“Rising India”

Do you know that the world is flat? You all might be thinking he’s gone mad. Columbus discovered that the world is round, and from our geography class, we remember that the world is round. Even the globe kept on my table is round. Manish has gone crazy.

I read a book “The world is flat” in my second quarter which discusses about the developing countries and their role in the world economy. After reading the book I was very excited to see the role of India in the total change process. I wanted to write on it from the very first day when I finished the book but wanted to feel it before writing and few days ago I came up with a conclusion Yes “THE WORLD IS FLAT”.

Last weekend I came back to India, I had 3 connecting flights one from Chicago to Paris and Paris to Bahrain and at the end Bahrain to India. While I was in Paris, I thought of going out for couple of hours and see scenic Paris. So, I decided to go out and see the city but as I did not had visa I was not allowed to go out. So, I decided to go sit at the airport and peep through glass and see how Paris looks. I could see skyscrapers all over. After looking for couple of minutes, I saw 3 beautiful girls were walking towards me; I was excited they came near me and said something in Spanish “Hola, como estas?” I only knew this in Spanish as I had a Spanish friend in management school. I said “Hola” I don’t know Spanish, please speak in English. So, we all started talking and after conversing for 10-15 minutes, they told me that they going to India to Mumbai. They work with an Indian company which takes international I.T projects. I was excited and wanted to know more as it was a proud moment for an Indian whose country was a developing country and people from developed country are working with an Indian company. So, I decided to sit next to them in our next flight to Bahrain.

I was sitting next to them and all the 4 of us were enjoying our time. Our flight from Paris to Bahrain was of approx. 5 hours. We talked for more than 3 hours and after our chitchat, I could say only one thing “India is rising”. The youth of our country has potential to make our country a developed within few years. They were tired and wanted to sleep but I was too but wanted to talk as it was soothing for my ears. So, I covered my face with blanket and slept with a smile on face. 

Life in two different part of the world

My flight landed on 25^th December 2011 at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi at 4:40 AM and I was excited to come back home, but had a sentient feeling of leaving the United States. It only took 20 minutes in clearance and coming out of the Airport and I was standing in front of my father. I hugged him, kept luggage in car and we drove home. I remember when I landed for the first in the United States, I noticed development in all spheres, whereas, it was totally opposite in my country with minuscule changes in infrastructure.

My parents were excited to see me back and they started mounding their dreams. My dad threw a big bash party the very next day and introduced me to many of his clients. I can see a bright future but still was missing something. I think it is the culture, atmosphere and the people of the United States who profoundly left their impression in my heart. I want the same ambience but in my country. But is it possible? I don’t think so, because of the two different parts of the world, their culture and people.

Now, I think I should focus on building my career and at the same time work hard to bring about some changes in my country. 

Voice of 1.2 Billion "Anna tum Agge badho hum tumhare saath hain"

Anna Hazare “Voice of 1.2 billion”

Introduction

India, recently celebrated its 64^th Independence Day. I am from India and remember history of my country that how our great leaders struggled to get independence. The first revolt which started in 1857 against the British rule ended up on 15^th August 1947, the day when India became an Independent country. Thousands of our great leaders sacrificed their lives for our future. The G.D.P of India in 1950 was 93.5 Billion whereas with in a small span of 64 years the G.D.P of India has rose to 3,608.196 which is more than 38 times and makes India the country with second highest G.D.P in the World after China.

315 million of the entire population that comes around 30% of the population of India is between 10-24 years, which states that the future of India is bright. But main question in front of India is, will she be able to retain and use the power of their youth in future?

It is estimated that the black money or the corruption money in Swiss bank alone is more than $1.4 trillion of Indian politicians and government officials. The money which belongs to the nation and its citizens is stashed in the illegal personal accounts of corrupt politicians, IRS, IPS officers and industrialists. An amount which is 13 times larger than the nation’s foreign debt, every year this amount is increasing at a rapid speed but the Indian government seem to be silent over this matter from a very long time. The total black money accounts for 40% of GDP of India, if India is able to get money back then that could result in huge growth burst for India. It is even believed by the economists that if India is able to get it back, India would surpass China in GDP and with in a decade will become a developed country.

“Fight against Corruption”

A leader is a common man like all of us but his past experiences; knowledge and go-getter believe distinct him from us. A leader creates a foundation of fairness and openness and always tells the truth. I have learned that a leader is a problem solver and is a part of the solution. He is always willing and able to delegate. A leader should be patient, disciplined and determined. I learned all these characteristic of a leader after reading our leadership book and from various articles which were in our course.

Kisan Baburao Hazare -- known to his admirers as "Anna" or elder brother in his native Marathi language -- is a former soldier who, after watching compatriots die fighting in the 1965 war with Pakistan, considered suicide until he had a spiritual conversion after reading the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, according to his official biography. Vivekananda, a father of modern Hindu philosophy, emphasized the importance of social service in his teachings.

“Anna Hazare” Gandhi of 21^st Century

“Anna Hazare” a man who was born 15 June 1937 who is about 74 years old went on a hunger strike for continuous 288 hours. He is an Indian social activist and prominent leader in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. People call him as 21^st century “Gandhi”. Anna Hazare, a Gandhian by belief, outlook and practice, has become the face of India's fight against corruption. His "fast unto death" over the issue of the Lokpal Bill or citizens' ombudsman bill made him a global hero. By sheer commitment and simplicity, he has demonstrated that Gandhian principles are pertinent even in the 21st-century India.

           

After his voluntary retirement from the Indian army he went back to his village Ralegan Siddhi (a small village in the outskirts of Maharashtra). It was one of the many villages of India plagued by acute poverty, deprivation, a fragile ecosystem, neglect and hopelessness. Anna made his remarkable social, economical regeneration in his village. He reinforced the normative principles of human development – equity, efficiency, sustainability and people's participation and made Ralegan Siddhi an oasis of human-made regeneration in a human-made desert without any inputs of industrialization and technology-oriented agriculture. After his remarkable efforts for his village he gained respect in the heart of common man. He received two of India’s highest awards in the early 1990’s for his commendable job.

           

He also launched a campaign against the distilling and consumption of liquor in the village, which he believed was leading to widespread alcoholism among men. The anti-alcohol drive was controversial which made his critic speak against him as he tied to post and flogged drunken men but women supported an effort to impose prohibition on the village.

Conclusion

According to the research 29 million googled Anna within a week, shows his popularity all over the world. Anna Hazare a bold man who fasted for over 288 hours ignored several pleas of the government to defer his fast and stood firm on his demand for the LokPal Bill. He maintained that the current Bill covering only politicians was inadequate as politicians often colluded with officials to indulge in corruption.

Thousands of people, including students, teachers, artistes, retired government officers and activists joined Anna to support his movement against corruption. On the Net, support for Anna is already a viral movement. Unless the government concedes to the demand, this support is only likely to grow.

SOCIAL NETWORKING

Social Networking

Hello: I am back with my new blog on Social Media. Sorry for the delay, but was thinking of a topic, which is of interest for everyone.

Well, a couple of days ago, I went for an interview. I was amazed when the interviewer asked the first question "are you on Facebook"? I was expecting something else like; tell me about yourself, or speak about your resume? I was mum for few seconds and said: "yes off-course" more than 41% of the Americans are on either on Facebook or any other social networking site (I remembered it from the article which I read couple of days ago). I did not get the job, but I discovered that social networking also plays a vital role in placements these days.

Friends, family, professionals everyone can be found on these social networking site. Of course it is great to catch up with old friends from schools and colleges, and friends you thought you had lost touch with. But do you ever pause to consider the fact that your information can be used for any other purpose than just looking up for friends? If you want to know more about a girl/boy, just go to their facebook account and you will come to know about their friends, relatives, habits, pictures and a lot more what you can't discover from your sources. Companies are through social networking site like facebook, myspace account to know more about an employee and their future prospect. Interviewers, recruiters after reviewing resumes, if found appropriate go to these networking sites to know more about an employee before recruiting.

So does that mean should we have two accounts or delete it? According, to my trivial knowledge, we all want to know what our friends and family are doing around the globe, but instead of being too personal on these networking sites and posting comments/ pictures or any other derogatory remark, we should try to avoid, and change. I believe that our privacy is being infringed by the recruiters and all other people with whom we don't want to share our personal stuff, but then too they are trying to poke their nose. I would advise people to make sure that they have minimum "required" information on Facebook. Your emails, your phone numbers and your pictures are something that should be personal and not shared.

Although these networking site have helped us in getting back our lost friends and family, but the fact still remains the same that our information is being shared and is not safe. As we know there are two aspects of a coin one positive and other negative. So, no matter how strong facebook or myspace claim their privacy settings, but still they have loophole.

CHESS & CHECKERS

CHESS AND CHECKERS

The whole world is looking at two countries, India & China both Asian countries developing at a pace which no other country expected. India has over 1.2 billion population and world’s biggest federal republic constitutional republic with a G.D.P growth rate of 8.2% has shown to the world what changes mass can bring in an economy. The contribution of service sector in 1990-1991 was only 16% where as it reached to 43% by the end of 2006 and according to the latest statistics it’s more than 46%.

Indian and Chinese are playing an invaluable role in the global innovation chain. Banglore known as “Silicon Valley” of India where spawn companies produce their own chip designs, software’s and pharmaceuticals are one of the most exciting places in the world. Companies like Wipro, Infosys, which started from the ashes are globally recognized now. According to a report in 2004, 70,000 Engineers graduated from the United States, 350,000 from India and 600,000 from China.

China and India are the world’s largest and second largest consumer markets. Investors saw these countries for their low cost, then stayed their for improving the quality of the products now after heavily investing they are investing in innovation. The G.D.P of China is expanding three times as fast and the united states, nine times as fast as their neighbor Japan and seven times as fast as Europe.  According to The Economic Policy Institute, a liberal-leaning think tank in Washington, D.C., said the United States is losing more than 2,000 factory jobs a month because of the shift of work to China." With all this in picture china has emerged as an economic wonder to the world.

According to the statement of Goldman Sachs in 2003 GPD of china would exceed that of United States by 2041 and in 2009 they made a shocking statement that it will not take 2041 it will surpass in 2027 and recently they announced that the pace at which China is progressing, the GDP of china will exceed the US by 2019. Is it true we will see a new economic power as China? India is progressing but China is progressing twice fast in comparison to India. So, are we all ready to see China as next economic power? I know one this if you run too fast, you get hurt more if you fall, so China has to be careful now because its going too fast and if the China’s market fall, only god knows what will happen. The world is not ready to see another slump. At the end I would like to say “Best of luck China, be safe the whole world is watching you”.

Reference:

1.                           "Key Trends in the World Economy: The Central Date for China's GDP to Overtake the US at Market Exchange Rates Is 2019 - a Study of Growth Assumptions and Analyses." Key Trends in Globalisation. 15 Feb. 2011. Web. 07 May 2011. 

2.                           Chhapia, Hemali. "Number of Engineers in India Inflated, Says Study - Times Of India." Featured Articles From The Times Of India. TNN, 6 Mar. 2008. Web. 07 May 2011. 

THE REAL GURU

The real Guru

Do you also dream? If yes, what, and do you have any plans to make it a reality? I dreamed a lot, sometimes I dreamed of starting my own business, creating a social networking site like Facebook or sometime opening a chain of a coffee shops like Starbucks, but then they were shattered like every time, when they came to reality. I had dreams but had no guidance, how to make my dreams come true.

I needed guidance from someone who can make me comfortable as a friend, have the knowledge of a teacher and love and care as a parent. Someone, who could show me the right path and help me in building my career, and opening new horizons of life, I dither in sharing my thoughts with everyone, so was always confused who’s the best person to share? But dreams are dreams until they are worked on. So, I needed to start from somewhere. Do not know where but needed a start. All these things were in my mind from the very beginning, but curiosity to work on them started taking shape when I completed my five years of law school from India in 2008.

As other lawyers, I also started going to the courts and started my own practice. This profession will give me all leisure’s of life in future, but still was not satisfied. I did not know what I was searching? I decided to discuss it. Now, the question was whom should I talk to - my best friend or to my father? I thought of talking to my best friend because I believed that my father will discourage me, as I was earning well through advocacy, and will have to start everything from the very scratch. So, I went to my best friend’s place, we both went for a ride on my motorbike. We both went to Café Coffee Day (Indian Starbucks). We sat and while sipping our coffees, he asked me “I can smell that you want to talk something important”. I said “No- I just wanted to come out”. I do not know why I could not share it with my best friend. Then, he started telling me story about his trip to Mumbai (Metro cities of India). After half a hour, I dropped him and came back home.

I thought may be god wanted me to share it with the right person and he is not the right one. I decided will talk to my father about my confusion/dilemma. While we both were having dinner and my mom was serving us, I with a stammering voice “Dad, I do not want to practice- want to do some business”. My dad looked at me “what did you say- come again”. I do not know from where I got that much confidence that I said again “I want to do my own business”. “Ok- So, you want to become Ambani” (richest businessperson of India). I did not utter a single word, finished dinner and started moving towards my room. My father finished and went to the living room and called me with his thick voice “Manish come here, I want to talk to you”. I thought Oh god I made the biggest mistake today by telling him, now he will give me a kill me by giving lectures. Before I could say anything he said “you can do whatever you want but be firm on your decision whatever you want” and you know rolling stone gathers none.

I sat near him and he said softly “you are fairly mature to take your own decisions but if you really want to do business, you should understand what business is all about? What are the factors which influence a business? I do not have any problem but if you want to do business you will have to do MBA first. You will learn a lot about business. Study for one or two years and after that if you want to do business you can do or if you want to come back into practice you can even come back into practice. I could see a real Guru in him. Who showed me the right path and said whenever you are confused in taking decision, just think about its affect and you and your surroundings. Do not take decisions which make you regret later. Then we both went into our rooms and slept. While I was on bed I thought parents are our real guru’s because they know us more than we. Our decisions should be based on our future and our family’s happiness. Now, before taking any decision I think about its pros and cons and its affect on me and my family. “Thank you father-My real Guru”

We need development not westernization

I am from a country where elders are respected, idols are worshiped, and all decisions of children are made by their parents. I am from the world’s oldest civilization. It is the world’s largest democracy and the second most populous country in the world. I am from India. Cows are considered sacred. Dancing is one of India’s most highly developed arts and was an integral part of worship in the inner shrines of every temple. It is notable for its expressive hand and body movements. Parental and marital bond are strong; parents live with children till the end of their lives. Females don’t wear open clothes. Arranged marriages are more socially accepted as compared to love marriages. And about food, it’s delicious and spicy. Gambling and prostitution are considered evils against the society, so they are illegal. There are no strip clubs. This is what India is all about. But as India has become a part of globalization, it has lost its culture to a certain extent. I fear that in future it may lose its identity.

I came to America on September, 25^th 2010. It has been only three and a half months in this country, and I have noticed that those Indians immigrants whose children are born here are neither Indians nor Americans. This reflects that this generation of Indian Americans find themselves stuck in limbo between traditional parents and upbringing at home and the more liberal and open community outside. This "in-between-ness" leaves them with uncertainty about their own role in society - neither Indian nor American. Most of them don’t know how to converse in Hindi the mother language of their home country, they don’t eat Indian food, and they eat beef (cow’s meat). They call themselves as Americans. I know one thing that they are not, Americans, but they are no more Indians either. This is the picture of people born and brought up in America, but what about India? As for children who are born and brought up in India, are they Indians anymore? Or they are also trapped by westernization?

Now, the question is what is westernization or western culture? Western culture according to me, is more goal oriented whereas Indian culture is more people or family oriented. Indians may even forsake their individual wishes and also happiness for the sake of families. But in American culture, this trend cannot be seen. I think it is the people who make the society, and any change in the lifestyle, attitude, thinking and working pattern of people will ultimately bring a change in the society. There are two terms advancement and westernization. Advancement means betterment or moving forward in a positive sense, whereas westernization means adopting Western culture, patterns, processes, techniques, and lifestyle without looking towards the betterment of their own opportunities.  I think we are westernizing ourselves and not advancing. As we have adopted their clothes, their language, and the most important, their work culture. The positive effect of westernization will be that the young generation will be more energetic, have money of their own, and they will be self-made. The negative effects will be that nuclear families system will be more, the young generation will demand independence, and they will be addicted to alcohol, and smoking, which are considered bad by our society. So, we are westernizing not advancing.

            My father says, “Don’t follow anyone; make yourself capable enough that everyone follows you”. It goes with the country also. Every country should acknowledge its strengths and weaknesses, and should try to overcome weaknesses to make it an ideal nation for others. Today, India is not a developed country but India was a developed country a few years back. History repeats itself. India is a developing country, and the youth like us are the building blocks, so, it’s our duty towards the nation to safeguard its cultural heritage and work towards making it a developed country. The intention of making our own society better and advanced by our own efforts would make the society modern, and that is the need of Indian society in the present scenario. It is our choice; now what do us want, an advanced society or a society which is called a follower of westernization? Indian society needs to become more modern in terms of its own values, resources, and opportunities. 

If every country looses its identity, then what will happen to the world? It will just become a place where we all will work, eat everywhere the same food and at the end of the day will go to bed. Every country has its own identity, and it should not loose it, merely for the sake of so called “globalization”. We can see skyscrapers all over the world; whether it is Shanghai, New Delhi, Chicago or Melbourne. Why will we travel to another country, when we can see the same thing in our own country? People travel to know other country’s cultural diversity, and food. Every country should safeguard its culture, and the government should create more jobs for the locals. Like, India is good in manufacturing handicrafts. Indian Government should encourage the young generation to learn handicraft work and Government should provide them with jobs and sell their products in the international market. By promoting it, the government can save the culture, provide jobs to the young generation and make profits to run the government.

At the end, I would like to say that adoption of the western pattern is not wrong, but not at the cost of our own culture. It is more important for us to make society modern first than to move towards any new adoption. 

My first day in United States & at Robert Morris School

My first day in The United States and at Robert Morris University

September 25, 2010, around 11:15 a.m. my flight landed from Indra Gandhi International airport (India) at O’Hare international airport in Chicago. It took around two hours in security check and luggage clearance. As I went out, I saw my sister – who’s lived in Chicago for the past 5 years -- waiting for me with a big smile on her face. I ran and hugged her then we loaded the luggage in her car and drove to her place. While she was driving, I was enjoying looking out of the window. I felt like I was in heaven, so clean and tidy. Everything was systematic and above that all the cars were driving in their own lanes. Was I dreaming or was it a reality? How can everything be so systematic? Now, I know why America is ruling the whole world.

I was so excited about studying in the United States that I didn’t have words to explain it. When I reached home my sister asked me to rest but not to sleep for too long; otherwise, I would not be able to sleep at night. I kept my luggage in the guest room, had some food and lay on the bed. I woke up around 10:20 p.m. Now what to do? Again had food, watched a couple of movies. Its only 3:00a.m., had a complete night and a day before going to the school. I was a bit nervous and excited too. I don’t know when I went to sleep again but woke up at 9:00a.m. My sister gave me a cup of tea and we both sat and talked about mom, dad, brother, another sister and other relatives. Then she asked me about my future plans and all and at that time she advised me that if I want to really get good grades, I will have to study every day. The studies in the U.S. are not difficult but they require a lot of hard work. That evening I was feeling sleepy again, went into my room, and slept, and woke up around 4:00 a.m. had 6 hours before going to the university but nothing to do. Those 6 hours were like 6 months. My sister as usual, woke up around 6:00AM and asked me to get ready, as she wanted me to be at least half and hour early on the first day of school. She parked her car near the school and showed me the school building and said “This is a success ladder which will help you to make your future”. I went to the Graduate Center and told at the reception that I am an international student and have been admitted to the MBA program. We had to wait a little bid because every advisor was busy. After 10-15 minutes, a smart looking man came to us and said “Hi Manish- how are you doing”. “I am doing well but how do you know my name?” “I am a student advisor and my name is Fernando and I am your advisor, so I know everything about you”. Then he asked us to follow him. He said “today you won’t have any classes; as it’s orientation day”. “I will familiarize you with the staff and faculty today”. He took us on tour of the whole school and showed us each the library, bookstore, classrooms, graduate center and other important areas of the campus. It was a life-time experience. I could see my whole year full of fun, excitement, hard work, learning a new culture, and making new friends.

MANISH BHARDWAJ

2/17/2011