The modern world has, along with a host of positive developments, thrown us into a sea of challenges. We sometimes find ourselves with no reprive. The Global Economic Crisis is one such challenge we face today about which I would like to write today.
A very natural question everyone is asking today is : How ? Simple answer though. A big snowball of past mistakes can be difficult to fight against! A lot of mistakes have been committed by investors, regulators, the Government, the watchdogs (read investigators, auditors) and even irresponsible public attitude is to blame for this crisis that threatens us today. How are we going to prevent this from ruining our future.
Our future will shape itself in the way we want it to materialize. The last 10 years have been one of struggle and pain. The best thing one could ever do was to study hard, get good grades and find a safe, secure job or career and settle down for good after a few decades of service in an organization. More often than not, the journey ends up being monotonous and very rarely do people get to explore what they are really good at. Today, the demands have changed. That attitude will NOT see us through in the future, and especially so in the light of this insane crisis. The future belongs to inventive, innovative and inspiring thinking.
The next few years will be different for us. We will need to move beyond the obvious and try and create a workforce or a job. It is certainly not enough if we sit back and let our Universities arrange placements. The economic crisis owes its existence to an attitude of callousness. We have always been reckless and light hearted about our long term objectives. Our regulators weren't seeing the storm until it finally came and hit us. Everyone points fingers at the watchdogs when they fail to realize that the tone at the top of the failed organizations is really the only thing to blame !
Modernism is innovation. Innovation is modernism.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Religion in the modern world
The recent attacks on 26/11 have left me shaken.
More than the number of people killed, more than the manner in which they were killed, more than even the number of hours the country was held hostage, what bothered me the most was the REASON why so many were killed....Religion.
Why does it have to be religion all the time ? "My God is better than your God". Big Deal ! What gibberish....there is only one God.
In modernism, there cannot be any room for religious discord. Redunant questions on religion have put us on the backfoot in the past. They will continue to do so in the future. In fact, take any war or skirmish in WORLD history....you can trace its roots to religion. The Crusades, The World Wars, The Partition of India, The HORRIBLY HORRIBLY mismanaged war on terror and of course 26/11....OWE their origin to religion alone.
I cannot emphasize enough here that we BADLY need religious reform. BADLY. The rigidities, the flaws, the corruption....must be weeded out. I agree that religion has a message of benevolence, but that message is hidden in the rubble of punditry, corruption, sleaze and politics.
In order to find that message, we must, as citizens of the world, pledge our support to world peace. It is still, unfortunately, restricted to a term. World peace exists on paper. We need to bring the idea to life.
Is it so hard to accept our God as a force that loves us, governs us all ? Why must he necessarily be a subject of discord everytime ?
I believe that God is a force that inspires me to better deeds, an honourable life, success, service and love. I do not view God as a "white haired caucasian male" who rewards good and punishes evil.
Modernism calls for thought beyond the petty rigidities religion has confined us to, all these years. Modernism is light. Light is modernism.
Modern Literature
Its been a long long while (almost 4 months to be precise) since I wrote on this blog. But I have learnt a lot in terms of self introspection during this time. I have learnt to appreciate the finer things in life, and have also learnt to give importance to my priorities. Fortunately, I am someone who has very limited expectations from life, and I feel happiness and expectations from life are inversely proportional. During this time, I rediscovered reading as a habit, which has compelled me to write this blog today.
Modern literature is an amazing kaleidoscope. It is one of those few things that can be rightly associated with modernism, for it is something that has really progressed with time. There are certain ageless poems and stories that are beyond the trifling comparisons, yes, but they do not diminish the power modern literature exerts on the psyche of the thinker today. Literature in the modern world has its share of drama, excitement, learning and exclamation and yes, FLAWS. When I read Sidney Sheldon, for instance, I am transported into a different era where I can literally see western culture all around me. There are, of course, many who think Sheldon writes trash. I disagree. For the simple reason that he writes what is for real..around him! I also read his autobiography recently, and it spoke lucidly on what filmmaking and publishing are all about. So, it really depends on perception and how much you are willing to admit into your psyche.
A comparison with older literature (say, a Frost poem or a Shakespearean play) would be silly. The reason is, again, obvious. Older literature touched upon what is seen as esoteric today. It basically touched upon the simpler, more beautiful things in life. So, when you read a poem by Robert Frost, you are thinking about the road that diverged in the yellow woods...and NOTHING else ! There is such a beautiful imagination in the whole thing. On the other hand, modern literature focuses on the REAL. The present. What you see today. Around you. Recently I read Aravind Adiga's booker prize winner - The White Tiger. I was surprised by the serene flow of the work, as well as its explicit connection with the real world around me. You don't have to even TRY to relate to it. It comes...almost like a sudden fall in the stock market !
To conclude, I must add here that literature transcends boundaries - regional, linguistic and cultural. It cannot, however, transcend modernism. Any book you see around you - Sheldon, Dan Brown, Jeffery Archer, Danielle Steel.... - is living proof !
Modern literature is an amazing kaleidoscope. It is one of those few things that can be rightly associated with modernism, for it is something that has really progressed with time. There are certain ageless poems and stories that are beyond the trifling comparisons, yes, but they do not diminish the power modern literature exerts on the psyche of the thinker today. Literature in the modern world has its share of drama, excitement, learning and exclamation and yes, FLAWS. When I read Sidney Sheldon, for instance, I am transported into a different era where I can literally see western culture all around me. There are, of course, many who think Sheldon writes trash. I disagree. For the simple reason that he writes what is for real..around him! I also read his autobiography recently, and it spoke lucidly on what filmmaking and publishing are all about. So, it really depends on perception and how much you are willing to admit into your psyche.
A comparison with older literature (say, a Frost poem or a Shakespearean play) would be silly. The reason is, again, obvious. Older literature touched upon what is seen as esoteric today. It basically touched upon the simpler, more beautiful things in life. So, when you read a poem by Robert Frost, you are thinking about the road that diverged in the yellow woods...and NOTHING else ! There is such a beautiful imagination in the whole thing. On the other hand, modern literature focuses on the REAL. The present. What you see today. Around you. Recently I read Aravind Adiga's booker prize winner - The White Tiger. I was surprised by the serene flow of the work, as well as its explicit connection with the real world around me. You don't have to even TRY to relate to it. It comes...almost like a sudden fall in the stock market !
To conclude, I must add here that literature transcends boundaries - regional, linguistic and cultural. It cannot, however, transcend modernism. Any book you see around you - Sheldon, Dan Brown, Jeffery Archer, Danielle Steel.... - is living proof !
Monday, September 15, 2008
The Town Called Pressure
Today's post is thanks to my friend Srinath Varadarajan.
The world's progress today has brought with it extreme oddities. Among the myriad oddities is the feeling of work pressure. Many (ambitious) young men and women find themselves fighting the desire to sleep, play, socialize, enjoy...because they have an all important project to complete. Myself and Srinath are no different. We can vouch for work pressure any day. In the context of modernism, I ask : Is such work pressure to be respected ? Is it something to be fought ? Or should we attach zero importance to it and consider it to be not there at all in the first place ?
As a personal take on pressures at the workplace, I say that they have to be accepted as part of modernization. You cannot have the cake and eat it two, right ? Then you cannot say that I want the world to move ahead at the speed of light, but I am not willing to work for it. So, if there is work pressure today, It is only intangible evidence that modernism is alive and kicking. Remember a simple truth : You are not struggling in vain. There is a movement, and that is in the direction of progress and progress alone.
Having said that, I must also say that work pressures and self torture are NOT synonymous. Work pressure is an indicator of modernism, not a side-effect. Real success is possible when that all important "balance" of work and life is achieved. Some of us are able to achieve it successfully, some of us are not. What I feel is such an attainment is not really important as long as you are doing your work. If you are able to achieve it, fine. If not, relish the fact that you are a crusader - and the fact is visible to the entire world.
Modernism is struggle. Struggle is modernism.
The world's progress today has brought with it extreme oddities. Among the myriad oddities is the feeling of work pressure. Many (ambitious) young men and women find themselves fighting the desire to sleep, play, socialize, enjoy...because they have an all important project to complete. Myself and Srinath are no different. We can vouch for work pressure any day. In the context of modernism, I ask : Is such work pressure to be respected ? Is it something to be fought ? Or should we attach zero importance to it and consider it to be not there at all in the first place ?
As a personal take on pressures at the workplace, I say that they have to be accepted as part of modernization. You cannot have the cake and eat it two, right ? Then you cannot say that I want the world to move ahead at the speed of light, but I am not willing to work for it. So, if there is work pressure today, It is only intangible evidence that modernism is alive and kicking. Remember a simple truth : You are not struggling in vain. There is a movement, and that is in the direction of progress and progress alone.
Having said that, I must also say that work pressures and self torture are NOT synonymous. Work pressure is an indicator of modernism, not a side-effect. Real success is possible when that all important "balance" of work and life is achieved. Some of us are able to achieve it successfully, some of us are not. What I feel is such an attainment is not really important as long as you are doing your work. If you are able to achieve it, fine. If not, relish the fact that you are a crusader - and the fact is visible to the entire world.
Modernism is struggle. Struggle is modernism.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
What is education ? What is it ???
It's been a while since I wrote here. But now that I am writing...I would like to touch upon an issue that is core to modern thinking any day....education. For all you know, education is not such a freakin' easy word to understand. It may mean literacy to some, but for others it is more complicated than rocket science. I want to write about education and understand what it means to me as an individual. More importantly, does education go hand in hand with modernism ? Or as the epithet goes, is education "useful excess baggage" ?
A debate on modernism will not be complete unless you talk about education. Education is something that we find everywhere, yet crave for it, and quote numbers (read literacy rate, school dropout ratio, underemployment ratios, etc etc...) to substantiate our claim that education is lacking in the country.
Now the fact remains that India is home to a large majority of the world's uneducated populace. I personally do not believe that numbers are important, so I am not quoting statistics. The fact is that I don't need to either. You can FEEL the pangs of hunger of the uneducated, you can SEE the helplessness in their knowledge-deprived eyes, you can HEAR it in their pleas for liberation.
Who really needs the numbers ?
What I'm really trying to say is....all these programs, plans, packages, YOJANAS (as they are known in India) are confined to social science textbooks that students desperately try to read FOR PASSING an exam. I can only sigh...and feel a subtle helplessness overcoming me...
Over these years of liberation, we have not been able to educate our people.
Am I talking about India's literacy rate ? I think that's around 65%. It was 65% when I checked 3 years ago, and it is almost the same (or so I think) even now. How does it matter ? Because the ground reality is not stagnant like the number 65%. Let me assure you, the dynamism of helplessness is grounding India's underprivileged like never before.
Edcuation, in my view, cannot confine itself to the alphabet and our stand on literacy must be debated once again. In a modern context, education implies empowerment. Education MUST COMPULSORILY CALL for a sense of power, liberation and freedom of thought. Reading or writing a simple sentence in any language - may be literacy...but NOT education. I don't think I need to stress the divorcement of literacy and education here.
So where does the problem lie today... ???
Does it lie with the Government ?
Does it lie with the victims themselves ?
Does it lie with God ?
Does it lie with us (supposedly, privileged individuals (remember..I am blogging...not even writing)) ?
I cannot, unfortunately, pen an answer to that one. I consider it to be a matter of opinion. Modernism revels in necessity, not altruism.
Modernism is education. Education is modernism.
A debate on modernism will not be complete unless you talk about education. Education is something that we find everywhere, yet crave for it, and quote numbers (read literacy rate, school dropout ratio, underemployment ratios, etc etc...) to substantiate our claim that education is lacking in the country.
Now the fact remains that India is home to a large majority of the world's uneducated populace. I personally do not believe that numbers are important, so I am not quoting statistics. The fact is that I don't need to either. You can FEEL the pangs of hunger of the uneducated, you can SEE the helplessness in their knowledge-deprived eyes, you can HEAR it in their pleas for liberation.
Who really needs the numbers ?
What I'm really trying to say is....all these programs, plans, packages, YOJANAS (as they are known in India) are confined to social science textbooks that students desperately try to read FOR PASSING an exam. I can only sigh...and feel a subtle helplessness overcoming me...
Over these years of liberation, we have not been able to educate our people.
Am I talking about India's literacy rate ? I think that's around 65%. It was 65% when I checked 3 years ago, and it is almost the same (or so I think) even now. How does it matter ? Because the ground reality is not stagnant like the number 65%. Let me assure you, the dynamism of helplessness is grounding India's underprivileged like never before.
Edcuation, in my view, cannot confine itself to the alphabet and our stand on literacy must be debated once again. In a modern context, education implies empowerment. Education MUST COMPULSORILY CALL for a sense of power, liberation and freedom of thought. Reading or writing a simple sentence in any language - may be literacy...but NOT education. I don't think I need to stress the divorcement of literacy and education here.
So where does the problem lie today... ???
Does it lie with the Government ?
Does it lie with the victims themselves ?
Does it lie with God ?
Does it lie with us (supposedly, privileged individuals (remember..I am blogging...not even writing)) ?
I cannot, unfortunately, pen an answer to that one. I consider it to be a matter of opinion. Modernism revels in necessity, not altruism.
Modernism is education. Education is modernism.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Modernism = India
Call it my association with the tricolour since childhood or a natural attraction to my hometown, India is not just another country to me. It is my identity, my pride and my home. Having said that, I am certainly NOT one of those real patriots who join the army (I believe patriots are in the army) or refuse foreign offers and choose to stay back in India to start an ethnic business. I DO WANT to travel abroad, I DO WANT to live in the west and I DO FEEL that immigration is a lovely word.
In modern times, the subject of India has gained worldwide interest. India is everywhere. The whole world seems to be moving towards India and China. As opposed to its BRIC partners - Brazil, Russia & China, India seems to have the most complicated and most respectable mix of culture and modernism. You will find CEOs with accented voices in India who carry curd rice to work and sport a 'namam' or even a 'kudumi' - thereby signifying ancient INDIANNESS.
I have defined modernism as being synonymous with progress. Some of my folks have disputed that, saying that modernism is not progress, but can include progress. I respect that point of view, but I still affirm that modernism is progress because I see change and progress as supplements to challenges. The India of the 21st Century represents that 'Modern Mix' - so rare to find elsewhere.
Where else in the world, can you find IT parks and poverty COEXISTING ?
Modern India, as always, touches upon new laurels and creates / comes across new challenges everyday. That mixture has been so very dynamic that I cannot think of a better example to support my version of modernism. If there is any country that represents Modernism, it is INDIA.
In modern times, the subject of India has gained worldwide interest. India is everywhere. The whole world seems to be moving towards India and China. As opposed to its BRIC partners - Brazil, Russia & China, India seems to have the most complicated and most respectable mix of culture and modernism. You will find CEOs with accented voices in India who carry curd rice to work and sport a 'namam' or even a 'kudumi' - thereby signifying ancient INDIANNESS.
I have defined modernism as being synonymous with progress. Some of my folks have disputed that, saying that modernism is not progress, but can include progress. I respect that point of view, but I still affirm that modernism is progress because I see change and progress as supplements to challenges. The India of the 21st Century represents that 'Modern Mix' - so rare to find elsewhere.
Where else in the world, can you find IT parks and poverty COEXISTING ?
Modern India, as always, touches upon new laurels and creates / comes across new challenges everyday. That mixture has been so very dynamic that I cannot think of a better example to support my version of modernism. If there is any country that represents Modernism, it is INDIA.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Modernism and World Terror - Linked ?
A debate on the entire aspect of modernism can never be complete without a proper evaluation of its consequences on our outlook towards life. More so, in the case of world terror, we cannot but conclude that modernism plays an important role. Depending on how we choose to take it, we can either suffer at the hands of nameless organizations, or make a difference. Modernism, unlike older ideologies, gives us the luxurious freedom to choose.
World terror, as many of us see, is an institution that revels on human fear. As long as the ordinary human leads an above average life, fear will and should be a vital element of his existence. And, in the wake of modernism, fear has also progressed to an altogether different level.
World terror has never been as dreaded or as fearsome as it is today. There was a time when my father / grandfather would never worry about coming home safely. It was always a fact taken for granted. Even though the wars of 1971 and 1975 were terrible, there was nobody ramming planes into buildings. There was no one who killed thousands by planting bombs in public places.
The facet of world terror today has, with modernism, also progressed to the next level. Why should a terrorist be so meticulous in his attack today ? Modernism. And if he succeeds in his treacherous plan, who is to blame ? Modernism.
World terror does not have a religion. Because no religion can ever preach hatred. World terror does not have a name. There can be no word that can suitably describle the despecable outlook of world terror. However, there is a word that can tell us why global terror is that terrifying today. That word, you guessed it, is modernism.
While I can always go on and on, pinning the blame of world terror on modernism and gain accolades from the public, I refuse to squarely blame ONLY a new age thought for a new age problem. Old attitudes and cultural habits are also responsible for world terror. The flames of communalism and hatred were ignited in ancient history. Modernism only provides a stronger, and uglier platform for complex execution.
World terror, as many of us see, is an institution that revels on human fear. As long as the ordinary human leads an above average life, fear will and should be a vital element of his existence. And, in the wake of modernism, fear has also progressed to an altogether different level.
World terror has never been as dreaded or as fearsome as it is today. There was a time when my father / grandfather would never worry about coming home safely. It was always a fact taken for granted. Even though the wars of 1971 and 1975 were terrible, there was nobody ramming planes into buildings. There was no one who killed thousands by planting bombs in public places.
The facet of world terror today has, with modernism, also progressed to the next level. Why should a terrorist be so meticulous in his attack today ? Modernism. And if he succeeds in his treacherous plan, who is to blame ? Modernism.
World terror does not have a religion. Because no religion can ever preach hatred. World terror does not have a name. There can be no word that can suitably describle the despecable outlook of world terror. However, there is a word that can tell us why global terror is that terrifying today. That word, you guessed it, is modernism.
While I can always go on and on, pinning the blame of world terror on modernism and gain accolades from the public, I refuse to squarely blame ONLY a new age thought for a new age problem. Old attitudes and cultural habits are also responsible for world terror. The flames of communalism and hatred were ignited in ancient history. Modernism only provides a stronger, and uglier platform for complex execution.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The road ahead
The bedrock of modernism, as mentioned subtly in the previous post, lies within you. Lies within me. Lies within every thinker.
Every philosopher, from socrates to vivekananda, has thought about modernism. But none of them have ever been able to conclude firmly on the true nature of modernism. Modernism means progress, and this is a fact. But, despite intellectual probing, how many of us can accept such a statement ? There are many of us today who refuse to think that modernism means progress. Because when I talk about modernism, the only thing that comes to their mind is human rights abuse in Darfur, world hunger, child trafficking and slave trade. What I talk about, and what they refuse to accept, is rising economy, super scientific gadgets, the possibility of life on mars, new age computers, and the prospect of world peace.
Introspect.
Modernism is progress.
A progress that does not intoxicate you with success ALONE. Modernism is real, healthy progress. A step ahead does not mean a step in the right direction. The next time you think that you have taken the next step ahead, ask yourself THREE questions :
1. Have I enlightened someone today?
2. Have I introduced something new to the world today ?
3. Do I have the gift of increased knowledge today ?
If the answer to all three questions is YES, then you have ushered modernism into the world around you, and have simultaneously instigated progress. A progress, that does not die down with one victory in one battle, but a progress that lays out the road ahead, that teaches you how to handle the next set of challenges life will throw to you.
To conclude, modernism is progress indeed because it ushers in success and challenge at the same time. Anything that changes the world is modernism.
Modernism is progress. Progress is Modernism.
Every philosopher, from socrates to vivekananda, has thought about modernism. But none of them have ever been able to conclude firmly on the true nature of modernism. Modernism means progress, and this is a fact. But, despite intellectual probing, how many of us can accept such a statement ? There are many of us today who refuse to think that modernism means progress. Because when I talk about modernism, the only thing that comes to their mind is human rights abuse in Darfur, world hunger, child trafficking and slave trade. What I talk about, and what they refuse to accept, is rising economy, super scientific gadgets, the possibility of life on mars, new age computers, and the prospect of world peace.
Introspect.
Modernism is progress.
A progress that does not intoxicate you with success ALONE. Modernism is real, healthy progress. A step ahead does not mean a step in the right direction. The next time you think that you have taken the next step ahead, ask yourself THREE questions :
1. Have I enlightened someone today?
2. Have I introduced something new to the world today ?
3. Do I have the gift of increased knowledge today ?
If the answer to all three questions is YES, then you have ushered modernism into the world around you, and have simultaneously instigated progress. A progress, that does not die down with one victory in one battle, but a progress that lays out the road ahead, that teaches you how to handle the next set of challenges life will throw to you.
To conclude, modernism is progress indeed because it ushers in success and challenge at the same time. Anything that changes the world is modernism.
Modernism is progress. Progress is Modernism.
Modernism
This is my first post on this blog and I'd like to start off on a broad topic that keeps to the content motto this blog is dedicated to.
To begin with, I'd like to clearly define what I mean by modernism and how much the meaning of that term means to me. Modernism is not just a synonym of change, it must necessarily be a synonym of progress. Progress that merely touches a life and moves on by itself is only an illusion and a dangerous one, at that. Real progess is one that breathes three things : prosperity, altruism, and modernism.
There have been many versions of modernism. Some see the entire term as illusionary, coined by some bloke who obviously had nothing better to do. To them, all I'd like to say is this : Get a life. You have been blind to change around you. The rare ones embrace modernism as a supernatural phenomenon, instigated by God - over which they have no control. The rarer ones see modernism as an intangible, involuntary act that THEY initiate in their lives.
The modern thinker has a fourth dimension of thought. He sees modernism as a step into a new set of challenges. The bedrock of such a school of thought is based on an irrefutable underlying fact : as long as there is life on this planet, there will be problems to solve. For instance, removal of world hunger is a principal challenge that face the modern thinker. World hunger, to the modern thinker, is a by product of man's irresponsibility in the past. It is, therefore, neither a supernatural nor a separately instigated man made problem. However, in the light of changed circumstances, where altruistic forces are relatively smaller as compared to the shrewd ones, the approach to solving an old age problem like world hunger must necessarily be influenced by modernism, to either abolish / find a long term solution to world hunger.
To sum it up and introduce the topic of modernism, and to encourage a constructive debate on modernism, one must remember a simple thing : There is nothing new in the world. The only changes you see are because of modernism. Modernism is you. You are modernism.
To begin with, I'd like to clearly define what I mean by modernism and how much the meaning of that term means to me. Modernism is not just a synonym of change, it must necessarily be a synonym of progress. Progress that merely touches a life and moves on by itself is only an illusion and a dangerous one, at that. Real progess is one that breathes three things : prosperity, altruism, and modernism.
There have been many versions of modernism. Some see the entire term as illusionary, coined by some bloke who obviously had nothing better to do. To them, all I'd like to say is this : Get a life. You have been blind to change around you. The rare ones embrace modernism as a supernatural phenomenon, instigated by God - over which they have no control. The rarer ones see modernism as an intangible, involuntary act that THEY initiate in their lives.
The modern thinker has a fourth dimension of thought. He sees modernism as a step into a new set of challenges. The bedrock of such a school of thought is based on an irrefutable underlying fact : as long as there is life on this planet, there will be problems to solve. For instance, removal of world hunger is a principal challenge that face the modern thinker. World hunger, to the modern thinker, is a by product of man's irresponsibility in the past. It is, therefore, neither a supernatural nor a separately instigated man made problem. However, in the light of changed circumstances, where altruistic forces are relatively smaller as compared to the shrewd ones, the approach to solving an old age problem like world hunger must necessarily be influenced by modernism, to either abolish / find a long term solution to world hunger.
To sum it up and introduce the topic of modernism, and to encourage a constructive debate on modernism, one must remember a simple thing : There is nothing new in the world. The only changes you see are because of modernism. Modernism is you. You are modernism.
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