Does RTI mean anything to him ?

Ask any of the students ,faculty,staff or alumni , Tikka is one of the most prominent places in IIT , Kharagpur.......... 

           There is a sense of antiquity to the famous eatery on the campus.Dosa is still available at Rs.20 a piece and bhada chai costs an exiguous Rs.7 . Life is slow-paced in West Bengal , slower in Kharagpur and quite close to standstill in that old,ram-shackle shop at TIKKA . The wooden benches have weathered all heat and rain for years.The plastic chairs have broken but they continue to exist at the very same place.A Kendriya Vidyalaya stands on the IIT campus just  opposite to TIKKA.

            Mornings at TIKKA can be an eerie juxtaposition of three parallel worlds. Faculty members of the prestigious institute can be seen reading newspaper while sipping tea.They discuss their homes ,departments, head of  departments , the institute ad the nation.On the table a bit far away,are students ,on their way to classes or on their way back from the Tata sports Complex after a morning session of football,enjoying puri sabzi  and rasagullas.They talk about their halls , GC's(general champions) ,fests,mass bunks and so on. The second world belongs to students of the kendriya vidyalaya.Girls in their blue and white uniforms,their hair well-oiled , combed and exhibiting an assortment of multi-coloured ribbons,riding bicycle to school.

               Come back to TIKKA to find the third world. A young body in ragged clothes ,tattered slippers and unkempt hair holds four glasses of bada chai in each of his hands.All except the little finger inside the glasses at a slender distance away from the hot tea,which bubbles and probably touches those fingers and gets soiled on the way to the table of the faculty.The little finger is in the perpendicular direction ,quite poignantly,pointing to the kendriya vidyalaya.The tea glasses,all four touching one another at the center and slanting away from one another at the other end . Ask this kid ,  representing the metaphorical and actual Third world - a term coined by Alfred Sauvy , a member of the First World -   about the Right To Education Act 2009 and , I bet, he will be speechless............    

Indirect Guidance - Zen

A gem of a story from Anand Zen

It happened in Upanishadic days that one young boy ,Svetaketu , was sent by his father to Gurukul , to a family of an enlightened master ,to learn . He learned every thing that could be learned , he memorized all the vedas and science that is available in those days.He became proficient in them, he became a great scholar, his fame started spreading all over the country.Then , there was nothing else to be taught , so the master said,"you have learnt all that can be taught.Now u can go home".

Thinking that he has learnt everything and there is nothing left , Since the master has taught him every thing he knows- Svetaketu went home.Of course , with great pride and ego , he came back to his father . When he was entering the village , his father , uddalak,looked out in the window at his son coming  back from the University.He saw the way he was walking - very proudly,the way he was holding his head- in a very egoistic way , the way he was looking all around-very self-conscious that he knew.

The father became sad and depressed , because this is not the way  of one  who really knows, this is not the way of one who has come to know the supreme knowledge.The son entered the house , he was thinking that his father would be very happy - he has become one of the suprememost  scholars of the country,he was known everywhere , respected every where , but he saw that the father was sad,so he asked ,"why are u sad"

The father asked, " Only one question I have to ask u.Have u learned that by learning which there is no need to learn  anything any more?Have u known that by learning which all suffering ceases?Have u been taught which cannot be taught?"

The boy also became sad.And said, "no,whatsoever I have know has been taught to me,and  I can teach it to anyone who is ready to learn." 

The father said,"Then u go back and ask ur master that u be taught that which cannot be taught".

The boy said,"But , that is absurd.If it cannot be taught,how can the master teach me"

The father said,"That is the art of master , he can teach u that cannot be taught.You go back".

He went back .Bowing down his master's feet, he said,"My father has sent me for an absolutely absurd thing .Noe I don't know where I am and what I am asking u.My father has told me to come back only when I have been taught that which cannot be taught.What is it?Is there anything like that?You never told me about it."

The master said, "Unless one inquires ,that cannot be told,u never inquired about it .But now u r starting a totally different journey.And remember,it cannot be taught,so it is very delicate, only indirectly will I help u.Do one thing , take all the animals of my Gurukul -there were at least 400 cows,bulls and other animals- and go to the deepest forest possible where nobody ever comes and moves .Live with these animals in silence.Don't talk , because these animals cannot understand any language.So remain silent, and when just by reproduction these 400 animals turn into 1000,then come back.

It was going to be a long time- until 400 animals turn into 1000 .And he was to go with out saying anything,without arguing,without asking,"what are u telling me to do?Where will it lead?" He was to just live with animals and trees , not talking and forgetting the human world completely.Because ur mind is a human creation,if u live with human beings the mind is continuously fed.They say something, u say something - the mind goes on learning , it goes on revolving.

"So, go" , the master said,"to the hills,to the forest.Live alone.Don't talk.And there is no use of thinking, because these animals won't  understand even if u r thinking.Drop all ur scholarship here.

Svetaketu followed.He went to the forest and lived with the animals for many years.For a few days , thoughts remained in his mind - the same thoughts repeating themselves again and again.Then it became boring.

If new thoughts are not felt , then u will become aware that the mind is just repetitive,just a mechanical repetition, it goes on in a rut.And there was no way to get new knowledge.With new knowledge the mind is always happy,because there is again something to grind,something again to work out,the mechanism goes on moving. 

Svetaketu became aware.There were 400 animals , birds,other wild animals , trees,rocks,rivers,streams, but no man and no possibility of any human communication.There was no use in being egoistic,because these animals didn't know what type of great scholar this svetaketu was.They didn't consider him at all,they didn't  look at him with respect, so by and by the pride disappeared , because it was futile and it even looked foolish to walk in a prideful way with the animals. 

Even , Svetaketu started feeling,"If I remain egoistic , these animals will laugh at me- so what am I doing?"Sitting under the trees,sleeping near the streams,by and by his mind became silent.The story is beautiful ,years passed and his mind became so silent that he completely forgot when he had to return.He became so silent that even this idea was not there.The past dropped completely, with the dropping of the past  the future drops,because the future this nothing but a projection of past- just the past reaching the future.

So, he forgot what the master had said and when to return.There was no when and where,he was just here and now.He lived in the moment just like the animals, he became a cow.The story says that when the animals became 1000,they started felling uncomfortable.There were waiting for Svetaketu to take them back to the ashram and he had forgotten, so one day the cows decided to speak to Svetaketu and said,   "Now It's time to remember what the master had said- u must come back when the animals became 1000, and u have completely forgotten.Now it's time to go back..We have become 1000."

So, Svetaketi went back with the animals.The master looked from the door of his hut at Svetaketu coming with 1000 animals and he said to his other disciples,"Look , 1001 animals are coming",Svetaketu had become such a silent being-no ego, no self-consciousness , just moving with animals as one among them.

The master came to receive him.The master was dancing,ecstatic.He embraced Svetaketu and said,"Now there is nothing to say to you- you have already known.Why have u come?There is no need to come now,there is no need to be taught.You have already known."

Svetaketu said,"Just to pay my respects,just to touch ur feet,just to be grateful.It has happened and u have  taught me which cannot be taught."

This is what a master is to do: Create a situation in which the things happen.So only indirect effort can be made,indirect help,indirect guidance.And where ever direct guidance is given,where ever ur mind is taught,it is not religion .It may be theology but not religion, it may be philosophy  , but not religion.  

Eyes see the world,Mind see the eyes,The inner soul  perceives the working of the mind............

One of the greatest stories from the  scriptures............

Do U Need This Diversion

Every man knows that when ever he feels nervous , he starts smoking . Now , smoking cannot help u in any way , but  it diverts ur  mind  from nervousness.

Only nervous people smoke .And u can see it ur self .......... some days u smoke more and some days less.The days u smoke more are the days when u r very tensed, worried , very much in anguish .The world is too much.You are feeling so nervous that u want to divert ur mind to something , something uncomplicated, something not involving any body else - because that could bring more complications.

When u r not nervous - when u r feeling ,happy, blissful and joyous - you completely forget all about cigarettes .

Smokers spread their unhealthy habit to others who do not want to be associated with it anyway.It is unhealthy not only for smokers , but passive smoking can be deadly as well . 

All smokers are addicted people , so addicted people are  majority in the world.

And there are many substitutes .You may not be smoking  and u may think, "I'm not an addict  because i use chewing gum ".And it is worse than cigarettes- for when u r chewing gum , u r engaged  in an activity  which is absolutely useless, non-creative and an act that is unnecessarily tiring ur mouth  and ur teeth.

I hate people spitting gum on the pavements........ it sticks to ur footwear and is abhorrent , as it takes tough time  for washing it off.

Do u really need this diversion?Think over it .............  

Cup Of Coffee From / To The Wall

It's a real and a great story that has been told to me by a friend of mine.............

I sat with my friend in a in a well-known coffee shop in a neighboring town .As we enjoyed our coffee, a man entered and sat on empty table beside us.He called the waiter and  placed his order saying , "Two cups Of Coffee, One of them on the wall ". We heard this order with rather interest and observed that he was served with one cup of coffee but he paid for two. As soon as he left, waiter pasted a piece of paper on the wall saying , " One Cup Of Coffee"While we were still there, two other men came and ordered three cups of coffee,two on the table and one on the wall.They had two cups of coffee.but paid for two and left.This time also waiter did the same , he pasted a piece of paper on the wall saying, " A Cup Of Coffee".

It seemed that this type of gesture was a norm at this place.However it was some what unique and perplexing for us.Since we had nothing to do with the matter , we finished our coffee , paid the bill and left.After a few days,we again had a chance to go to this coffee shop.While we were enjoying our coffee, a man entered.The way this man was dressed doesn't match the standard nor the atmosphere of the coffee shop .Poverty was evident from the looks of his face.As he seated himself , he looked at the wall and said , "one cup of coffee from the wall " .The waiter served to this man with the customary respect and dignity. The man had his coffee and left without paying.We were amazed to watch this when the waiter took off a piece of paper from the wall and threw it in the dustbin.Now it was no surprise for us -The matter was very clear .The great respect for the needy shown by the inhabitants of this town welled up our eyes with tears.

Coffee is not a need of our society neither a necessity of life for us.The point to note is that when we take pleasure in blessing. may be we also need to think about those people who appreciate that specific blessing  as much as we do but they cannot afford to have it.Note the character  of this waiter ,who is playing a consistent and generous role to get the communication going between the affording and the needy with a smile on his face.Ponder upon this man in need....... he enters the coffee shop without having to lower his self-esteem........ he has  no need for a free cup of coffee..... without asking or knowing about  the one who is giving this cup of coffee to him......... he only looked at the wall ,placed an order himself , enjoyed  his coffee and left.When we analyse this story , along with other characters , we need to remember the role played by the wall that reflects the generosity and care of the dwellers of this town.

                       How about ur town?Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a cup of coffee for the needy in ur town also...............

How To Make Studies Interesting

Most of the student's find studies boring and even some of them feel drowsy on hearing the name of "studies" itself .Here are some interesting things that u could try .........

1.Look at ur studies in a different perspective

Let it be an uninteresting topic,but never give up.Start thinking how would such techniques can be used  in real - daily life.Think of careers that u get by knowing that subject.

2.If u r doing word problems in mathematics,change the question into an interesting manner

Let us suppose consider an example where a girl named Vaish has 5 apples , She goes to an apple orchard to  buy 5 times the initial number of apples.How many apples in a total she has?" Isn't it boring ...... ?Now let us modify dis question as Vaish has 5 bubbles .She goes to a "MAGICAL BUBBLE ISLAND" where her friend named Mr.KungFuPanda gave her 5 times the initial number of bubbles she have.What's the total number of bubbles left with her?

              If U add funny names and characters that u like  , in ur question , It becomes 10 times more interesting.

3.Go to ur notes and draw related pictures

For example,If ur subject is "Assam provide more tea that TamilNadu" , draw a picture of tea gardens with Assam "smiling"and TamilNadu "frowning".This works really well if u really good at visual thinking.

4.If u r reading ur textbook ,use some weird and funny voices

It  is also good when u record them and listen atleast once every night.This helps well while studying history and literature.

5.Make small postures that u can hang up in ur room

For example,remembering the names of elements in periodic table is quite difficult.In such a case u can draw it in a chart and hang u in ur room .So that , u get revised when ever u look at it.

6.Pretend u r a teacher

Create a test  or quiz by yourself on subjects in which u feel uninterested .

7.Play math games online

The more fun,the more worthwhile !If u feel studies as a burden  for u ,then u could do nothing else than giving up , where as if  u see the the same thing in a different perspective , then  u can create miracles in ur life.Never forget to use these simple things in ur life ...............

Global Warming - A bane to living creatures

                                                  ten for u ......................

1.My foot !

Have u heard of carbon footprint?It gives u the amount of carbon dioxide emitted due to the activities by humans.To get an idea of how ur activities cause pollution to environment log on to  www.cooltheworld.com . This is a site meant for children in UK, however, can be accessed by anyone.

2.All about R

It's the 3R's -Reduce,Recycle,Reuse.While buying products in a super market try to select those items which can be reused  and those that have minimal packaging.Recycle paper,plastic,newspaper,glass etc.Try and reuse papers,paperclips.Say , good bye to plastic. 

3.Eat right

The theme of this year's World Environment Day is "Think,Eat,Save".
Encourage ur parents to  buy locally grown and produced food.And your part in this would be to eat fresh fruit and vegetables.To the maximum extent don't waste  much of the food.

4.Power Off

When u leave a room remember to switch off fans and lights.It's simple you think but what about ur television , video games,computers.Don't leave it on standby thinking u r getting back to it.Most often u get interested in some other things and wander off leaving all these devices on.

5.Team up

Get more people involved in this project .Form a club either in school or  in ur locality.Learn more about conservation efforts and see what fits u the best.As a group it's more that can be done compared to that done by a single person and this ensures that more people r involved and hence the message goes to many more houses.

6.Tree time

If there is a possibility of planting a tree then what r u waiting for....... go and start digging and plant a tree.Trees help us in absorbing carbon dioxide and give us oxygen . A single tree will absorb a ton of carbon dioxide over its life time . 
              Since one tree can absorb this much , imagine how much more a forest could do.

7.Take a walk

If ur school is not so far , then why can't u try for a walk ,it would be funny while going to school by walk with friends. Most of the time try to avoid going in ur private cars.Get more kids in ur locality to join up and all of u pile up into a car.This way , instead of five cars on the road u could cut it down to one.

8.Light Up

Find out about the lighting at home.Ask ur parents if it is possible to change the regular light bulbs to CFC bulbs.CFC's last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and use two-thirds less energy and use approximately 60 per cent less energy than a regular bulb. 

9.Ouch !

This may hurt . Cut down the number of hours you watch the television . In the bargain you will be doing yourself a favor because u will be giving ur eyes some rest . Instead of watching TV , playing video games etc, Go out and play.Nothing can be more entertaining than plying in the sun or rain . Try out this...................

10.Wasted

Go out to the kitchen and check out if the waste is being segregated organic or inorganic .Make a compost pit . But make sure that you compost it properly , or else it will cause methane emissions and smell foul.

This is a newspaper article which caught my eyes and i thought of posting it .

THE MOST SCENIC ROADS

I can't believe that  some asphalt can be so beautiful.It's not simply in case of roads or road routes by which we travel . Travel on such roads can easily compete with a pleasant stay .Now let's have a glance at some of the most scenic roads all over the planet .......................

                                                       Chapman , SouthAfrica

                                                                   
                                                            Milford,New Zealand

                               
                                                                   Cabot,Scotland

                                                              Bridge of Millau ,France

AN EYE-OPENER

This is a paperless  message ................. And if even 1 person stops using bottled water , 200 less bottles would end up in the garbage this year ......................