More Assorted Thoughts

With the advent of technology on a daily basis in our life, it is really difficult to understand why we have been growing so careless? Before I started writing this piece I wanted to put today’s date on the top of it. Date, it should come naturally, but I needed to consult my mobile phone calendar to know. This is not for the first time; even at my workplace whenever I need to put date either I need to consult my colleagues or my phone or PC calendar. Now I fancy my childhood if anyone would have asked me what date it is today, I would have told him without wasting even a fraction of second the correct one.

To me it is nothing less than a paradox. Be it digital clocks, mobile phones, word processor, computer and applications running on it. Sometimes I wonder whether all of these are products of same human minds we see around. So much of hard work and determination and a huge amount of intellect has went into these appliances, gadgets and software to make human life at ease. The progenitors of all these technologies knowingly or unknowingly gave birth and shape to these ideas to enhance capabilities of human race. The main motive was not to distract and keep human creativity involved in menial tasks which require not much of creativity. The idea was to extend and push far horizon of human endeavor. It is as simple as that. Take an example, I can see down a few streets when I am here and it won’t be the same when I am on a building top. From there I can see the entire skyline of my city. So with pretty much of benefits coming our way we adapt to and embrace technological advancements.

But the question that has been haunting me is, Isn’t it making a generation cripple or lame? Certain abilities which laid the foundation of human technological innovation, aren’t we lagging on it?

It is no way a recent that I took a pen to write a length of paper. Word processors they have made your life too easy and mine too. You need it, you write it. You need not to strikethrough if a phrase or a word goes wrong; all you need to do is press a key. It is really helpful for aspiring writers like me. But, again I think will I be able to write the same without it. No believe me I am finding it really difficult to proceed. There are lots of people who say they can’t write a paragraph without a word processor. Yes, we are just like those rock stars who once said good music is not possible without drugs, an athlete who justifies steroids, a body builder who ingest al chemical and hormones except for a normal staple diet to carve curves on his body, the kids in schools who can’t do even preliminary arithmetic without using calculators. My professional need is to produce engineering design and drawings to bring idea into reality. I doubt what a shit of an engineer I would have been without these drawing and design applications running.

And this leads me to assume that those were great minds and greatness of human potential which bought wildest of human ideas and desires into conceivable form with their head bent over drafting table and with pencil in their hand. The engineering feat of the structure they created weighs more than present day technological breakthroughs. It adds to their awe and admiration quotient.

 I am not a technology antagonist, I catch up with them whenever they appear, and sometime they spread, they invade, they intrude but they won’t let you alone cast away.

The days of post offices are gone, the six storied post building in my locality appears to be a useless piece gulping on federal funds. The red letter boxes in the front and at places elsewhere I find no use of them. They sell envelope there, I know that stamped one in which you put your letters and address it to your dear ones. So far in these 23 years, I have used that service just once. I was somewhere between seven or eight year old. I wrote that first letter to my dad, as suggested by someone o let him know that his son can write letters now. My dad replied with all correction made. It was great feeling to get that reply. I remember how I read it to let everyone know in my family. And today, take away phones from our life, I don’t find a way to communicate to my family and friends. I am not used to writing letters and not sure if I will be able to do so, and my parents even though they try are not comfortable with e-mails. If you say where this generation gap is when all of us are living in same times, I see this communication gap.

The internet turned 40 and the voice of each and every participant of human race was not so uniformly louder ever before.  What you want here and your opinion on everything under the Sun are known and can be known on the other side of this sphere called Earth, the moment you voice it. With so much of it written with my already blunt tip of pencil, I need to sharpen it. Sorry I don’t have sharpener in my room. I gave up thought once to stop writing and continue next morning. Hey…. But can’t I do it with that knife? I have got one in my room and I tried and it was a success, so I will continue.

Now I see the logic why some of my old professors at my college used to hate the sight of pencil sharpeners in our engineering drawing classes. Why they asked us and made it mandatory to carry a small stationary knife and a piece of sand paper with us during those graphics practice sessions. Why they asked not to use curve scales but to draw free hand curves.

When I write why I do always right click and choose synonym of the words that look out of place.  How boring the right click option is not here when you are writing with pencil or pen, or you are typing on those papers using those metallic typewriters which are nonexistent and rare to see these days.  To cast a spell with appropriately used word you need a healthy vocabulary and command over spelling pencil won’t show you which word are wrongly spelt nor will the paper. One of my teacher in school asked us to spell spelling I spelt and thought it as stupid, but sooner it was gone when I saw more than half of the class got it wrong. It is something like these when technology make you feel crippled.

I text, I email, I blog, I tweet, I comment, I do all I need to, to make me, my views and opinions on things that concern me known to world around me and to world as a whole. But still I don’t find time to give an opinion to a friend even when asked for. Am I a tech addict who has friend on the other side, but still doesn’t know about the people who sit on the next office desk. No preaching like one spiritual guru but these truths I confront more than often.

In our course of embracing new innovation, let’s not forget that we are what we are; basic instinct of human survival will remain the same. We were not born with a domain in our name or any social media account in our name. It was us who created it, choose it voluntarily as a choice. Let’s not, let it intrude so much in our life that we forget ourselves. Let’s preserve our real identity as Human.

Raushanji Said”Even in darkness why it is that the food you clutch with your fingers always reaches your mouth, but not your eyes or ears?”

Plains of Bihar #07

Sometime you need to write more than you want to convey, sometime you convey more than what you wish too.  Thanks to multiple channels of communication. You write a hundreds of pages to make world see a view but when a view conveys what can be an epic…..

Beautiful or ugly I don’t know, humane or harsh I can’t decide … I stand there, numb. So much of it at once, awed I am.

Plains of Bihar #06

The Flood Control Unit of Irrigation Department along with local administration has swung into action to reach out to people with timely relief and aid. View at one of the many flood relief camp erected (above).

© Barun Jha 2009.

Plains of Bihar #05

Half finished bridge piers and flood. The rivers of awdhara group of rivers in North Bihar are flowing beyond their brim. Hmm… It will rain soon let’s return home now.

© Barun Jha 2009

Plains of Bihar #04

The mighty stands alone and survives it all. Heavy flood water engulfs as far as you can, what used to be green paddy fields.

© Barun Jha 2009

Plains of Bihar #03

Clubbing all the adversities together, flood and drought they are perennial, yet they come every year. Only if I would have known which would come next?

© Barun Jha 2009

When They Torched Train Bogies

Well this is not a new incident in Bihar and I don’t see a reason why it will not continue?  The Public burnt bogies of the train to show their anger against what they laugh at, law.

Is it what is right for you a law? But we have a written code for it. Hey, who cares?

I travel by train to my office for which I don’t buy ticket. We have a monthly pass but he says it is old, I need to renew it. The ticket collector who asks for ticket has no right for it. After all this is not their train. It is government railway. It means every one of his right to use it. So I do. If there is no seat in the unreserved coach, I have every right to enter reserved coaches. We don’t care who the hell it is reserved for. “Pull the chain to stop train” is the messages near the chain and I do what it is intended for. If I reach station late my office colleague pull chain to stop it for more time so that I can it and reach office on time. And when my friends are late I pull chain to stop it for them. If anyone objects we don’t mind picking up quarrel or even a fight if it is required.

I didn’t asked him for any explanation, but he was telling me the tale, in order to get friendly I think, so that he can adjust and feel comfortable on the edge of my berth.

Well this is an old incident, the latest one happened when I was returning to Patna from Bangalore. On the journey you cross through different states but nowhere had I seen such an act. It is the first stop after we entered Bihar, a group of people entered our coach. Their hurry told me they are on their way to office. They are well dressed, looking fine but they speak nothing decent when they open their mouth. They came; they occupied seats of my co-passengers without their consent. Some adjusted, some complained. The train jolted from the station. One of them suddenly got up and pulled the chain. The train came to an halt again. Some more guys rushed in to the compartment to join their office gang. Those coming later thanked them for pulling the chain.  After around quarter of an hour the train started again. No, this was not end of it. I soon came to know this has just started. And it was repeated a dozen of time till I reached Patna. 

So, what is the problem and where does the problem lies? Is it hooliganism of the masses or the Indian railway has failed to cater to their demands? If it is later one, are they genuine?

Like any Indian cities thousands of people from nearby small towns and districts travel each day to Patna for a various reasons. If you are the one, you know the present status and overcrowding of public transportation in the route. People reason that there is more population but the hard reality is that the existing facilities are not sufficient to capitalize the rising developmental aspirations.

But does that justify vandalism exhibited last week and a few months before? Is it the right way to lodge your protest? The expense of every public property comes from taxpayer’s money. Damaging public property is like damaging and burning your own hard earned cash. That is not good at all, not acceptable.

It disturbs us as an individual, as a society and prevents us to uphold peaceful democratic principles. One should protest and speak out for improvement, but in a way acceptable and justifiable.

Shameless Criticism on Contempt of Tradition……

I don’t understand whether he is so stupid or he behaves as such. Drought is curse invited by present Chief Minister. This comes from former Union minister, what can be more absurd than that. Only thing I can say is that this man is a barbarian, uncivilized who opens his mouth to vomit shit.

Contempt of tradition is an excuse for your helplessness and another way to hide your shame to become shameless. And that you are. Huh………..

Mr.  Lalu don’t preach tradition, yes, but you are an expert on contempt of it. It is people like you who make hell out of every act of human arising out of survival instincts. Instead of criticizing you should have used your reach to help and support government. Equality in humanity is possible only during a natural crisis. You better understand that, at least now.

 

Wake up Bihar.

Your Office Can be Greener

Few cheats and cracks to turn your office green. Some are simple others needs disciplined effort. But result is all same, a lot of savings and pride for your organization.

So let’s start. Disposable cups are really a nuisance, don’t you think so?  Carry your own coffee mugs to office next time and avoid using disposable cups. This way you will be saving a lots of trees uses to make those paper cups. You will also reduce piles of solid waste and add to nation’s saving which is spent on waste treatment. If you travel to work, here is another chance to turn green. Start car pooling today. You will save a lot on your gas (fuel) bills and will develop some really good friendship.

Once inside office be a little concerned like printing, lighting. Print only when it is absolutely necessary. Avoid as far as you can. If you print, try your best to use both sides of paper. Your office is brightly light, it is fine but there is ample scope of energy saving.

Ask and motivate the facilities people of your organization to go for task based lighting. Focus lights where you need it most. Change to CFLs, they are cost effective and energy saving and better still go for LEDs. You can do similar thing at your home too. When you are leaving home for office and leaving office for home, turn off fans, lights and appliances which are not in use.

We have a habit to get our clothes washed after wearing once. Next time take a look, isn’t it clean, do it really need a wash. Avoid washing if they are clean. Fix a time frame and get your office air-conditioning up by a degree. If you are living in a hot places which needs air-conditioning round the clock, dress properly. Business formals in London and in New Delhi need not to be same. There is logic in it. See it don’t keep yourself blindfolded.

And Spread awareness.

The Nomadic Diary #002

Swine flu is knocking the doors of the state. Bihar wants a separate test laboratory with all the test facilities to check the threat. Off course people need it; we cannot depend upon the appalling public healthcare system of the state. If the cases increase it will add to the already existing cerebral malaria menace. And system in the state will be in no way able to stand it.  Another reporting claims increase in number of cerebral malaria cases.

Twenty six out of thirty eight districts were officially declared drought hit and for the paradox, rivers of awdhara group draining the state and neighboring Nepal are in spate flooding the area surrounding it. What an ill fated state this is, I wonder?

“The state government has failed miserably to reach relief to the people facing unprecedented drought… It is a shame on humanity,” one former Union minister told reporters. That is how they talk. Yes they always fail. You strengthen your check dams only when it is breached; appoint doctors only when there is epidemic. Your relief reaches only when a few starve to death. You do nothing to check corruption and whether the fund reaches to people but at time of calamity declare one committee to look into the matter. Water recedes and people catch up with life and God knows where go your committees and your reports and the instant plan you promise the poor that this won’t be repeated again.

Neither rain nor irrigation on time means no sowing, no cultivation. Reports coming indicate paddy sowing in the state is lower by half and the implication will start showing in immediate days to come.  Amidst all these, decision of State Government to provide monthly pension to person with 40% disability is worth appreciation and so is decision to lower the annual income criteria to be eligible for pension. Similarly, inclusion of widows of families with annual income less than 60,000 under the Laxmibai Social Security Pension Scheme deserves applause. Although what these schemes pay is token of insult to the penury but for a parched throat every drop counts.