Are Memories Of Civilization Of Value? Do We Want "Shining, Frictionless, Smooth" Cities? Are Adivasis Making The Pavements Dirty?

Mostly core Adivasis will not use the pavement for excretion. Adivasis are more conscious and aware of the "nature" and keeping nature clean. Yes, the memories of civilization are of great value, especially when it comes to "preserving nature". We can follow some of the Adivasis practices, if we want to preserve nature. For some reason, I am reluctant to think that Adivasis will migrate to modern cities or villages and want to stay there. They are experts in finding their own livelihood in jungles. They are self-sufficient and happy there. Yes, I have heard that they have some terrifying traditions like "human sacrifice". But they have to be educated for that. 

The people who live on pavements, generally migrate from villages to cities in search of livelihood. Unfortunately, they are neither modern not traditional. But they are definitely not adivasis. They do not know how to live in cities as well as in jungles. They have got a "sandwiched value-set" to live. Cities have no "nature" left behind. So what to keep clean? how to keep clean? What to preserve? The whole purpose of living is not clear in cities. For many many workers, cities are just for temporary residence. Once the job is done, they migrate back to their villages. They do not have any longings for the cities. Ideally, even if the workers do not have education, they should learn a skill in their village and then migrate to the cities. For example "wood-work", "glass-work", "metal-work" etc. That will help them find a group who has similar skills and then launch on to skills in the city.  They can easily earn a livelihood. This kind of "organized human migration" needs to be done. 

I personally am not very keen on "shining, smooth, frictionless" cities. I am of the opinion of keeping it clean, what we already have. The rivers, lakes, the coastline, the open spaces, the drainage lines and ultimately the precious air. It all should be clean. Cleaning means, there should not be any plastic, paper, cloths, food items thrown in the water-bodies or drainages. There should not be any spitting/urinating in the water bodies, drainages, open spaces or on roads. It makes the cities/villages look ugly. And on top of that, it damages the reputation of Indian Society as a whole. The society appears as very "un-cultured" society. Of course, some relations are very hard to correct. For example, when my mother-in-law or father-in-law spitted on the road‌, it is very hard for me to correct them to not spit. The relation is such that, people have to show mature behaviour. I am fond of little houses, if they are mud houses, it is even better. The tall glass buildings are good to show the engineering skills, but does not make a "house" a "home". So there can be a few glass buildings here and there, but it should not be a norm across the cities.

Widening The Roads Is Not The Solution For Traffic

The wider the road is, the more traffic

Why people use vehicles? 

1. Footpaths are occupied or dirty. It's hard or mentally exhausting to walk, to see all that encroachment or dirt. Ideally walking is the best form of exercise and natural living to get sun or fresh air. By now most of the Indians realize its importance. I don't think Indians will mind walking, given beautiful surroundings. 

2. Ideally, if a common man sees public figures or leaders use a footpath to walk, he will start following them. Public figures can set examples. However, there are rare public figures who walk in India, because of security reasons. To handle most critical issues of the country, we need leaders to set an example. And "traffic" is one such issue.

3. For a few people, using vehicles might be a "status symbol". 

4. The public transport system should be highly efficient if we want to avoid our own vehicle. But I think except a few major cities, public transport system is not efficient in India. 

5. If the kids are young (less than 12 years of age) own vehicles is a better option, if they need to use washrooms or from security points of view. 

6. We follow western countries for every valid reason. We follow them by petting a dog or a cat. But when it comes to maintaining the pets, we are far far behind. In every western country, when people go out with a dog, they pick their dog's excretion and then move on. Whereas, we just leave it at the very place (especially on footpath) and move on. It's very wrong. People who are owning the pet, should take care of this. 

7. People who have used Public Transport will agree that using public transport needs certain discipline. There is a certain arrival and departure schedule of the transport. I myself have used Mumbai public transport regularly from 18 till 22 years of my age. After which I stayed in hostel, so I did not have to travel. After 24 years, I got married and had a responsibility of office and home. To carry that responsibility, I thought using own vehicle is the best. We can commute any time we want. Sometimes I needed to stay late in the office, sometimes cooking got a little delayed in the morning. It was hard to stick to a specific schedule of public transport on a daily basis. So I preferred to commute by own vehicle, even when the city had public transport. I don't know whether the people face this situation today, when "working from home" is possible.

8. Sometimes it is just a matter of having certain comfort in life at a certain age. It's an emotional issue. At their age I simply can not tell my parents (80 years and 74 years) to use public transport. I believe that they deserve certain comfort in life, for what they have done for us ... For shaping our lives ...

Study in 76 Will Become Obsolete

Some parts of study remain the same despite in 1976 or 2026. These are called the "basics". Let's take an example of Maths. Without learning the basic "addition", "subtraction", "multiplication", "division", we cannot directly jump onto "integration", "differentiation" concepts, just because they are more advanced. If we take an example of "electronics", without learning "resistors", "capacitors", "inductors", "diodes", "transistors", we cannot directly jump to "semiconductor electronics", even though that's the latest. Similarly, if we consider an example of computer science, without knowing the basic definition of "functions", "overloading", "overriding", we cannot directly jump on to the advanced concepts of computer science, that is "machine learning" or "AI". Some things are just "must haves". According to my experience, the study for the first degree "B.Tech", "BE", "BSc" will still remain the same. Yes, there can be advancement in terms of the "teaching methodology". For example, more graphics, videos, hands-on training, workshops, labs can be added while teaching for Bachelors degrees. Whereas the curriculum for Masters will change according to latest happenings. The PhD topics will change according to latest happenings.

Is the Indian Education System lacking somewhere? Exactly at what points?

Sports - India is doing well academically on Science, Technology, Arts, Commerce front. But lacking considerably on the Sports front. 

Laboratories - Considering the number of students, the access to laboratories is very limited in their school days (in the young age from 13 to 18 years age of students). The access is little more in their colleges/universities (from 18 to 22 years age of students). Access is the most during their Masters and PhD (from 22 to 27 years). If the students are given more access to laboratories in their young ages, they can create/invent more.

Workshops - In India, the practical or hands-on training is much less in school or university days. That is why the knowledge the students receive, remains "bookish" knowledge. If more workshop training is given to the students in their school and university times, it would be beneficial for them in the short run, immediately after coming out of University and getting placed in job. What helps in the long run is the habit of continuous learning and updating the skills !

Spirituality - Lessons in spirituality helps in "self control", "common sense" and "judgement". It will benefit through their entire life.

Religion(s) - I find it necessary to teach the religion(s) "formally" in school rather than practicing the religion "informally" according to the sayings of their seniors at home.

No more compromises

It is an "extreme stand", whereas life is full of "compromises" at every step. However the good news is, everyone has a freedom to choose their own "compromising limit". Everyone has a freedom to choose their own "principles and values" over which their life is based. These "principles and values" enable us to choose our "compromising limit". These "principles and values" decide the person's character. And ultimately the "society" respects the "character".

In India, Do people live at certain places because they like it?

In India, we see a lot of "attachment" phenomenon. Including attachment towards kids, attachment to job, attachment to places, attachment to gold etc. People are reluctant to change in general. They are reluctant to explore. In earlier ages, there was a tendency to settle down near water bodies. Therefore, civilizations are developed across the banks of rivers. In this era, there is a tendency to settle down where the "conveyance" is more. So, they settle near bus-stops, railway stations, airports etc. That helps them to go for their jobs easily. Over a period of time, these places have become dirty. However, due to financial crunch and time crunch it is hard for them to maintain these places regularly. I mean colour the places, clean the places regularly.  There is a lot of fear among people in general, to get "deceived" by the builders, by the government authorities. Sometimes builders or government officials start a project and it stops in the middle, because of lack of finance or because of activists. There is a lack of "planning" for projects in general. There is a fear among the workers, if they will get "paid" even if they do the job well. Because of "trust" issues with the officials, people generally prefer to stick to their current belongings. They feel like losing their current belongings if they go to achieve new heights. Let me give an example of my parents. They lived in Vashi for 45 years. They saw Vashi grow from the ground up. They were fit and fine till the time they were in Vashi. Now they are in their senior age. We three sisters decided to call them to settle down near us in Pune, in their senior age. Because it might become difficult to help them remotely over time, if they need any help. They agreed after some persuing. They settled down near us. And within three years, my father was diagnosed with cancer and within next one year, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. It was sheer bad luck. But my mother had a thought in mind, "We were fit and fine in Vashi. God knows why we settled here in Pune. We faced unnecessary hassles". It hurt me so much. Anyone in this case will feel like, not wanting to help the seniors. If we see this incident objectively, there is some sort of "superstition" also associated with changing places. There were many incidences back in time, when the youngsters snatched all the seniors' belongings and pushed them out of the door to beg. So, the seniors stopped believing their children in the property matters. So, it has so happened that Indian society became corrupt.

The Outcast (Some thoughts after viewing a painting)

In Indian society, the unmarried woman and her children are not respected. The guy can swiftly escape from his responsibility if decides so. The question is how to prevent these incidents from happening? The other question is, if such an incident happens, how to resolve it? Should the society simply forgive the girl and accept her and her child respectfully? If that is done, won't it become a "norm" to be an unmarried mother? Won't she set an example of "doing something wrong" and still get due respect? Isn't that an example of starting to respect the wrong practice? The main question here is about the child. The child has not done anything wrong. Why should he be punished by disrespect even before birth? This is a very complex scenario which is not restricted at a family level, but escalated to society and religion level. If the girl is educated and financially independent, she can put efforts to change her circumstances. Bring up her child on her own. But I am not in favor of being "unmarried, financially dependent" and still go for a child. Then I am afraid, she may face disrespect from the people whom she is dependent upon. Unless the people whom she is dependent on are kind enough. But why make such mistakes which can be avoided.

"Accepting The Reality" Vs. "Changing The Circumstances"

 I personally prefer changing the circumstances over accepting the reality. "Accepting the reality" is very pessimistic approach. Whereas "Changing our circumstances" is optimistic. Something could be done to improve the circumstances, gives us hope. It allows us to dream ... And one can dream big. One can put efforts to achieve our dreams, our goals. As long as our dreams do not hurt anyone, we are free to achieve them.  "Changing the circumstances" moves us forward. Whereas "accepting the reality" keeps us from moving forward. And regarding "Knowing the right place and the right time in life", may probably never happen, if you believe in "changing the circumstances" to be happy. Because changing the circumstances towards betterment is an ongoing process. It's very nature of "being ongoing" keeps us on our toes. It keeps us focused on our goals. And focused mind can achieve a lot !  If you believe in the philosophy that "Enjoying the journey is more important, than reaching the destination", then you will forever be in a happy state of mind while changing the circumstances.

Why teachings are followed?

Why teachings are followed? Is it due to status? Is it due to showcasing super-natural powers? Is it due to miracles?

Buddha - Sometimes I wonder, if Buddha was not a prince who became enlightened and established meditation practices ... if he was a common man, would his teachings be followed by the society? 

Dhyaneshwar - Sant Dhyanneshwar's father became a monk and after few years of practicing being monk, he wanted to get back to married life again. The society backed off. No one supported a monk coming back to married life. The society started following his kids, but negatively. One of his sons, Sant Dhyaneshwar, when grew made a buffalo say vedas. A symbolic of animals are more loving, trustworthy than the "society" that time. And he can train them (the animals) on India's ancient knowledge, why can't he train humans. Another incident which gives a powerful message is, once a guru wanted to meet Sant Dhyaneshwar, to showcase his power.  He sat on the back of a tiger and came to meet him. When Sant Dhyaneshwar came to know this, he made the compound wall on which the brothers and sister were sitting and chatting, float and move to meet the guru half way. This incident symbolized, the power of a mind to do things which can not be imagined. The guru made the living tiger move, whereas Sant Dhyaneshwar made the non-living wall move. Whose mind is more powerful?

Meera - Meera was a princess and being already followed for her thoughts. When her family realized, she loves an invisible force, they tried to kill her with poison. But the invisible force came to her rescue. And she survived even after getting poisoned.

Sachin Tendulkar, Abdul Kalam Inherently follows spirituality by being down-to-earth and remaining calm (They practice common sense, self control, judgement all the three)

Homi Bhabha - Belong to a rich family and a forward thinker. But when he decided to work in India, he worked more on "organizing science and scientists in India" rather than researching on science. If he got a chance to do more research in science, it would have been better for India.

Can I aspire to be a housewife?

"Homemaker" is the "default role" in which the girl lands after marriage. So in my opinion, there is no "aspiration" required to be a Homemaker. She is a home maker by default. There is no problem if the girl wants to be a Homemaker forever. But keeping that motivation alive through life is a challenge. Husband's emotional unavailability due to work OR husband's unavailability to share the responsibility of kids, may overwhelm her. Life can throw challenges at her and she should be equipped to handle those challenges. When a girl goes out for work, interacts with multiple people, she naturally gets trained to handle responsibilities. Whereas when a homemaker gets trained to handle responsibilities of the family members, most of the time it is like "Start digging a well, when feel thirsty" approach. There has not been any training happened for communication, interactions, care. In a country like India, it is assumed that "Girls are very natural in taking care of family members. It's in their blood". Society very conveniently pushes her into household responsibilities, without investing anything in training her. In India, most of the girls do not have the definition of their own "growth". The society makes them believe that "Her husband's growth is her growth" OR "She should find her growth seeing her children grow". Most of the time, the girl is left alone amongst a "ladies group" and the guy lives in "guy's group" to grow. So I am sure in many parts of India girls are unaware of the latest happenings in the world. In my opinion, the family has three choices. One, keep the default setting alive forever. Second, inspire her to have aspirations. Third, if she already has aspirations, encourage her to fulfill them.