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.

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.