Friday 9 May, 2008

"When an Opportunity Knocks your Door.."

I don’t know the pessimist who quoted the proverb which says, “An opportunity knocks the door only once but misfortune keeps knocking the door until you open it.” It is the opportunity which treats all humans equally as Indian Judiciary does (All are equal before Law). Though it is same for all, only some people utilize it in a proper manner. This happens because no two persons are alike. According to me, the world is classified into only two categories viz., the wise and the fools.
For a fool, an opportunity is like a bitter gourd and if he/she finds that the life has handed him/her a bitter gourd, he/she gives up and say, “I’m beaten. It’s my fate, I haven’t got a chance.” Then he/she proceeds to rail against the world and indulge in an orgy of self-pity. But, when the same bitter gourd is handed to a wise man/woman, he/she says, “What lesson can I learn from this misfortune? How can I improve my situation? How can I turn this bitter gourd to a sweet dish?”
The bitter gourd is same for both wise and fool. But, it is the psychology of humans which differs. (“The block of granite which is an obstacle in the pathway of the weak becomes a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong.”) One of my friends always complains about his parents who are not happy with his lecturer job. Though he is happy with his career, due to societal fears he’s getting discouraged. He used to say that, if he had had worked hard when at education, he would have been having a better career graph than now. He asked me, “How could I overcome this situation?”
I answered, “Two men looked seating on a park bench--one saw the mud and the other saw the stars”. It is the observation that matters, I said. He looked quite convincing, then I added, if you’re already looking at the stars then don’t bother about what others are saying/thinking about you. We are not here to imitate others or to follow and/or live on the conditions/principles that others try to set for us, so, let’s be ourselves and let’s find ourselves. Yes, it does seriously matter when we are looking at the mud. In this case, we should not neglect what others are saying/thinking about us. We must change if we really need to change. But it would be foolish to feel utterly wretched and terribly beaten. It is a wonder-filled characteristic of every human being to turn a minus into a plus. If you are looking at the mud, may be you can turn that also into an opportunity to make a craft from the same. For doing so, one must develop a strategy of working hard with a greater positive attitude to attain what ever one wants.
After some days, he phoned me and told how he had had changed his way of thinking and said that he had also shared a real life incident with his colleagues which I had narrated him that day. It is about a girl of Andhra Pradesh State. I don’t remember her name, but read about her in the newspaper and also watched her on television. She had completed her graduation and was about to fly to US the next day when she met with a fatal accident and she was completely paralyzed. She said to the interviewer that, she raged and rebelled and also fumed about her fate. But, as the days passed on, she found that her rebellion wasn’t getting her anything except bitterness. “I finally realized” she said that, “the people were kind and courteous to me. So the least I could do was to be kind and courteous to them.”
When Interviewers asked if she still felt, after all these time, that this accident had been a terrible misfortune, and she promptly said, “No”. She said, “I’m almost glad now that it happened.” She told them that, she got once the shock and resentment, she began to live in a different world.
She began to listen to good music and she was thrilled by great music that would have bored her before. But the biggest change was that she had time to think. “For the first time in my life”, she said, “I was able to look at the world and get a real sense of values. I began to realize the most of the things I had been striving before weren’t worthwhile at all.” She showed the courage to setup a small scale industry at her home and employed nearly about 25 members (status at present date) to help her in business. She manufactures pillow covers and stuff and now her business had expanded to overseas not just because of the sympathy but due to their honest efforts and the quality they maintain.
The more I’ve studied the careers of men of achievement; I have been convinced that surprisingly a large number of them succeeded because they started out with handicaps that spurred them on to great endeavor and great rewards. Yes, it is highly probable that, Helen Keller’s brilliant career was inspired and made possible because of her blindness. Mahatma Gandhi’s freedom struggle is an outcome of the suppression he had had undergone at South Africa. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Constitution of India is also an outcome of the tortures and suppression he had undergone in the name of caste. I feel, if Dr. Ambedkar had reared in an aristocratic family and hailed from a different community or say caste and had a happy youth, he would probably never have found in the depth of his heart to draft the highly appreciated Constitution of India.
From the above paragraph, I never meant that only handicaps or suppressed people gets succeeded in their life but at the same time, it is also a true fact that, “As the gold gets its true shine only after been burnt in heavy flames so is the human being gets the achievement after a hard struggle.” The classic examples are Late Dhirubhai Ambani of Reliance, Azeem Premji of Wipro, Rajinikanth, Shahrukh Khan, from Film Industry etc., who started from the scratch are now reaping the unimaginable profits. Opportunity will always be there, it is only in our hands to utilize it properly. One can easily turn a minus into a plus. Instead, sitting idle and complaining, one must work the ways to utilize the opportunities. Thomas Alva Edison says, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” It is in the human psychology itself to miss the opportunity and then sit back and simply cry.
Therefore, in my conclusion I would like to say though, “Opportunity knocks the door only once”, one has to build up the courage to go after it and ask why it has not waited for him/her until he/she have opened the door. Or else, one has to welcome the misfortune and try to turn it into good luck. Both are possible only when people show courage to work.

Thanks and Regards,
Srikanth Chintakindi.

Friday 2 May, 2008

Role of Youth in Nation's Building

Instead complaining on the topic, “Why India is Still an Underdeveloped Nation?” I thought it would be better to discuss the role of youth in nation’s building. According to me, “Youth is that spark which needs no ignition”. Youth is that clay which can be molded in either shape one wants. In my belief, this is the sole reason for both exploitation and utilization of youth in the destruction and construction of any nation respectively.
It is a fact that, the nation’s building is highly dependent on youth. Youth is that powerful resource, which can either construct or destruct the whole nation as already said. According to everyone, youth should step forward to take up on the responsibility in developing the nation. Yes, I agree that, youth is not given a proper chance to prove their potentials in countries like ours, but, “The young” , according to Pearl S. Buck, (a Nobel Laureate in literature) “do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible, and achieve it, generation after generation”.
Isn’t this single quotation of her is sufficient to motivate the whole nation? Or do we still need motivational quotes like the one above to recall our own potentials to attempt the impossible and achieve the success? It seems highly surprising that, we, the youth fail to display the same enthusiasm in nation’s building which we often display for getting ahead in traffic? Have we really forgotten our responsibility towards our nation or that we are knowingly skipping the tasks to achieve development? It is observed that, the youth who always fight for enjoying their rights, never wish to take up the pains of responsibility.
According to me, Indian youth is socially responsible and moreover is working dedicatedly to see India attain the developed status. Many educated youth had already realized the necessity of utilizing their skills for the betterment of the society but at the same time, the youth is also misguided to a larger extent by some evil sources making them irresponsible towards the society they live in. It is pathetic but true that, due to many –a-problems that exists in today’s world, youth is highly attracted and/or fancied towards evil sources. As a result, a huge destruction is occurring all over. It is true that, youth is highly amendable, but one must show the guts to take up the challenge to guide the youth to a correct path as Swami Vivekananda and other eminent persons did in the past. But, speaking frankly, one must never wait for any as it damages the power of self-confidence and courage.
Luxuries, evil habits and societal commitments also gain youth’s attraction to a greater extent. In search of the above three, the youth is losing its identity and goals in no time as said by one of my friends. I already stated that, I am not against self-prosperity, and I always feel happy for the youth who is self-reliant in nature. (In my article, “How to Achieve Personal Freedom”, I stressed the necessity of self-reliance.) And of course, I am completely aware of the Indian Society and Culture, where more number of parents doesn’t wish to see their children working, as they think that, at least their children must not suffer. It is one point of view, where parents think of their children’s growth in every aspect and on the other hand, the youth (to a greater extent in India), which is dependant on their parents, will never wish not to work towards attaining self-reliance. It not only showcases the laziness of the youth but also the irresponsible behavior towards their country.
It always hurts me, when I see some youth taking wrong steps and/or directions to attain luxuries viz., by corruption, dowry, all kinds of malpractices like treachery, plagiarism, etc., It sounds true, as said by my friend’s grand father that, “Modern Education ruins Moral Education.” People, at the present date are completely neglecting the ethical values and ruining the moral education they had had learned in their childhood. This may be the reason why, people (World has 6.66 billion population among which 27% constitutes youth) are residing mostly in many-an-old age homes, orphanages, homes for the destitute, juvenile homes, individual families, and jails. Youth must take necessary steps and find new methods or revive old methods to avoid the above problems.
Evil habits, is a hip in today’s world. It is impossible for anyone to escape from these until and unless they are self-confident to control themselves. Self-Controllability is the only measure to save oneself from evil habits. Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking, undesirable sexual activities etc., also hinder nation’s building. If the youth gets addicted to any of these activities, one can easily predict that, the destruction has started not only as the person but also harms the nation which needs young blood to run and/or construct it. One has to realize the necessity of being healthy in almost every aspect of life.
The statistics prove that, India stands second in the most populous nations, third in corruption, fifth in unemployment, twelfth in poverty, etc., It seems funny but true that, even after sixty years of independence, the country has a tremendous growth only in the population and not in all aspects and/or sectors to an expected level. Isn’t that making us feel ashamed of? What should be done in order to attain the development is a million rupee question (which has no answer, try to find it). Please don’t start listing that, the government must be changed, there are no good leaders etc., as said by Aparichit, first of all, we must try to be good citizens and question oneself that, what I have had given to my own country? One has no right to criticize who has not taken up the responsibility of nation’s building.
Youth in order to make his/her country developed, has to sacrifice not only their lives by protecting their country at the borders but also has to protect from internal threats, and make the society a healthy place to live. It is possible only, if the youth realize to stay healthy by sacrificing selfishness, laziness, evilness etc., and by thinking dedicatedly for the growth of nation. In my conclusion, as an Indian youth, who is proud of its rich and varied heritage, take an oath whole-heartedly that, I will strive for the development of my country and my people and in their well being and prosperity alone, lies my happiness. I will be happy if every youth who loves his/her country take a similar oath and strive hard to keep up the promise till the last breathe.

Jai Hind!! Jai Bhaarat!!

Thanks and Regards,
Srikanth Chintakindi.

Friday 18 April, 2008

Why India is Still an Underdeveloped Nation?

Have you ever questioned yourself why India is lagging behind in attaining developed status? Does one have to telecast the reasons like hero Vikram did in the movie Aparchit (where he telecasts the comparisons between our nation and fast growing countries viz., Japan and Singapore)? Do I have to mention again that, overpopulation, illiteracy, poverty, unemployment in addition to nepotism, corruption, caste system, religion, regionalism and irresponsible citizens etc., are the major hindrances in country’s growth?
I would say that, it’s foolish to dig deep into the past, blaming the Moguls and the British rulers, who though had looted us to a greater extent (as the governments especially the politicians do at present date) but were unsuccessful to last longer? Have you ever raised your voice against the present administration system which is betraying us in almost every possible manner?
Or isn’t a period of sixty years sufficient enough to shed out the past and strikeout on an independent path? It’s piteous but truth that, though we are democratically independent are still more or less dependent on other countries for various sources. Please do not mistake me, for I am not discussing anything related to collaborations here.
Caste System in India is one of the major drawbacks. Although, Indian Constitution facilitates the right to equality, it hurts me always when I see people segregating co-humans in the name of caste. I felt surprised when I heard that, in some remote villages untouchability and ill-treating is still in practice. I had witnessed the people who tore the posters of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar with rage, pasted on my own department walls. I feel sorry for all those who are ignorant about the facts that, the Indian Constitution just doesn't discuss only about reservations to scheduled castes/tribes but it is a highly appreciated draft around the globe with a powerful agenda that focuses various issues/measures for the benefit and uplifting of whole nation. It is really pathetic to state that, even today some people are still into this evil practice and the others after encashment by playing tricks with the emotions and sentiments of the above listed castes/tribes. (Example: Grouping the Scheduled Castes into A, B, C, D Categories).
Secondly, I had witnessed the victims of nepotism and also was one among them to suffer. The very sukoon-2008 in my own university, where the title of Mr.Sukoon-08 had been awarded to a person who had some kind of political and/or say social influence. The judges of the whole event itself were unjust and it made me laugh when I heard one of the judges (who himself had a pathetic English) saying that, the participants are not competent enough in English. Another classic example for nepotism is the present Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Corruption, an evil from which God also cannot save. Even Bharateeyudu (a popular movie again) cannot help as he is just fictitious because, corruption has rooted itself so deeper that, it is a highly impossible task to eradicate as it starts from registration of birth and never ends even after death. But, the new generation should step forward to eradicate corruption.
Irresponsible behavior of the citizens (lets pray for an Aparichit to rescue us) also damages the country’s destiny. There are many an educated youth who are not willing to take up on the responsibility to construct the nation and give it new dimensions. I already quoted Vivekananda in my last article, "Why Specialization?" about the necessity of the realization that one educated youth must undergo to make his/her nation attain development, but everyone is after his/her own prosperity. It is no harm to think about one’s own prosperity, but it is highly inappreciable if he/she doesn’t giveback something to their country. And in my view, it is not the unemployment that is responsible, but it is the constraints that the youth had imposed on themselves to some horizons which they never wish to cross. It frightens me, when I think about the nation as a whole because in the jurisdiction of Hyderabad itself, I had found many chaps gossiping around just sitting idle at Irani cafés since morning till evening as a part of their daily routine.
Sympathy also destroys the nation’s building to a wider range. After assassination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, her son Mr. Rajiv Gandhi became the prime minister of India due to sympathy veil. In his regime, the country was in financial crisis, and the situation existed such that presidential rule had to be imposed compulsorily in the name of Financial Emergency. But,the then Prime Minister, Mr. P. V. N. Rao, had saved the country from the crisis with the three golden a.k.a. Chanakya rules viz., privatization, globalization and liberalization, (which are been followed by every government till date formed after his).
Terrorism, an outcome of religion, poverty, illiteracy and unemployment etc., also hinders the development. I had always felt sorry about the terrorists, who utilize the technology for destructive purposes. I always wished that they might utilize the technology they possess in a right manner to achieve peace in the world. But, it never happened. Though, there might be many a reasons behind terrorism or naxalism viz., social inequalities, injustice etc., but it would be more better, as said by Naresh and Sarvanand (in the movie Gamyam) instead playing hide and seek from jungles, fight openly from the public by representing them and their problems in a peaceful manner. To instantiate, Gandhian Principles are ideal to attain peace and success.
Regionalism is a new source of hindrance to the nation’s growth. Political Parties are after dividing the States. Again, the foul play with the emotions and sentiments of the people in order to attain power, the representatives (MLA’s and/or MP’s) who are after acquiring huge wealth are deceiving us. Telangaana in Andhra Pradesh is just an instance. The selfless revolution of the farmers against Razakars and/or Deshmukhs who raped the lands of the farmers and molested innocent women is being insulted and also is highly misused today. Without any knowledge of the past that had witnessed the heavy bloodshed and tears of the warriors (of both women and men), every political party is promising to separate the state into two, seems really ironic.
The list goes on continuing, and I fear it would make many endless volumes. To conclude, I would like to request all the youth to think for the betterment of society and try hard to attain it. It’s we the youth, who are similar to bricks according to Sri C. Raja Gopala Chary, who can construct the Nation only if we are good at character viz., good bricks. Every one has to realize the fact that, one must repay what ever had had learnt/acquired for the benefit of the nation. India, needs selfless people like Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, many unsung freedom fighters and Telangaana warriors etc., who had sacrificed their worldly pleasures for the sake of country and gave their best to the Nation. We must follow their noble ideas in order to attain development & peace.

Thanks and Regards,
Srikanth Chintakindi

Friday 28 March, 2008

Why Specialization?

**Note: This article is strictly not meant for people with B.C.A/M.C.A background and Graduates/Engineers with CS/IT. Still, everyone has the right to read this article and to comment/criticize.

Swami Vivekananda says, “In India, there are millions of people below the poverty line. Indians are striving hard to fill their stomachs. It is the educated youth who should find a way to eradicate the poverty lines and make the country self-sufficient. But, it’s a pure deceit.” It was quoted some where in early 20th century, but today the situation is still worse.

Don’t you know why it is worse? Is that India needs only software engineers or call center executives? It is really pathetic but one has to digest the fact that, a vast number of engineering graduates irrespective of their specialization are moving towards IT industry and ITES. It is tragic that, even specializations viz., Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, B.com, B.Sc, etc., are also given a chance to make it into these industry. Imagine, what a chemical engineer would do in software? My own sister is a classic example. Please do not mistake me as I am not criticizing the so called IT industry or ITES but, yes it is true that, I am criticizing all those who had done their specialization in some subject and working again for so called IT industry and ITES. I am also not an exception for this case but I’ve realized my mistake, that’s why I would like to share my views with you.

When I was working with Electronic based company in Hyderabad, I was paid relatively a less salary. I was happy not for being paid a less salary but for I am working for a company which is relatively closer to my graduate degree in engineering. I know that the letter “M” which stands for Money is vital in every aspect of life, but job satisfaction is also something that does matter. So, I was happy and not my family. Like every father, my dad had also asked me to join in some IT related course in order to see me as a so called software engineer. I take it pride to announce that I am a failure to fulfill the dreams of my father. It is not that, I can’t make it or I am not fit for software industry but I’ve realized what specialization does mean and especially what do I really need from life.

I am aware that, Engineering students are not facilitated with good laboratories and great faculties but still a student can excel if he/she undergoes self-realization and self-study. It is sad to state that, even IIT’s had not produced engineers who look forward to develop our nation in every aspect through their specializations and make our country self-sufficient. Some IITians who joined politics in Tamilnadu, some who joined Indian Industries and Civil Services etc., are exception for this case and I do salute them whole-heartedly, but, at the same time, I feel pity for all those highly educated who had flew to other nations. Please stop curtaining on these flew (flu) birds (in the name of foreign exchange reserves) who, gave first preference to their own comforts and not thought about the country. Patriotism does not necessarily means sacrificing life for the sake of country, but it does mean sacrificing self-comforts and thinking for the well-being of the nation.

As a soldier on the border who strives day and night to protect the nation in the spine chilling conditions from all external invasions or threats, so we the people should also take upon the responsibility to make our country self-sufficient by eradicating internal disturbances and threats. It is possible only when, highly educated youth, as said by swami Vivekananda, respond whole-heartedly. Mohan Bhargav, a character played by Shah Rukh Khan in the movie ‘Swades’ is just an instance. Unfortunately, I’ve not found any such Mohan Bhargav in reality, till date.

Golden were those days when patriotism itself was like flowing blood in the body of every human being, but today, we have completely forgotten all our unsung heroes? We remember Gandhiji because he is printed on the currency notes, it seems to be an irony but it’s a truth? They were all motivated and selfless people who had fought with existing internal disturbances and threats to attain self-sufficiency, but, it is a shame that, we had ruined and still are ruining it to a greater extent.

I also agree the fact that, IT/ITES industry is the only potential employer today but, what about the vacancies in other industries and government jobs? Aren’t we really competent to get those jobs? Or are we are afraid of the competition itself? It has been observed that, applicants are becoming extinct for other jobs, especially in the case of government undertakings whether state or central. To my belief, Government undertakings/PSU is the only place where one can justify his/her specialization. Please do not blindly blame that getting those kinds of jobs is pretty hard because money in the form of bribes is involved. To your knowledge, two of my friends had already joined them, one in HAL and the other in DRDO quitting their M.Tech without paying a single rupee as bribe. When they can make it why can’t we? I think it is no harm to pay bribe to get settled in a government job when compared with paying money to IT industry people for back door entries. Let me state that, the former job gives you peace of mind and security and the latter job, huh! God only knows.

My friends discourage me when I say them that I am applying for these kinds of jobs. Undoubtedly, they are well-wishers of mine, but, I don’t wish to be one in that herd of software sheep. This statement would make my friends angry but I am happy that, I had planned well to lead a life which I had had dreamt of. May be it also possible that, I may be one among them with changing times and situations but, I promise that, I will try my best to lead the life the way I like it.

By now, they all must have understood that, they have failed to convince me with the greed of worldly pleasures in the veil of pain. Buddies tell me frankly, have you ever tried convincing yourself? Just for god’s sake or say for your own sake, try to question yourself. Trust me, you will definitely find an answer, if you feel that you are really happy with your work then, I’ve no queries just go ahead and keep continuing and excelling in your own fields, but if you’re not, then I must remind that, still you have many possibilities and opportunities waiting at your own doorstep, go grab it. For this what you have to do is just sit back, rethink and try to justify or discover your own self first.

In my conclusion, I would like to appeal all the educated youth not to fling you into troubles by making a wrong option as it is a matter of whole career and life. Better, sit back for a while and plan for a suitable career related to your specialization and discover the ways to serve your nation. To me, “Serving one’s own Nation itself is totally equal to sacrificing life in the warfront.”

Thanks and Regards,
Srikanth Chintakindi.

Friday 14 March, 2008

How to Develop Self-Confidence

It happened on a fine sunny day that I got into a bike of one of my friends. He started off at a rather high rate of speed on the busy road. He was going a little faster than I thought reasonable, and I reminded him that, we had plenty of time and suggested that we take it easy. Actually, I was so worried and tensed with his driving (as I usually do when I got into any one’s bike like his) that I started yelling instructions “Slow down, be careful, watch it, etc., and started holding and pressing his shoulders tightly”. I was causing a lot of disturbance not only to his concentration but also to the passersby.
“Don’t let my driving worry you,” he replied. I said, “I am aware of the fact that you are good at driving but I fear a lot”. He said, “Even I used to be filled with all kinds of insecurities myself, but I got over them. I was afraid of everything. I always went around with a feeling that something bad was going to happen, and it made my life miserable. I had always felt inferior and lacked confidence. This state of mind reflected itself in almost every part of my life. But now, I live with a feeling of confidence, not only in myself but in life generally.”
I was so much irritated that, I replied, “Just stop lecturing buddy! One must not wait for something bad to happen, and the confidence you are talking looks to be over confidence and not self-confidence. And added, still I am unmarried and I don’t want to take any kind of risk like losing my life or limbs in any accident due to such reckless driving as I always been a firm believer of the fact, Prevention is better than Cure.” He felt hurt, but still, he asked whether I can spare some time to discuss. I replied, “Even I want to talk to you and prove you incorrect”.
We drove to a local park near by that day and started a hot debate on self-confidence. He had taken out a small card from his wallet and gave it to me. It read, “If you have faith in yourself, nothing shall be impossible to you” on one side and on the obverse side it read, “Faith is life and Doubt is death”.
He said, as you know that I am into marketing business, I drive around all day to meet my customers. While driving, I have discovered the thought processes that were mostly negative thoughts viz., fear and defeat which had incidentally resulted in bad sales to the company. But since I have been using this card given by my boss, I have learned to think differently. The old insecurities that used to haunt me are just about all gone, and instead of thinking of fear, thoughts of defeat and ineffectiveness, I think thoughts of faith and courage.
I said, the quotations are really praise worthy but frankly speaking, I am not convinced. As far as I remember, we were here to discuss about your reckless driving and about self-confidence, but what you spoke is completely irrelevant. Could you please define what Self-Confidence does mean to you? I asked.
“To my belief”, he said, “Self-Confidence is nothing but having faith in your own abilities! It is that reasonable confidence in your own powers that will turn you successful and make you happy.” And added, “A sense of inferiority and inadequacy interferes with the attainment of one’s hopes, but it is the self-confidence leads to self-realization and successful achievement”.
But, what I found in you is Over-Confidence and not Self-Confidence, I interrupted. He smiled and continued, buddy as I already told, I have developed a sense of positive attitude by eliminating the most troubling inferiority complex from my mindset. I have realized my abilities and potentials by filling my mind with affirmations of the presence, and developed courage to face any challenging situation. It would appear like over-confidence to everyone but, I am sure that it is not. Believe me, lack of self-confidence is one of the great problems besetting people today. He added. Everywhere, one can encounter people who are inwardly afraid, who suffer from deep sense of inadequacy and insecurity and doubt their own powers. And thus, due to deeply rooted mistrust within ourselves, we kick many-a-opportunities at our own doorstep.
And this small card had worked wonders for you I asked habitually. Again, he smiled and replied. It is not just this card which made me realize about my strengths, but the realization itself that I had after reading it. It is true that I no more have feelings of inferiority and am enjoying success and happiness. Feelings of confidence depend upon those thoughts that occupy our minds. Think defeat and you are bound to feel defeated. But once you practice thinking confident thoughts, you will discover a strong sense of power with in yourself to overcome any difficult situation.
Well said, but practicing this isn’t a difficult thing, I questioned. He quoted Emerson, “They conquer who believe they can. Do one thing you fear and the death of fear is certain.” And he added, it is never an impossible task to practice. Try to make a true estimate of your ability and practice to fill your mind with the thoughts of faith, confidence and security. This will not only expel all thoughts of doubt, all lack of confidence but also lead you towards having a firm belief in yourself. For attaining this state of mind, you need to read self-help books and sometimes your own experiences might help to a greater extent.
In my conclusion, I have nothing to say but to thank my friend for his wisely advise. Though, I have lost the card which he gave me, still I am practicing the most powerful concepts of Self-Confidence. Hope, this article would help you people in discovering your own abilities. All the best!!

Thanks and Regards

Srikanth Chintakindi.

Friday 29 February, 2008

Are we Socially Responsible Citizens?

The other day, when I was traveling by MMTS Train, I was given a small pamphlet which reads, that for the transportation facility from hi-tech city railway station to Madhapur, they need signatures of the passengers (as support) to be presented before the concerned authority represented by Mr. Chukka Ramaiah (IIT Fame) and other MLC. The signatures were collected by one Software Engineer and as soon as he left our compartment, co-passengers started to share their differences in opinion and showcased their frustration in every possible manner.
I was listening to their conversations carefully, which if summarized, more or less says, it would be sheer waste of time to do such things. It would be better to block the road and protest or else wait for the government to respond or wait for the people to realize the situation. But, after listening to a really frustrated employee of Four Soft Company, I suggested him to buy a bicycle and park it hi-tech station and use it everyday to reach his office instead showing his frustration. I also added, it would solve his problem in many aspects viz., saving the fuel, no pollution and will serve as a good exercise for his health.
He looked at me with anger and for a moment, I thought, he is definitely going to bang on my head. But, thank goodness! He had just left that place without any comment. I know people get hurt listening to advises if they are not seeking one. But, at the same time, we must also, respect some advises which are really worthy.
As I had been a great believer of the fact that, “Instead cursing the darkness around us by sitting idle, it would be better if we at least try to light a small lamp.” I feel happy that, people viz., the software engineer distributing pamphlets, some students of my department who clean the litter thrown outside my department building etc., are concerned about their society. If we hesitate to take up on the responsibility at a right moment, it would show its adverse affects not only on us but also on our society.
In my conclusion, I would like to say that, there is no harm if you don’t take the responsibility but it does really matter if you do criticize the people working for such noble causes. We must respect their morals and feel pride of these people who are concerned about their co-human beings. And if possible, we must try not to hinder their way but try to help them in any or every possible manner.

Thanks and Regards

Srikanth Chintakindi.

Friday 22 February, 2008

HOW TO CONTROL DESIRES?

Desires are always one more than infinity. We all desire something or the other and do strive hard to see them get fulfilled. But, the problem here is, as soon as one desire gets fulfilled, multiple desires stand in a queue making us lead a restless life.
According to Yogi Vemana, as fish gets trapped by a worm thrown by a fisherman into the water, so do we, the people, gets trapped by the earthly desires and finally get extinct. And as soon as we get trapped, we rotate continuously in a never-ending cycle in order to fulfill our desires at any cost.
For Instance, take the fish in the water, though it has got plenty of food still gets trapped for the sake of a small worm thrown by a fisherman. We can kindly consider the case of fish, as it is a brainless creature. But, what happened with us? Why do we behave foolish? Don’t we have brains to think? It is quite surprising but a fact that, we still are being trapped by the worldly desires.
Can’t we exercise control on our own desires? Yes, we can. It may be difficult but not an impossible task. To do this, we have to strictly impose some factoids on us. It is a well-known fact that, nothing is permanent in this world. Neither the body you possess nor the people around you, neither the money/property you have nor the worldly gain you had acquired. It is better to sacrifice the above foolish feelings of belongingness and better avoid possessiveness on the materialistic wealth. As we all are here for a certain span of time, we must not only utilize it to the fullest but also realize that we must acquire the wealth that gives us both the security and happiness and more over that is not materialistic viz., “knowledge of what/why we are here for?”
If we are successful in leading life in a righteous manner, then we also are equally immortal like many legendaries of the history viz., any role model of yours. Therefore, in my conclusion, I would like to remind, that as we all have come empty handed to this world and are familiar that, we leave this world in the same manner; it would be better if we do not develop any kind of lust towards materialistic wealth. Or to be content as, Harold J smith says, “Richest people are those contented with what they have”. As knowledge itself is the immortal treasure (which cannot be stolen), try to share it with others, which you had had acquired in this short span of time. Believe me, it is the knowledge what you share will keep you alive in the hearts of millions.

Thanks and Regards,
Srikanth Chintakindi,
M.Tech AI,
University of Hyderabad.

Sunday 17 February, 2008

REVIEW OF "JODHA AKBAR"

Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodha-Akbar has disappointed me to a greater extent. May be I was expecting a master-piece, which I thought would compete with the unanimous epic Mughal-E-Azam. When compared with his own two films, Swades and Lagaan, this multi-million venture has proved to be a failure.
To me, it seemed an ordinary (love) story and the wrongly depicted history in the movie says that, it is miles away from the truth or literature what we had had studied earlier. If we get into the details, it showcases Akbar who wants to flourish his kingdom in India through waging wars since his childhood under the guidance of Bhairamkhan. When Akbar approaches king Bharmal to accept his emperorship, king Bharmal asks Akbar to marry his daughter. Why he did so is not explained any where. Though, it was showcased as a political marriage, still there was absolutely no necessity to get his daughter married with a Mughal Emperor, particularly, in those days when casteism, religionalism etc., were given vital importance. And thus, princess Jodha of Rajputanas gets married with a Mughal Emperor for no proper reason.
Jodha’s brother Sujamal’s story has also had been depicted wrongly. Somewhere, in my school in Hindi text books, I had read about Bhaidhooj, where it was said that Jodha ties Sujamal a Rakhi to save Akbar from Shaifuddin. In a war with Shaifuddin, Sujamal dies was written in the literature. But, in this movie what was shown is absolutely against Rajput’s bravery and sacrifices. Therefore, in Rajasthan, there is no harm to impose a ban on this film. To my belief it definitely might have had hurt their self-respect and sacrifices for the country as it has showcased the Rajput kings to be fit for nothing.
Akbar in the climax scene says that every religion is equally important to him. If Akbar really wanted to follow what he said, why he started a religion of his own, “Din-I-llahi” is also quite questionable. It’s a pity that personalities like Birbal, Taansen were not discussed in the movie at least for once.
What are worth seeing in this movie are the jewellery that princess Jodha wears and her costumes. And above all, especially the well-picturized songs, viz., Sufi song khwaja mere khwaja (an excellent number), Azeem-o-shaano shehanshaa, Kehne ko jashne bahaara hai etc., Marhaba song reminds us of Republic Day parade. The palaces where the picturization took place were already seen in many-a-movies as it covered a very minor part of their portrayal. Except the above things which covered more than half part of the movie, everything is as per records that, Akbar though an illiterate was a great administrator who loved elephant fights, followed Sufism and was a great believer of Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz Chisti of Ajmer etc.,
Singer Ila Arun has done an excellent job in the movie, and did complete justice to her role Mahamanga. Hritik was too good in his performances as usual and Aishwarya was as beautiful as ever. Shatrugan Sinha’s wife who played mother of Akbar looked glamorous and Sonu Sood looked a bit older in his role Sujamal. As usual, Suhasini Mulay, Kulbhushan Karbaanda, appear in this movie as Rani and Raja Bharmal of Amer. Raza Murad played Vazir, and the Diwan Todarmal’s character was also well established. Shaifuddin’s character played by a new artiste won a huge round of applause. Director had tried his best to make it look like a Hollywood movie which wins hearty appraisal.
But, lack of research on the subject made this film lose its richness though money was lavishly expended on creating it. The history he depicted is quite misguiding and confusing as I said. Most of all, portraying Jodha-Akbar is just sheer waste of time, money and resources. May be as a source of integrity it serves preaching inter-religion relationships, but, Akbar to my belief, had never loved Jodha to the extent which was shown in the movie. If Akbar had truly loved his wife Jodha, I suspect he too would have had built a Tajmahal for her, after all, he was the richest emperor then. It was just a political marriage and no where in the history we find their relationship as great as any others and also about their love. But, why Ashutosh has chosen this subject is quite surprising.
This film has its own grandeur and freshness and above all it’s recommendable to watch. Anyways, watch it at your own interests and if you are seeking a change viz., commercial movies to art kind of movies then it is quite promising and a refresher.

Thanks and Regards,

Srikanth Chintakindi.

Friday 15 February, 2008

THE ART OF SAYING “NO”

Saying “No” is an art according to me. It is not only a harsh/hurting word but also a really difficult one to say as it sounds cold-blooded. Yet, one has to say “No” when he/she doesn’t want to say “Yes”. In my personal life, I am an equally timid soul. I feel self-pity that I have no courage to say “No” for unreasonable requests. For instance, when I am at my department, I simply join anyone who approaches me for having a cup of tea or just for pastime. Not always, but many a times, I felt like saying “No” but failed. This attitude of I has not only affected my personal hygiene (me becoming a jumbo) but also my precious time. By the time, when I realized this, it’s too late.
It was a self-mistake that, I had always feared of losing friends and people around me if I don’t attend to their unreasonable requests thinking, “If I refuse to do that, they won’t like me or they will go mad at me”. Thus, since years, I had been a victim of unassertiveness. As a result, I have learned to act in inferior ways by masking my own strengths making me inferior. I found it extremely impossible to express my emotions like anger or tenderness and hence forth, kowtowing to others wishes and holding my own desires inside made myself possess no control on/over my (own) life. It’s as similar as the situation of hero Siddhartha in the movie titled, “Bommarillu”. Many a times I found it difficult to express my feelings and instead saying “I don’t like what you did/said”, said, “I like what you did/said”.
I know this is the case with many, but, can’t we get over it? Yes, I think, we can! To do so, what I found in my study/research on this topic is, to develop assertiveness by keeping a self-watch. I know it hurts others when we say a “No”, but, at the same time, if we don’t say no at the right time/moment, it leads us into activities we don’t respect ourselves for doing. As I already said, if you can’t state this simple two-letter word when you want to say it, you begin to lose control on your own life. Though I haven’t learned it so far, (Though, Dr. Johnson says to learn from the past in his book, “The Present”) still, I suggest one and all not to get into troubles by saying “YES” when you wanted to say “NO” and hope you people will not behave as dumbo as I.
In conclusion, I didn’t mean saying no to everything. You say yes when you want to give an affirmative response. If doing a favor for a friend or participating in a social event may inconvenience to you, there is still nothing wrong with saying yes if you feel the matter important enough to undergo discommodity for the sake of the friend or activity. Saying yes becomes wrong when you want to say no and it is in your best interest to say no, but instead, you end up with a feeble “OK, I will do it.”

Thanks and Regards,

Srikanth Chintakindi.

Thursday 7 February, 2008

Book Review of “The Present”

After reading one more inspirational book of his, titled, “The Present”, I have become a die-hard fan of Dr. Spencer Johnson. As Lord Shri Krishna is for Arjun, so is Dr. Johnson for me. In “The Present”, he revealed the simple truths of life very efficiently and magnificently. What ever has been written is nothing new or unknown to us, but the way, he explained is truly praiseworthy. We deny these things consciously, and never dare to experiment life, though, people like Johnson writes to motivate us.

The Present is also a parable of the present what you give to yourself. It is a story about a young man who discovers what the present is. Since his childhood, he used to observe an old man who was calm, serene, happy and successful. In his mentorship, the young man, becomes wise, learns a lot, and implements the same to become happy and successful. The young man, who was going through terrible troubles in his life, viz., break up with his girlfriend, not getting promoted in his work etc., gets this precious and invaluable gift from the old man. And, in order to unfold the present, the young man takes time out for himself by visiting a mountain place of his friend to rejuvenate and discover what the problem is? When he succeeds in finding a solution, returns back to work and implements what ever he had learnt from his experiences. Dr. Johnson explained each and every part associated with the present excellently by query, what if it happens like that, and what if it does not happen in the way we guess; thus, making the readers stick to the book till the last page, has given a master piece to the society.

It is also a must read book as I told in the case of “Who moved my Cheese?” I gave a very brief summary of the above tiny book, as I don’t want to spoil your joy of reading by explaining in totality in advance. In conclusion, I can only suggest you reading such invaluable books to find the real treasure of literature and apply it for the betterment of life, but it is solely up to you whether you really want to get benefited or not.

Thanks and Regards,
Srikanth Chintakindi
M.Tech (A.I.)

Tuesday 29 January, 2008

Book review on Who Moved my Cheese?

Can you imagine a book which is as sweet as the title reads and as simple to understand a remarkable message? Yes, you can. Because, a tiny parable which deals about how to change with the changing situations, and how to get adapted to them in a smarter manner, is intelligently explained by Dr. Spencer Johnson, in a minute book titled, “Who moved my cheese?”. Believe me, it has left an inerasable mark on my memory through its pictures-que-description and made me imagine myself in all those four characters he portrayed.
Sniff, Scurry were two mice; Hem and Haw were two tiny little men. The parable is about a Cheese station C (in a maze) where everyday, four of these used to go to earn their daily quota of cheese. Since men were wiser than mice, they found that, cheese will be always there at cheese station C, so, they got habituated to take the same direction in finding their cheese and it became a routine for them. But, mice were always, like running in all possible directions through the maze to reach the cheese station C.
Suddenly one day it happened that cheese station C becomes completely empty. Mice sniff and scurry, had expected it long before, so, they immediately start running all through the maze until they found a new cheese station N where, they had all varieties of cheese. But, little men hem and haw were in a state of shock and cannot digest the fact that, the cheese station is empty now. For days, they used to go the same way to the same old cheese Station C hoping that it might be full one day and dreaming some one will fill the station with cheese again.
But in reality, it never happens and cheese station C is completely empty forever. Haw dares to go searching a new cheese station by running again all through the maze. But, Hem resists change, so, stays back. Haw starts running through the entire maze, and starts writing his experiences learnt on the walls of maze by drawing a cheese (Ultimate goal) as a sign of directions/path he is taking to find the new cheese. One day, he finds some slices of delicious cheese and hoping that, he can find a new cheese station some day very nearby runs back to his friend Hem and ask him to join in finding new cheese station. But, hem is afraid of change and therefore resists sitting back at old cheese station C. Thus, once again, haw starts’ running through the maze all alone and finally reaches the new cheese Station N where he finds his other friends sniff and scurry.
If you ask me, reading this book completely will take an hour time but the impression it leaves is truly relishing. The moral of the story is to be in your comfort zones but should be prepared to accept the change if it occurs.
I would like to advise/suggest/request one and all to read this book as it is a must read. And, I am sure that after reading, this book, you will find a new you in yourself. You will work on the age old mindsets and you will definitely find a positive wave of change that has occurred in you. Believe me; you too will suggest your friends to read this book after you find that you have tremendously set your new goals. It’s much better than I explained above, so, don’t miss the pleasure of reading this.

Thanks and Regards,
Srikanth Chintakindi.