Jagriti Yatra - Part 1

On 24^th December 2012, started a new journey of my life – Jagriti Yatra. A 15 day train journey through 8000 kilometers of India, covering 12 destinations, 15 role models and 4 panel discussions, it was going to be a transformational journey for around 400 yatris and 50 facilitators, who not only wished to create a change in India, but had the passion and belief to do so.

This year there were around 4000 complete applications, out of which 400 aspiring entrepreneurs from 20-25 years of age were selected, and most of them were provided with full or half sponsorship. Apart from this, there were around 50 facilitators, of the age group 25-30, to manage and co-ordinate the Yatris. And this set of Yatris was a very diverse one, representing 24 states of India, hailing from Rural/ Urban/ Semi Urban Backgrounds, coming from different professions. The Yatra also saw international participation in form of 35 people from different 12 countries, like UK, France, Argentina, Australia etc. While 60 % of the Yatris were male, 40 % were female. The Yatris were divided into Cohorts of 6 yatris and 1 facilitator. And 2 male and 1 Female Cohort formed a Group of 21 yatris, which was made keeping in mind the diversity of people.

The Yatra Began with an Orientation Session at Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai.  The atmosphere there was amazing. 450 unknown people, but with somewhat similar aims, all wanted to know about each other. It was an awesome feeling. Just drop in any Group of people, say ‘Hi’, and when you start talking to people, you realize how small this world is. “Oh, you are from XYZ college, do you know ABC”? “Yes! How do you know him”? And thus starts a long conversation and in 2 minutes, you are no longer strangers. The energy and enthusiasm of each person present there, was something that is never a common sight in any college.

Soon, we moved to the Hall for our Orientation. Where we were explained the concept of Jagriti Yatra. We start from Mumbai then go to Hubli, Bangalore, Madurai, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Berhampur, Patna, Deoria, Delhi, Tilonia and finally Ahmedabad. At each destination we meet 1 or more Role Model, who have done some innovation at grass root level, and contributed in Development of India.  These included the Ramon Magsasay Award Winner Harish Hande from Selco, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw from Biocon, R Elango from Chennai, Joe Madiath from Gram Vikas, Anshu Gupta from Goonj, Bunker Roy from Barefoot College, Tilonia etc. We visit these organizations, hear their inspiring personal stories, understand the working of their organization, meet the people whose lives have been transformed, see the social impact, and learn from them. Later we discuss our learning in our Group in the Train. Apart from role model visits, 4 panel discussions were also held. The Yatra aims at 7 sectors, viz. Agriculture, Healthcare, Education, Tourism, Manufacturing, Energy and Water. These are the sectors in which India needs Innovation and Enterprises through Financial Services, Technology or Public Private Partnership.

Just as the atmosphere was turning to be uncharged due to the presentations, we were introduced to the Yatra Geet, which was written by Prasoon Joshi, and awesomely choreographed by Gauri Shankar Tripathy, wife of Jagriti Yatra Founder Shashank Tripathy. The Geet brought back our Enthusiasm, and the battery of audience was charged again.

The orientation ended with our 1^st role model – The Dabbawala, about whom I’ll be writing in my next post. After the role model, we departed for Kurla Station to board our Train, which was going to be our home for next 15 days.

PMJi Samjhoji - A letter to the Prime Minister of India

I had written this letter as part of an Open Letter Campaign organized by Viewspaper. You can read the letter on Viewspaper Website - http://theviewspaper.net/nishank-varshney-writes-a-letter-to-the-prime-minister/

Dear Prime Minister,

I was very glad, when in 2004 and then again in 2009, a noted economist and a very well qualified person was appointed as the Prime Minister of the largest democracy in the world.

Yes, in a parliament that is full of MPs with no education, with more murder and rape charges on them, we got you, a doctorate holder from Oxford as the Leader of 121 crore people.  The “Aam Aadmi” whom you had assured, of bringing down the inflation, pinned to the hopes that yes, you could do something for them. If you could bring a successful economic reform in 1991 as the Finance Minister, we expected the same, if not more, as a Prime Minister.  But as is often seen in politics, leave aside your far from achievable manifesto points, your government does not seem to be capable of even organizing a dinner party without doing a scam, let alone run this vast country.

Sir, when the majority of this country voted for your government for its 2^nd term, they hoped that you would be the voice of 121 crore people. A Prime Minister is expected to speak for his country, atleast in case of issues which are of national importance, but you sir, by maintaining your silence, have not just tarnished your image, but have put those 121 crore Indians to shame, who made you their Voice.

As the Head of the Cabinet, you are expected to see that your cabinet ministers do not indulge in any wrong doings. As you had yourself once quoted, “Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion”, but when serious allegations were made against your law minister, Mr. Salman Khurshid, with proof, and that too by a government report, why did we not hear a word from you?  Why did you not setup an enquiry into the matter?

I believe that if those camps were really held, with all the resources that the government has, it would not have taken more than 2 days for you to prove so. And you could have easily raised your cabinet above suspicion. But you chose to keep quiet.

When the 2G, CWG, Coal scam took place, you were the one leading the ministry. If there are any charges against anyone who is working under you, it is your moral responsibility, as their leader to speak for them. But you, did not stand up in the parliament, to face the PAC and JPC, which washed up an entire parliamentary session, causing huge loss to the “Aam Aadmi” you claim to stand for.

Till date, I have seen you speak actively for two causes. The first one was for the Indo-US Nuclear deal, and the other time on FDI.

Dear Sir, I fail to get, why do you speak only on those issues which include the gain of foreign countries, and why not on issues of national importance?

Yes Sir, we do get that there is a lot of pressure on you from the party, who expect you to not speak against your own party ministers, but at this point of time, you hold 2 Positions, one as the member of Congress party and the other as the Prime Minister of 1.21 billion Indians. And I believe that the latter is a bigger and more important responsibility. As a Prime Minister, we expect you to stand for the truth, the interest of the nation first and that of your party later.

Sir, you are a world renowned economist. And hence, I don’t think you need anybody’s advice on FDI. You understand the economics and finance of this country much better than any one of us. But please do not take orders on this issue from your party. If you firmly believe that FDI or any other policy is not in the national interest, in the long run, then please stand up. Stand up and say a Firm NO, even if you have to lose your position as the Prime Minister. Because I believe, it’s better to be an ex-Prime Minister who stood for his country above his party, rather than the incumbent, who ruined his own people.

No wonder Times Magazine described you an “underachiever” and the Washington Post, “a tragic figure”. But I believe that you still have two years left as the PM, and you can work honestly to reinstate your lost respect and pride.

So PMJi, Kripya SamjhoJi, aur is desh ke hit mein bolo ji.

PS: Dear Sir, Please use an appropriate Shayari, when we hear you next time.
“Money does not Grow on Trees” – True that. But only if your government had not caused a huge loss to the National Exchequer by their corrupt activities, we would not need an FDI for money to flow in our country. And

“Hazaaron Jawaabon se Achchi Hai Khamoshi Meri, Na Jaane Kitne Sawaalon Ki Aabru Rakhe”.

Please. We expect our leader to at least speak on such issues, chahein isse aapke ministers ki aabru kyun na lut jaye.

Sincerely,

An Aam Aadmi

Kasab's Hanging : Right or Wrong ?

I have been reading a lot of posts regarding why is India celebrating the death of Kasab? A lot of people are against the death penalty given to Kasab. And the most recent one about whom I read is a retired Supreme Court Judge, who wrote an article in The Hindu.

But these so called fans of Human Rights should note that the case of Kasab is different. It is different from that of the case of Indira Gandhi’s or Rajiv Gandhi’s murderers. . For, I can see a reason in murdering the Prime Minister or Chief Minister of your country. Though it might be wrong, yet there might be a personal vendetta, just like there was one in case of Udham Singh. It is different from the case of the guy who killed his family. For, there can be some helplessness behind the reason, why one had to murder his own family.

But there can be no personal reason for open firing on a railway station and killing innocent people, as was the case of Kasab. He had no relationship with those people, direct or indirect. Even though you might say that he was brain washed to do so in the name of religion. But I believe that no one can be foolish enough to kill innocent people in the name of God or Allah.
And if there are still such foolish people, then his killing will send a strong message to those, to not to follow his footsteps.

And he was hanged for there was no reason in his life. He had no remorse, whatsoever. When asked by the court, that if given a chance, would he repeat what he did, he shamelessly replied in a Yes. And as far as the Human Right Activists are concerned, they should be happy that he was given a painless death, unlike the treatment given in muslim countries. 

They say not to rejoice at Kasab’s death, but to rejoice when the birth of lakhs of Kasab stops. But I say that rejoice his death, because we have killed a demon. And by killing him, we have killed if not lakhs, then at least thousands of those, who thought that they would get away after getting such a heinous crime.

Some Must have Free Android Applications for your Smartphone

It’s been around 6 months, since I got my smartphone. Since then, I have been experimenting with the apps, finding the great ones. Well, if you have an Android phone, you might have already downloaded famous apps like Angry Birds, Temple Run, Words with Friends, Fruit Ninja, Instagram, Google Goggles, Talking Tom, Google Sky Map, Go Launcher, Go locker, Opera Mini/Dolphin Browser and other apps that are trending on Google Play.

But here are some Good Android Apps which you must have and might not find them trending on Google Play.

Free Texting ↔ PC SMS Messaging by MightyText

This app is very useful for the people, who, while using their laptop forget about their phone. Through this app you can Send & Receive SMS Text Messages from your Computer. You also get Missed call alert, can see call logs & have the facility of SMS Backup. Any message received on your phone comes as a Pop-Up on your Laptop Screen.

Hide It Pro

This is the most amazing app that I have come across. With this app you can Hide the Pictures/Videos you don't want anyone to see. It disguises itself as an Audio Manager app which can be used to turn the volumes up and down. But if you long press on the Audio Manager title the actual Hide It Pro app will launch. And no need to worry even if you are caught, because the app has the facility for Escape pin/password for times when you get caught.

Call me

This is a very useful app for the people who need to show a fake call or message. This app helps you in getting out of awkward situation by giving you a fake-call! You can also create fake text message with both fake content and sender. Most importantly you can create call log, specify caller, occur time, type of call (Incoming, Outgoing, Missed), duration of call, etc.

AirDroid by SAND STUDIO

This app is a must have if you own a Computer. AirDroid is a fast and free app that lets you wirelessly manage your Android from your favorite browser. You can Transfer files between Android devices and computers by dragging & dropping. You can also Cut, copy, paste, search, rename or delete files on the SD card.
This app lets you Receive, send, forward or delete SMS messages. Install, uninstall, backup, search apps and do batch processing. Preview, delete, upload, download, and set photos as wallpaper. Share clipboard text between desktop and device and many more facilities.

DroidEmuLite

Miss playing Contra, Mario, Road Fighter, Battle City and other games you played on your TV Video Games. With the help of this app you can play them on your smartphone now. This app lets you run .SNES, .NES, .GBA, .GBC files easily on your phone. You just need to download the Game ROM on your phone. So now relive your childhood with this great app.

Auto SMS (Autoresponder)

Are you driving and can’t respond to a call or SMS ? Are you in a meeting and someone is continuously texting or calling you. Just download this app and it responds to incoming SMS and missed call automatically. This app is able to set a schedule to send SMS in future time. It also can read out SMS in some supported languages. This app can also forward your message to other number.

Glympse

Glympse is the easy way to safely share your location in real-time. No sign-up needed. No social network to manage. Just send a Glympse to anyone via email, SMS, Facebook, or Twitter. Your location is only shared for the duration you specify and then stops. Great way to let friends and family know where you are and where you're going. Also useful for the Employers to know where their Employee actually is.

NewsHunt

This is probably the best app for reading latest news. You can choose from 66 Indian Newspapers, Websites plus other news sources in 10 Indian Languages. Newspapers include The Indian Express, Mid Day, Business Line, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhaskar, Amar Ujala, Malayalam Manorama, Eenadu, Sakshi, Deccan Herald, Sakaal, Loksatta and many more. Popular magazines include India Today, Business Today etc.

Indian Railway App – Disha

If you travel by trains, then this is the best Indian Railways app for you. You can check the PNR Status, Find Trains, See the Schedule of the Train, See the Fare, View Seat Availability and Find the Running Status of a Train. Also the running status is quite accurate.

Screen Capture Shortcut Free by tomorrowkey

This app does not require you to root your phone for taking a screenshot. Just set the delay you want for the screenshot to be taken and it’s done.

Some good Games :

Space Jump, Four in a Line, Paper Toss, Tiny Robots, Scooter Hero.

Young Leadership in India

India has been the country of Leaders. It has produced great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Jawahar Lal Nehru etc. The far-sightedness and pragmatic characteristics of the leaders can be assumed from the fact that they framed the Constitution of India by inducting the best possible clauses of the world. They led the country from the front, without being showing any inclination to either of the power blocs. In the past, India has had a lot of young leaders like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Rajiv Gandhi etc.


But, as we approach the end of the new millennium’s first decade, India looks more alive, more confident, and more prosperous than ever before. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam once said,” If India is to become developed by 2020, it will do so only by riding on the shoulders of the young”.


A youth leader means a young person who is able to take control of a situation and advice and encourage others to make a difference by any means possible, who doesn’t hesitate to take on seemingly impossible goals and then inspire everyone else around them to help achieve those goals.


Young, potential leaders tend to be open-minded, can absorb ideas, and are more ready to take risks. They bring aggression, speed, and innovation. Needless to say, India needs young leaders in every sphere. It needs great politicians to judiciously exercise power on behalf of its entire people; it needs great businessmen to create wealth for everyone; it needs great scientists, doctors, artists, writers, entertainers, and simply do-gooders.
But, at the time when the centre of gravity of world economy is shifting to Asia, and India, along with China, is one of the pillars on which this new world order will rest, India faces a crisis of leadership, politically. At present, India only has a few young politicians like Sachin Pilot, Agatha Sangma, Jyotiraditya Scindia etc.


Fortunately for the country, the scenario outside of politics looks less dire. Spurred by the dynamics of a free market, many a leader has emerged—in business, civil society, and arts and entertainment. In these fields we have a number of leaders including the likes of Arvind Kejriwal, Harish Hande, KM Birla, Prasoon Joshi, Kiran Desai etc.
Most importantly, these are young leaders. People who’ve made the right moves at the right time to make a difference to their own lives as well as those of others in the country. These are the people who, more than anyone else, will determine the course of India’s journey ahead.


The future of a country rests in the hands of its young population. India has a very high proportion of its population in the young age groups. With an enterprising youth, which is dynamic and optimistic, in a world scenario gripped with fear, we have excellent chances to move ahead, and have our rightful place in the contemporary world and making of history. In the future, as awareness and education in this country increases, India will have more youth leaders who will not only be the change agents of this country but the whole world.

OSAMA DEAD !! KASAB ALIVE !!

I come up with this article, in the middle of my Comprehensive Examinations.. (thanks to the long power cut and intolerable heat of Pilani ), wherein I have questioned two aspects of two different countries – INDIA and USA on terrorism.. Has US really done justice in killing Osama ? And why is India keeping Kasab alive ? Please read and tell what do you feel..

So finally USA found out the most wanted terrorist of the world – Mr. Bin Laden and US President Mr. Obama says “Justice is done”.
Ok.
Although I am happy to know that Osama is no more, but there is one thing that should be realized, i.e. – “Is what they have done - JUSTICE ?”
Look at these figures -
The attack by Laden was achieved with 19 hijackers and an Investment of $500,000.
It caused near about 3000 Americans to die and a loss of US $40 Billion. (Clever Osama, I must say…)
But to take the revenge – it costed USA – lives of 6000 soldiers, injuries to around 55,000 (these were mostly americans) and infinite no. of civilians (who were killed for no fault of theirs). And what was the money spent in carrying out this operation ? 1.3 Trillion US Dollars…. That is 30 times the loss caused by the attack. Its alright that the revenge is taken but what has USA achieved?
To take revenge of 3000 civillian’s death, you killed 6,000 soldiers of your own and to take revenge of a loss of around 40 billion, you spent 1.3 trillion. And after all this have you stopped Terrorism ? I don’t think so.
Killing of Osama might be justified but killing of so many soldiers and spending so much money is not justified.. I personally think that if these 1.3 trillion would have been spent on other areas.. US surely would have achieved more than this...

Although there is one thing in this incident which I liked about USA. They kept searching for the man who attacked their country, for 10 long years, and the moment they found him, they shot him right in the center of his head. 40 minutes.. just 40 minutes and the game was over.. in just one bullet..
While we Indians, who have red-handedly caught Kasab, attacking our country, have kept him alive for so many years and are spending almost the same amount to feed him that the US spent to kill their traitor. We are waiting for first the lower order courts, then the high court, then supreme court, and then finally the president to prove him guilty. (which will take atleast 10 more years considering the speed with which our President is taking these cases – The man who attacked the Parliament of our country has not been punished even after 9 years of catching him).

So on one side, a country spends trillions of US Dollars for ten long years to find their traitor and kills him on the spot on finding him..and on the other side, a country who catches their traitor red handed for FREE.. isn’t ready to kill him without spending trillions on keeping him alive for 10 more years. Who is right and who has forged a false definition of justice and righteousness? If only the answers were so easy!

Common Wealth Games 2012

This post is dedicated to the XIX CommonWealth Games DELHI…

Two weeks before the start of this Mega event, we could only hear all bad about these games.. On Facebook, on TV Channels, on Websites and Blogs.. Everywhere.. Everyone was Damn sure that these games are going to be flop.. Then one day, I happened to read an appeal from Mr. Subrato Roy Sahara in a newspaper (Read it here).. Which totally changed my mindset…

Although even I wasn’t very confident that the games could be as successful as they have been.. yet I believed that criticizing the games just 10 days before their start would only result in less participation, less audience, and thus less Revenue…  Therefore, I had prepared myself to speak only positively about the games…

One fine day, I just checked the CWG site and when I saw the ticket prices were so low, I discussed with my wingies that we could actually go and watch the games in the stadium… And many of them supported the !dea.. So our strong contingent of 18 people unanimously came up with a plan to go to Delhi to see Hockey, Badminton and Netball on 9th October…

And HERE IS MY FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE AT THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES…

It was around 12 noon by the time we got down the metro and headed towards Thyagraj Sports Complex for Netball..

The security arrangements were very good.. The tickets were checked by bar code reader and when we finally reached the court, we were simply taken aback.. Oh My God !! The Infrastructure was marvellous.. The Stadium was totally astounding aur andar ghuste hi jo feel aayi thi that cannot be described in words here..

We just saw 5 minutes play of two unknown nations and since India’s match was at 5 pm we decided to go on to Siri Fort Sports Complex for Badminton..

The Inter-Venue Conveyance was not good.. Atleast there should have been some feeder buses from the nearest metro to the stadiums.. Anyways, thanks to it that I had a “once in a lifetime” experience of getting my head stuck in the automatic doors of the DTC Bus.. :P

When we reached the Badminton Court, India’s match was going on – P Prakash v/s Michael Brownlee (Falkland Islands) and we also joined the crowed in cheering “INDIA - INDIA”…  Home support obviously gave the advantage to Prakash and he easily posted a 21-8, 21-3 triumph.. Just after that we had another Indian Match – mixed doubles this time – and Rupesh Kumar and Ashwini Ponnappa also zoomed past Steve Hansley and Camille Alisen of Seychelles very easily by 21-8, 21-14..

Although againt minnows yet it was a wonderful feeling to see Indians winning LIVE…

After watching Badminton games we had some relishing Chaat and finally went to the last venue of the day – Major Dhyanchand National Stadium for Hockey match..

The Women’s Hockey match India v/s South Africa was slated to start at 6:30 PM..

And we somehow managed to reach the stadium by 6:15 (This was another wonderful experience – running, clicking pics and running again on hearing the Crowd Cheering from the Stadium)..

But wait, as we reached the Gate No. 3, a 1.5 km long line awaited us to join them for the security check.. By the time we entered the stadium it was 7:15 and India was already ahead by 3-0.. Although we missed 1^st half of our 1^st match yet I should really praise the Indian Security on how quickly they checked all the people and advanced them in..

The moment I entered the stadium I was left dumb-struck.. Such an awesome field.. Just like the one we had seen in Chak-de India… 

The stadium was full as around 15,000 tickets for this game were sold.. We seated ourselves at a comfortable place and the 2^nd half began shortly… The 2^nd half of this match was not good for Indians as the Africans scored a goal.. But India finally won it by 3-1..

Now was the time for our last match of the day – India v/s Scotland (Mens).. This match had a lot of aggressiveness and we were given many moments to cheer as India scored two superb goals within the first ten minutes.. Best moment of the game was when an Indian Player came out of nowhere, dived on the field to stop a hit, got up and took the ball all the way to Scotland’s D chasing down 4 of their players.. (Although he could not convert it into a goal).. Throughout the match India outplayed Scotland in every dimension of the game and finally won it by 4-nil..

What a fantastic day we had.. Starting with the Paranthas at ParantheWali Gali in Chandni Chowk.. Seeing India win all the four matches that we saw.. And Seeing many other things at Delhi as well (jinka Pilani mein sookha hai.. :P ) and finally finishing off with meal at mall in Gurgaon..

I think this should be enough to shut the mouths of those who said that India Can’t host these games.. Coz India really rocked at this CWG.. Finished 2^nd in the medal tally with 101 medals..

And also kept its words, “You came as friend and will go as a FAMILY”