Arun Bongirwar Sir and Public Service Excellence Award, ABPSEA......
It was saturday and I was relaxing at home without the rush of leaving for office. It was also the first day of Navratri. We had done the ghatastapana and kept Navratri Golu at our home. Golu is the festive display of idols of God and Godesses, dolls and artifacts in Tamilian homes during Navaratri. This festival is special to me for more reasons than one because it gives us an opportunity to invite friends and family to our homes and celebrate together. Of course things would be low key this year due to Covid 19. Though invitations for virtual Darshan and celebrations had started coming my heart did feel a tug. I was brooding over how due to corona things are beyond are control when I received a call from my friend congratulating me for being selected for the prestigious Arun Bongirwar Public Service Excellence Awards. Soon thereafter I started receiving cuttings of news in the newspaper and congratulatory messages on my Whatsapp.
Even as I started poring over the mesaage I saw Bongirwar Sir's sprightly face in it. My thoughts went back to 1996 when I was posted as Tahsildar Karjat as a part of my probationary training as Deputy Collector. That was the first time I met him. Mr. Rameshchandra Kanade was our Divisional Cimmissioner then and we had a meeting on eco-tourism in Matheran. Kanade Sir was an extremely studious and softspoken person who minded his 'p's and 'q's. He was extremely meticulous with calligraphic handwriting. A stickler for perfection we used be a bit wary of him.
Bongirwar Sir was ,'boss ka boss ' so I was double wary and on tenterhooks to ensure everything was perfect at the meeting and thereafter. But to my utter suprise both of them to took upon themselves to make me feel comfortable. The kind of lessons I learnt from their experience is unforgettable. Later, I came to know that his sister, Mamata, was married to Kanade Sir, our Divisional Commissioner.
I had heard tales of Bongirwar Sir's multi-tasking skills. I was fortunate to witness them and was truly fascinated. He could talk on the phone, take notes, sign files and do many other things at the same time. Having thorough knowledge of the subject and deep knowledge of administration enabled him to take quick decisions. No wonder he held many important positions and even worked as the Secretary to two Chief Ministers. He was a visionary and therefore contributed to many reforms in revenue administration and other departments. He was friendly and easy to talk to and therefore approachable. However what has remained in my mind as his most endearing quality is his bonding with the family. His respect and love for his mother and his affection for his children, nephews and neices showed how warm-hearted he was. The Ganapati celebrations at his home are legendary and I had the opportunity to visit his home on a couple of occasions.
To me Bongirwar Sir was an epitome of a human being. I am going to get an award associated with his name. Awards validate our work or acknowledge our efforts. Also the award is for bringing about a change in the livelihoods and nutrition of rural women, a cause which was extremely close to Bongirwar Sir's heart. In fact the last time I was lucky to have got an opportunity to meet him at Mantralay was after I was posted as Chief Executive Officer of Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission and had come for a meeting to Mantralay. He was very happy to hear about my posting and urged me to do my best. Receiving an award associated with Bongirwar Sir's name for that very cause makes it all the more special for me. I looked at his picture, bowed my head in reverance and felt engulfed in his blessings.....
Sunday 18 October 2020
Thursday 15 October 2020
From illness to wellness with mental health...
From illness to wellness with mental health....
It's almost a week since we 'celebrated ' International Mental Health Day on the 10th October. Health is defined as state of physical, mental and social well-being in which disease and infirmity are absent. So verily mental health is a part of our physical health.
We all are very matter of fact when it comes to taking care of our physical health. However we grossly neglect our mental health. In fact most of us carry a couldn't care attitude.
The mental state of almost ten percent of Indians is affected today and almost one crore would be mentally ill yet we shy talking about it. Strangely there is a stigma associated with being mentally ill. We wear our heart diseases or diabetes on our sleeves and hardly hesitate to talk about them. In contrast, our culture has created such an environment that depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental disorders are linked to shame. One can imagine the kind of disgrace attached to the illness and it's patients as psychotherapists or psychologists are referred to as shrinks.
Those who are mentally ill are often scorned as attention seekers or misfits. They are mocked as individuals who are incapable or ungrateful. On the other hand those who is mentally ill or affected stuggle with low self-esteem and feel lonely and lost. They often feel misunderstood and suicidal. Such individuals also have a tendency to succumb to substance abuse including alcohol and drugs not realizing that it causes them more harm.
Of course the government has been making a lot of efforts to support mental health by making it more and more accessible. Many celebrities are acknowledging their depressions and mental state openly. Despite that for normal individuals like us it is still very difficult to express and manage mental illness. Also there is no single way of knowing whether a person is mentally ill.
Small conversations could go a long way in offering support, it is therefore important to keep communicating. One must also not hesitate to express one's thoughts and emotions. At the same time one must develop a positive attitude to bounce back successfully from challenges. Life cannot be full of happiness and we have to learn to be resilient in difficulties. The sun shines like a fierce red ball when it rises or sets. Similarly, we also need to maintain an equilibrium so that facing prosperity or adversity becomes easy .
Anxiety, stress and trauma are a part of everyone's life. Wasn't Arjun devastated on seeing his familiy, cousins and his guru as opponents in the Mahabharat war? He experienced the same weakness in his limbs and his mind was confused with negative thoughts. A sense of guilt prevailed in his mind even as he started toying with the idea of death instead of going to war.
It was then that Lord Krishna explained the life and birth cycle to him along with the concept of the soul-atma which lives forever and body which keeps changing like our clothes. Performing our duty with commitment is the path to salvation along with trust and belief in God and the self. One may not be religious but that must not prevent him from having faith and belief in himself because that would give him the strength to manage his mental health.
The mind like a child is attracted to many things but it has to be controlled and chanellised with constant practice. It can become our enemy if we do not learn to control it.
Mental Health is therefore a state of mind which can be managed by ourselves.
Modern day therapy talks of seeking help, doing physical exercises like walking dancing or yoga, listening to music, gardening etc. In short doing something which diverts our mind. Support from colleagues, friends, family is suggested as also seeking professional help wherever required.
Our family is the best support system as it offers unconditional love apart from taking care of our physical, emotional and financial needs. The family bonding and communication can be our best anchor. Often there is disconnect between individuals and family due to miscommunication or no communication. Sometimes issues come up when responsibilities are not shared. It is important that each member of the family contributes to the household tasks . Children specially need to be organized in studying, submitting assignments and supporting household activities voluntarily.
At best one can avoid hurting anyone intentionally or speaking in a manner to make others quarrel, stop finding faults with others, stop desiring for anything that belongs to others, be polite, wish others well. Media and television highligjt crime, violence and negative acts including those of sex perversion. It is important to channelise the minds to the positive aspects in society and influence people to see and do good. One has to consciously keep away from actions which degrade you.
Life can become more meaningful when we find our source of joy not only in ourselves but also in others. Being sensitive to the sufferings of other makes us human. Therefore let us share each others grief and sorrow. Let us be a bit more sensitive to those who are struggling to cope with the difficulties in life. Let us be less judgemental and more receptive. Let us value our blessings and let us be steadfast on our goals and never give up. For it is only when the 'I' becomes 'We' , then ' illness' becomes 'wellness'.
.
It's almost a week since we 'celebrated ' International Mental Health Day on the 10th October. Health is defined as state of physical, mental and social well-being in which disease and infirmity are absent. So verily mental health is a part of our physical health.
We all are very matter of fact when it comes to taking care of our physical health. However we grossly neglect our mental health. In fact most of us carry a couldn't care attitude.
The mental state of almost ten percent of Indians is affected today and almost one crore would be mentally ill yet we shy talking about it. Strangely there is a stigma associated with being mentally ill. We wear our heart diseases or diabetes on our sleeves and hardly hesitate to talk about them. In contrast, our culture has created such an environment that depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental disorders are linked to shame. One can imagine the kind of disgrace attached to the illness and it's patients as psychotherapists or psychologists are referred to as shrinks.
Those who are mentally ill are often scorned as attention seekers or misfits. They are mocked as individuals who are incapable or ungrateful. On the other hand those who is mentally ill or affected stuggle with low self-esteem and feel lonely and lost. They often feel misunderstood and suicidal. Such individuals also have a tendency to succumb to substance abuse including alcohol and drugs not realizing that it causes them more harm.
Of course the government has been making a lot of efforts to support mental health by making it more and more accessible. Many celebrities are acknowledging their depressions and mental state openly. Despite that for normal individuals like us it is still very difficult to express and manage mental illness. Also there is no single way of knowing whether a person is mentally ill.
Small conversations could go a long way in offering support, it is therefore important to keep communicating. One must also not hesitate to express one's thoughts and emotions. At the same time one must develop a positive attitude to bounce back successfully from challenges. Life cannot be full of happiness and we have to learn to be resilient in difficulties. The sun shines like a fierce red ball when it rises or sets. Similarly, we also need to maintain an equilibrium so that facing prosperity or adversity becomes easy .
Anxiety, stress and trauma are a part of everyone's life. Wasn't Arjun devastated on seeing his familiy, cousins and his guru as opponents in the Mahabharat war? He experienced the same weakness in his limbs and his mind was confused with negative thoughts. A sense of guilt prevailed in his mind even as he started toying with the idea of death instead of going to war.
It was then that Lord Krishna explained the life and birth cycle to him along with the concept of the soul-atma which lives forever and body which keeps changing like our clothes. Performing our duty with commitment is the path to salvation along with trust and belief in God and the self. One may not be religious but that must not prevent him from having faith and belief in himself because that would give him the strength to manage his mental health.
The mind like a child is attracted to many things but it has to be controlled and chanellised with constant practice. It can become our enemy if we do not learn to control it.
Mental Health is therefore a state of mind which can be managed by ourselves.
Modern day therapy talks of seeking help, doing physical exercises like walking dancing or yoga, listening to music, gardening etc. In short doing something which diverts our mind. Support from colleagues, friends, family is suggested as also seeking professional help wherever required.
Our family is the best support system as it offers unconditional love apart from taking care of our physical, emotional and financial needs. The family bonding and communication can be our best anchor. Often there is disconnect between individuals and family due to miscommunication or no communication. Sometimes issues come up when responsibilities are not shared. It is important that each member of the family contributes to the household tasks . Children specially need to be organized in studying, submitting assignments and supporting household activities voluntarily.
At best one can avoid hurting anyone intentionally or speaking in a manner to make others quarrel, stop finding faults with others, stop desiring for anything that belongs to others, be polite, wish others well. Media and television highligjt crime, violence and negative acts including those of sex perversion. It is important to channelise the minds to the positive aspects in society and influence people to see and do good. One has to consciously keep away from actions which degrade you.
Life can become more meaningful when we find our source of joy not only in ourselves but also in others. Being sensitive to the sufferings of other makes us human. Therefore let us share each others grief and sorrow. Let us be a bit more sensitive to those who are struggling to cope with the difficulties in life. Let us be less judgemental and more receptive. Let us value our blessings and let us be steadfast on our goals and never give up. For it is only when the 'I' becomes 'We' , then ' illness' becomes 'wellness'.
.
Wednesday 7 October 2020
NABARD, Jalshakti, Sanitation and water.....
NABARD, Jalshakti, Sanitation and water.....
Some things in life go together and that is just so true for sanitation and water. Truly, we cannot think of one without the other.
2nd October is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Both the leaders stood for a cause. While the Mahatma preached and practiced non-violence, love for humanity he also gave the maxim of cleanliness is next to godliness.
Lal Bahadur Shastri on the other hand stood for increasing productivity whether of milk or foodgrains. He was known for the call of " Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" ("Hail to the soldier; Hail to the farmer").2nd October is therefore very special always. Very aptly, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) chose to launch, a nationwide ‘Sanitation Literacy Campaign’ on this day.
We all are familiar with NABARD's role in
promoting sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural development. In fact NABARD spearheaded the women self-help groups movement by launching it's bank linkage programme way back in 1990s. This has led to a major transformation and directed a path to an all inclusive programme of community institutions under NRLM National Rural Livelihoods Mission. Extending it by opening an additional credit line for sanitation is another great step.
While one cannot deny the fact that due to ambitious Swach Bharat Abhiyan launched by the Honble Prime Minister of India, Mr.Narendra Modi in 2014, India is open defecation free. Now, there is a need to repair old toilets retrofit them and convert them from.one pit to two-pit or make a bathroom. We also a need to consider the requirements of the differently abled and also provide water connection to toilets.
More than all the above aspects, the possibility of slip back due to non-functional or dysfunctional toilets is high. It is therefore essential to provide momentum to behavioural change.
Good hygeine and sanitation are taken for granted in most developed countries. However the cleanliness and usefulness of toilets, specially public toilets is still a matter of concern in many developing countries.
Under Swach Bharat 2, there is an emphasis to ensure that those who are not in the baseline or are lefr behind are included in making toilets. There is also an emphasis on community toilets, solid and liquid waste management and plastic waste management. All these aspects could be tackled during the campaign undertaken by NABARD till 26th January 2021.
Till date NABARD has disbursed loans of Rs 12,298 crore under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G), resulting in the construction of 3.29 crore household toilets.
Launching the programme in Pune Region, Mr.L.L.Raval, stated that almost Rs.800 crores has been allocated for the campaign in Maharashtra. It was important that bankers facilitated loans for sanitation.
During my tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission banks had become sensitive to SHG Bank Linkage. It is equally important to sensitise them for sanitation loans and that was my thrust during the programme at Pune. While the guidelines of Reserve Bank of India had made sanitation a part of priority sector lending yet this was not championed by banks. The involvement of NABARD and the State Level Bankers Committee would certainly lead in that direction.
With the onset of Covid 19, it is important to ensure and maintain safe hygeine practices. This programme would certainly augment the SBM-G and WASH programmes and enable rural communities to access better sanitation facilities in the wake of the pandemic.
Under Jal Jeevan Mission the government has planned for providing drinking water to all rural households through functional tap connections in their homes. Water is precious and has to be conseerved so there is an important element of liquid waste management in the programme.
The Sanitation Literacy Campaign could add this aspect too. The loans from NABARD include water connections. Thye could also extend to water purification plants and small loans for individuals water purifiers.
Water and sanitation are two sides of a coin and one cannot think of one without the other. The government may make all efforts to provide sanitation and water but it is our foremost responsibility to conserve water and maintain cleanliness. So while leveryone's thirst be quenched with pure drinking water let us promise to remain 'swach'.....
Some things in life go together and that is just so true for sanitation and water. Truly, we cannot think of one without the other.
2nd October is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Both the leaders stood for a cause. While the Mahatma preached and practiced non-violence, love for humanity he also gave the maxim of cleanliness is next to godliness.
Lal Bahadur Shastri on the other hand stood for increasing productivity whether of milk or foodgrains. He was known for the call of " Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" ("Hail to the soldier; Hail to the farmer").2nd October is therefore very special always. Very aptly, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) chose to launch, a nationwide ‘Sanitation Literacy Campaign’ on this day.
We all are familiar with NABARD's role in
promoting sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural development. In fact NABARD spearheaded the women self-help groups movement by launching it's bank linkage programme way back in 1990s. This has led to a major transformation and directed a path to an all inclusive programme of community institutions under NRLM National Rural Livelihoods Mission. Extending it by opening an additional credit line for sanitation is another great step.
While one cannot deny the fact that due to ambitious Swach Bharat Abhiyan launched by the Honble Prime Minister of India, Mr.Narendra Modi in 2014, India is open defecation free. Now, there is a need to repair old toilets retrofit them and convert them from.one pit to two-pit or make a bathroom. We also a need to consider the requirements of the differently abled and also provide water connection to toilets.
More than all the above aspects, the possibility of slip back due to non-functional or dysfunctional toilets is high. It is therefore essential to provide momentum to behavioural change.
Good hygeine and sanitation are taken for granted in most developed countries. However the cleanliness and usefulness of toilets, specially public toilets is still a matter of concern in many developing countries.
Under Swach Bharat 2, there is an emphasis to ensure that those who are not in the baseline or are lefr behind are included in making toilets. There is also an emphasis on community toilets, solid and liquid waste management and plastic waste management. All these aspects could be tackled during the campaign undertaken by NABARD till 26th January 2021.
Till date NABARD has disbursed loans of Rs 12,298 crore under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G), resulting in the construction of 3.29 crore household toilets.
Launching the programme in Pune Region, Mr.L.L.Raval, stated that almost Rs.800 crores has been allocated for the campaign in Maharashtra. It was important that bankers facilitated loans for sanitation.
During my tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission banks had become sensitive to SHG Bank Linkage. It is equally important to sensitise them for sanitation loans and that was my thrust during the programme at Pune. While the guidelines of Reserve Bank of India had made sanitation a part of priority sector lending yet this was not championed by banks. The involvement of NABARD and the State Level Bankers Committee would certainly lead in that direction.
With the onset of Covid 19, it is important to ensure and maintain safe hygeine practices. This programme would certainly augment the SBM-G and WASH programmes and enable rural communities to access better sanitation facilities in the wake of the pandemic.
Under Jal Jeevan Mission the government has planned for providing drinking water to all rural households through functional tap connections in their homes. Water is precious and has to be conseerved so there is an important element of liquid waste management in the programme.
The Sanitation Literacy Campaign could add this aspect too. The loans from NABARD include water connections. Thye could also extend to water purification plants and small loans for individuals water purifiers.
Water and sanitation are two sides of a coin and one cannot think of one without the other. The government may make all efforts to provide sanitation and water but it is our foremost responsibility to conserve water and maintain cleanliness. So while leveryone's thirst be quenched with pure drinking water let us promise to remain 'swach'.....
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