Mangalyan

Mangalyan or Mars Orbiter Mission( MOM) is India's first interplanetary mission. Spearheaded by ISRO the space research wing of India, Mangalyan is said to be the most cost-effective Mars Mission till date. Today MOM has fulfilled it's objective and it shall send it's maiden pictures of mars in a short while. Entire nation is in a joyous mood after this remarkable achievement. Launched 10 months back, the hardwork and dedication demonstrated by the scientists have brought cheers to 120 crore faces with equal pride and seld-confidence.
Now why, we as a nation pursued this goal and what can we achieve in this pursuit is something we can look into.

India can be termed as the least developed country compared to others who have already reached or pursued this Mars mission. No doubt, there is always a utility factor for any high capital investment. What material benefits this programme can bring and that too from the very next day onwards will be totally senseless. I remember the thoughts of the great Vikramsarabhai the founding father of India space research on the utility of India endeavoring into this field. He was sure about the solutions ISRO is going to provide to many puzzles like Climate changes, Disaster prevention, Remote Sensors, Planet Positions and others. Further he should have foreseen the turnarounds in communication, which has made equally viable and affordable for the common man living in the most remote villages. Moreover these achievements have become a clear confidence builder for the entire nation. These achievements raises the national integrity to a different level from existing plane. PM Modi compared our scientists to Rishi's, seeing their unconditional dedication to the welfare of humanity. It is a known fact that these people spend their whole energy and life for the projects they are entrusted upon. The last 300 days as far as MOM is considered where very crucial and none of these dedicated scientists have had a peaceful sleep. Continued....

Whu Guru Utsav and Why Not Teachers Day !!!!

Why Teacher's Day and Why Not Guru Utsav

The honourable union ministry of HRD, have evoked criticisms for introducing an essay contest for school children on the topic Guru Utsav. Some of the educationists debated in favour of this conceptual shift initiated by the HRD, meanwhile some has shown their apprehension against this decision. However a healthy dialogue between both the parties are required to clear the air of ambiguity surrounding this concept. Renaming the day to a more glorified and meaningful connotation enriches the experience and values attached to it. Lets do a brief study.

Guru Utsav :  A literal study:

The idea of Guru is deeply ingrained in the lives of every Indian. In the Sanskrit lexicon a Guru stands for an enlightened person who removes ignorance(ajnana) from his disciples and fill in with knowledge (Jnana). The position of Guru in the hierarchy of personal importance is after ones' own parents according to tradition. There are many examples in literary works such as vedas, epics and poems glorifying the role of Guru in the character formation of heroes, whom are considered embodiment of righteousness by the people. For instance devotional poet, Kabir Das in one of his poems had expressed that he shall postulate infornt of his Guru first then the Lord himself, because Guru was the person whom had taught him about the glory of Lord Therefore the position of Guru in the lives of Indians have definitely more relevance and meaning than the term Teacher have. 

Guru- Shishya Relationship

In ancient period the education system was characterised with the special relationship between the Guru and Shishya (Disciple). Historian A.L.Basham in his great work, The Wonder That India Was" stated that the education system of Anceint India was not based on any fees or emolument. In most of the cases, the Shishyas used to stay in the Guru's residence and assist him or his family in day to day affairs. The function of giving tribute called as Guru Dakshina after completing his/ her studies was considered as an auspicious action, which was the only material gift offered to the Guru during a student's academic life. In those days, apart from imparting technical and literal skills, these places where considered as centers for Character formation. Gradually these small centers transformed to Univesities in Nalanda, Taxila, Varanasi, Kanchi and so on. 

Teachers - The torch -bearers of nation building:

PM Modi in his speach to the children on Sept 5, mentioned about the diminishing respect for teachers in modern India. Researches shows that the country is finding dearth of good teachers for leading the nation to a developed economy. Skilled teachers are need of the hour and they should be role models for the children to guide the future of our nation in the rite path. There is a concern that new generation doesn't aspire to be take up the profession of teaching due to many reasons. Keeping aside other factors, one reason is current teachers are not able to demonstrate values and traits which were the symbols of Ancient Gurus. The notion of renaming Teacher's Day to Guru Utsava for the sake of doing it shall not serve the purpose. Adoption in action is what is required. Great academicians like Dr. Radhakrishnan, Dr. Ambedkar, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya etc have to be born again through our schools and universities for taking India to the next level of Social, Economical and Political Leadership. 

Finally to conclude with , renaming the occassion with a much valuable terminology alone shall not bring the aimed change in the education system. Assimilating and absorbing the eternal values which were promulgated by great teachers has to be bought into practice. The beginning of any change is the change in the hearts to achieve desired changes in the society. I think the key here is the teachers themselves. Therefore the paradigm shift from being a mere subject tutors to a Guru with exemplary quality is the need for an enlightened Bharath. 

Kautilya's Arthasasthra - 1

As circumstances lead me to learn and contemplate the teachings of Kautilya through his monumental treatise - Arthasastra, I assert that this indeed  is a marvelous piece of statecraft which gives you a transparent insight to the historical aspects, the political thoughts, tactics for success and strategies for good governance of Ancient India. Kautilya otherwise Chanakya who has been referred as the Guru of Chandragupta Maurya was said to be living in BC 300. He was also the prime minister in Chandra Gupta's Kindgdom and it is widely believed that he was the string puller behind the establishment and success of Mauryan Empire. A certain group of historians put forward that India was not united until the British came into the fore and annexed the hetrogenous kingdoms to a homegeous unit for the benefit of Administration. This view of a united nation is as the typical european way of looking at history. Whereas India was a nation before the mauryan empire was established and this unity is not a geographical unity it was a cultural unity. Kautilya, in Arthasastra has elucidated on who can be an Emperor of India. He said, One who rules from Himalaya from the north to the unseen oceans in the South can become the Emperor of India. Now how can Kautilya come to a conclusion of this Gepgraphical boundary of India, if there wasn't any nation called Bharat?

Further ahead his expalanations on various concepts and topics are excellent in clarity. Kautilya's mention on the role of spies cannot be matched even by James Bond movies. He always tried to give a holisitic picture with regards to the following aspects of each concepts. Who, Why, Where, When, Which and How. The roles of spies like, merchant, class mate, ascetic, .....etc are explained with unmatching wisdom. the duties of the King with regards to Discipline is a master piece in time management. Now in military, his grand strategies was undoubtedly the backbone of early Mauryan period. The relevance of keeping an efficient