Diwali Parva 2016

Diwali Parva 2016

Diwali is a festival of billion plus Hindus living all over the world. After the harvesting of good crops, the people express their gratitudes to the deities through prayers and offerings. It's a "Shakti Parva of upasana" (worshiping the power of the Almighty), in which three major goddesses Maha Sarasvati, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali are worshipped. Maha Sarasvati is the Goddess of knowledge and wisdom. One has to acquire the knowledge and wisdom first to prosper. Maha Lakshmi is the Goddess of Wealth. Wealth comes from the skill, acquired with the help of Sarasvati. Wealth is generated from work. Maha Kali (Parvati) is the Goddess of regeneration, recycling the waste. Remove the waste and preserve the best. They are name of the three powers of the God: generation, operation and destruction; creation, maintenance and regeneration.

Diwali Festival starts with Vak Baras (shukla dwadashi), a day of worshipping Goddess Maha Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge. Second day is called Dhan Teras (shukla trayidashi), a day to worship Maha Lakshmi. People worship their wealth and the means of wealth. The third day is kali chaudas (kali chaturdashi), a night to worship Goddess Kali to destroy the evil forces. It is a night for tantra mantra upasana and many sadhaks do acquire black magic from the universe. Then comes the night of Dipavali, the night of lights. The day and night to celebrate with joy. Joy of the year sparkles through crackers. Family, relatives and friends meet and greet; forgive and forget; reunite and rejuvenate; to bring more happiness, more prosperity in the life for all.

Next day of the Diwali, Gujarati people celebrate their New Year. New year of new beginning. It is followed by Bhai Bij (bhaiya duj), the day when sister welcomes her brothers at home. Tritia and Chaturthi are rest days and then comes the Labh Panchami, the first day to start the work in the new year. Labh means benefit - profit. So no loss to count, only to aim at benefit. Benefits to earn for the betterment of life, for self and for the community; for family and for the Country; for us and for the universe.

Wishing you all

Happy Vak Baras

Happy Dhan Teras

Sadhana Chaturdashi

Happy Diwali

Happy and Prosperous New Year Vikram Samvat 2073

Enjoy the festival of light, the Dipavali.
Light up with joy and with knowledge.

Punamchand
28 October 2016, Dhan Teras

Read More

Freedom: It was not that easy

It was not that easy

After the loss of battle of Placy by Siraj-Ud-Daula in 1757, the outsourced British East India Company entered into the rule of India. Within 100 years, they were able to capture major part of the Country. But after the mutiny of 1857, direct rule of Government of England was established over India. Organised freedom struggle was started by INC but it got momentum by involvement of common people after the entry of Mahatma Gandhi in 1915. Gandhi lead the freedom struggle from 1918 to 1947. Starting with Champaran and Kheda (1918) agitation and supporting Khulaphat (1919) movement he came in lead role. But accepting Lacknow Pact of separate electoral votes for Muslim was a Himalayan Blunder. Jalianvala Bag massacre (1919) woke up the country against British atrocities. By introducing swadeshi and khadi, Gandhi launched nation wide freedom struggle of "Non Cooperation" in 1920 using non violence method of passive resistance. He was jailed. In 1930, he lead Dandi March, Salt Satyagraha and "Civil Disobedience Movement". Following Round Table Conferences, British allowed Indian voice in Provincial and National Governments under the Act of 1935. Gandhi remained busy is social issues of untouchability and women rights. But involving India in WW-II without the consent of INC opened the way for "Quit India" movement of "Do or Die" in 1942. The movement was crushed. Gandhi, Nehru and Sardar were put behind the bar and Jinnah (never been jailed) had an opportunity to establish his influence over the British and the Muslims. Cabinet mission plan (1946) for Indian unity failed. Jinnah's "Direct Action Day" (Great Calcutta Killings) call on 16 August 1946 for separate Muslim home land made India wild, put the country on fire of widespread riots and masslaughter of Hindus and Muslims. 

British won the WW-II but lost the lives and wealth. They could have continued for further more years, but Hindu Muslims riots, Naval Mutiny, and poor economy compelled them to quit India. They tried to keep the Country united under Cabinet mission plan but couldn't find compromise formula between INC and Muslim League and finally divided India in 1947. Hindu majority and Muslim majority countries were established but at the cost of masslaughter of thousands of people.

British population in India was 125,945 (84,000 officers and army) in 1861; 238,409 in 1891; 165,485 in 1921. A lakh of British were ruling India of 13-36 crore for two centuries. But after formation of Provincial Governments in 1935 and with the start of WW-II in 1939, they down sized the British establishment in India. When they left, they were less than 100,000. The country where they lived for 190 years, suddenly became unsafe for them. They had worked out alternative plan for the safe departure from India. They had identified Salaya port of Jamnagar to quit India by a sea route in case of emergency. For safe passage to the British ship in water, they had approached the Jam Saheb of Jamnagar. However, it was later not required. 

Most of the Princely States were against freedom struggle. They were with the British Vice Roy as their powers and perks were more safe in the hands of the British. They knew, once the local governments established, they have to quit. Therefore, they somehow managed to get the third option of independence under Indian Independence Act 1947. But they failed to exercise it. Gandhi Sena didn't allow that to happen. Gandhi thoughts, actions and movements woke the Indian mass up. They didn't want less than the independence. Ultimately, with the firmness and wisdom of Sardar Patel and his team, compelled them sign the "Instrument of Accession", and made them the part of the Indian Union. They and their families were the greatest loser in the freedom of India. One third of India (560 States) were under the rule of the Princely States, under the suzerainty (indirect rule) of British, became free from the Kings rule of centuries. Two third of India was already freed from Kings rule of centuries by the British. Both left the power and we won the democracy, the rule of the people of India. 

In 1950s, on Independence Day the children of Princely States studying in the schools were not standing up when the National Anthem was sung because they lost their powers and positions in freedom of India. A ruler of yesterday becomes a common man today. The olds in the family had a very hard time. Suddenly the kingdom vanished. Servants disappeared. The Royal families were given annual Privy Purse to integrate with India in 1947 and than merging with India by losing ruling rights in 1949. They surrendered their sovereignty and as a quid pro quo they were granted handsome Privy Purses (₹5000 - ₹ 2,000,000, as revenue share) and other privileges (gun salute, antiquity of dynasty, etc). But that was also discontinued by Mrs Gandhi in 1971, by 26th amendment of the Constitution. The bill was introduced in 1969 but lost by one vote in Rajya Sabha. It was proposed again in 1971 and passed. The official recognition of titles was abolished. All citizens become equal.

It was not easy for anyone of the Stakeholders. The British to Quit India, the Princely States to surrender sovereignty, the people to get freedom. Finally the people won. Gandhi won. Salute India. Salute the freedom fighters. 

Punamchand
24 October 2016

Read More

Poverty, an outcome of unorganised life

Poverty, an outcome of unorganised life

One thing is common between Religion and Poverty. Both are acquired by birth. One may not change the religion so often as it is culturised by the parents. But what about poverty? Can't the children of poor come out of poverty? They can, but the path of progress is a path of disciplined life. One has to live in an organised way, study well, build the employability, understand the opportunities well and place him/her to the economic cycle well to earn smart money. 

But in reality what is the picture of the localities of the rich pockets and the poor pockets? Totally contrast. The attitude, body language, appearance, zeal, enthusiasm, language, dress, punctuality, life style, discipline, cleanliness, one can go on listing the items that differentiate the people of these two groups for their successes and failures. However, the purity of means and acts are not listed as the means of richness carry some adverse qualities. (I have not included the adversity of the caste system which keeps one section of the society away from the net of opportunities)

Why the land price and house price is so high for the rich pockets and low for the poor pockets? Living style of the pockets increase or decrease the value of their land, house and locality. In poor pockets, people live in dirts. Their individual hygiene and social hygiene are poor. Instead of adding value to their body, mind, house and locality; they live in such a way that the value of all go down. Many drink alcohol but the poor pocket alcoholism is bringing hell to their families. Who will prefer such neighbours? The unclean surrounding bring more diseases to them. Their attitude, language and quarrels keep them away from the fruits of good life. They are unable to prioritise their spending. They earn less and spend more on alcohol, addictions, doctors, customs and rituals. The calorie value of their food is very law. As a result their productivity is low. 

In one of the visits of east Ahmedabad, a member lady of SMC told her story of shifting her house from one chawl to another chawl. Her family earns ₹8000/month, and they were paying ₹1500/month for a rental house. But the culture of the chawl was not good. To save her children from that bad culture, she moved to another chawl, where they pay house rent at ₹3000/month. She wishes to live in further better locality, but she can't afford the rent and other living costs.

Can't they move out of poverty? Governments have introduced many social services schemes. Individuals are trying, but as a group, no visible and forceful activities are seen. Can't they start with the cleanliness of the surroundings? Can't they leave alcohol and gutka? Can't they improve their language and politeness? Can't they understand the pathways of success? Can't they stop blaming the government and the others for the life they live? Can't they blame first to themselves as the reason of their poverty? Can't they introspect themselves for not using the opportunities of education and capacity building offered to them? 

Demand of rights is important but performing duties is more important. Person in crisis has to work more than the person living in happy life. 

There is a need to bring change from the doorstep, with the introspection of the self. Who will do that? They have to boot up. After all the rich pockets have been generated out of the poor pockets.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world". - Gandhi.

Punamchand
20 October 2016

Read More

Shopaholic

Shopaholic

A visitor was explaining a story of a lady in Ahmedabad. She had made a purchase of ₹1.5 lakh from his shop, but was carrying ₹100,000 in pocket. She requested the counter boy to collect the difference from her home. The boy telephoned the shop owner and after knowing her credentials of frequent buyings from the shop allowed the boy to collect the money from her home. The boy, following the lady went to her home. The lady went inside but her husband and her son were waiting for her at the entry gate. When the boy explained his purpose of visit of collecting ₹50,000, both the males explained the shopaholic condition of the lady. Everyday she picks up cash from the cupboard and go for shopping. She doesn't know what she bought yesterday or day before. Just buying and dumping the bags in the house. Her husband has to keep some money in her cupboard everyday. Otherwise, she would disturb the peace of the family. The family had lost their bank balance and were tired of her psychic behaviour. Both the males requested the shop boy to carry the bags of the goods she has purchased and return as much as money he can from the paid amount of ₹100,000.

This is a psychological disorder called shopaholic, an addiction to shopping. It is also called CBD (compulsive buying disorder), an uncontrollable, irresistible urge to buy excessive and expensive goods. Some people make credit cards available to their wives but if she is oniomania, the guy has to destroy the credit cards to avoid bankruptcy.

Modern world is a world of consumer lead GDP. People stimulate their desires, earn and spend. Those invested in 1980s in land become billionaires in 2016. Some empty pockets investor entrepreneurs borrowed money from the lender at 24-36% interest rates and invested in lands in 1985-86 became billionaires. The lenders level went down and the users of their currency have gone up. The value of money went down under the inflation, but the prices of land shot up 1000 times!  One guy bought a land in Surat worth of ₹80,000 in 1988, today the value of the land is ₹800 million. A man purchased 125,000 Sqm land with some sheds by paying ₹30 million (that too from the borrowing) in Mumbai in 1986, today the land value is of ₹7 billion. When we were preparing for IAS, they were buying lands through borrowing!!!

The Surat diamond traders have grew up through the bank finance. Those continued in diamond business grew well but those invested profit of the diamond business into the lands become very rich. No higher education, no rocket science, no harakiri, just they took one decision at one fine moment to purchase land and their life style changed. They live in billions. What do they do? They may spend money on food, house, cars, home appliances, interiors, hotels, travels, functions, ceremonies, charity, donations, etc. Suddenly a society or an area picks up the value as status symbol. Coal mines becomes diamond mines. And the prices just go on increasing under the rule of high demand and low supply. The female family members of such families have nothing much to do except to do shopping in the malls or to do online shopping. Shopping becomes a status symbol for some families. But there is a risk involved. Some people may become shopaholic. Till they family is in a condition to put the currency daily in the cupboard of the shopaholic, the family peace can be maintained, but the day they drain out, the trouble starts. The life become miserable.

With the growth of economy, many people earn more than they need. If they save in Banks, there are Malyas to use the bank money. Some of them spend more beyond the need of good quality of life. They or their family members become shopaholic to some extent, may be in the range of 10-100%. It is good for the society as a whole that the currency move from the rich pockets to the poor pockets. If all do savings and nobody spends, then how the economic activities are generated, how the employment opportunities are created and how the better quality of life to be provided to the people at large. 

Modern age is making the farmers also smart. They sale the high value lands in millions and buy new and more land in thousands little away and hold it for sometime. Again the thousands become millions and they move further. The GDP is going up with the spread of people in urban conglomerates. 

Ancient Sanskrit proverb of Charvak was Rinam kritva ghritam pibet, yavan jivet sukham jivet. (Live in happiness so long you have a life and enjoy all comforts and luxury of life (like eating butter) even if you have to take a loan). But it is changed in modern growth context. Yavan jivet sukham jivet, rinam kritva bhoomi krinite. (Live the life in happiness, borrow the money and buy lands, the butter of life will flow automatically). Lol

But beware of the shopaholic tendency of your spouse? Your Credit Cards may turn into debits. Butter may be replaced with quarrels. Lol

Punamchand
19 October 2016

Read More

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder

It was my first visit to Kenya. It's a country of black people, divided into 42 tribes. From a stranger, everybody look the same. As brown skin we have our own set of standards to identify beauty amongst the humans. The whites have their own set of standards. But when all carry almost the same look, it is difficult for the outsider to remember the faces as well as to differentiate through their look.

I didn't resist my curiosity and asked a direct question to a young man standing in the lobby of the hotel. When all the girls look the same, how do you select your girl friend or a spouse amongst them? He laughed at the question. Then slowly explained his viewpoints. Each individual has different perceptions for the beauty. Some may be looking at the height, some at the skin and some at the muscles, some prefer slim body and some go for body mass. Some like the talkative and extrovert girls, and some prefer the silents. The criteria can't be the same for all men. But it is just a liking at first sight. You look at her, like her and that's it. Thereafter, you don't bother about anything. Just a click of the mind with the heart. He concluded. Within few minutes he became friendly, therefore, I asked him a personal question. What is your criteria? A tall, brown skin lady may be the best. He replied. He must have developed his taste high while watching the visitors of the hotel.

Now the counter view was necessary to conclude. Easter was found in the lobby. What is the meaning of your name, Easter? I have asked. Queen, she replied. Whose queen are you? I asked the second question. My husband, obviously. She replied promptly. She and her husband are working. They have a son. Both of them earn 100,000 Kshiling/a month. The living cost is very high in the city, therefore, they are unable to buy a house of their own and live in the rental house. As I was progressing to the talk, few of our group mates arrived and I had to conclude my talk. The question remained unanswered. How could a girl find her boy from the blacks, with similar look, more or less the same height-body and moving around with shaved heads!!!

No merits or drawbacks to be discussed. Just to conclude that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Look at, like at first sight. That's it. Lol

Punamchand
18 October 2016
www.punamchand.com

Read More

Galo, the wonder drug of Ayurveda

Galo, the wonder drug of Ayurveda

Galo, the (Tinospora cordifolia) is one of the wonder drugs of Ayurveda. It is a creeper available in forest and harvested mostly in Summer month of May. It generally grow on Neem and Mango trees with arial roots. It's bark are creamy white or grey and the leaves are heart shaped. Generally, the Galo stem of Neem tree is used as medicine. It is a health tonic that removes the poisons and toxins from the body. The juice from the fresh plant is diuretic but the roots and dry stems are used in treatment of chronic diarrhoea and chronic dysentery. It is indian quinine used in fever. It is used by type2 diabetics. It is a nectar (amrita), a divine property, therefore some people who didn't wish to grow old, take it regularly. It's a rasayana, used for balancing three doshas: vata, pitta and cough. It improves HB, therefore given to cure anemia. It is recommended for liver disorder, diabetes millitus, gout and rheumatic arthritis. It has antipyretic, anti analgesic and anti inflammatory properties. It stimulates the functions of the cells, therefore, given to jaundice and tuberculosis patients.

'Galo Satva' (extract) is the most effective drug of galo. One can get only 4 gm of satva from 4 kg galo stems. The method is simple but labourious. One has to wonder around Neem trees, climbing them up and collect the galo stems from the trees. Then the stems will be cut into pieces of one inch size and grinned in the mixture. Thereafter, it will be washed with hands in the bucket of water. The pieces of the stems will come up on the top, but go on washing till the extract of the stem settles down. Over the night, the extract will settle down at the bottom of the bucket. Remove the water and collect the extract settle in the bottom. It's sticky and will turn into powder after drying up. One may take 4 mg (a capsule full) of the extract with honey, preferably in the morning and start the day of energy.

Wish to remain young? Want to rejuvenate? Tired of acidity? Want to stimulate cells? Start the day with Galo Satva, the wonder drug, the nectar of Ayurveda.

Punamchand
17 October 2016

Read More

Shri Vajubhai Special

Shri Vajubhai Special

I met Shri Vajubhai on 12 October 2016 at Circuit House Annexe Ahmedabad. He was as usual, talkative and in cheerful mood. You look very healthy at this age (80th year), I asked. "Diseases go to the people who use brain. I use legs and hands, therefore, remain in good health." He replied promptly. He started narrating their days of struggles in political life. He went to Sabarmati jail twice. 25 days during Navnirman agitation and 11.5 months under MISA during emergency. Jail was like a picnic spot for him. As detenues, they had less restrictions and lot of time to do the activities of free time.

In the first instance of Nabnirman agitation in 1974, he was arrested under Chimanbhai Patel's rule. Popatlal Vyas was one of the detenues. Vajubhai used to tease him, 'lilo Popat marcha khay, kalo Popat hapta khay' (green parrot eats chilly, black parrot eats money). The chapati was very hard and the sabji was too hot. The editor of Jansatta Ramanbhai was also detained. He was unable to break the chapati and eat the hot vegetables. Vajubhai guided him to soak the chapati in water first, then into sabji and then to eat. When he complained the taste of sabji very hot (lot of red chillies), he jokingly told him that he would feel the hotness twice. Once while eating and second time in the morning when he attends the natural call!

He used his jail experience of 25 days of Narnirman in managing food and facilities during MISA detention in 1976. The Jailer and the Doctor were known to him. Whosoever come to meet the detenues, he used to manage the snacks, ganthia, khakhra, farsan, jalebi, khaman, dhokla, jaggery, varieties of pickles, etc, for the inmates. The Doctor used to prescribe extra milk referring acidity to the detenues. They had enough milk to drink and sometime used to make Sarbat by adding rose essence. It was a relaxed life: Lux soap to bath, milk to drink and ganthia-achar to eat in breakfast. Some of them were getting tiffins from home. Their day used to start with dhakka tea, lux bath, good breakfast, followed by sports, yoga, gossips, discussions, speeches, tiffin lunch and dinner, etc. The only problem was in the bed. The cots were made of wood. All the joints of the cot were full of bugs and the air full of mosquitos. Both were ready to attack them in nights. With lot of food to eat, lot of people to chat and lot of bugs and mosquitoes to fight, he put on 9 kg (56 to 65) wight in 11.5 months of jail.

When he was young, the Rajkot Court Judge used to order punishment till arising the Court (TRC), but he used to request to make it for two days so that the fear of jail go away! They had passed through a very tough time in opposition when people used to boycott them, didn't offer even drinking water during village visit. They had to manage water from the aquifers. In one of the instances, the aquifer was urinated by the naughty guys. They had to find another aquifer and continue their struggle to rise in public life.

Shri Narendrabhai knew his nature. Before starting any serious talk in a group, he will tell Vajubhai to keep silence for a while, and say, let us talk serious. Shri Chimanbhai Shukla had briefed him about Vajubhai's nature of sidetracking the issue.

After presenting 16 budgets in Gujarat Assembly as Finance Minister and holding position of Speaker of the Assembly, he is now away from politics and heading the State of Karnataka as Governor. On the very first day of his job, he cleared all pending 38 files. Nothing remains pending with him beyond a day except the legal or constitutional issues. He has established discipline over his staff. He allows them leaves etc, but ensure the punctuality and discipline while on job. He has closed down the exit gate behind the Raj Bhavan and make the entry and exit from the single gate. He has advised the Secretaries to remove the extra chairs from all the offices and tables so that the employees can focus more on their work and talk less.

The assembly seat he held, Rajkot (West) is very lucky. It has given two Chief Ministers and one Governor. After became a CM, Shri Narendrabhai Modi became MLA from this seat (Vajubhai vacated the seat for him). When Shri Narendrabhai moved to Maninagar seat, Vajubhai again became MLA from this seat and became FM, Speaker and the Governor. And the seat vacated by Vajubhai was won by Shri Vijaybhai Rupani, who become the Chief Minister of the State. Rajkot West turned into the luckiest seat of Gujarat Assembly. Or the seat which Vajubhai leaves, become the Centre of Power. Vajubhai, an unique personality of Gujarat politics will be remembered for many years for his outgoing cheerful nature.

Long live Shri Vajubhai.

Punamchand
16 October 2016

Read More