Purpose of Life - An Unending Quest.

"Even stones, trees, rocks, etc. come into existence & wither away. What's the difference between you & them? If you're born as humans then leave some mark behind." - Swami Vivekananda

These sharp, stinging & penetrating words have had a profound effect on my mind. If we examine this quote, undoubtedly we will arrive at a conclusion that in spite of all advancements & technological progress we haven't been able to find the purpose of our life. According to Evolutionary biologists & Anthropologists, the only purpose of life is to proliferate your species & ensure their continuity. According to different religions, purpose of life is to attain divinity & to attain salvation of our soul. Different sections of human society will answer this question in different ways.

The answer to this question is a complex product of our socio-economic & political background. For someone born in a troubled tribal society or in a nation facing armed rebellion, the purpose of life cannot be the same as that of a person born in lutyens' delhi or las vegas. If we aren't driven by something then even a blow of wind can drive us somewhere. The whole purpose of life isn't about reaching somewhere or getting something. In my opinion, the only purpose of life is to be in control of your life. It's about tightening the grip of your life. The targets which we set for ourselves are nothing but an instrument to drive inspiration for ourselves, perennially.

While answering the question about the purpose of our life we think of it as an objective issue. If having someone in our life gives you a sense of fulfillment then it's not because of that person but it is due to our perseverance & your efforts to be with him/her that you have that fulfillment. If possessing few academic laurels gives you a purpose then it's your efforts in achieving it that gives you a purpose.

By painting life with different colors & giving it a anthropological or a religious color we will be doing gross injustice to it. We would be belittling life if we think of it or look at it through the narrow prism of achieving this or that.

The whole purpose of life is about being in control of it rather than being controlled by it. If we're able to work the levers of ourselves then rest all things are secondary. But for that 'If' we all would've had a clear cut purpose of our life. Maybe some day we all will be able to get away with that big fat 'IF'.

Reflections- A look back at 65 years of republic india...

As we enter into the 66th year of indian republic, I share my thoughts about the same. The debate about what could've been achieved is futile & insult to what we've achieved till today. By refereeing to achievements, we must see them as realisation of the principles laid down in our indian constitution. The driving point here is whether we've manifested the goals & targets set by the constituent assembly while framing our constitution. Now I don't wish to go into knitty gritty of the directive principles of state policy. But my blunt & straight question is whether we are any better off, as Indians, as what we were 65 years back?
Purely from statistical point of view, our economy & social indicators have definitely shown positive signs & they're no doubt commendable & laudable. But the fundamental point is has the last man reaped benefits of our efforts & initiatives? In my opinion, indian growth story resembles a chemical reaction without a catalyst. We are on the cusp of a major revolution but we're yet to touch that pinnacle. Indian economy has continously demonstrated its potential barring last 4 years. The fact that we weren't affected much by the global slowdown of 2008 displays our strong financial infrastructure. India's innate ability to be a global power centre has never been questioned even by our harshest critics. But we're definitely being questioned about our ability to rise on to an occasion & encash our potential.
Evaluating our electoral & constitutional obligations I can proudly conclude that election after election we've matured as a democracy. Now no longer can leaders garner votes in the name of identity politics. Caste lines have begun to fade. The public discourse has shifted from narrow communal discussions to more governance centric discussion. Definitely these are signs of a maturing democracy. LS Elections of 2014 represent the earnest desire of Indians to grow & unleash our potential. After 30 years indian electorate has given a strong & decisive mandate.
But I still feel that we're yet to arive at the correct interpretation of article 19(freedom), 21(life & liberty) & 25(religion & conscience). We still haven't effectively lived the spirit of our constitution. Directive Principles of State Policy are yet to be fully implemented.
The above mentioned things are more technical in nature.
As an evolving democracy, we can't afford to have a deaf ear towards the youth of our nation. They represent the palpable beat of our nation. As young citizens we ought to develop the Indian spirit in us. We ought to develop that indianess in us. Nothing is above the well being of our nation. Sovereignty & Integrity of our nation is paramount to us. We need to live & realise that indian spirit in us.
I wish & I urge all my young friends that lets realise our potential. Whatever we're today we owe it to our nation, if not fully than partly. The affirmation in our preamble that 'INDIA IS A SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC' must be realised in our spirit. Its mere presence in our books makes no sense. Lets redeem our pledge for a better india.
India is not a piece of land but it's an affirmation of spirit. We are that spirit. We represent that faith. India is an article of faith. Its a conscience which we abide by.
I hope that we'll live by that spirit & help India prosper economically, socially, politically & spiritually.
Wishing all my countrymen a very happy republic day. Ek Bharat! Shresth Bharat!

Changing Political Discourse of India

2014 witnessed a tectonic shift in the political history of india. Advent of Mr. Modi & his landslide mandate has invigorated new hopes & has made the environment euphoric. Political & Economic pundits have extensively commented on the agenda put forth by the new government. Those who understand the knitty gritty of economics have also started questioning Mr. Modi's ability to deliver. Political journalists are by & large awestruck with Mr. Modi's charisma & his vote catching potential. We'll not find a single day without some or the other news pertaining to Mr. Modi. Even for Electronic media, he turns out to be the TRP boosting machine. When there's no news suddenly we find a documentary on Mr. Modi.Economists, across the right & left political spectrum have been polarised about Mr. Modi's economic policies.
The most important change which has happened since Mr. Modi's advent is the change in the political discourse of India. This has largely remained unnoticed by main stream media. Discussion has shifted from narrow political statements to debates on policy issues. Never before has the post of RBI Governor been so keenly followed. Never before has the public discussion been so focused on hardcore economic & policy matters. The discussion has shifted from identity & so called secular vs communal debate to development & economics. Every word spoken by Finance Minister is closely scrutinised which reflects the changing political discourse of India. Never before has discussion on Fiscal deficit & fiscal consolidation dominated the prime time debates. Earlier it all used to be TV studio theatrics about he said & she said.
Now whether Mr. Modi actually delivers or not is a big question in everyones mind. I don't know if he'll really bring 'Ache Din' but at least he has definitely brought 'Ache Batein' in the political discourse of India.