THE GAP IS WIDENING !!!!!!!!!!!
My heartiest congratulations to all those who are responsible for Indias progress in every feild.We and the media seem to be celebrating it,every day but I wish that they choose a realistic rather than a glamorous picture of India,as their story.
Without sounding a pessimist or a leftist ,I cannot resist but to say that we are really not ready for the extravaganza and glamour display that we are doing at present!
Progress in every field is mandatory and we are progressing,but the problem is that this progress is not uniform and not in all spheres and all fields.Growth is welcome,and is being felt too,nationally and internationally but it is not universal!!
Improvement in lifestyle and elevation of standards are not only being seen but are dazzling the eyes,but this improvement is seen in a small section of the country and amongst a very small part of the population
Almost half of the Indian population is still deprived of the basic amenities,like,food,home and drinking water leave alone education,electrification and medical facilities,which also are almost the basic right of every citizen of a so called progressing country!
Even in a city like Delhi,which looks like a model of progress and wealth,the recent census showed that only 7.5% Delhites fall in the upper income group,even when the grading has been made on a very stringent scale ,where to qualify for this elite class one has to fall in the group with a monthly expenditure of just over Rs 3500 per person.This amount is peanuts for Delhi,and is a stark indicator of the struggle ,the majority have to undergo,for survival in Delhi,Mumbai,metros or in most of the cities and villages of India for day to day survival.
IPL matches were a great entertainment,and so are other such lavish events,where we spend over a couple of thousand crores for each,but how much of this goes to the common man.Some people do make a livelihood from these events,but majority goes in the pockets of organizers,sponders etc,The rich are the actual beneficiaries from such megaevents and projects!
Leave alone the financial and monetary stagnation,a major part of the population and society is affected by social maladies like,child labor,female feticide,selling of daughters,flesh trade,AIDS etc,Can we call ourselves progressed,progressive or even progressing in this scenario?
The rich becoming richer,and Ambanis featuring in the list of top rich people of the world,is no indicator of progress.
We can sleep comfortablely only if every Indian has a roof,drinking water,food,electricity ,education and medical aid and above all a safe and healthy society and surrounding to live in
And this is more distant than one can imagine
and can be achieved not only by pumping in of money from the exchequer ,but by fair governance and a responsible role,played by every Indian
So lets join hands,in contributing our little,but significant share,in the progress of our dear country!
Its miles to go,before we sleep . . . . . . . .
Dr Sanjay Kapoor Lucknow
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
CORRUPTION
CORRUPTION
There are innumerable scams being unearthed these days,and corruption is being said to be on rise.Corruption and dishonesty is a global phenomenon and has existed since time immovable,in fact since mankind came into existence.Handling money is not corruption alone......................giving bribes,using source,misuse of office property and resources,using influences,and even working less at work place are all forms of corruption.
Even gods and religion has encouraged it,in form of Prasad and mannats.
It is generally believed that most human are vulnerable to corruption,and those who are not into it,are often those who have not had an opportunity..........................most off us,if not all,have a breaking point!
Am reminded of a short story that my father told me,who had heard it from his grandmother
Once there was a great king,and everyone was very happy with him,He asked his old mother,what else he should do ,to make her happy.................the illiterate lady said,that,achche raja ke raaj mein doodh ki nadi bahti hai ( canals of milk flow in the kingdom of great kings ) And the king decided to do so.He built a canal on the national highway from the palace and announced its inauguration on the coming Poornmashi.He also announced that though the maintained of the canal and replenishment of milk will be done by the royal treasury,the ahead of each house of the kingdom will bring a bucket of milk,on the inauguration day,as a mark of solidarity.The day came,and great prayers were offered by the Rajpurohit......why then asked the collected citizen to pour the milk from their buckets into the canal....................no one did so ! Guess why........................all had brought water,thinking that the rest will bring milk,and he will mix his water,save his milk and get away,uncaught !
That's where we all are standing today....................we keep blaming everyone..............but keep indulging in some form of corruption,big or small,quite often.If each one start monitoring him or herself we may not have to police the rest......................charity begins at home.
Jago Insaan jago !!
Sanjay Kapoor Lucknow
There are innumerable scams being unearthed these days,and corruption is being said to be on rise.Corruption and dishonesty is a global phenomenon and has existed since time immovable,in fact since mankind came into existence.Handling money is not corruption alone......................giving bribes,using source,misuse of office property and resources,using influences,and even working less at work place are all forms of corruption.
Even gods and religion has encouraged it,in form of Prasad and mannats.
It is generally believed that most human are vulnerable to corruption,and those who are not into it,are often those who have not had an opportunity..........................most off us,if not all,have a breaking point!
Am reminded of a short story that my father told me,who had heard it from his grandmother
Once there was a great king,and everyone was very happy with him,He asked his old mother,what else he should do ,to make her happy.................the illiterate lady said,that,achche raja ke raaj mein doodh ki nadi bahti hai ( canals of milk flow in the kingdom of great kings ) And the king decided to do so.He built a canal on the national highway from the palace and announced its inauguration on the coming Poornmashi.He also announced that though the maintained of the canal and replenishment of milk will be done by the royal treasury,the ahead of each house of the kingdom will bring a bucket of milk,on the inauguration day,as a mark of solidarity.The day came,and great prayers were offered by the Rajpurohit......why then asked the collected citizen to pour the milk from their buckets into the canal....................no one did so ! Guess why........................all had brought water,thinking that the rest will bring milk,and he will mix his water,save his milk and get away,uncaught !
That's where we all are standing today....................we keep blaming everyone..............but keep indulging in some form of corruption,big or small,quite often.If each one start monitoring him or herself we may not have to police the rest......................charity begins at home.
Jago Insaan jago !!
Sanjay Kapoor Lucknow
Saturday, December 19, 2009
MORNING
When I woke up today and looked out of the window...
I felt I didn't want to hold myself and go with the flow...
A little bird chirped from the window ledge sounding melodious...
Oblivious of the feeling inside my heart that made me curious
Beyond my window I saw the sky painted by a rainbow
Inside the window there were dew drops with a pearly glow
My finger touched the dew drops and they followed a trail
And my sobriety woke up beaming as if not to let me fail
A blooming flower caught my eye for it bounced golden sunshine
That brought a smile on my lips as dew drops were no lesser fine
Chirpy bird jumped on the ledge whistling the autumn song
Telling my conscience blossom of Spring is near and not too long
I felt I didn't want to hold myself and go with the flow...
A little bird chirped from the window ledge sounding melodious...
Oblivious of the feeling inside my heart that made me curious
Beyond my window I saw the sky painted by a rainbow
Inside the window there were dew drops with a pearly glow
My finger touched the dew drops and they followed a trail
And my sobriety woke up beaming as if not to let me fail
A blooming flower caught my eye for it bounced golden sunshine
That brought a smile on my lips as dew drops were no lesser fine
Chirpy bird jumped on the ledge whistling the autumn song
Telling my conscience blossom of Spring is near and not too long
NEVER GIVE UP
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit
BROKEN APPOINTMENT WITH LOVE
Broken Appointments of Love . . . . .
When I approach Love, it buries itself in me.
So, I've decided to make it approach Me.
I'd rather play hide and seek with it!
I promised to Love many a time,
Later, I realized I made promises only to break them up.
I, then decided to make Love promises to me.
For Love's sake, I let not it break the promises!
I taught Love how to live broken-hearted.
It stayed longer to leave me forever.
I burnt myself in desire ---
Yet let it go away safe.
I walked on the wall of darkness,
Love made its journey to my soul,
I wonder I hardly noticed its pace,
Only discovered its essence in the silent music of darkness!
I thought, I drank the nectar of love to my heart,
But I sipped but a little!
I found myself entrapped with your eyes,
Even though I never dared ask you even just a kiss!
Love once whispered to my soul,
I was too busy then even to listen to it.
Long long afterwards, I heard its echo,
My heart treasured it, I felt like floating!
Our sweetest feelings always remain untouched, I realized.
I did mesmerize Love, its zeal.
Angels robbed it but once,
Again, it dropped like a star on the strand I stood.
How can Love be subdued? I made them bethink!
Love tried to veil your radiant eyes,
Even you remained behind the silken snare of your tresses.
How could pearls get concealed when oysters let not them do so?
Can water but turn to wine if I leave a kiss?
Love gave me leave to kiss, made me bold to woo,
Yet, how can daring fate be ignored? I wonder!
Elsewhere in other world, my soul dotes in solitude,
In the distant shore, you once dreamt to go.
The story of that distant bliss--couldn't but be gone with the wind,
Left me insane, just in the lap of eternity.
So obvious in hue, yet blurred in guise of Erida.
I recalled my oath, which I made not to you, but to my love.
Again came Aphrodite, just emerged from the ever-frozen zone!
As vowed I've, never dare banish Love.
Never too late begins my ache to shun.
Gentle swain as I'm to refuse---
To turn wicked spirit into divine one!
O Love! You whom I often and silently can't but go,
Hear the sighing sound beyond silence's shore;
Yet not too late to counsel or pray.
I'll dare to bet Love's broken heart for decades to come
When I approach Love, it buries itself in me.
So, I've decided to make it approach Me.
I'd rather play hide and seek with it!
I promised to Love many a time,
Later, I realized I made promises only to break them up.
I, then decided to make Love promises to me.
For Love's sake, I let not it break the promises!
I taught Love how to live broken-hearted.
It stayed longer to leave me forever.
I burnt myself in desire ---
Yet let it go away safe.
I walked on the wall of darkness,
Love made its journey to my soul,
I wonder I hardly noticed its pace,
Only discovered its essence in the silent music of darkness!
I thought, I drank the nectar of love to my heart,
But I sipped but a little!
I found myself entrapped with your eyes,
Even though I never dared ask you even just a kiss!
Love once whispered to my soul,
I was too busy then even to listen to it.
Long long afterwards, I heard its echo,
My heart treasured it, I felt like floating!
Our sweetest feelings always remain untouched, I realized.
I did mesmerize Love, its zeal.
Angels robbed it but once,
Again, it dropped like a star on the strand I stood.
How can Love be subdued? I made them bethink!
Love tried to veil your radiant eyes,
Even you remained behind the silken snare of your tresses.
How could pearls get concealed when oysters let not them do so?
Can water but turn to wine if I leave a kiss?
Love gave me leave to kiss, made me bold to woo,
Yet, how can daring fate be ignored? I wonder!
Elsewhere in other world, my soul dotes in solitude,
In the distant shore, you once dreamt to go.
The story of that distant bliss--couldn't but be gone with the wind,
Left me insane, just in the lap of eternity.
So obvious in hue, yet blurred in guise of Erida.
I recalled my oath, which I made not to you, but to my love.
Again came Aphrodite, just emerged from the ever-frozen zone!
As vowed I've, never dare banish Love.
Never too late begins my ache to shun.
Gentle swain as I'm to refuse---
To turn wicked spirit into divine one!
O Love! You whom I often and silently can't but go,
Hear the sighing sound beyond silence's shore;
Yet not too late to counsel or pray.
I'll dare to bet Love's broken heart for decades to come
REASONS.SEASONS or LIFETIME
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you
have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to
provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or
spiritually. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then,
without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person
will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they
die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a
stand.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to
share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you
laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give
you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a
season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build
upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept
the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind
but friendship is clairvoyant."
I am still not able differentiate between all those people who have been a
part of my life for a reason, season or a lifetime.
However, I need to learn to accept that people will come and go according to
their role in my life.
Rather than being stuck at a point in time, I need to learn to keep moving
forward in life cause I can now understand if I don't, I am the looser
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you
have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to
provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or
spiritually. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then,
without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person
will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they
die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a
stand.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to
share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you
laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give
you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a
season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build
upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept
the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind
but friendship is clairvoyant."
I am still not able differentiate between all those people who have been a
part of my life for a reason, season or a lifetime.
However, I need to learn to accept that people will come and go according to
their role in my life.
Rather than being stuck at a point in time, I need to learn to keep moving
forward in life cause I can now understand if I don't, I am the looser
Sunday, October 4, 2009
MY DAYS AT ST FRANCIS SCHOOL,LUCKNOW
My Days at SFS
Its great to talk about the good old days, schools and to interact with my dear fellow Franciscans, peers, seniors and juniors.
Its a matter of great pride and pleasure to walk down memory lane and talk of my days at SFS(Oooooops ,I mean SFC)
SF was School when we were there!!!!!!!!!!! Its college now .
Walking down memory lane ,is probably a misappropriate term!
I really don't have to go back and try to remember anything!!
Its all there, as fresh as today, as if it happened yesterday!!!
Even though I left St Francis in 1975!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(sounds pre historic!)
I joined SFC in 1968,in class three, after doing KG from Christian College and Prep and Class 1 and 2 from St Ann's
( Many of you would not have heard of this school-it was the boys section of Loreto Convent in the present building of Avadh Degree college and we were the last batch of students ,before the school closed down)
After leaving St Ann’s, most of us had only two alternatives Lamarts or SFC
Lamarts was more popular amongst the upper class of Lucknow as it was more British and had almost a complete Anglo Indian staff and above all had the reputation of supposedly brining out smart cool dudes with a greater stress on extra curricular activities and sports
SFS was the second best, in those days but still had a great crowd at its gates for admission, for three reasons.
It was a little more affordable than Lamarts, the academics were reputed to be better and it had an aura of an Indian English school which was a bit more friendly to the non Hindi speaking parents!
The reason why my dad choose SFS for me was different from these three. My brother had joined Lamarts a year back, and my parents were not happy with the academics. So I landed in SFC more by default than as a choice, and could never thank my dad for that more!!!!!!!!!
My stay of over seven years at the college, has been the best phase of my life, the memories of which are my most precious possessions. Besides developing a taste for specific subjects, interest in studies, it helped me to build my personality and bring out the best in me .My passion for stage emerged there, for acting, elocution and debating. And above all it brought me close to a great lot of wonderful teachers and some friends, a bunch of soulmates who have been the most precious achievement of my life, and are buddies for keeps!!!
I left SFC in March 1975, when I was in class 10Th. We were the first batch of ICSE ,and since I had to pursue a medical career ,I wasn't sure if ICSE would help me for CPMT. So I quitted SFS and joined Mahanager Boys High School, even at the cost of loosing 6 months, amounting to an year subsequently
The stay at SFS was a little more than seven years and its been over three decades since I left it, but the memories of those days occupy a very special and coveted place in my heart in terms of space, closeness, quantity and quality
They come alive when ever I interact with any buddy from SFC, and luckily have been in touch with many
Sanjay Lucknow
Its great to talk about the good old days, schools and to interact with my dear fellow Franciscans, peers, seniors and juniors.
Its a matter of great pride and pleasure to walk down memory lane and talk of my days at SFS(Oooooops ,I mean SFC)
SF was School when we were there!!!!!!!!!!! Its college now .
Walking down memory lane ,is probably a misappropriate term!
I really don't have to go back and try to remember anything!!
Its all there, as fresh as today, as if it happened yesterday!!!
Even though I left St Francis in 1975!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(sounds pre historic!)
I joined SFC in 1968,in class three, after doing KG from Christian College and Prep and Class 1 and 2 from St Ann's
( Many of you would not have heard of this school-it was the boys section of Loreto Convent in the present building of Avadh Degree college and we were the last batch of students ,before the school closed down)
After leaving St Ann’s, most of us had only two alternatives Lamarts or SFC
Lamarts was more popular amongst the upper class of Lucknow as it was more British and had almost a complete Anglo Indian staff and above all had the reputation of supposedly brining out smart cool dudes with a greater stress on extra curricular activities and sports
SFS was the second best, in those days but still had a great crowd at its gates for admission, for three reasons.
It was a little more affordable than Lamarts, the academics were reputed to be better and it had an aura of an Indian English school which was a bit more friendly to the non Hindi speaking parents!
The reason why my dad choose SFS for me was different from these three. My brother had joined Lamarts a year back, and my parents were not happy with the academics. So I landed in SFC more by default than as a choice, and could never thank my dad for that more!!!!!!!!!
My stay of over seven years at the college, has been the best phase of my life, the memories of which are my most precious possessions. Besides developing a taste for specific subjects, interest in studies, it helped me to build my personality and bring out the best in me .My passion for stage emerged there, for acting, elocution and debating. And above all it brought me close to a great lot of wonderful teachers and some friends, a bunch of soulmates who have been the most precious achievement of my life, and are buddies for keeps!!!
I left SFC in March 1975, when I was in class 10Th. We were the first batch of ICSE ,and since I had to pursue a medical career ,I wasn't sure if ICSE would help me for CPMT. So I quitted SFS and joined Mahanager Boys High School, even at the cost of loosing 6 months, amounting to an year subsequently
The stay at SFS was a little more than seven years and its been over three decades since I left it, but the memories of those days occupy a very special and coveted place in my heart in terms of space, closeness, quantity and quality
They come alive when ever I interact with any buddy from SFC, and luckily have been in touch with many
Sanjay Lucknow
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