Time, a year gone by and years to come.....

Time and a A year gone by and years to come.....

Today is the last day of the year. Many would be celebrating, bringing in the new year with revelry, fun, music and dance. The night would certainly be young and one of abundance in food and drinks. People would be waiting for the clock to tick it's way towards the end of the year and then countdown would begin....ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five ,four, three, two, one....The new year would have rolled in with the din of new year wishes. Seconds would start ticking soon thereafter. Hadn't they ticked away last year?
Looking back on the year which has passed many of us wouldn't have noticed the seconds, minutes, hours, days and months passed by with us doing very little or nothing nor achieving anything.
Time is irreversible, we can never get back the moment which is lost. It is not even renewable like many sources of energy. Yet how many of us ponder on this fact.
Phrases about time are quite deceptive. At times we save time and at times we kill it. At times we have all the time in the world and at times we are unable to spare a minute. Yet time is fleeting, beyond our control, not going to wait for us come what may.
Our teachers in school have also taught us that ' Time and tide wait for no one'. However time is the single most important thing we tend to neglect. We often pay scant attention to the tasks to be done and procrastinate. These could be related to our family, health, work, friends or education.
Saint Kabir had wisely stated, " Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar, Aaj Kare So ab, Pal Mein Pralaya Hoyegi, Bahuri Karoge Kab" asking us to shed laziness and lethargy and do things which were to be done tomorrow immediately, actually now.
Ironically, non-valuers of time not realizing its worth reworded the adage as" Aaj kare so kal kar , kal kare so parson , itni jaldi kya hain jab jeena hain barson".Such people probably fail to understand that time is not in our hands and also time lost can never be regained.
One of the most important tips given to us during our recent training by Director, LBSNAA, Mr.Sanjeev Chopda centred around the importance of time and its effective management. He emphasized on managing time efficiently so that one could do more things and also find time for doing things one enjoyed. One should never lose sight of time and therefore it was important to plan days, weeks, months and years and be the masters of.time instead of regretting after losing it. Strangely, time is what we want most, but what we use worst.
As Stephen Covey has said, "The key is in not spending time, but in investing it." When we invest in something it becomes something important, a thing which we learn to value. We must therefore set our goals diligently and invest time towards achieving them.
Honestly, it seems just the other day, when we were young or that our children were running through the house, slamming doors, breaking windows, spilling water, making noise. We have grown and so have our kids. Time goes by so quickly just as the year which has and like many others which would hasten to it's end. The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour.
Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present.
We are all adept in unwrapping presents and savoring it .Wouldn't it be wonderful if we learnt to savour the gift of time and use it fruitfully?
Hope you catch the pulse of every second in the coming year and make it memorable.....

Organic magic at Bharwa Katal in Tehri Garhwal with SARG....

Organic magic at Bharwa Katal in Tehri Garhwal with SARG....

Exactly a week ago my lazy Sunday was transformed into a magical journey to the world of organic farming thanks to Ms.Binita Shah of SARG.
Organic farming and organic products are the buzz words for healthy living in modern times and are being propagated as an alternative to indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides.
They emphasize on use of organic fertilizers like compost along with other methods like crop rotation , mixed cropping, biological pest control etc.
Three years ago the National Rural Livelihoods Mission designed the Mahila Kisan Shashaktikaran Pariyojana to enhance the productive participation of women in agriculture and create sustainable agricultural livelihood opportunities for women in agriculture. The program was designed in a manner to improve the skills of the women in management of Agriculture and recognize them as farmers. The country has more than 35 lakh women farmers including the 5 lakh women farmers in Maharashtra.
Adapting organic farming by farmers was the next logical step and NRLM has taken this bold step of creating over 1600 organic clusters.
Maharashtra will also be developing over 200 organic clusters. For this purpose it has identified technical agencies who will support the SHG women in following organic agricultural practices and get registered as organic clusters.
SARG with its branch at Dehradun is one of the technical support agencies. Ms.Binita Shah, its founder knew I was undergoing training in LBSNAA at Mussorie and had been regularly checking on when I could possibly visit one of the villages which they had adopted to undertake organic farming.
Seeing is believing and so sacrificing a trek with my colleagues and friends from LBSNAA to Nag Tibba and lunch at the Goat Village I set out out to Bharwa Katal, a quaint village in Tehri Garhwal.
The drive leading us to the village in the valley was splendid. The village was wondrous and a treat to the eyes with all its greenery. On way I also got the opportunity to see a "Gharat" a traditional water mill quite popular in this terrain. It was a learning to see the hydro energy being harnessed for running a flour mill. Winding our way through the picturesque mountains we reached Bharwa Katal and walked down to the village.
Trudging along the path , Mayank, the practitioner from SARG supporting organic farming in the village explained the various activities undertaken by the villagers. They showed me the compost pit designed with features which enabled multi-purpose support from making vermi compost, liquid compost etc which was long lasting and economical.
The potato plants, the wheat , the vegetables plants were lush green and soothing to the eyes.
Walking through the fields we reached the community centre where a group of women waited for intecating with us.
Sunita Negi , a villager and member of the PKVY team of SARG village committee was an epitome of confidence and joy. She was extremely forthcoming in sharing her views that initially they were very unsure and unhappy about adapting to organic farming. It was only due to the persistence and support from SARG they understood the value of organic farming. They were also happy to receive training from HESCO, Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization through Department of Science and Technology under the Development of Integrated Model Village in Uttarakhand. They were now fully satisfied that they had switched over to organic farming as it had improved their own health. The village had eighteen houses, all of whom had adapted organic farming techniques and were very happy. Other ladies Sulochana Negi, Seema, Chamni and Sunita seconded her views.
Sunita Negi was particularly vocal about the efforts being made by the government to improve life in the villages. She was particularly joyful about the facilities for voting given to women voters. The support from JICA was also acknowledged. A young girl Sunita had taken to stitching and was earning well due to her skills in stitching.
As with women in MSRLM , I had an interaction with them on various schemes of financial inclusion like the PMBSY, PMJJY, APY etc and told them about the importance of insurance and other government schemes. The women and the community were getting support of Agriculture and other departments. They had even set up a poly house with the support of Agriculture Department.
SARG had also set up a weekly organic market on wednesdays at Dehradun where it was possible for producers to come and market their organic produce. The women of Bharwa Katal had been going there to sell their vegetables and produce. Looking at the variety of mouthwatering pickles, Ms Binita offered to have a table set up to sell pickles also.
The weekly organic market also had a organic cafe as well as a stage for performances.
There was nothing different between the women of Bharwa Katal and Maharashtra. Both were raring to go. The women in the hills had a tougher life maybe braving the cold.
Maharashtra had it's own issues with vagaries in nature. Yet what came through was the contentment, the desire of the women to have a goal and achieve it.
In Maharashtra or elsewhere , women had become an inseparable part of the economy especially in agriculture. Mainstreaming them into the whole gamut of Agriculture giving them specific rights including the right to ownernship of lands was one way forward. Involving them in organic farming , leading them to a healthy life was another way.
Lord Buddha has rightly said, " To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." What could be a better way to health than eating organic or residue -free food?

Merry Christmas from Mahalakshmi Saras Mart.....

Merry Christmas from Mahalakshmi Saras Mart....

Christmas is synonymous with celebrations, joy and cheer. It is also a time for gifting and so most of us are keen to buy something unique. Many of us also want to be associated with a cause and what could be better than associating with MSRLM Umed and the cause of women empowerment? 

MSRLM Umed works for the empowerment of women by creating self help groups and community based organizations. Their capacity building leads them to sustainable livelihoods through farm and non-farm livelihoods. The products they make are marketed on various forums. The Mahalakshmi Saras Mart at Gram Vikas Bhavan, Kharghar is one among them. 

Keeping in line with the festive season Christmas is being celebrated there in various hues. 

The celebrations began today with a fancy dress competition. It was heartening to see tiny tots from the age of two to children upto the age of ten dressed in colorful costumes. Some posed as fairies, some sang and danced, one spoke on the ill effects of social media. The cat-walk of one of the participants inspired others to join and added life. 

Presently SHGs from Amravati district have come with various products. Shri Ganesh SHG has brought a variety of pounded items like moringa leaf- ( drumstick leaves ) powder, curry leaves powder, fenugreek leaves powder, mint-pudina powder, green masala and tea masala. 

The home made masalas and turmeric are very popular as also the variety of pickles. While mango and lemon pickles continue to be popular the SHGs have also brought bitter gourd and turmeric pickles which are extremely tasty. The variety of papad is certainly enticing. I however went ahead and bought soya Idli mix, soya dhokla mix, amla candy.

Cakes are the most sought after during Christmas season, some SHGs have brought tuti-fruity to make the cakes tastier. Moha Laddoos, raajgira laddoos made my mouth water. Gomutra and Dhoop made from organic material as well as incense sticks would be useful in the house. 

First grade cashew nuts as well as broken kaju from Ratnagiri, groundnut ladoos from Latur, Sheep wool quilt from Solapur, copper artefcats from Raigad,  baatik textiles from Ambernath and  Warli paintings from Palghar  are the signature items available for gifting. Pure buffalo milk ghee emitting heavenly aroma would make you want more. Wheat and ragi cookies melted in the mouth. 

Liquid bartan wash for washing utensils, phenyle to keep homes fresh and goat milk soap for a fresh bath looked attractive. 

Women from Melghat, the remotest area inhabited by tribals had brought exquisite items of bamboo to spread Christmas cheer through gifting. I was surprised to see that most of the visitors and parents of the children participating in the fancy dress competition did not know about Amravati or Melghat. I was once again reminded of the disparities of urban and rural life which was devoid of sensitivities for the struggle of the rural brethren. 

MSRLM Umed was trying to bridge that gap by making citizens sensitive to the needs of rural life. The week long Christmas celebrations at the Gram Vikas Bhavan were interspersed with information and knowledge about SHGs and also interesting events like drawing competition, art and craft, mehndi and dream catcher. 

For the foodies and the food lovers mouthwatering batatawadas, thaleepith, regular lunch , breakfast is also available. 

So make the most of the festive season, shop till you drop, eat till you burp and smile because life's little pleasures are wonderful treasures. Instead of expecting gifts form Santa let is all become Santas by gifting things made by SHGs to ourselves , our families and friends. This would not only promote the cause of women empowerment but make you personally satisfied. So come on spread the Christmas cheer, Life is beautiful.....

P.S : Christmas week is being celebrated at the Mahalakshmi Saras Mart, Gram Vikas Bhavan, Kharghar, till 2nd January 2020 and will end with the grand finale and prize distribution. Please do visit.....

Oh LBSNAA and the third phase of training in the IAS !!!!

Oh LBSNAA and the third phase of training in the IAS !!!!

A month back when we received the intimation for our nomination to the mid career training career programme, MCTP, popularly known as Phase III my mind was in a flurry. Leaving work for four weeks may not be a major cause of concern but leaving home ( my teenage son ) for four weeks certainly was. Added to it was the cold winter of December in the hills. My son would be in the tenth standard next year and going then would be even more difficult so I was left with no other option except braving the cold.
On landing at Dehradun on the 1st December the evening was cold. As we headed to Mussorie, my heart was aflutter to go back to learning again at the alma mater of administration. The very fact that the training is at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, LBSNAA fills one with nostalgia. There is always an air of expectation, a dream in the eye, a sense of belonging. Quintessential Mussorie, looming large with houses, hotels, trees and hills dotted agains the skyline certainly made it the queen of hills.
Landing into the serene and sylvan surroundings of LBSNAA,  I headed to my room in the Valley View Hostel after completing the registration. The camaraderie of batchmates meeting again after years at dinner in the mess was palpable. Leaving with a smile on my lips, after dinner I snuggled into bed. Brushing aside the curtains in the morning the balcony opened to distant but beautiful snow-capped Himalalyan mountains. Drawing in the cold winter wind I rushed to get ready and be on time.
Training at LBSNAA is very stringent. Our days begin at 6 a.m with compulsory physical activity of either yoga, gym or any sport followed by day long sessions in class from nine to five. These are interspersed with activities, presentations and group work. One is always on one's toes even during the weekends as there are cultural programmes of singing, dancing and outdoor activities like trekking and rafting. However every activity became enjoyable and satisfying due to the vivaciousnes and enthusiasm of our Course Coordinator, Ms. P.Amudha. Belonging to the 1994 batch of IAS she is a class apart and was adept in setting up high benchmarks which most of us followed like disciplined students.
The training centred around excellence in implementation and the sessions were weaved for developing leadership skills and gaining in depth knowledge of various sectors like agriculture, health, medicine, livelihoods, skills, urban planning, smart cities, procurement, sanitation and water. The fact that each one of us was accountable to society was brought forth in sessions of ethics, building capacities of the state and managing data.
Public private partnerships in infrastructure projects are the order of the day and understanding its finer aspects was very important. Several sessions were therefore devoted for unravelling the dynamics of project appraisal, public private partnerships and behavioral economics. Disaster Management, building back better after instances of natural and man-made disasters and climate change taught us techniques of environmental management. There was ample scope for peer learning through presentations, group discussions and experience sharing.
The reflections during the valedictory centred around the importance of service delivery.
Our training was not any mundane schedule but an opportunity to introspect and explore within on where had we begun, where had we reached.
The leadership and negotiations module had prodded us to think objectively about our aims, ambitions and shortcomings and transform us into doers just like our Course Coordinator.
The sessions on health, agriculture, livelihoods, skills, and nutrition by renowned practitioners and bureaucrats gave great insights on theory and practice adding value to our thoughts.
Ritu Saini, a victim of acid attack, Madhavi Latha, a differently abled banker who had facilitated basket ball for the differently abled and Akkai Padmashali, a transgender highlighted unheard voices of the disabled, deprived, and those discriminated on basis of caste, creed or sex. They implored on sensitivity in implementation of schemes, policies and legislations in all sectors not only by bureaucrats  but also by all citizens of the country.
The biggest takeaway were the interactive sessions with Mr.Sanjeev Chopra, the Director of LBSNAA who highlighted the finer nuances of administration emphasizing on the need for responsive administration. 
The Group activities were fun and events like river rafting, trekking, dancing and singing pumped our adrenalin and the physical activities infused new life into us.
The third phase of the training led us to probe deep and ascertain whether the seeds of leadership sown in foundation/ induction had nurtured and were fully grown
Were our styles of functioning like the 'dreary desert of dead habits' (Tagore) or would they infuse greater life into everyone around?
For a teeming population of 140 crores our country has barely 6000 IAS officers. Each one of us therefore had a huge responsibility.  Our training would help us to gauge our guts and grit, courage and conviction, enthusiasm and commitment to lead the nation to its march of glory into the third decade of the 21st century.
The seventy-two officers from 22 states and union territories certainly went back richer in experience
The four powerpacked weeks of our training ended with a visit to the Forest Research Institute. The rings of the cross section of the seven hundred year Deodaar tree kept in the Timber museum , reflectred on the journey traversed by the civil servants. From being "burrah sahibs" under the British Rule they had graduated to being compassionate leaders and doers of great strength. For all the flack and criticism they received none could match their expertise, speed of thought and action and field level experience.
The motto of LBSNAA is " Sheelam padma bhushanam" meaning character is strength and "Yoga karmasu kaushalam" meaning excellence in action or work.
Like Timber , the academy had trained us to become hard enough to resist deterioration, develop strength to manage the heavy work pressures, remain tough to resist shocks, have enduring elasticity to change with times and of course remain durable for a long period to come.
There was nothing oblique about us, our roots were certainly embedded deep enough in service of mankind. 

Three rupees.....Article 15 and The Right to Equality....

Three rupees.....Article 15 and The Right to Equality....

Three rupees.....loose change which may be lying around in our houses or in our purses....An amount which even the beggars of Mumbai would refuse to accept. But just three rupees became the cause of rape and murder of two minor girls a couple of years ago in 2014  in a remote village of Uttar Pradesh.  It acquired caste and class ramifications to the extent of converting cold-blooded murder into honour killings. 

The Hindi film , Article 15 , is based on this story and the right to equality. Just last month on November 26th we celebrated Constitution Day. In fact the program is extended upto 14th April, Ambedkar Jayanti. Yet really speaking is the preamble of our constitution understood and implemented in letter and spirit? 

The film opens with a parody on the paradoxical livings of the upper caste and the lower caste and pans over to two horifically frightened faces of little girls barely in their teens. It is enough to portray and imagine what must have possibly happened. This incident coincides with the accidental punishment posting of Ayaan, a young IPS officer of the upper caste who really speaking is "cool". The film is a journey of his exposure to the literal face of the caste system which is still embedded in our very own India. And remember this is not restricted to rural India but extends to semi-urban and urban areas. 

One look at our matrimonial columns and no explanation is needed for the above. However much one denies, caste is embedded in our psyches and at times is reflected in conversations of contempt against reservations for the scheduled caste, scheduled tribes and Other backward classes. 

Article 15 brings forth this narrative very conspicuously. 

The film is certainly hard hitting as it exposes the underlying caste class dimensions and political ruthlessness in the village. 

Article 15 in our constitution guarantees the Right to Equality and prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. However what happens in the village is eons away from the reality. 

The film is actually an investigation of the disappearance of the third girl and various dimensions associated with it. Her sister Gaura, and Nishad, Gaura's rebel boyfriend who commands enough clout among the conservancy staff to prevent cleaning of the city and dump debris in font of the Additonal SP's house and offce. Ayaan's interaction with him convinces him that the IPS Officer is well meaning and so he calls of the strike of the conservancy workers but continues his fight against the Mahant , a spiritual guru with political ambitions. What follows is the shot of a sewage cleaner dunking himself into an overflowing sewer which displays the harsh reality of manual scavenging which still exists covertly in many parts of the country. 

Ayaan's persistence and grit ultimately lead him to the culprits two of whom are also in the police. His struggle to ensure justice is prevented  when his suspension orders are issued for being caste biased and by bringing in the CBI to take over the case. Ironically, Ayaan is supported in the investigation by the very same Secretary of the Home Department, Government of India who had sent him on his punishment posting. 

He lives upto his expectations and completes the investigation personally by entering into a pig pond himself in search of Pooja, the third girl who is missing. The movie ends on a happy note with Gaura finding her sister and their fathers acquitted of honour killing. However can that bring back to life the two girls who had been raped and murdered?  Can we ever feel the physical and mental trauma borne by these girls or women or the scars on their minds and bodies? And in reality more than 70 percent of the rape cases go unreported for obvious reasons. We are silent spectators to perverts and perpetrators of the crime. Till bodies of women are seen as objects of lust or as property to be gotten there is little hope. Much thought needs to be given to changing the psyche of men and moulding the minds of boys and girls. 

As regards the movie it has many scenes which touch your heart. Gaura's interaction with Nishad and his regret that he could neither buy flowers for her not sit by a river watching the moon. Ayaan's support to Dr.Malti for completing the post mortem of the victims and DNA testing of the culprits. His concern for his unsuccessful friend Satyendra. 

Ayaan's vulnerability is also reflected in a scene when he says that he knows why his girlfriend Aditi is unsure of him since he never sees the spark in her eyes which Gaura has for Nishaad. However her arrival at Laalgaon and the matter of fact hug says it all.

The movie is intense throughout with such tender moments and captures Ayaan's catharsis through his conversations with Aditi. 

All characters in the film have been etched carefully and carry out their roles to the tee. 

The music keeps up the pace of the film. Specially Bob Dylan's track, " How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man? ’'.

My mind has been in turmoil after watching the film. Life may not be as dark for many of us yet a world of haves and have-nots definitely exists and many of us are not even aware of it. Some of us may even offer lip service or brush things under the carpet. 

Yes, Article 15 is a hard hitting film and brings out this fact that our constitution is probably under threat. 

I am not an avid movie goer and was able to see the film as it was shown as part of course work at the Academy in Mussorie or would have certainly missed it. So for those of you haven't still seen it, do get your copy on Amazon or Netflix and watch it. It mirrors what may have been said earlier in many films but differently enough to tug your heart. 

For the love of a friend....

For the love of a friend....

He entered the aircraft, eyes searching for his seat. His face complete with rural charm, rustic, untouched and unspoilt. The air hostess guided him to the seat next to mine. He squeezed into it quitely making all effort to ensure I was not disturbed.
I dozed off as soon as the aircraft took off due to sheer exhaustion. My days prior to my departure for my training at LBSNAA, Mussorie had been hectic. I woke up from my slumber with the air hostess checking out on meals. Politely she questioned me if I wanted to purchase something. She asked him too, first in English and then in Hindi. Like me, his reply too was no.
It is rare that I make conversations with my co- passengers on the aircraft. Ages ago when we travelled by train on long journeys that was common. We ended up making quite a few friends. But on aircrafts one normally kept to oneself. Howeve this time, curiosity got the better of me and my desire to know more about him.
I opened the conversation by asking him where he was going. He said Haridwar. I asked him whether he stayed there, he said yes. When asked him where was he coming from. He said Guwahati. By now I was even more curious to know why he had gone there and so probed further.
He said he was doing business of transporting leather from Haridwar to Guwahati. He took the goods by train. He also had employed individuals on commission basis there to take the goods forward. He was able to make a profit of almost Rs. One lakh in such trip during the winter season. It took three days to travel to Assam by train. At times he even went further down to Shillong. He had been introduced by a freind into the business and had been doing it for two years. What was touching was the matter of fact way in which he spoke.
His friend was getting married the next day and that is why he had chosen to fly. His friend would have been annoyed had he not reached in time for the wedding. Softly he said, "Main shaadi par naa jaaoon toh dost mujhse baat nahi karegaa", meaning his friend would not have talked to him if he did not attend his marriage. That he had to spend almost Rs.16,000 to fly did not matter. This loving gesture for his friend was so heartening and the matter of fact way in which he said it made it all the more special. He had proved nothing on this earth could be more prized than true friendship.