Barunjha’s Blog

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?”

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.

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.

Happiness is a voyage, not a destination.

 There is no better time to be happy than… NOW!

Live and enjoy the moment.

                                                    -Author unknown                           

My life will be better once I achieve this, I thought like that once. Worked a bit hard than usual and I achieved it. This is the normal goal chasing we keep on doing in our life, isn’t it? I was happy I celebrated, just to realize that I want something new, something bigger for which I need to work harder. It will make me happier. Again I worked and I achieved. The desire of new frontiers and quest for success continues.

In the journey called life we always think it will start at the next corner and once we approach that corner we see it starting at the next corner. There is no end to this next. So when will my life start? Waiting for a start will end my life without a start. But a realization triggered some thought. Thought, what am I doing if it has not started?  Isn’t the journey of obstacles and success, I am going through a life?

Yes it is. It has already started. I need to be happy and there is no better time to be so than today/at present. In this journey called life there is not any road to happiness, happiness is the road.

Be Happy. Enjoy every moment and every minute thing you do. That is life worth living.

View amid monsoon and fear of floods. Sometime it takes just a moment; you miss it and miss something precious.

Overflowing Bagmati as it caresses the new highway under construction

One should not write it, it is not fair. For me, I always wanted it to rain. Rain, it is the most wanted thing in any part of country at present.  But how did it happen?  Just a week before things were dry, a storm of dust rose as the wind blew. But it is the same land submerged deep into water. Water everywhere, it didn’t rain. “Curses are there for the people and for the land” said one “what will do with so little water?” said the other. Contrast, each one had their own opinion.

For last week, like here, it rained heavily in upper catchment, the dams overflew, barrages were toppled, the flood control and flood routing guide bunds are running up to its brim. A breach took place, not very long probably a hundred feet. People alarmed the concerned beforehand that the danger is coming. But who cares, everyone loves a good flood (the details I will post sooner the waters nears me and real business starts).

Thank God finally it’s raining here after the long wait. Although late, we are seeing monsoon rain. It’s a different feeling you wake with the sound of rain trickling down your roof, sound of rain which soothes and cleanses you deep within. I won’t write more I am enjoying it from window sill.
You too enjoy.

Disclaimer: This post in no way supports superstition and related practices but at the same time respects acts that come from human instincts of survival on this Planet.

The coverage in international and national media regarding naked girls being made to plough fields for rain left me nothing but offended. Not because those desperate farmers whose life and livelihood is at stake, took such dire step but because of the mindless criticism and insensitiveness shown by the so called elite, urban, educated gentry (the same people who says eggs comes from refrigerator). These skeptics who do not understand what faith is and what is superstition are everywhere copying the text of news article from Reuters and posting them in public sites and their public blogs. I was equally offended by the suggestion that anything bad happening in India, in Bihar is trait of Biharis. How easy it is to make a generalization. Isn’t it?

Science and meteorology has repetitively failed in predicting monsoon. Then, to whom should these farmers go? They called it height of superstition. If you call it superstition, it is not specialty of Bihar but a general attitude prevalent in all corners of the world in one form or other. The authenticity of news in Reuters is doubtful and it becomes hopeless when people copy it mindlessly in their blogs and public sites. Indian media need to shed their “follow west” attitude and be more sensitive to the ground realities. Even the tradition of dancing naked to bring rain is nowhere related to Bihar, it is something totally western.  It is very easy to comment but come to Bihar and have a look on the countryside. Then only you will realize the ground realities.

I do not call it a superstition because when your survival is at stake the animal instinct inside you comes alive and you go to any step to save yourself. Do not generalize. The story on the other part maybe in contrast to what you believe. A section of a community with a strong will power and consistent faith resort to some age old practices in adverse circumstances and perform that in action. Until and unless you know the truth, human psychology and impulse behind these actions you cannot call then superstitions. The pressure of no food, no harvest is terrible for a family dependent solely on agriculture. Sitting in your cozy room watching TV and browsing net, you will never get to understand that.  Across the world you will find many bizarre ways in which rural/tribal (and even the so called civilized, urban) people tries to connect with God in at different times.

Anyways you do not call it trivial, barbaric and uncivilized when high heeled models go bare on the ramps. We need not to be condemnatory just because it is being done by immaculate, innocent villagers whom you call ignorant and illiterate.

Be good humans (if you are human) and drop the perception that everything bad happens in Bihar. Pray for rain, good rain wherever required and in Bihar too.

PS: It rained fairly well last night and night before in various parts of Bihar (i.e. on 26^th and 27^th July 2009). (Yes …I am ready to go naked and dance in open if that is all it takes to persuade God for rain).

What is distasteful and you always want to keep at bay will be very close to you.  And you wonder why it is with me always? Something like this happens every morning as I browse through news. Usually I start with international news followed by business, national and local news. The days around the full solar eclipse were better. We had reasons to celebrate for all national and international coverage of Taregna village and its history. But glory days are not forever; sooner the reality was evident.  One of the tourists was robbed of his belongings and strange that he was still happy. The days followed with no rain and situation hasn’t improved. There is no fear of drought but they see it coming and state has decided to get ready to take up the challenge of drought. The always wet North Bihar which has always seen the worst floods of the country still remains dry. Changing, things are changing they say, everything is changing.

The whole public remained mute onlooker of what happened on roads around Gandhi Maidan. The media seemed too busy covering the incident to pump up their TRP. It was the same place where the couples were beaten up by the cops in the park nearby, the innocent and dignified perished while goons and guns flourish.  What is happening? is it right?  Moral question or question on morality, don’t know. Don’t be evil if you cannot be good. It seems society is lifeless to realize that.

The sooner you realize, the better it is because nature is a great leveler and teacher.

Let’s stop the wild and wacky, be human in spirits, in words and in deeds.

Grief, pain and sympathy

The whole clerisy stood with tears

 Limbless he was not born

But, what the world made him.

He cycled down to the median

For there he lives, the segregated

World saw him there for the past

Usual was so unusual for them

Burning tobacco and alcohol vapors

Completely unaware of the danger

Territory intruders came in unexpected

Rammed, slashed and squashed

Blood runs in the furrows

Muddle with the urine

An illegal, insane he was they say

Knowingly, drunk he blocked the way

Morning gentry stood with their faces low

For grief, pain and sympathy to show