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.    

MOTIVATION

We have the capacity to cite many words and sentences for motivation among listeners. We may tell stories from religious preaching and may quote successful people from different fields in the world. These may ignite in your mind but you will bear all consequences of your journey from the time when you loose your dream for the sake of your life and society, in turn affecting your name and fame. You have to carry on with cautions because one thing good for someone may not be suitable for you. One has to have emotions for filtration of such thoughts for self.

We have many schools of thought categorized mainly as two schools, one in favour and another in opposition. There may also be a third category as neutral. But in actuality, it has under current and is deciding factor. It has to incline any side for survival. So it is virtual for safety measures. This category is like the elephant who has two sets of teeth – one to show off and the other to chew with.

Accordingly, motivational speech may be classified but all with one common quality inculcating results. In modern times, this is true for both, meant for terrorism and good causes. They may change their mind and thinking, resulting in a good, positive, and encouraging environment or negative, devastating, harmful, and dreadful activities in the societies.

A motivational speech is necessary for satiating the hunger of both the mind and belly. The hunger of the belly may even change faith for needs. This is a basic requirement for survival. Anyone may motivate a fragile hungry man for own interest. Most of the negative motivational speeches hammer on this need. They express sympathy and mention reasons for plights from their standpoint. They show a journey towards upliftments, comforts, and superiority and even to heaven if someone follows them. At present days, most countries are covertly supporting such motivations for political, economic, and religious mileage.

However, the hunger of the brain may be of different types, depending upon many aspects. It may be aspirational, emotional, professional and situational, etc. Motivational speech for this must be to remind the strength and capability, to awaken the sleeping emotions with positivity and eradicate depression.
Spirituality also needs proper attention for positivity. We may not ignore this aspect of life.

Excellence in one field is always better but lacking in other fields may not bring satisfaction in life. Whatever the way of motivation, it should be for emanating the best from the concerned and for the overall growth of every aspect of life and maintaining the social bindings, moralities, traditions, humanities and spirituality.

The last lesson of motivation should be about paying back to society to whom everyone is indebted. It is found in our old pattern of teaching that during Gurukul’s time students were educated about all aspects of life and society- knowledge, administration, economics, moral values, spirituality, behaviour, etc. At last responsibilities towards society, nature and nation were also taught.

The modern education system is based on grading patterns of the achievements of students, lacking knowledge and practical approach. It is like cramming, copying, writing and forgetting in the next class. A few teachers only entertain their written notes in examinations as such for grading and checking the analytical power of students. Motivational stories may get seldom space in such a system. At last, we blame the younger generation for devaluation in social life, knowledge, and elsewhere.

In life, responsibility is enhanced as per position and growth. Everyone at every stage and every position in any field need the motivation to excel. Motivation may be situational but is important. It excites, ignites, instigates, guides and encourages the betterment in all situations where you become helpless with your plight and your life. It may be very psychological as we get a great example in Sanatan Dharma’s holy book “Ramayan” where Hanuman Ji was reminded of his hidden strength to cross the vast ocean and he had done it for a pious cause. This is the motivation to explore the inner strength by self through the reminder of someone. Impossible may be possible for a good cause.

Motivation, nowadays, has become essential because of many complicated, interrelated issues mainly pressure to excel, financial problems, depression, cut-throat competition, etc. Where medicine and knowledge have limited effects, motivation may act as an energizer.

Concentration,  positive thinking,  satisfaction, spirituality, etc. are requirements of good results-oriented successful life of someone. It is better to motivate towards an approach that life is personal but it affects all and is meant for all in society. Many problems may be solved.         

Thieves

Legal definition of thief may be meaningful. Thieves may be categorized in places. Social norms for the categorization of thieves, in practice, may be different everywhere. Some may justify the situation-based actions of thieves. Some may identify thieves on preoccupied speculations and practices. But the legal definition of thief finally prevails.

When I see around us and think about theft,
my views summarise as – I am one of the thieves. It is true everywhere. The action of stealing may be classified as direct or indirect. The direct ones identify the person and penalise. Sometimes direct action may be because of helplessness or need-based. Occasionally inactive operational systems may be involved in such cases as instigation. Even then it is punishable. We may write or deliver at length on this type of theft. Words may be stronger, mightier, influential and encouraging but there should be remedies also. No one is born a thief.

When I say I am also a thief I agree to indirect actions. I have not utilised time and opportunities completely or wholeheartedly. If I analyse from childhood I find that I do not have rosy pictures in my memory. I have seen hoarding attitudes in humans, disproportionate to their honest, just, professional and official incomes. Most of them, though socially recognised for their lavish lifestyles, has never been noticed by the inspecting authorities or monitoring agencies. We may assume that everyone is sailing in the same boat. All such thieves are cousins. Who will bell the cat? Everyone knows the secrets of each other and loves power and not responsibilities.

Such indirect actions of theft are like varieties of worms harming wherever possible. They want to get more than their positions’ entitlements and pursue wrong practices because of greed. They are not honest to the chairs which they adore and spread corruption. These are affecting the growth of the nation, tax evasion and escalating the cost of various projects due to delays in their implementation and timely completion. The public money collected by direct and indirect taxation gets wasted. Ultimately everyone suffers. Due to corruption, the qualities of completed projects and products are not up to the prescribed standards. Most of the roads, dams, buildings and bridges etc. are damaged or collapsed untimely. All types of enquiries carried for fixing the reasons are as an eye wash to divert the rage of public and to protect all responsible fellows. In my view, responsibility is not fixed to the system only but all general public are also responsible. Where ever possible, they also enjoy contributing through their share by not matching with assigned duties. Most of them remain busy commenting on others’ work ignoring their duties.

The country remains busy most of the time in making arrangements for basic needs because of these corruptions. These activities stay upliftment of public and instigate direct stealing in general. Political parties after ascending to the thrones dictate their terms and conditions for development. Most of the time the initiated projects of development and other schemes by rival political parties, occupying the thrones earlier, appear to be futile and detrimental to the society and nation. Such projects are derailed for want of funds or modified to suit the policies of the current government. The ultimate sufferer is the public and public money. It is an unending problem.

We have provisions for legal punishment to direct thieves but we have reservations for other types of active personalities because they are the lawmakers and they have also the right to make decisions. They may twist words of law as magicians.

Ultimately, our requirements are cheated and we are deceived. We move two steps ahead and recede one step behind. Thus we are progressing in leaps and bounds. We should express thankfulness to them who are honestly doing their jobs within their limited resources. They are heroes of our time.

We are the intelligent fools that we know many things but we know nothing. We should know that not a single empire having rich history is surviving because of its reasons. It means nothing is permanent. We know neither a king nor a rich person has carried a penny with him on death even then we are mad for money. We know that we may not give assurance to generations to come for wealth or a good living even then we respect money as everything, forgetting relationships, duties and responsibilities. Money can buy many things but not honesty, God and peace. We should not be direct or indirect thieves. We should do good for the development and upliftment of society and nations. Everyone will be happy and comfortable.

All future generations will be grateful to their ancestors for their foresightedness and rituals for the meaning of life. We should encourage noble and imitative practices for the amelioration of social justice. We should be satisfied with minimum requirements to share fare deals with other creatures of nature.  

S E L F – Respect

It is said that mother, motherland and mother tongue should always be respected without sarcastic remarks. Mother’s place is greater than heaven. Likewise, motherland and mother tongue have a place in everyone’s heart. Even distance is not the barrier and the heart always throbs for them. While the mother is an individual’s concern, motherland and mother tongue are binding factors among all. In present days of need-based migration, these are the identities of a person. Everyone should respect these three gems of life for self and others because without self-respect no one may discover self. The moment we forget them our slavery starts. Others start ruling over and controlling as per their needs. All freedom movements, the world over, are for restoring self-respect. Our nationality may change but not our identity.

Self-respect is armour and should be in every place, whether at home or working places. If any relative at home or boss at working places disrespects beyond limit then a reaction is expected from everyone. No compromise is appreciable because self-respect is extremely self.

In this materialistic world, bosses are always ready to fire their employees who have devoted their lives to them. Students are disrespecting their teachers for small causes. Juniors are ready to assess the utilities of seniors who have trained them. All these happenings are the indicators of deterioration, biases and self-interest in the working atmosphere. It is better to fight for self-respect at such places or may leave these places in self-respect and see another pasture after giving a befitting reply.

In this world, we are boasting of a developed civilization but women are the most suffering class concerning self-respect. They are taken for granted as easy prey because in the name of modesty they are advised to keep silent for themselves and family. They are lesser paid at working places as compared to males for the same work. They are considered as weak and meant for certain works only, specifically for household workers in these so-called developed societies. But it is a matter of solace that education and self-reliance have motivated them and they are taking a stand against malpractices. Their “Me too” movements are exposing the reality of many famous personalities in the societies. This is a new beacon of hope. They have to go miles before self-respect is ensured everywhere. They deserve respect as a mother, sisters, wives and daughters, in all other assigned roles.

We have many complexes in mind for nothing. We deliver sermons with good words advocating equality for all before almighty but it is not true in practice. Our behaviours distinguish. We have grudges for the complexion of black and white, for the superiority of races, etc. We follow a double standard for our selfishness to dominate. Even children are not spared and they are facing abuse at home and in schools etc. We treat them as the hope of God but reality matters the most. It is not praised worthy.

One day situation may change with consciousness and spirit of self-respect. If we go through the two epics of the Sanatan religion – the Ramayan and the Mahabharat we may find that in every Era self-respect mattered. Wars were fought and kingdoms were devastated. Moreover, it is found that in “kali yuga” ( as per the  Sanatan religion it is the fourth stage of the world. It is the age of misery, quarrel, moral decay and hypocrisy ) for saving self-respect, ladies practised Jauhar- a practice of mass self-immolation for honouring modesty and chastity from invaders.

Disrespect of one’s self-respect is an unpardonable crime and needs stern dealing. Before that, one who does not fight for self-respect is like a stone. We should not forget that VIPs are made by us but everyone takes birth with self-respect given by the almighty. We should bend our heads before God and not before so-called perishable VIPs. No one may be a destiny decider. We are not here to satiate the ego of someone.

Self-respect is an individual’s concern but the attitudes of society need complete modification. We should understand the meaning of hidden thoughts in rituals where persons of every profession are involved and deserve respect. Even grass and thorns are used respectfully in puja ( worship) in the Sanatan religion. This is the message of our rituals that nature has also self-respect and nothing is useless. We should not forget that nature may snatch self-respect through many means.   

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.