Wednesday 23 November 2016

Life Lessons from Demonetisation








The sudden demise of high value currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination on the fateful night of 8th November has been the cruelest blow on the shadow economy of our country. The bold announcement was like a massive earthquake or a high magnitude upheaval for the black money hoarders. This economic surgical strike was the greatest combing operation in the financial history of India.

Yesterday, an idea occurred to my mind that we can draw some valuable life lessons from this demonetization process. I felt that many time-tested adages, maxims and proverbs, which people had thrown in the dustbin, have once again fired the imagination of the public. Here are some of the sayings which have regained value, meaning and relevance in the contemporary scenario.
1.      Honesty is the best policy – Once again, people are convinced of the truth of this dictum. Those, who have earned money through rightful means, are the happiest persons on the earth. There is a glow of pride on their faces. Even if, they are facing a lot of trouble in the long queues, they feel that they are making an offering in the Mahayana of honesty, integrity and credibility. Dishonest people are passing sleepless nights in planning to dispose off their ill-gotten wealth in different unscrupulous ways. Purification is always painful but the citizens of the country are ready to pay the price for a better tomorrow.
2.      Simple living and high thinking – Instead of simple living and high thinking, the new mantra of the modern generation is high living and low thinking. Shameless acceptance of corruption and ostentatious display of wealth have become the latest craze. Simple living is unfashionable and high thinking is outdated. Lust for goods and greed for money have converted us into heartless beasts. We are wallowing in the filth of materialism like dirty prigs. Let us hope that this master stroke will bring us back to the era of honest living and lofty thinking.
3.      Cut your coat according to your cloth – Needs are limited. Greed is unlimited. Political offices and government jobs are no longer passport to social service. Rather they are legal licenses for indulging in all sorts of wrongful practices. Vulgar display of wealth in royal weddings, buying of luxury vehicles by panchayat representatives and petty government officials, purchasing of expensive bungalows in posh localities of different towns, cities and metros, mad rash for gold ornaments, jewelry and bullions – all narrate the shameless saga of corruption and black money. Once the party funding becomes transparent, benami transactions are curbed and the economy goes cashless, people in power and position will learn the lesson of moderation and living within their means.
4.      Small is beautiful – The notes of smaller denominations like Rs 100, Rs 50, Rs 20 and Rs 10 felt very much ashamed, humiliated and belittled before their big brothers. But today, they have become the hot favorite of the people. Suddenly their value has been recognized and their worth has been realized. So don’t look down upon anyone. You do not know who will come to your rescue in times of need. Generally ordinary people lend you a helping hand in extraordinary situations. Hence never under estimate the power of common man and small currencies and coins.
 We are highly indebted and extremely thankful to our honorable Prime Minister for dealing a severe blow on the unholy nexus of politicians, bureaucrats, criminals and mafias and giving the ordinary people a chance to bask once again in the glory of principles, values, ethics and morality - the ideals which India stands for.

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Money!! Is a Means.






Mercenary attitude or money mindedness is the root cause of most of the evils. We all have become the worshipers of Mammon. Lust for money is more intoxicating than wine or drug. It has robbed us of our health, peace and happiness. Commercialization and consumerism have created an insatiable craze for commodities. Malls are the new temples. The fast changing models of consumer items have developed a culture of “use and throw.” Spending rather than saving is the new mantra of the modern tech-savvy generation. Ostentatious display of wealth is the latest fad.

This rat-race has started taking its toll. We are so engrossed in this money-spinning game that we have become oblivious of the real meaning and purpose of life. Most of the people die with this regret that they have earned a lot of money but they have not learnt the art of enjoying life. Wealth can procure comforts but it cannot procure happiness. It can purchase a cozy bed but it can purchase sound sleep. It can buy medicines but it cannot buy good health. Like the proverbial King Midas, the blessing of the golden touch has become the greatest curse for the money-makers. Physical and mental well being is far more important than being well off. “A single-minded focus on making money can make us insensitive to other smaller but perhaps more satisfying joys of life”, observed Charles Dickens. So, stop chasing the mirage and enjoy the beauty and divinity in everything that is around you. Money making is not bad. The more you earn, the more you can give. Be the trustee of your wealth in the words of Mahatma Gandhi. Riches do not enrich you. Renunciation enlightens you.

Thursday 3 November 2016

Overnight Success Is a Myth















Success is not a two-minute Maggie. You cannot open, boil and eat it. It is not an instant food. It is the final outcome of a long and arduous process of preparation. Ray Kroc, the founder of Mc Donald’s, was once asked in an interview, “Sir, you were very lucky! You became an overnight success.” Ray remarked, “Yes, that is true. But you do not know how long the night was.” Diana Rankin wonderfully says: “It takes twenty years of hard work to become an overnight success.”

For success, you must follow the 4-D mantra of desire, determination, dedication and diligence. Whatever may be the external motivation or inspiration, your own resolution to succeed is the most important thing. If you have taken up an idea, make that idea your life. Your vision should become an integral part of your being. Think of it, dream of it till you have accomplished it. Lack of dedication and diligence has caused more failure than lack of intelligence and ability. So, dedicate yourself to your goal like a true devout. Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without sincerity and dedication. There are no short-cuts to success. The quest for excellence has to be continuous. Results don’t appear overnight. Several years of hard labor and constant practice are behind anyone’s success. Champions are made in the laboratory of life with sweat, toil and tears. There is no chance, fate or destiny which can stop a determined and dedicated soul. Fortune is always waiting to offer him the crown of success.