FACTS

Everyone knows that status is not permanent. Who will not accept that position or condition may not change? It is also known that time is not multiplied. All such facts we know but in reality, we forget them and repent later on facing the situation. The almighty evolved the life in animal kingdom up to the highest level of humans with developed brains but without languages. The only common language controlled by nerves, continuing in humans everywhere, might be then in existence. All good or bad happenings and habits of the present day are the results of the experiences and needs of humans, faced in course of growth and development.

Human civilization has seen changes from the stone age to the present age of scientific achievements. The changes have been witnessed from mega-sized machines to smaller to nono machines. Developments have been made in many fields. Humans have started exploring planetary bodies and the universe. The weapons have changed from stones of the stone age to modern-day sophisticated weapons. Since then, enemies have changed from visible to invisible types affecting everyone. Most of the changes have been recorded in black and white.

It is also a fact that every new generation has the opportunity to reap the benefits of earlier generations’ developments and achievements without experiencing the efforts made and challenges faced.

One of the facts, I think to be true is the controlling age factor and old age in humans are meant for reviewing life and educating the present generation from their experiences. This age of mine has met a minimum of three generations.
We have seen the maximum changes in social bindings from the combined family to the nuclear family, from cooperative to self-centred attitudes- a deviation from share and care culture.

I remember one incident when I had joined service in a government office where I met the father of my friend. He told about his emotions after receiving his first salary in service. He had spent his salary on the purchase of clothing for his parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters. I was surprised to note his feelings because I had sent only half of my salary to my parents. My grandfather had given all his income to his mother every month.

Now, I have grown older and am on the verge of retirement and the new generation is joining the office. I have been surprised to note that most of them purchased costly cell phones from their first salary to show their status without considering the situation of families and moral duties. The new generation has seen from copy to computer and from pen to e-system directly in one go. The earlier employees used to go to their parental houses to reside after retirement. Later, comfort played a role and settlement started in cities. Now the service opportunities are centred in a few places and the concept of ancestor houses is vanishing fast for a new generation.

These changes have mostly affected the old aged persons who have time but no one to share their experiences and expertise of life. When I was in my fifties, I was relaxed, as my father was my advisor and guide for all problems and my mother’s affectionate touch and love were my heavens. I always remained a child for them and enjoyed their experiences. One thing I remember is that in their last days they were like children having short memories and stubborn habits. I became their guardian for them till their departure from this opportunistic world. Now the question is what about me? I have a vacuum. I know the silent, unknown and sad departure of one of my friends because his sons were unable to come to meet him in his dying days. His whole life he had been praising the achievements of his sons for his status in society. We could know about his departure when his body was lying in a closed house, crying for disposal with a foul smell. All statuses proved futile last time without any social security. I am also sailing in the same boat and am worried. I think local common residences or well-managed old age homes may be promising for all aged persons.

Now, the effects of changes are as such that the new generation is not having time for themselves or family. This generation is getting treated as machines in professional life. This generation is mainly active on social media for information, time-consuming likes or comments and relationships after working time. The relations are nearer at the fingertips of gadgets but are emotionally far away due to distress and competition to prove to be excellent and exceptional. Life has been marketed to introduce the best product leading to psychological problems. Their slogan is that this life will not be met a second time, so enjoy it. There should be a new methodology to work free of distress to keep humanity alive. This generation is very sensitive and well-equipped to have an identity.

All problems have not gathered in one generation. We are expecting too much from the new generation without a proper education system and syllabus etc. We are harping on the same string for a long time. We need introspection for the new generation which is more career oriented and wants to be independent of duties towards older generations for lack of ” me time ” and costly lifestyle. We may not make every new generation scapegoat for our faults in teaching them moral, social and spiritual, etc. values and the importance of united families. It is our responsibility for the new world given to the new generation.

Besides, I have seen many changes after the economic revolution, in this one life. We have done more harm than good to ourselves through uncontrolled developments for supremacy. We have maximum adversely affected environments both surrounding and natural. We have seen the extinction of many species of birds and animals. Effects on seasons are also causing more harm to humans through erratic behaviours.

Nothing is permanent. Nature has been revealed through evolution and selection. The fittest always survive. It is the open secret of nature. It is now our turn to cautiously evaluate the progress-related activities for humans’ comfortable existence and sustainability. Otherwise, transformations may be heinous to civilization.

We should observe that nature has distributed all her resources throughout the globe, perhaps with the definite intention of evolving cooperation among all humans, besides geographical differences, for survival and existence. We are witnessing, after the division of land and ocean as properties of different nations that no nation is self-sufficient to survive alone and needs cooperation. We should have progressive scientific thinking to excel.

We have changed. We are changing at our cost.

She and He – The story for understanding

It was the first day in the office in his second service, where he saw her in a simple matching attire but with full confidence in gaiting and impressive conversation in that male dominating big room. He was completing necessary formalities in that administrative office. She was mediocre as per the standards of beauty but she had made a niche in his heart for regular attention in the coming days.

His brain and heart started discussions with each other, about her, affecting his days and nights. This took him to another world of mesmerising attractions of her all activities in dreams and realities. He had forgotten himself in the day for her glimpse and the night in dreams, imagining life with her.

These started affecting his behaviour in the office where he was spotted one day by the sixth sense of her, though unknowingly but got some space in her thinking. That culminated in love and the relationship got named husband and wife after marriage, having little resistance from both families.

The choice was proving best but the name of relationships demanded rights and responsibilities both in office and home. That took more space in the matter of discussions in married life. That was the beginning of bitterness in happily married life. All well-wishers and family members did their best but the relationship reached the verge of splitting.

They were the topic of spicy discussion in the office. Earlier it was for the love affair between them but now it was for the failure of such relationships after marriage. Both were trying to save the marriage. So one day on the advice of his seniors he managed his transfer to another place. That separation worked. After a few months, both of them realised that it was necessary to give space to each other as a companion rather than being masters with rights. It also became evident that some of the members of both families, in the name of sympathy, were shedding crocodile tears for their vested interests in their incomes.

It took about four years to realise the realities of life. But late is better than never. There was hesitation in taking the lead. A well-wisher friend, who had played the role at the time of their marriage, took the charge to reunite them. She gave her ears to the advice of that well-wisher and took the transfer to be with her husband in the same office where her husband was posted.

It was a moment of hesitation and pleasure for both of them. Her husband was waiting for her at the station as if it was their first meeting. Life’s joy was waiting. Their eyes blinked. The earth spread and the sky covered it. Their heartbeats synchronised. Tears washed the differences. Breathing became melodious. Silence became music. Waves in the ocean settled for bearing the fruit. Both smiled and recognised that their differences made them one. Relationships should be dealt with at heart and business by the mind. They thanked the time for being a teacher.

Their success story in life was that they were celebrating the silver jubilee of their marriage with a daughter who was the life of both of them. They never reminded each other, of the old happenings but saw the future for future generations. They were sitting with their daughter in the same corner of the same hotel’s dining hall where their love had flourished. There, they were enjoying with shyness the plethora of questions of their daughter.

ASSESSMENT

We are assessed at every stage in life from very childhood in terms of colour, height, health, physique, features, education, profession, behaviours, status, and many other qualities. Assessment is a process for the betterment of the concerned one. But this may not always be acceptable and true when humans are involved. We may find that in many cases of assessments in offices where bosses are all in all and assessments are targeted.

Assessment is a good process but the procedure followed for that differs in various working places of importance. In schools, the performance of students in board exams is the criteria for the assessment of teachers. It is acceptable as the futures of students and country are mainly dependent on good quality education. Professional institutions are assessed by students, parents, guardians and employers etc in terms of quality of education, fame, acceptability and employability etc. But the same is not the truth in the case of official assessment. There are certain criteria fixed for such assessment. This system is doing more harm than good. There may be an assessment at various levels before the conclusion. But it solely depends on the views of bosses. The most acceptable thought that the boss is always right, prevails in every office. That is the main criteria and other norms that are secondary for this job, affecting the careers of employees. The mood of the boss and the loyalty of employees toward the boss and his or her family play important roles in such a system. Even the dog of the boss plays a role. If someone is a relative or has good family relations with the boss, he or she has the upper hand over others. It is also found that an employee who has been judged excellent by one boss becomes average under another boss. If we research this system of assessment being termed as CR (Confidential report) in the official culture we may find many examples of ill assessment. This is also an astonishing secret to know as to how the assessment changes at different levels for the same employee and an excellent grade given by the immediate boss appears to be meaningless. Thus assessment may not be real and unbiased every time.

Sometimes, we may find the influence of affinity to the same discipline in such assessment. It is true in many cases where performance is linked with incentives. This system may allow the undeserving candidates to rise to the highest post, affecting the entire working culture. In this system, we may listen highest degree of praises delivered, even a comparison of the boss with the life-giving Sun from the universe.

This existing system is a deterrent to the efficiency and promotion of real, technically sound, good and honest workers and also affects the growth and achievements of the company. Negativity in the official atmosphere pervades and detaches from work. This, in turn, changes the working culture of devoted, enthusiastic, energetic workers into a depressed, time-passing, boring workforce. We may find that good workers are leaving organizations for better pasture.

In this system, the ultimate sufferers are the country’s progress and the citizens as this system is not flawless. So this system needs continuous evaluation with the progress of technologies and education in society. We should hammer on the right place for remedy and that is in the selection of a right and capable boss. The seniority in the hierarchy may not only be a criterion but also should have good records of achieving the goals of the office. The assessment of the boss may be linked with the performance of subordinates and feedback, as is the case in the education system. We should not forget that selection of candidates is made through very arduous processes and a single boss having vested interests in self may not be allowed to question the selection process by mere whimsical assessment, instead, the boss should be updated on the importance of subordinates in changing world. We should emphasize the hierarchy of ideas and not the fear of the boss for the performance of the individual.

Such types of assessments may be witnessed in many fields of life. We may get both sufferers and gainers. But the best continuous assessment is being done by the almighty and that is the final. He is the supreme who gives incentives, based on our actions. One human may not assess another human with limited thinking capacity, but he, the creator and controller of the universe can. We should wait for his assessment.    

Position

I will see you. You don’t know, who am I? You will bear the consequences. These are lines, generally heard  during discussions between any authority and someone on roads or in different offices. This reflects the approach of a man and the importance of a post. Such discussions reveal that someone is applying pressure to do the wrong or to get rid off punishment and penalties etc.

Here the question is about the importance of a  man or the post held by the man. It is true that every post has been empowered with rules and regulations, for good governance and importance of post is also as per hierarchy. But lines of threatening are hurdle and instigate corruption and mitigate the importance of rules, regulations and posts. The position held is not permanent and one day, on retirement, all become same in the society. So, the importance exists in post, not in the post holder. As a common man, ones importance is in abiding the rules and regulations. So, our behaviors are most important for respect and the tags of VIP and VVIP are not permanent. Good times do not last too long.

I remember one incident’s happening, during my  journey by train. One of my friends was with me, without proper reservation. He was having an importance of being son – in – law of an officer holding very high post in bureaucracy. Because of that he was feeling comfortable for facing the ticket checker and police. I got a very good lesson to tackle such situations. I witnessed that during discussion, after listening the threat of post and probable actions against him, the police man said ” you may be whatever you say but, at first, I will beat you and ask for an excuse from your relative officer by saying that every one tells your name and try to get favour and it is true, he does know.” My friend paid the fine and got lesson that post is important but with dignity.

Human and humanity should get importance because posts in various departments in governing bodies, are created for giving services to public and rules and regulations are framed for their smooth execution, to ease the life with safety and security. So, everyone is to satisfy importance of each other but no one is above law.

It is ridiculous to think that he is more important. Everyone is important. If we observe, we find that in nature everything is important, from invisible creatures to big mammals, from thorns to flowers,  and from grass to big trees etc. The ecology of nature is balanced because of all and any disturbance may bring havoc.

Human should learn from the best teacher, the nature, about giving place to everyone.
Our attitudes of giving importance are not limited to posts in service but also in every walk of life. Intelligent students get importance in classroom and schools, human get importance in society by comparing wealth, size of house and no of cars and number of servants etc.

There are different yard sticks for defining the importance, every where. Such attitudes are detrimental to the civilisations and empower to do the wrong things and corruptions spread as termites due to misuse of power. Only respect should get priority.

Everything is important. Everyone is important. When almighty has not differentiated, we may not do like this. Every creature is doing respective business and is equally important. We should not be power crazy. Services with serving attitudes should prevail.

Half truth

Whenever, we attend discussions in any place of substance, we go through a number of quotations and examples of historical incidents related with the topic. Such discussions influence the working and  atmosphere. If it is a gathering of students, then the attitudes change with aspirations to follow the sayings and characters of heroes and leaders etc. Many of them may be applicable and suitable in changing world but the emphasis depends upon the background of personality appealing to do so. If it is matching with personality, everyone considers in positive. Otherwise, the analytical ability of well equipped gentry may ask many questions. So walk the talk is the best way to impeach someone.

We may find, in pre-independent era, the aspirations and actions, in many cases, of public, were controlled by situations, attitudes of surroundings and behaviors of leaders. Public, on appeal of leaders were ready to sacrifice everything, even their lives. Those leaders had lived the lives what they were expecting from others. Many of them had set examples by sacrificing everything for the nation. The same continued in  post-independent era for a few years.

As the time passed and new thinkings started taking birth, aspirations and actions of people  were also influenced and  started changing. International politics and developments, in modern days, in all aspects of life are also added in the list of influencing factors. Besides, competitions, greeds, lust and cheating factors are also taking influencing sizes and need attentions.

In our social structures, it is clear that tender children get affected from surroundings, family traditions, occupation of parents, school, friends and education. When they grow and get matured, the factors, needed to meet livelihoods, play roles in behaviors’ management. These affect nation building activities. The country becomes strong or weak, depends from here on the influences of leaders and their behaviors.

We are finding that we are missing and fighting with all for self. It is a matter of respect if someone walks the talk. If activities of anyone is minutely observed, we may find gap in credibility. So example is better than percept. Such half truths may not have long life. There was a time of less education and less news spreading means. Many of things were hidden. Now, time has changed. All information are available on finger tips across the world. No one may be made fool for long time.

In the interest of nation every new generation should be well taught and sacrifices of our ancestors should be made known from very beginning in schools to make character building. Otherwise, the present may have opposite effects on future of a nation, when the self is dominating in all walks of life.

The education system should be robust and the teachers should be highest paid of all, as they make eligible all for different services in the interest of nation. If teachers and education are neglected, no nation may flourish peacefully and preachers should walk the talk.

Decision

One stitch in time saves nine. It is always advisable to get repaired the leaking roof before onset of monsoon. We may meet odd challenges due to anticipation and timely taken decisions.

Every part of a body works smoothly, coordinating each other and any disbalance is indicated in the form of problems so that timely curable measures  may be taken by the owner of body. Otherwise, ignoring that, disease may silently develop and may not be cured. This is applicable everyday, everywhere, where coordinated approaches are necessities, be it a family or industry or office.

In the industrialised world mechanisation and artificial intelligence along with robots are easing execution of works in a concerted coordination. But the final decisions are to be taken by humans. However,  brain may not be replaced by any invention or discovery. We may not be slave in such world, lest another political systems should develop. Perhaps racism, caste systems and religious rivalries may stall in that world with different views. Even then, brain is supreme and may not be replaced.

Humans have reached at this level of integrity after many trial and error, so final decision will always be their responsibilities, despite use of other accessories as assistance to brain’s decisions.

The scenario in the world is changing every moment. We are now more inter dependent for growth and developments. In this regard, rules and regulations are dynamic and need consideration and continuous analysis in the interest of respective country. Everyone knows weakness and strength of each other. So, now a days, rapid and accurate decisions are required in every system of a nation. Even the tiny unit has to be taken care of during decisions. Every nut and bolt play role in a vehicle. Any negligence may not be appreciable. Planning and foresightedness are required continuously.

Decision making is complicated process on large scale and needs amalgamation of various subjects. It may be influenced by affinity and by biasness specially where large number of humans are involved. Self interest should not be entertained. Biasness may cost in loosing the best brains. Many conspiracies and secrets are being  unveiled where biasness, self interest or family members are involved in influencing decisions, harmful to the nation. Utmost care with open eyes and ears are required.

We may be successful in every field. Nations may flourish at the cost of others. But humanity should not be endangered. Certain problems should be fought together, hand in hand. Natural problems, for instance, are affecting the globe and need attention. If nations do not timely activate themselves then be ready to pay the price,  destined by the almighty. Take care or play your duffle. Let the humanity perish or save. Decisions are required.

Any nation may be strong and powerful on certain yardstick but may never challenge nature. One may deal alone, natural problem of small extent only. Present continuing pandemic, in different waves, is the example of our limitations and helplessness. Nature has no boundaries and does not distinguish among races or religions. United we stand, divided we fall.

Decisions should be for humanity, peace and all with self identity. Every nation should be careful, as every nation is sailing in the same boat as far as nature is concerned.