sincerity in little things counts

One of my acquaintances phoned me in the morning. I was busy. I picked the phone and told him that I will make a return call when I am free.

The sun sat in the evening. Night thickened and I slept after the day’s work but I could not be sincere enough to call back that acquaintance.

This type of lack of sincerity in our day to day life is a common occurrence. But in some ways it degrades the intrinsic human worth. Firstly, I neglected the dignity of a fellow human being. Secondly, I did not keep my words & proved myself to be insincere. Thirdly, I diminished the good rapport between us.

This case can be construed as an example of communication gap despite the availability of Ultra speed communication technologies. Printers, faxes, computers, digital cameras, DVDs, pen drives, mobile phones, internet connectivity and all such modern communication gadgets overpower our day to day lives but with each electronic pulse an admixture of love and sincerity is of enormous importance.

There are many slips between the cup and lips

"There are many slips between the cup and lips". This wise saying became more relevant when my salary could not be deposited in my bank account because of a link failure. In my college I along with Mr shirish and Mr. Patra take more interest for sooner disbursement of salary. We generally remind the principal to do that job at the earliest. Often we go a step ahead to phone the head clerk of the treasury for sooner disbursement of salary. This time also we did our part as usual. The only difference was that we were not at the headquarters. We were on summer vacation. On our request the principal went to the office and did the needful for the release of salary. We were expectantly looking for the money because Savitri Amavashya was approaching. But the failure of internet link ended everything in smoke. . . . . . . . A picture of a greedy dog who waited for a piece of bread to be thrown at appeared on my mind. I realized how some paper notes can make us so doggish.

A shameful social habit

For last two days I am in the Ganjam District of Orissa. This district is famous for Bhanja Literature and the straight forward attitude of its people. The people of this region are frank and speak unequivocally what they feel. But this district has a characteristic but unacceptable social habit which is visible mostly at the time of sun rise and sunset. At these times most human beings naturally feel a pressure to empty their bowels. And most people of most of the villages of this district would sit by the sides of the road with round bottomed pots full of water to attend natural calls. The people of this region love to pass morning and evening faeces counting the passing vehicles on the road. In the evening even the strong headlights of the vehicle can not deter them. They would stubbornly sit and excrete paying no heed to the traffic. They become dumb and blind to the presence of the passers-by and vehicles.

This socially unacceptable behavior has become a part of their life. However it is really disheartening that the social malady is infecting the new generation too. Last evening I saw two small children had lined up in the group which was assembled by the road side to attend the natural call. It is needless to say that those children will now bear the wrong habit for the future generation.

It is a fact that India is a hot country and the terrible heat makes many people suffocate in the toilets. So passing stool by the side of the road is much more enjoyable because open sky and natural wind are abundantly available. However, this bad habit has caused many tragic accidents in the past.

Bad habits should be replaced with good ones. Now it is high time when for the sake of sanitation and civilization all people should adopt safety latrines although it is devoid of open sky and fresh air.

how to make life beautiful

Failures and pains in life often made me sit silently and made me think how to make life beautiful. Any thought in that direction readily invoke some age-old unchangeable principles of humanity. I knew them to be repetition of old wisdom but they show their glittering faces whenever the gloom of a vanquished life pervades the mind. I have jotted the thoughts as it appeared during some moments of troubled musings.


 Be specific in what you say. Nobody has time to listen to exaggerations. If you do not have specific points then do not beat about the bush. Remain silent.

 Be courteous and respect the people you come in contact with. Good behavior and respect to others will never go unrewarded.

 Be honest in all occasion. Help others whole-heartedly. It is the shortest distance to others’ heart.

 Everyday think about living meaningfully. Utilize your time and talents sincerely in achieving excellence in your respective fields.

 Be humorous and at the same time maintain your dignity. A sense of self respect is essential for higher values to blossom.

 The expressions of thoughtfulness and self-poise are the hallmarks of being influential. People judge your worth by your attitude. People who are very talkative are viewed lightly. So never talk unnecessarily. Most people think that by talking glibly they display their knowledge and wisdom and in turn they can influence others but this notion most often proves to be wrong. Listen to others; gather sufficient information & other viewpoints before giving your opinions. Analyze the facts and logically reveal your own understanding. Never argue because human intelligence is not immune to errors.

 Be trustworthy. To be trusted is the greatest compliment you can earn for yourself. Never break other’s trust in you.

 Keep your words. Commitment is an ingredient to be great.

 Love all because love can transform you into a human magnet. Your words, attitude, service and presence will become magical to others. And life will become a song of inward happiness.

Bhagban Sri Satya Sai

Last night there was no electricity. In the darkness I slept a dreamless sleep. I slept comfortably even without fans because the night was cool.  A windy summer rain had lashed the evening. However, insects fluttered around the emergency light. I switched off the light, pulled up a mosquito net and cocooned myself inside it. 

When the night is dark and the trees look like shadows of mythological demons and flashes of thunder cast its heavenly blue on earth, the world becomes mysterious. The tiny speck of life bearing the consciousness of “I” fades. We start to think of the world, the universe and the principles and the guiding force that control them. It happens so because the wind, the thunderbolts and rain all defy human control. Man is but a powerless creature like the fluttering insects under the mercy of nature when the big powers of nature come into play.  

Before I could sleep I pondered over the sad demise of Bhagban Sri Satya Sai. He was a miracle man to many. He had prophesied that he would live in his mortal form till he was 96 years. And his early death convinced millions of his devotees of the uncertainty of life. Nobody knows when the wheels of life will stop. This uncertainty factor will prompt other mortals to live life meaningfully because life is so uncertain. 

In his life time BABA was a quintessence of human service. He illustrated how life can be lived on the principles of truth, righteousness, love, peace and non-violence. I missed his mortal form but as his contemporary I felt that I owe a moral responsibility to bring those basic human values into the frame work of my society in its unsullied form. 

The rain had almost stopped. Calmness prevailed everywhere. I curled on my bed to welcome a new morning and a new sun of enlightenment.