power of teamwork

Recently there had been a worldwide contest in which one of the not for profit organisations i am involved in was participating.The winner would be picked based on the maximum reviews recieved.We all wanted to win this because winning did bring in some benefits and support.The way all the volunteers motivated and cheered the rest to write a review was really mind blowing.People got together to put up links,joined to change their profile pic in social sites to write a review for them,many got their friends and relatives to put in their posts.It was like we as a team,really had in us to win this at any cost.The effort was simple.To get together as a team and do our best.It clicked.We finally got in the maximum number of reviews and we virtually won,though the official declaration is yet to come.This made me wonder,how much power has team work got.There is a saying in malayalam which means like ' if we pull together,even the mountains will come'.How true. The equal passion,commitment and efforts of each member of a team really constitutes to a much powerful body which is beyond our normal imagination.

Rural India

I was reading an article in the latest forbes india magazine and made me think of the rural india. What an area for immense growth and opportunities.I strongly feel that if rural india develops,then the whole nation grows.MFIs are doing their job to fund the underprivileged and this has seen huge rise in the confidence levels of the villagers.They are now able to sustain their shop and other enterprises.But even the biggest MFI,SKS has reached only 7 mn people which is nothing considering the total 150 mn poor households of india.If we can cover the remaining then we can see bigger differences.Telecom has seen rise in the villages of india.Total mobile base of the country has crossed 400 mn and still another 50% plus of the population needs to be covered.Technology has helped the poor to know the latest weather reports. Villagers can now get access to the daily market prices of food items which will help him get the best price for his products than before.Electricity is reaching the villages in forms of solar.Many new entrepreneurs are looking for infotech applications in the rural parts.Health care needs to be set at huge pace to meet the needs.Recent announcement to give extra 10 marks to a medical student for 1 year of rural practice makes much sense.Education is a major factor for rural uplift.Villagers need to be shown that there exist a better world and a better life outside which can be reached with education.All passout M.Ed students to be given chances to teach in the villages with better stipends.I agree that things are changing,but we need to understand that we are not running a marathon when we compare with other developing nations of the world.We are running a sprint.We need to accelerate each of the rural steps for the mass reach and execution.Once rural india grows,the entire nation grows.Believe it before you see it.

Tough Decisions

For last few weeks, its been heavily bothering me on what next in my life. Having completed 4 years as an employee with an indian bank, i was thinking whether to continue or to do something different.The thoughts of higher studies and the plans of a business venture - all haunting me daily.It was tough to hell, to finalize and prioritize the 3 options in front if me.My mind was confused and saddened thinking about it.Well,today late evening, i sat in silence in a nearby church and thought about the whole thing.After half hour, i made up a decision on what next.A rough plan was made and i was out of the church.Now with the grace of the almighty, its my wish to set my plans into actions tagged within the timeframes.I was thinking how tough to take a call many times and thats the reason many best deciders have always gained heights in life.God bless.

Do not delay doing things

Last friday,my grandfather passed away.One of our neighbour said about a lesson he learned from my grandfathers death.On last wednesday, there was a prayer at my house.In that prayer, the pastor and many others insisted my grandfather to say some words as testimony.He was not been healthy for a month or so.I dont know the actual reason but my grandfather told them that coming sunday i.e on 19th july he will say his testimony at the worship meeting.But unfortunately, on 17th friday,my grandfather passed away from this world.From this incident my neighbour learned that,never keep things for tomorrow what can be done today.Cause we never know if tomorrow is ours.So as long as god has given us life in this world,lets finish off the daily work on time and not postpone it to some other day.

3 excellent dialogues

All the 3 below dialogues are from the movie 'coach carter'.Excellent ones which can inspire anyone.Its all said by the coach to the team members.Though its not in the actual flow,here it comes:
1. " I'll do anything in my power to make you all succeed in life".
2. " Deserving a win does not mean they give it to you,sometimes you have to take it".
3. " Signs of growing up is in taking own decisions and ready to face its consequences ".
I would suggest all of you,who needs message of team building and motivation,to watch this movie.Its a true life story... So its gonna be more interesting.

Free learning

Many people say that the education system as a whole in the country needs to be changed.The question is how and on what basis? Do we put in more infrastructure? More contents with more practicals? Do we pump in more teachers into the system? If none of these,the one final question...Do we give the child a chance to study himself,taking his own time and effort? I guess this question has got relevance.. we need to give the child a platform where they can get the maximum knowledge,understand it in their own ways and impart it in their life,as and how they wish..Let me tell you about 2 interesting projects about this 'free learning'.One is the 'hole in the wall' project.I dont know how many are aware of this,but anyway briefing on it.The team carved a hole in the wall that seperated the NIIT building (in kalkaji,new delhi)from the adjoining slum area.Through this a freely accessible computer was put into use.The kids gradually started using the system and with no prior learning the kids educated themselves on the computer usage.You can search for the 'hole in the wall' and get more details on it.The second one,is the OLPC project or even called XO.The idea evolved from MIT.Its not a computer nor a toy.Its a tool for every child to study themselves.The founder of OLPC,Mr.Nicholas strongly say ' teach people how to learn and they'll invent opportunities'.. Yes,we need to put an end to the static and old ways of mugging up education system.Let the child think freely,learn the concepts and move ahead in life.. One day he sure will create an opportunity for all.Lets join to promote 'free thinking and free learning'.

The first step

How much ever people we ask,a good percentage will say that they got an idea.Let it be in any sector or industry,but everyone has got an idea.The question is how many of these people are willing to execute that idea.To convert the words into actions is quit a hectic approach.To do something is not easy as said.Many people even think of reaching big heights,without thinking nothing comes easy and free.Action is to be made louder than words.I guess people are not willing to accept the after effect of any action and hence hesitate to take the first step.People fear failure,fear insult,fear losing.Its said that 'failure is the stepping stone to success'.How many are willing to fail? Only a person with a positive approach,who makes all his senses open for learning can plunge into actions.He takes calculated risks and is mentally prepared to face the worst while he hope for the best.His failure gives him immense happiness when others see it as sadness.Success comes to those,who take that extra step when everyone quits.I recently read a book in which it was said 'chaotic action is better than orderly inaction'.How true? People have grown and become successful with failure only.Most people took a route which the normal person feared to take.Scepticism was ruled out.The most wanted attitude for success is the rate at which a person bounces back from any failure.I too was a talker than a doer.But with time i have started experimenting many things in life.Many i find boring,many are cool.But i try to see the positives of both.I try to learn why and why not of many matters.Recently i had to face a setback in one of my small venture.Since i had prepared my mind to face any abnormalities,i was not that shocked.Many times,failure also helps us to analyse ourselves.How well we did,what we did,what we did not do and what we could have done.Time is short.Better to start early and learn more than to regret at old age that we could have done something long back.Its often said that the only person responsible for your life is yourself.Its upto you to decide on which route you want to take in life.Ofcourse,god is the ultimate,but our duty is to be done first.God sets platform and its we who needs to proceed further into fullness.I hope that all those who has got an idea come in front and take the first step.Never quit, cause things are soon gonna come your way.Good luck.

In & Out of Human Life

I have often wondered,how many people we meet in our life.Many come and many go.A few of those remains with us in words or actions.There are many people who have taken a place in our heart with just one meeting.And many,even after living close to us for years does not occupy that space in our heart.What makes certain people stuck to our hearts though they are unaware of it and having done nothing for us to gain the importance we have given them.Life is really a mystery.Many people inspite of knowing that their departure can hurt us a lot in life, still leave us.What makes all these actions worth happening? Circumstances? approach of the people towards relation? the benefit factor? well,whatever happen,whoever come and go, i only wish and pray that the affected souls get the confidence and guts to move on in life.To face the unexpected and learn from their experiences.We also pray daily for a lot of people whom we have not even met for years and not in contact.Why? Is it that they have become so important in our life that we remember them daily? How can they be so important when they have given unbearable pains to us? Still we love,still we care. Thats the human effect.Thats why god has given us a heart to accept the unacceptable.Humans are such a rare species whose character and attitude are tough to be judged.Despite all the pain and break ups,the most funny part is that we still fall in love,we still get close and we still move on to a new relation.At the same time,we forget that few moments down the line,its still the same story,the same old ending.How true is the saying " Life is not a bed of roses".Wish it was ......

Harthal Holidays of Kerala

Knowledge about holidays soothes everyone,i guess.But what if the holiday come unexpected? All of a sudden? The working class gets a day break from the daily targets,pressures and numbers.Childrens get a day off to stay at home and watch tv.Families get an extra time to go for a movie in the evening without any hurry.What all benefits? It all happens in Kerala,also known as, Gods Own Country.Our neighbour state colleagues and friends feel sorry for not being in kerala.They feel jealous about us.Statistics show that there will be a minimum of 3 harthals in a month.So great right? Apart from the usual 4 sundays,you get an extra 4 days to be back at home.So net to net,we need to work only for some 20-22 days in a month.Thanks to all political parties without whom this will not be possible.May the state festival of kerala, in the form of harthal, rein for centuries.

Humans - A weak piece of flesh

I had been down with fever for 2 days.In these days i was thinking how weak we humans are.Our body shivers,feel lost,our tongue's got no taste,our eyes dare to open,our brain fails to perform,we feel the end is near.In those times in bed,we think of many good others have done to us,our acts that made other's lives terrible.We regret,we hope for the best,we wish for a revival to set things back on track from hereon.We pledge to live life as the best of what others would like to see in us.But once we regain the glory,we are back to selfishness,back to narrowness,back to violence,back to naughtiness,back to the worst ever.We rarely remember that a small fever can down us and no man can help us then.Even the most educated,most plush,and most healthy fail to follow and keep up the decisions taken at the time in bed.I only wish that humans develop that extra sense to know the strength,the weakness and also to know the weakness that can be made a strength with an extra effort.God save the humans !

Got selected for MAD

Its with great joy and pride i say that i got selected as a volunteer to support MAD and its activities.I would probably be in their computer and PR divisions.Though the interview as a whole was really different and whacky, i was able to get in.Believe me the personal interview was one of a kind,where i guess you cannot find or have even heard of such a kind in this whole planet. In between the sessions, they showed a video that demonstrated their activities and achievements till last year.. The video was real good,with few spelling mistakes here and there.Overall a jovial and enthusiastic network of youths that really wanna make a diference in the lives of the underprivileged childrens in the country.By the by, last year they got the 'ashoka's social entrepreneur of the year' award.Kudos to all the people in MAD who have made it.Well, let me sign off now.Will be back with more fun filled details as soon as possible. CIAO !

World Earth Day, April 22nd

Everywhere we look and in almost every place we keep our ear, we hear someone informing us that the world is in danger and is becoming extinct day by day.I guess 'global warming' would be the word that resonates in most of our ears from last few years or so.What actually is the problem? We often have studied about greenhouse gas in our school days and to be frank have forgotten about it,or rather remember it when we hear of global warming.The fact is that the world temperature is rising every year which could lead to unpredictable disasters to the entire living population. Global warming is caused by green house gases ,which trap the sun's infrared rays in the earth's atmosphere,which thereby lead to increase in the temperature. The main causes are the emission of green house gases like carbon dioxide,methane,nitrous oxide etc by human activities.The changes which are seen with our naked eyes in the recent past is the unpredictability of climate,melting of polar ice,extinction of species in the animal kingdom,heavy rains,low productivity of crops,introduction of new diseases etc.The main causes of green house emissions are vehicles,industries and thermal power plants.I really wish to participate in helping our planet earth.As a first step i've started donating a small amount every month to an international environment fighting agency called 'greenpeace'.I've been doing this for a year or more.I also have asked many of my colleagues to support them but many turned their backs.I sometimes wonder why humans fail to react even after seeing the end right in front of them.Many are willing to put in a lot of effort and strain for a night endorsed with parties and drinks,but rarely anything for a good cause.People have a lot of time and money for a movie or a fag.Why its like this ? I have also suggested to them about few things which we can do even from our office/home to fight global warming,but i doubt how many would be following atleast 3 of those.For all those who would like to join me in fighting for the earth,even if its a meagre contribution,please pledge that today being the world earth day we will do atleast 3 things from the below list, whatever come.
1. Change your home's incandescent light into a CFL.
2. Switch off all electrical appliances when not in use.
3. Promote LCD monitor instead of CRT monitor.Also off the monitor when you are away from the computer.
4. Don't open your fridge's door except when needed.
5. Use solar heating technique for your home and water.
6. Consider to buy an electric/hybrid car instead of a gasoline car.
7. Plant more trees in the front or back of your house.
8. Recycle paper,aluminium can and glass.
9. Conserve water.

MAD recruitment drive

Make A Difference ( MAD ) is an NGO run by young professionals to promote the education system among the underprivileged childrens in the country.They are having a volunteer recruitment drive on 25th April 09,at panampilly nagar,Kochi.All those interested to put in a minimum of 2 hours a week,and who would like to work for the betterment of an educated and passionate young india can come and try your best.Whats more? I am also planning to go and give it a try.I really am excited to deliver my best effort,if i get selected.All the best for those who are coming.You need to register yourself in their site www.makeadiff.in first before you decide to come.So allow me to go for it on 25th and then will sure keep posted on the developments.