/AAAAAAAAABY/skj8MSxBxRM/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TDhw0OZdYYI/AAAAAAAAABY/skj8MSxBxRM/s200/2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492263788098707842" /></a>A spark is enough to ignite a fire. I didn’t know till then, that a spark of sarcastic comment could ignite the fire of patriotism in me. It was during my Sanskrit class that we once got an announcement regarding flag hoisting on the next day. Then my lecturer, Srinivas Sir said, “<span style="font-weight:bold;">It is only twice a year that we get patriotism</span> and tomorrow is one such day. So, attend the flag hoisting without fail.” I then learned, “<span style="font-weight:bold;">Be patriotic always, not just on January 26 and August 15.</span> As a sign of patriotism, attend flag hoisting on those days.”<br /><br />Be it school or junior college or Engineering College, we have atleast one teacher/lecturer with whom we are very close. Our Maths (1B, 2B) lecturer, Ramnivas Sir was one such person. Bored of the hectic schedule, we asked him (just as a joke) on December 1st whether we all could take out a rally on the occasion of World AIDS Day. He then shared this experience of his. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TDhxSpDVm0I/AAAAAAAAABg/7EiEXmATjCs/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TDhxSpDVm0I/AAAAAAAAABg/7EiEXmATjCs/s200/3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492264310649756482" /></a>“I once had to go to Bangalore and there I stayed in my friend’s room for few days. He was hospitable and close to me. I had a nice time there. Few days after I returned from Bangalore, I came to know that he was an AIDS patient. Had I known it before, I doubt whether I would have been as close as I was, during those few days of my stay in his room. What the AIDS patients need is not the rallies or the extra care and financial support. What they need is non-discrimination in the society.” I haven’t come across any AIDS patients till now (I hope I am right with this statement :D). In future, if I come across one, I will (try to) be normal and behave like I behave with anyone else.<br /><br />In some context, out Maths (1A) lecturer, Kutumba Rao Sir compared the attitudes of Indians and Americans. “If an Indian earns 100 bucks, he tries to save 90 bucks and spend the remaining 10 bucks. If an American earns 100 bucks, he tries to spend 110 bucks by borrowing 10 more bucks. This small difference in attitude makes a big difference. <span style="font-weight:bold;">We need to remember that our expenditure is income to someone else</span>. If the rich are saving money without spending, the rich will be becoming richer and the poor the poorer. This is what happens in India.” <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TDhxqJTCjHI/AAAAAAAAABo/krQS7Bz4ddU/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TDhxqJTCjHI/AAAAAAAAABo/krQS7Bz4ddU/s200/4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492264714442542194" /></a>I wasn’t worried about the authenticity of his ‘facts’, but I came to this conclusion. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Never be a miser. If you are saving money, let it be just to spend at one go, and not to pass on to the next generations.</span> Spend as much as possible but do not waste money. (This statement might be quite confusing, but there is a difference between spending money and wasting money, isn’t it?)<br /><br />Recollecting those wonderful messages and penning them down here, gives me an unknown excitement and happiness. These lessons learned in Intermediate turned out to become few of my principles of life. Each one of us learn something new even during our tough times and busy schedules, but we don’t recognize them as learning. Let us hope that we’ll be able to learn always and also realize that we have learned something new.Dhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911127145457670051.post-88812067677224796942010-06-12T17:18:00.000+05:302010-06-19T18:15:53.969+05:30Love what you do<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TBN04Yi2H9I/AAAAAAAAABA/P_X7f6aOPrk/s1600/do1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TBN04Yi2H9I/AAAAAAAAABA/P_X7f6aOPrk/s320/do1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481853683450126290" /></a><br />Responsibility - a fantastic word but too big for a guy of my age to write a blog on. However, I write this up here to let out the impatience and exasperation sedimented in me for long, seeing people not putting in their best effort in fulfilling their responsibilities. What is even more annoying is that sometimes I am unfortunate to be the victim of others’ irresponsibility. <br /><br />I don’t mean to say that I am perfectly perfect, nor do I say that I have always put my 100% effort, but to the best of my conscience, I have never created a burden for anyone with my irresponsibility. This is probably what you too might be thinking!<br /><br />Responsibilities are manifold: to teach well – the responsibility of a teacher; to study well – the responsibility of a student; to perform well at work – the responsibility of a job holder; to care for parents – the responsibility of children and vice-versa. This list is unexhaustive. But, how many of us work with dedication towards fulfilling all our responsibilities? How many of us put our whole-hearted effort in whatever we do? <br /><br />The common excuse that many of us give is that we have passion for something else and hence we aren’t able to give our best effort at work. If we are passionate about something, we would be doing it, come what may. We would never settle down to do something else. Instead of saying passion, if we say that we have interest for something else and that’s the reason for our under-performance, may be, we would be right to some extent. There could be many more reasons, but being totally irresponsible is never acceptable. If we are doing something, we need it to do it with our heart, not just with our mind.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TBN2hihA2JI/AAAAAAAAABI/z1-hi53qqeI/s1600/do3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/TBN2hihA2JI/AAAAAAAAABI/z1-hi53qqeI/s320/do3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481855490013059218" /></a>It is quite difficult, perhaps impossible, for anyone to be totally perfect, trustworthy, responsible, dependable, and dedicated in fulfilling all their responsibilities. But, we are fortunate enough to be bestowed with the power of imagination. How amazing would it be if everyone was ideal! How marvelous would it be, if everyone performs to the best of their potential! How fantastic would it be, if everyone enjoys fulfilling their responsibilities! How great would it be, if all this imagination becomes a reality!<br /><br />I am not pinpointing at anyone by writing this blog. Do what you have to do. Love what you do. Do your best. Expect the best. Don’t worry about the rest. In short, <strong>"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."</strong>Dhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911127145457670051.post-77457018155994798202010-05-06T22:55:00.000+05:302010-05-07T22:40:19.183+05:30New York ;)It was the night of 25th April, 2010. I boarded the Manuguru Express to Secunderabad and as the train started departing from my hometown Kothagudem, I felt nostalgic. As a consequence of my dad’s retirement, we had to relocate to Hyderabad and I realized that from then on, I wouldn’t be able to get to my hometown often. <br /><br />As memories of the past kept flashing in my mind, I felt I was missing something. I felt something was gone. In fact, it is gone. Gone are the days when I enjoyed going to school with a bag overloaded with books. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/S-L8jIv1j8I/AAAAAAAAAA4/pagBztnE1kI/s1600/stjhs+kothagudem3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/S-L8jIv1j8I/AAAAAAAAAA4/pagBztnE1kI/s320/stjhs+kothagudem3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468210578154950594" /></a>Gone are the days when I played cricket on the street road with my friends. Gone are the days when I laughed a lot for the childish jokes that we cracked. Gone are the days when I used to play Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, Scrabble and Business with my friends. Gone are the days when I argued with my friends for silly reasons. Gone are those beautiful days. Above all, gone is the place which reminds me of all those sweet memories. To be precise, the place is not gone; I am gone, gone away from a great place to live.<br /><br />My hometown Kothagudem has no multiplexes, no shopping malls, no apartments, no flyovers, no tourist spots, no MNC’s and nothing that could make it be called a big city. Yet, it was, it is and will always be a special place for me. After all, it was the place where I was brought up. It was the place where I spent my childhood, the best phase of anyone’s life. <br /><br />Kothagudem is a serene place with greenery all around. It is one of the places where you don't even have traffic signals but never find a traffic jam. It is a place where you don't have any kind of pollution. It is a place which is an immense source of energy and enthusiasm for me.<br /><br />It is rightly said that we don't know the value of something, until we lose it. If you are now in your hometown and are blaming it for some reason, believe me, you'll repent later. Enjoy everything possible when you are there.<br /><br />After reading all this, if you think that I am a sentimental idiot, I don’t know whether you would be right or wrong. But, I know for sure that I am not a machine. I am human, a man with my own sentiments, emotions and principles. I long for those sweet memories of my life.<br /><br />Before I conclude this blog, for those who wonder the aptness of the title, here’s my definition (translation) of New York. For me, Kothagudem is New York because in Telugu, 'Kotha' means New and 'Gudem' means York.* (Feel like either killing me or killing yourself for this definition? :D) <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">As I write this blog, I remember all of you,my childhood friends. Thanks for making my childhood something to cherish for my lifetime.</span>Dhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911127145457670051.post-13085475438281079422010-04-26T18:54:00.000+05:302010-05-01T18:37:52.646+05:30My 'Dream India'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/S9WZeL0P1wI/AAAAAAAAAAM/Ho-yKT0J2Wc/s1600/India.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 220px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/S9WZeL0P1wI/AAAAAAAAAAM/Ho-yKT0J2Wc/s320/India.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464442466731022082" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">The first point that comes to the mind of almost every Indian, when asked about how to develop <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, would be to eliminate corruption, right from the grass root level. If the debate gets hotter as to who are responsible for this omnipresent and pervasive corruption, many of us tend to blame the politicians. But are they the only ones to be blamed of? We should remember that, to blame others, first of all, we ne</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ed to be free from all blame.<br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p>We, ourselves encourage corruption knowingly or unknowingly, in some way or the other, at some time or the other. Haven’t we faced or seen a situation wherein a traffic constable gives us two options when we violate traffic rules: “Pay Rs.200 fine if you need receipt for the fine or pay just Rs.100 if you don’t need the receipt.”? Or haven’t we encountered a situation when an employee in a government office says to us, “Pay a few bucks more and your work will be done soon.”? In such instances, we generally prefer the easier way, though it is illegal. Why don’t we remember then that we are contributing to corruption? Sometimes, even if we aren’t willing to, we are forced to bribe, because we are left with no other option.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/S9cYenNPZEI/AAAAAAAAAAY/61ojNutkfAM/s1600/anti20corruption_eng.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 70px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/S9cYenNPZEI/AAAAAAAAAAY/61ojNutkfAM/s320/anti20corruption_eng.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464863587037045826" border="0" /></a></p><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br />As a common man, there is nothing much I can do than to follow the norm. So, let me place myself in the shoes of Prime Minister of India and this is how I would approach the situation.<br />As a first step towards my ‘Dream <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>’, I will introduce a new wing of the Anti-Corruption Bureau called ‘D-Wing’ (Disguise wing). This wing will comprise of officials who go in disguise and find out the corrupt officials in all government offices. I will introduce a toll free number 111. Dial 111; mention the office/location where you see someone corrupt and officials from D-Wing of ACB will be there to catch the culprit red handedly. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">In the last decade, none of us imagined of ‘108’ service, which is now implemented successfully and being appreciated by everyone. Similarly, the concept of ‘111’ service may seem to be a wild idea now, but I am sure it will reach the heart of public. </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br />As a consequence of the introduction of the D-wing, the number of cases in the courts will add to the pile of pending cases already present. What is the use of pronouncing judgment after some decades, when the accused/victim is old and about to die or already dead? Hence, I would introduce additional benches of all courts. I would also introduce additional shifts for the courts.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />By the implementation of the above, employment opportunities will be increased in courts, police stations and ACB. This will create a need to increase revenue for the government to give compensation for these new employees. The best way would be to hike the penalty for all the crimes, especially for the corruption cases. This would solve our purpose of increasing the revenue besides discouraging crimes and corruption.</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I would start concentrating on social welfare activities, once the corruption starts to be on the decline, because welfare activities do not reach the needed people, in a corrupted environment. This is what is happening at present. The government keeps on introducing many new welfare programmes but most of them are not reaching the people who really need it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/S9wnKmIoj2I/AAAAAAAAAAo/-HGIrah5_ng/s1600/2007_0320_arp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 97px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kiRV55t-wa8/S9wnKmIoj2I/AAAAAAAAAAo/-HGIrah5_ng/s200/2007_0320_arp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466287110709874530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Illiteracy is another point of concern. The literacy rate in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> has been growing at a very slow pace. In order to increase the literacy rate, I would develop the existing government schools to provide at least the basic amenities, so that there won’t be any drop outs. Then I would explore all the possibilities of construction of new schools, free education for all and financial assistance to the needy for higher studies.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;font-family:georgia;"></p><br /> <span style="font-size:100%;">Riots are another hindrance to the development of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Communal riots have lead to the loss of public property, worth hundreds of crores. We may be different by our customs, culture, traditions, regions and what not, but not so different that we cannot get along with one another. At this juncture, I would like to share a short story. </span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p><span style="font-size:100%;">“</span><span style="font-size:100%;">A ten-year-old boy went to an ice-cream shop, sat at a table, and asked the waitress, ‘How much is an ice-cream cone?’ She said, ‘Seventy-five cents.’ The boy started counting the coins he had in his hand. The he asked how much a small cup of ice-cream was. The waitress impatiently replied, ‘sixty-five cents.’ The boy said, ‘I will have the small ice-cream cup.’ The boy ate his ice-cream, paid the bill, and left. When the waitress came to pick up the empty plate, she was touched. Underneath, were ten one-cent coins left as the tip.” <o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />The young boy had consideration for the waitress before he ordered his ice-cream. He showed sensitivity and caring. He thought of others before himself. If we all thought like the little boy, we would have a great place to live – a peaceful place without any riots and crimes. </span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br /></p> <span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" > There is one more thing to be changed, the most important above all and that is the attitude of the people. “Attitude is a small thing that makes a big difference.” Even after ‘111’ service is introduced, if the people prefer the illegal way, what can we do? I would do my best to change the attitude of the people by ordering the media to voluntarily publicize the need of a corrupt-free society and the purpose of '111'.<br /><br /><br />Finally, let me get back to reality! First of all, I am not a politician and I don’t aspire to be one, even in future. But, I hope that, one day before I die, I’ll have a friend or an acquaintance who is an honest politician – one who has the earnest desire from the bottom of his heart to develop the society, one who would listen to my ideas and look into the feasibility of its implementation and one who has the courage and dynamism to implement it. Then, I am sure I’ll be able to see my ‘Dream <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>’- The India in which there is no corruption, no illiteracy, no unemployment, no riots and in which only peace and harmony prevail everywhere. Jai Hind!</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style=""><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">If you are the one who is going to make my dream come true, kindly get into touch with me for more of my thoughts. :) </span></span><br /></span><span style=""> </span>Dhaston Rosaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932737900467678257noreply@blogger.com6