AKM_LIFE_03 : Mindfulness - Practicing Natural Meditation

What is Mindfulness ?

Always be in the moment in the just present. Neither thinking about past nor anxious about future when doing any work/activity. Involve fully in the process, so that state of flow come hence we are in constant meditation. 

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

Being fully aware and conscious in that very moment so that we are not thinking on anything, it will be the state of narural meditation and hence mindfulness.

Steps towards mindfulness, we can practice::

1. Pay attention. It's hard to slow down and notice things in a busy world. Take the time to experience your environment with all of your senses — touch, sound, sight, smell and taste.

For example, when is the last time we eat just food nothing else we did while having our lunch/dinner/breakfast ? 

usually we are talking to someone while having our meal or watching TV or any other kind of entertainment. 

Can we try having our meal with mindfulness, just enjoy the food nothing else, while eating our food, take the time to smell, taste and truly enjoy it. it may sound bearing but once you consciously start this you will find it joyful as you find your meal tastier, you will be able to appreciate your parents/spouse/cook, you will be able to have  gratitude for the farmers who has grown vegetable/grain. Just a small activity will make you more closer to life and aliveness.

2. Live in the moment:  Try to intentionally bring an open, accepting and discerning attention to everything you do. Find joy in simple pleasures.

for example activities like bathing, doing small work at home like washing the dishes etc. we have ample opportunities to be mindful.

In modern times with increasing opportunities of quick entertainment, it become difficult to be mindful with these small activities as we thought all these activities as leisure activities and instead of being present in the moment for these activities we try to multitask and kept ourselves away from these methods of natural meditation.

3. Accept ourselves. Treat ourselves the way you would treat a good friend.

4. Focus on our breathing. When we have negative thoughts, try to sit down, take a deep breath and close our eyes. Focus on our breath as it moves in and out of our body. Sitting and breathing for even just a minute can help

AKM_52 : GOVERNOR WITH THE DIFFERENCE TO FIRST CITIZEN OF COUNTRY

Draupadi Murmu, who has been elected to be fifteenth president of Republic of India, has been in all around the news from last few days. In fact she is in continuous media discussion from the day she announced as presidential candidate by ruling party. Just after announcement many non-NDA parties supported her candidature made election just a formality. Most of the ongoing discussion is praising her appointment as she is the first one from tribal community who will be the president of our country. As per constitution, President is not the de facto head but the de jure head of the country, hence not much power this position has, but symbolically President is the first citizen and Head of the state of Republic of India, supreme commander in chief of all Indian armed forces and custodian of the constitution. Hence it’s a matter of great pride and appreciation for our country and democracy.

Apart from the first tribal, she is the second woman after Pratibha Patill assuming the office. First one from Orissa become president. First one born in independent India. She is the first councilor (ward member) of local civic body (Nagar panchayat) who has reached to this height, again depicts depth and maturity of Indian democracy.

Definitely, being the first one from tribal community (Adivasi) is the major highlight. Around 9 percent of our total population belongs to tribal communities. After almost seventy-five years of independence community is among poorest, least developed and also registered the highest child mortality and infant mortality rates, when compared to other social groups. Also community faced lot of issues b/c of Maoists/Naxalites groups, which are funded from foreign countries who want to destabilize the country.

Draupadi Murmu, has substantial experience as administrator. Although she started from councilor but she was twice elected as member in Orissa assembly. During her first term in Naveen Patnaik lead Collation government in Orissa, she was Independent charge minister of state.

She was also governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021. Where She called herself “governor with difference” importantly not because she was the first tribal woman appointed as governor for any state, but because of her work. Glimpses of this difference she actually showed too few times, while calling DGP in governor house, declining the state govt request to give governor house land for flyover and so on. These differences are interesting b/c these decisions she taken while BJP itself ruling the state.

Time will decide she will be proved as “President with a difference” on basis of her work or not but surely she is different because of her appointment. It creates confidence in the community who is socially and economically most backward. May be BJP playing the card of symbolism to have the vote bank of these community after appointing Dalit President in last term and now from tribal community, In that case also It’s the power of democracy only. It creates trust in Indian Democracy. Democracy has reached so far, more it has to achieve. Democracy is looking forward for de facto head (prime minister) coming from these communities (Dalit and tribal communities).

  

AKM_51: WHY JNU IS NOT SILENT ?

Whether JNU is not silent because the hiked fee was too much or the students are always looking for been in news/headlines for their political placements??
First of all two issues CAA and JNU hostel fee hike  simultaneously been in news made a bit confusion among many people outside. In the anti-CAA protest there is no violence reported in JNU. So the issue remains is hostel fee hike.

News :
In Nov JNU administration hiked the hostel fees, for a room earlier rent was 10rs/month to 600rs/month + electricity charges. Student made it revolution went towards Rashtrapati Bhawan, Delhi police try to stop but failed and then protest turned into huge violence.
Administration calibrated the increased fees by half, then also most of the students refused to register for next semester and made protest violent by disturbing the server room and other facilities.
Latest Major Violence reported next couple of days after it, when the 40-50 masked people entered aggraisively entered in the hostels of JNU.

Analysis :
1. Why there is lack of dialouge between administration and  student union ??
Instead of raising the charges in single step, administration should hiked the charges in multiple steps over the time of five - seven years.
Also when administration rolled back the decision and make the changes such that hostel rent 300 per month, for this decision did they have taken student union in confidence ?
Also let's consider they didnt take students in confidence, then also violence from students bodies to breakdown the server rooms and other facilities in universities can not be justified.
Also it is claimed that around 70 percent students are getting scholarships (if it is true). Then there should not be any doubt that students are making noise for there political placements only.
If we see the strength of students in various courses then it surprised for a bit. Number of UG students are 900+ , PG 1400+, Doctorate (PhD) 5000+.
Almost all PhD students must be receiving scholarships which would be any way more than 20k, then what is the issue in paying 600 bucks out of it ??
Also it creates kind of doubt why so many students are in PhD, are they completing there thesis/research or waiting for political placements.

2. Why union students are against the administration and vice-chancellor ?
Elected student union members, which claims that they are liberals, when some one outsider with a different/diverse background gets appointed as vc of there university they opposed it. What kind of liberalism it is ?
What is the problem if he wants to make university more diverse and comprehensive with other schools of engineering and medicals too in the university ??

3. Also when a aggressive mob entered to the campus why Delhi police didn't take action immediately ?
Bigger questions should also be raised on the role of Delhi police, why didnt they respond immediately towards the aggresive mob, why they waited for 3 odd hours for VC permission and allowed violence inside campus. Was Delhi police under pressure from home ministry to not take the action this masked aggresive mob ?


Conclusion:
Definetly issue is because of irresponsible behaviour of all three parties i.e students, administration and Delhi Police.
SIT should be constituted for independent investigation and also there is high need to review the university academia and policies by an independent body with no interfere from government.

AKM_50: Second Decade of Century | India Against Corruption to India Towards Hindu Nation | 2010-19 Political Overview

Decade started with public protesting against govt for corruption, ending with again public protesting against govt for Promoting Hindu Nationalism because of  various steps, most recent CAA.

Early couple of years of decade got popularity because of series of corruption scams 2G (2G spectrum), CWG (common wealth games), CG (Coal gate), Augusta westland helicopter scam etc.
In 2009 when UPA-2 came in power for second consecutive  term with much stronger congress (205 seats in 2009, wheare in 2004 they had only 145 seats), it was thought that this will proved to be stronger than UPA-1. But sooner these corruption cases exposed, broke the trust of all voters of country and revolutionised them against that govt.
Against these corruptions, movement were evolved by Anna Hazare in 2011, his Major demand was to make a independent body against corruption called "Lokpal". This demand finally got completed now in 2019, when Retired Judge Pinaki Chandra Ghosh appointed as first Lokpal of india, however this is still a question how independent this body is ?
Another unfortunate fact is this in major corruption scam  like 2G, no body convicted,
Can we ask what was the outcome of our protest of India against corruption, if no one convicted ?
But yes this movement helped to make opposition stronger against govt. Narendra Modi that time CM of Gujrat correctly capitalize the circumstances, with the consecutive hetrick victory in state assembly, he made his claim strongest and clear for the face of BJP lead NDA for Next PM. 

Marketed model of Gujarat governance, Anti-incumbency against existed govt and heavy marketing through slogans, digital media and great orator characterics of Narendra Modi created a huge trust and hope of common people in the  Modi. This trust and hope, marketed as Modi wave, increased exponentially across the country  before general elections of 2014. This Modi wave made the history, after 30 years any party was able to get the clear majority by its own. 

It was not like that only BJP benefited from this Anti-incumbency and corruption movement. Arvind Kejariwal who was right hand to Anna in this movement, is another name who won the Delhi assembly election in their first ever election. Arvind Kejariwal lead Aam Aadami Party (AAP) first time made the govt in Delhi with support of congress in Dec 2013, resigned before general elections, won again insignificantly 67 out 70 seats in 2015, a record victory in the history of democracy of country.
Back to centre, As soon as modi lead NDA govt came in power, they shown their commitment towards corruption free and vibrant governennce. Forming of SIT for blackmoney,  starting of various programs like Jandhan Yojana, Startup India, Digital India, Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, ujjwala yojana, Make in India, Mundra loan etc are examples of this governennce. Some of the programs succeeded however few of them does not succeeded as thought by govt.
Demonitisation and GST are two steps which were praised alot by govt and supported by common public, but poor implementation of both these steps now showing  the shade on economy and GDP growth.
Apart from the track of economy and governance, there is another track of Diplomacy and National Security which was fully capitalised by Narendra Modi. Sudden visit to Pakistan Nawaj shareef however seen as diplomatic failure of Modi, as Pathankot and uri attacks afterward put the govt on backfoot. Here the Armed forces helped NaMo to make his image macho with the surgical strike in September 2016.
September 2016 surgical strike and November Demonitisation, made Modi wave much stronger, which helped in BJP won UP with bumper majority of more than three fourth (312 seats in 403 seat assembly).

With the Yogi govt in UP,  BJP seems much proactive towards Hindu nation Agenda when instead of focussing on job creation and other mandatory steps govt was more focussed towards closing of slaughter houses, also media had reported number of cases of mob lynching. 

Before going to 2019 general elections Modi govt has some success and some failures on governance and economy track. But after Pulwama attack on CRPF,  Balakot air strike make Modi image stronger on National security front. Therefore on the track of Nationalism Modi repeted 2014, with a bigger victory.
Challenges after this victory immense on economy track since decreasing GDP growth rates and worst unemployment of last 45 years should be alarming, these were the real issues that should be targeted. But it seems that govt is more active on issue of Nationalism or agenda of Hindu Nation. It might not be true. Still the series of activities in last 5-6 months (relinquish 370, Triple Talak bill, Ram Mandir Verdict, and Now CAA)  helped opposition to create this perception towards Modi government. Current protests against CAA, are live example of this perception, which makes these protests against this agenda of Hindu Nation, if govt really has any such agenda.

Coming back towards basic question, we protested in the early years of decade against corruption, we changed the party in power, did we succed in changing the system ??
did we get the corrupted money back ? How many really convicted in those corruption cases ??
Actually we failed.

Again now if  we are protesting against the Hindu Nationalism agenda of govt ?
Can we consider our victory if we changed the party in power ?
If yes then again we will fail.
We actually need to change the mindset of the ones who are in power and also ones who are in opposition, so that instead of fake issues, our real issues should be targeted by govt and these real issues should also raised by opposition.
That would be real victory of us and our democracy.

Heads on to 2020, next decade of century, hope that we (people of India) will win this time.

Happy New Year/ New Decade !!

AKM_49: POLLUTION AND POLITICS | DELHI INSIDE OUT | CAA

Delhi winters started with air pollution which spread only in NCR, become worst with the political pollution which spread across the country.
Survey shows the AQI (Air Quality Index) was at highest mark because of air pollution in NCR region.
Althought there is no survey/parameter to measure VI (Violence Index), but it seems that this time it is at one of the highest mark across the country, not only in NCR. Thanks to CAA and Political parties for disturbing the fabric of peace ☮️ in the country.

Multiple causes of Air pollution in National capital region includes the passenger and commercial vehicals combustion, construction work, factories etc. But the cause of worst air in the early winters is the burning of Parali (left over after harvesting rice).
Issue seeks the attention of parliament in early winter session, but as once the environment became little normal, politicians forget the issue for next year as usual. Media however was attentive on the environment pollution, but once CAB put on the parliament attracted all attention of country.
Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) after passing from both houses and signed from president turned into Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). This act provides the citizenship to those minorities of three neighboring countries Afganistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who are living here since or before 31 dec 2014.

Argument of government here is that the minorities in these three countries are suppressed in these three pro islamik counties, therefore it is duty of india to provide home in the country.

It seems all right with this act, then why there is too much noise  all over the country.
Here is the catch, basically behind the noise there are below concerns:

1. When Govt says they are providing citizenship to the exploited minorities of neighbouring countries. Then why they didn't see it in big canvas i.e. why they are not protecting the minorities of non-Muslim majority neighboring states, Like Tamils in Srilanka, Rohingya muslims in Myamaar.
Ain't these minorities exploited ?
Also why other muslim subgroups which are also exploited in these muslim states like Ahmadi/shiya considered in the list ?

2. Second and major concern is NRC after this CAA. The way in which govt projected the bill, creating a kind of fear in our own minority. Concern arise after Assam NRC where out of 19 lakh illegal migrants, 14 lakhs were non-Muslim. Before NRC govt has thought that most of the illegal migrants would be Muslims. So to prevent them they immediately come with CAA.

Does this act required actually ?
Since it is very clear that this act is only for polarising the vote bank in hindu and muslims, otherwise there was no actual need of this act, govt can legalize refugees without projecting the act in this way, they can legalize them on case to case basis, it would be better approach.
Similarly opposition using it for their votebank by creating fear in the mind of minorities, most of the people who are protesting with violence does not actually know the facts of this act.

Definetly Violence can neither be the solution of it. Also everyone has to understand that it is for sure that govt can neither expell anyone, whoever living here from years, from the country whatever law can come, nor govt can create the detention centre for them. This is just for votebank politics, Nothing else.
Everyone specially who involved in protest has to understand the act and corresponding concerns carefully, and should protest in pure non-violence process. Which is really powerfull.

AKM_48: Gandhi@150

2 oct 1969 - 2019

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others. The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. Strength does not come from physical capacity, It comes from an indomitable will. "  - Mahatma Gandhi

Today is 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He is not known only as an Indian leader for our freedom against Britishers, but he was more than that, which made him a world leader and philosopher for humanity and peace ☮️.

Gandhi is though of non-violence and truth. Which makes him much more relevant in today's time.

Some of the major teachings/practices which he provided to the world are following:
1. Nonviolence: By following the path of it, we prevent ourself from giving torture to others. It is much more powerfull than any other way. He used to say that my religion is based upon truth and nonviolence. Truth is my god and nonviolence is the only way to find it.

2. Satyagrah : He has given the world a precious gift to protest with nonviolence against anything we find wrong. He called this phenomenon as "Satyagrah". Satyagrah is to raise your voice for truth, for our rights with no violence at all.

3. Self control:  He always believed that before preaching others for something, we should first follow it.

4. Self sustainability: He always said that in the freedom movement that, only achieving independence is not enough we have to be self-sustainable. We should not depend upon government or upon exports for our needs. That is why he make "spinning wheel" as wepon to inspire masses for being self-sustainable.

5. Cleanliness and sanitation: He always Emphasised on cleanliness and sanitation. He worked in champaran for years for sanitation. Gandhi always said that "sanitation is more important than independance".

In the human history of medieval and morden times, lot of leaders came and gone, But the Gandhi is one of the landmark across all those leaders, because before him everyone thinks that achieving independence ( or any other Goal) is important,whatever may be the means to get it.
But Gandhi followed the path where the means/way to found the independence was more important  than the independence.
And the means was just "Truth" and "nonviolence".

#Gandhi150

AKM_47 : Howdy Modi : Proud and contrast

Housten, City in Texas state of USA  seen a huge program organised by indian american people.This event got much popularity because of the presence of US president Trump with Modi.

Presence of more than 50000 people shows the magnifacance of popularity of Modi, it was a highest number of people gathering in USA for any external political leader.

It is definitely a matter of pride that PM of our country is so much popular, more than that the matter of pride is that the indians in USA are so much power full that President Trump hasn't lost the opportunity to attend it.

Modi has introduced Trump with lot of praise. Did it really required ?

But one thing Modi said was correct that Trump is very good in deal making.

In the next couple of days it got proved too, when trump offers himself twice for arbitration in Kashmir issue besides of clear no from India. 

It is not tough to understand that Trump has no sympathy with Pakistan,  it is just that he wants support of Pak army in Afganistan to fight against Taliban. That's why offers mock support to Pak for Kashmir issue arbitration if both India and Pakistan are ready for same. Pakistan is ready, that means Trump wants to be mediator if India is ready, clearly knowing the fact India does not wants any third country. Therefore it's only false sympathy of Trump for Pakistan.

This is big victory of Indian diplomacy that Pak has no support from world community on Kashmir issue. 

In USA around 45 lacs Indo-american peoples are living, And they are really power full in every sector of USA. Next year their is election in USA and trump tried to grab it as an opportunity to showcase himself as positive thinker towards Indo-american population. Speech of him was nothing less than election campaign, tried to speak the checklist of everything what he has done in last 3 years and wants to done in future.

Modi has utilized opportunity and defend the abolishment of article 370.

Clearly mentioned that it was not only ruling party decision, but supported by more than two third majority in the parliament, specifically in upper house of parliament where BJP does not has the majority numbers.

There are some issues which were less talked and Modi government has really need to learn from USA in the time when Indian economy is towards heavy slowdown. Unemployment, right now in Modi government country facing highest rate of unemployment in last 45 years in contrast with Trump's USA, where unemployment is at the least rate of last 50 years.

 In the world politics the support of one country towards another is strategic and  and does not depends upon morality. Therefore beside of being morally correct country has to be much more powerful economically. Definately National security is big issue, but govt also required to be focussed on the issue of economy and need to take right steps for fighting against this  slowdown.

#Shared_dreams_bright_futures