“Hey, 15th August is Monday, lets go for a vacation to some romantic place”, I happened to hear my colleague’s conversation with his wife over the phone. Each one of us waits anxiously for holidays like Independence Day, Republic Day, and Election Day to fall on Friday/Monday so that we could have an extended weekend. So what’s wrong with it?

After 58 years of Independence, do we Indians realize the value of ‘Freedom’? Do we realize the value of sacrifices and selfless efforts of real life heroes of our freedom struggle? Patriotism is not just about cheering for Indian Cricket Team, attending ceremonies on 15th August, criticizing public policies, blaming politicians and/or just feeling ‘bad’ about the current state of the country. ‘Love of and devotion to one's country’ is how any lexicon describes Patriotism. But Patriotism is not just about sentiments; it has to be reflected in your demeanor, day to day activities and your thought process.

India is our motherland and we are an inseparable part of her. We share ownership of India’s resources and assets with other citizens of the country. But how many of us would hold themselves responsible for the misuse of these invaluable resources and assets? How many of us consider ourselves responsible citizens? Why do we blame government when more than 50% do not exercise their vote? An expected answer, all of them are corrupt. But they are also a part of our society, so there must be something wrong with our society and we are equally responsible for this state. Blaming government and its policies won’t help anymore. How many of us follow traffic rules, pay taxes honestly, buy train tickets, pay for public facilities, use electricity & water efficiently and exercise our basic rights & duties? People litter in public places, parks and while driving without giving the second thought to it. Do you still want to label yourself as civilized human being? I doubt. Education could provide knowledge but not civic sense.

Being the citizens of this country, we need to accept our share of responsibilities. India is nothing but its people. We need to treat this country as our home. Priceless ‘freedom’ has given us free air to breathe. Let’s realize its importance, let us not let it go. This country has given us so much and now it’s our turn to pay back. Patriotism is not just a feeling, but it is sense of commitment from the citizen of the country to contribute in full capacity to make the country most desired place in the world. A place where people feel accountable for the progress of the country, efforts would be collective and for the prosperity of the country.

Currently we all are part of the vicious circle where everybody blames one another. We need to get out of it; otherwise we have to pay a bigger price. Would we still consider ourselves ‘Patriotic’? Let’s be honest to ourselves. The decision lies in our hands.

 

Pangong Lake,Ladakh    Photo Courtsey: Esha Sengupta

I recieved a mail attachment:as usual travel photographs:from one of my very good friend Esha. Niether I expected much ... nor I generally do... This time She made me fall in Love at first sight... and the name of the beauty is ...Ladakh -"The Land of Pure".

Ladakh Mountain Range,A Bird-Eye View    Photo Courtsey: Esha Sengupta

As a mountain-lover, I was dazed out of my wits. These photographs of mountains come upon you like the surf of some Pacific beach, crest after crest in the distance, green from copper, silvery ash, shadowed by wrestling convulsions of old volcanoes, enough to cause great leaps of imagination and flushes of satisfaction in seeing them follow each other.

Hemis Monastry,Ladakh   Photo Courtsey: Esha Sengupta

Esha tried her best to highlight the stillness, quietness and spirituality which pervades the region. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Leh sits at almost 11,000 feet so already the air is much thinner and the views can go for miles down the valleys. Because of the altitude the vegetation is already far more sparse and away from the immediate supply of water the landscape is desolate and barren, although it never seems dead, merely peaceful.

"These photographs made me believe.....The whole place connects with me at a very emotional and spiritual level and....I  can spend a lifetime in there....I am definately going to Ladakh..What about You?"

About The Photographer: Ms.Esha Sengupta is a amateur photographer, currently pursuing her B.Sc Physics(Hon.) undergraduate degree at Venkateshwara College,Delhi University.

" In case you were wondering how Enron came into so much trouble, here is an explanation reputedly given by a Colorado Aggie professor to explain it in terms his students could understand. "

Capitalism:

You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income.


Enron Venture Capitalism:

You have two cows. You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt/equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax exemption for five cows. The milk rights of the six cows are transferred via an intermediary to a Cayman Island company secretly owned by the majority shareholder who sells the rights to all seven cows back to your listed company. The annual report says the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more.

Now do you see why a company with $62 billion in assets is declaring bankruptcy?

Source: Management Humor, Rutgers University,NJ