Korporations- The new Cingdoms?

It is said that 'history repeats itself.' The modern history is marked by consolidation of countries, revolutions leading to shift of power to the masses and the end of royalty. One may argue that we're witnessing the juncture of history where Kingdoms have come to their ultimate end. If you see the bigger picture, it is evident that the 'Corporations' are the latest social system replacing it.

If this is difficult to digest, just glance at the combined wealth of the 'Fortune 500 Companies' and it is sure surmount the GDPs of some of the most developed countries;The nations in the league of super-powers. These new empires are now 'global', having existence wherever they can sell and extending to the virtual world, accessible at the click of a mouse button.

The CEOs are the new Kings, persuading the humanity to buy their idea of an ideal lifestyle; Designing a product which makes them an intergal part of a social class enjoying a specific standard of living. The laws of 'Arthashastra' for managing kingdoms apply in governing these dynasties. The corporate structures represent the different approaches in acquiring power. Succession is not hereditary, but determined by long-term commitment or outstanding innovation. The senior management employees are treated like the 'Ministers' with heavy paychecks and benefits. They can switch kingdoms, like their sovereign counterpart but the kingdom enjoys perpetual existence.The fight for power through physical war has been replaced by the battle of Intellectual Simulation or Influence, where the kingdoms selling similar ideas try to outwit each other.

The consumer's may be the Kings, but the Kings need to maintain a lifestyle and that is where the co.s come in. The simpler and more universal the concept of their offering, more appeal shall it have to charm the masses. Just a simple illustration, introspect the occupation of the soda drinks in our daily lifestyle. The world nations can now be distinguished into those preferring Pepsi and the others preferring Coca-Cola products.

The way to the stimulate membership for these kingdoms can be defined as follows:

1. First, they enchant you with the creation- ATTRACTION

2. Your senses weaken with the offer- CONSUMPTION

3. Congratulations! You're now the slave of the 'Co.' - ADDICTION

Thus, the want becomes the need. The rat begins the race and the master with a newer cheese every time succeeds in luring him.

Like every era, there is duality. there are some good kings and some bad ones. There are NGOs, trusts and social entrepreneurs still serving social needs. It has emerged as a guiding light to the ignored subjects. A trend, where the people are shifting.

So, the point remains the synonymous. How does one climb the social ladder? How does one inherit Royal Blood? The solution lies in learning or marrying the royal way- Co.!

Concluding with a quote from Bhagavad Gita-

"Alas! We are ready to commit a great sin by striving to slay our kinsmen because of greed for the pleasures of the kingdom"

Entrepreneurship: Made in India- The young Indian entrepreneurship wave sees the Made in India tag becoming popular…

Two decades after, India became free to the economic sense of the term, the growth in all the sectors is led by the entrepreneur or the intrapreneurs. Young India is no longer restrictive in its career choice. If asked to a teenager while making the career choice, he will boldly consider entrepreneurship as a viable option.

Another, emerging trend is the ‘graduaentrepreneurs’, that is students starting a firm in their under-graduation itself and then taking it forward as soon as they finish their graduation. They attend lectures like normal students but after classes ‘Mind their Business’. Also, there are a number of educational institutes offering short-term courses and long-term support in Entrepreneurship.

Taking the example of Ion Education, an educational start-up which offers courses in Entrepreneurship, the Director Akhil Aryan says, “Indian growth story is gigantic. It shows a lot of potential till the year 2020. I will like to say that this is the best time to start something. Also, if you observe the investment pattern of Europe and USA, a large chunk of investments are coming to India as their economies have become stagnant. So, we have the resources with us, it is just the knowledge we provide and the courage they need to take to stop thinking and start acting that separates people from being an successful entrepreneur.”

Another aspect working on the Indian advantage is that the ‘Made in India’ brand is becoming popular. This can be gauged from Prakash Panjwani’s ( Exporter of Artificial Jewellery) sprightly statement, “The demand for the Indian made goods is on the rise. The government initiatives like the SEZs and the export promotion activities are making it viable for the new entrants to exploit this opportunity to sell the ‘made in India’ tag. People now equate Indian products to be of good quality and technologically suave.”

Along with the global recognition, not to forget, India has the world’s second largest demand. Besides, more entrepreneurs will mean more employment and will help more people to get out of the vicious circle of poverty. To sum it up, ‘the road not taken’ shows a growth opportunity, what are you waiting for?

11 Certain Ways to Identify a Xavier's Hostelite

Being in Xavier’s you can’t afford to ignore natives. However, if you are still struggling to identify these 60 guys in the female-dominated institution, here are some unique traits which shall help you spot them:

1. Regularly late for classes and always come after the students coming from most distant places are seated

2. Never carry an I-card

3. Smell good but don’t seem to be fresh i.e. the baths are not as convincing

4. Eyes convey that they have ‘high’ concentration levels

5. Argue that ‘Grass’ is always greener on their side

6. Are always excited about helping you finish your tiffins no matter what you bring

7. Never pay money in the canteen; the ‘credit’ goes to Anna

8. Walk in pyjamas around the campus that shrink to shorts in the evening

9. Are untraceable in the breaks and after lectures as they are always sleep-deprived

10. Surprise you with their deceptive looks when it comes to exam scores

11. End up fighting with security department in Malhar

If you still can’t recognize them, here’s your last chance: Someone who always puts on the hostel t-shirt and introduces himself with pride ‘Hi, I’m a hostelite.’

A journey by train

The journey by train takes me a to a high,

Golden memories of the past and hopes for the future travel,

The train remains as it it is,

The world goes back to pay respect to this marvel.

Whether it rains, it is too hot or cold,

It is always a new experience in this mode so old.

The tunnels, the plains and the valleys prevail,

This wagon transforms them into an interesting tale.

There are the vendors, beggars and the omni present smell,

I wonder where they would be, if not for this moving angel.

Listening to the music, reading commics, adjusting with people sick,

For me it is a tragic, a magic, a gimmick, an amazing trick.

For it always gives a break, makes me creative to the core,

Helps me reinvent myself, provides me with wonderful thoughts when bore.

Its so inspirational, it is still making me write,

Even when i'm short of words to describe, what he or she means to me.

So I call it as unconditional love which remains forever,

In spite of the place time and style, and the paragon of mixed feelings from the heart,

The combination of the tear and the smile.

A journey by train,

I don't know when it will come again, ???

Discover Dharavi- A Picture Diary

Dharavi is the last of the places a person will like to discover when he comes to the glamour city of Mumbai. Although, in the recent times thanks to movies like Slumdog Millionaire, it has become an indigenous element of the travel plan of any firang visiting Mumbai, assuming to see what real India is. However, this extends beyond...

Social Service League of St.Xaviers College, Mumbai discovered this potential which Dharavi has. The aim was to involving well to do students in discovering for themselves what lies beyond Asia's largest slums. With visionaries like Tanvi Shah and Lizann Fernandez, there were tie-ups done with URBZ (urbz.net) and Sneha (www.snehamumbai.org) .

This picture is taken just outside the URBZ shelter. There were initial obstacles as to what type of program, college going youth can bring in. Will those used to a comfortable lifestyles and latest gizmos, be able to interact and in fact make a difference in the lives of small children. So, they decided to name the program 'Discover Dharavi'. The objective being discovering for oneself, how one with the passion to make a change can mould himself in a completely new environment and start with small steps.

This picture shows how Amitav Ghosh has extended beyond boundaries and language barriers following the SSL motto says "Leave the place better than it was." This should be an inspiration to Indians as should we wait for people from outside the country start transforming it?

Moving on with the story, posters were put up on the St.Xaviers and social media (Facebook) was used to appeal to the youth. Similarly, classroom announcements were made. So began the process of attracting youngsters to Discover Dharavi. The response were good, with many excited to visit Dharavi in the first place. But the question still remained, 'Can this be made sustainable?'

Thus, the journey began. From exploring the bylanes of Dharavi which are confusing, to exploring the underground flourishing industry which lies within, it was an eye-opening experience.

Finally, they made their way through and the work began. The door opened and now they had tasks to accomplish and challenges to face, quite different from the ones at college. They found this process interesting. More than a discovery of Dharavi it turned out to be a journey a self-discovery.

Another, task undertaken was to invite the slum kids and paint the Dharavi Shelter. As seen in the picture, you can see children engaged in creativity and happy to build something of their own.

Colours that define childhood. A child feeling happy at her very on Mickey Mouse.

This picture shows how a cute dog made a rather broken wall more beautiful.

Blue-the colour of hope. Children having fun at mixing colours.

Such, adventures thus became a routine. With students visiting the shelters, twice a week after college and when they got time. And this time, the 'time' they spent with the children mattered the most. With making them dance of boogie woogie, to teaching them nursery rhymes, narrating stories in English and asking them to introduce themselves in English, it boosted their confidence.

Shown in the picture, Xavierites finding transport back to home. But somethings brought them back to this place. Some emotional incidents being pulled by children to see their colony ganpati or just being asked by them ' Will you come next week again?'

The objective of writing this blog is to draw light on how this model can be prototype by other colleges. Rather than just doing social work to get media attention and acknowledgement, how can youth be involved in impacting the grassroots.

For more information, join our communities: https://www.facebook.com/groups/27194888589/10150346364613590/?notif_t=group_activity and https://www.facebook.com/groups/226333090752501/.

Picture Courtesy:

Lizann Fernandez and Gisho Gajbhiye.

Diwali Reinvented

The Lights of the lamps, the sounds of the crackers, the taste of the sweets- reminds you of Diwali? Well, this Diwali is passé, NT explores the new way:

Diwali has traditionally been the most celebrated and grandest of Indian Festivals. Along, with the mythological significance the festival has, people have derived new implications by associating it as a platform for people to come together, cleanliness, preserving dhan (wealth), replacing old things and brother-sister relationship. The process of updating these symbolisms and making them more relevant to the society has made it a mirror of taking the old customs and traditions, to the way forward.

Taking a common example when asked to a teenager ‘When does he come to know when Diwali is approaching?’, Rahul Verma, a answers “,When the brands start playing the Diwali theme advertisements.” On the same question, his mother, Ranjani Verma, answers “When people start cleaning their houses.” Hence, although certain intrinsic rituals like the Lakshmi Pujan occupy a permanent place, the other facets still remain open to customization.

The innovation has been far and wide. The Diwali Mithai and Farsan have been replaced by the Celebrations and the Biscuit packs. The one to one way of greetings and wishing best wishes for the season have transformed from the Telephone calls, to the forward Smses and now Social Networking sites where people tag all those they want to wish on Facebook pictures and wall posts. In fact, even the ritual of playing cards at midnight (Teen pati) has surrendered itself to Poker. Speaking on the increased consumerism, Diwali is now incomplete without shopping some latest Branded stuff for your loved one or watching the latest Diwali release. The people have derived mixed opinion on crackers because of increased awareness about Child Labour and Environmental Pollution associated with it.

The Corporate have come up with lingua like Corporate gifting and Traditional Wear Competitions to motivate the employees to perform and not take an off in the peak season. The Malls have become the centre of all action instead of the local city markets. The most drastic change however, has been the Earthen Diyas (Lamps) being replaced by Electronic Lights. In fact, something amusing is beggars having their Diwali budgets which can be gauged from the experience of beggars at Nasik Road Station asking for an extra Diwali bonus.

In the light of Consumerism, Social Media, Environmentalism, Globalisation and faster Lifestyles, Nasikites have Reinvented our very own Diwali. What’s next? Let’s hope that this Diwali draws some light on it…

oF THE Mumbai Rains & Indian Railways.

Having stayed 3 years in Mumbai, which is popular for its Rains and Bollywood, this is the most interesting encounter with the former, I ever had. There is a simile drawn to Mumbai rains and Mumbai girls which no one can assure as to when they will come or go. Similar, is the case with Indian Railways which has been notorious for always reaching the destination on the ‘Indian Standard Time.’ If you combine them, you get a ‘timeless’ symbiosis of unreliability.

Moving on to the incident, I was coming back from my hometown Nasik by train. The train which I boarded was Kamayani Express. Although, this train was running really late I was optimistic in not expecting a further delay. As I entered the train I was happy to see lot of empty seats as I didn’t have a booked ticket. Today, the atmosphere had been festive as Anna Hazare had emerged victorious in his campaign of ‘India Against Corruption.’ I was feeling satisfied being a supporter and an agitator. I was anxious to see if the feeling of anti-corruption had dissolved to the grassroots and if the Ticket Checker will ask me for a bribe.

The journey commenced and I started enjoying home food. I was happy that the train was moving at a good speed although the monsoon started becoming fierce with the distance we covered. Finally, We reached Igatpuri and then 10 minutes, 20 minutes and 35 minutes but the train didn’t budge. I was unsure if I was going to make it to my friend’s Birthday surprise in Bandra before midnight. After 40 minutes the train started moving only to stop after 5 minutes and this ordeal continued. Infact, the amount of time the train stopped was more than it actually moved. My friends and family, became worried and I started getting calls and messages. Thanks to the Indian Media for showcasing the downpour as a ‘Breaking News’ as the entire Anna Hazare Episode was over.

My cell phone battery was low now and I decided to switch it off. I thought the best way will be to take some rest and get up at the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus the last station. To my dismay, this time it was the Ticket Checker who woke me up. He asked me for the ticket. I was so sleepy, I just gave him the ticket which I bought to come from Mumbai and he asked me what it was. Then, I showed him the correct one and he asked me for Rs. 40. I gave him the amount and asked for a ticket. I didn’t want to bribe him by any means. He told me if I wanted the ticket I will have to pay Rs.260 as fine. I then asked me to show the rule and he was didn’t reply. Ultimately, I gave him Rs.80 and got a Sleeper ticket.

This dialogue helped to me to divert my attention from the speed of the train. We had reached Kasara and it was 10.30 pm, exceeding by 1 and an half hour already. And now I started with some contingency planning. I wouldn’t be able to reach for the Birthday on time and also the Mumbai Local will stop. So, I decided that I was going to take a rickshaw from the station to Bandra. After, 3 hours of being slow and sometimes not even moving, the train reached LTT at 1.30 am. This had turned out to be the longest journey from my hometown. The song playing on my Ipod was ‘Mumbai Nagariya’ and I was simply agreeing with the lyrics. I was happy to be back to the city of dreams with God showering blessings in the form of rain.

Now, there was a new task of finding a rickshaw. I got one but I wasn’t ready to go by the fixed price. I then decided on a teenager wearing the khakhi taxi driver uniform pleading to go with him . Interestingly, I was wearing my new Reebok Reezig shoes and the were completely drenched with the first puddle. So was I, although I was wearing a jacket. It was raining cats and dogs anymore. It would be the dinosaur and the blue whale. The taxi finally started and I hoped that this was the last task at hand.

The rain was harsh still and the sky dark black. This young guy was sitting in the front seat and an old man was driving it. We left the station which was quite deserted without street lights. It resembled a scene from an old Hindi Movie. I was confident though, having stayed in this metro for enough time to be able to tackle them. And now they started interacting especially this young guy started asking me question about college and at the same time relating his touching story of becoming a taxi driver out of no choice. In India, you can smell something fishy when people try to have such long conversations with you and try to be over-friendly. I decided to go with the flow and sympathized with him as in a way it was passing my time. I argued with them on the first long cut they took. However, they justified with the road being blocked because of rains.

I switched on my phone as I had to get directions for the place. It was 2.30 am already and I entered Bandra finally. I needed to find MMK College, Bandra. Strangely, not even the Rickshaw fellows were aware. Somehow I got through my friend and we proceeded to SV Road. So late at night, with heavy rains in a shady cab driving through knee deep water, carrying valuables, I had to find a place to wish a friend on his birthday for which I was 3 hours late. And the unforeseen happened; the taxi broke down. The brighter side being the place was 10 metres away from it and I saw my friend waving.

I was giving a big smile until the taxi driver told me that the fare was Rs.550. I was baffled and I checked the meter which read 7.90 which translated to Rs.210 with night charge but the taxi driver was adamant on it being 17.90. So, the intuition I had, gave in. I checked the internet on my phone and showed it to the cab driver in vain. As then, he was concentrating his efforts to start the cab. Ultimately, both of them got down and toed the cab to a safe distance.

I started arguing with them to go to the nearest police station and they were arguing on vague points. They weren’t ready to move and finally, I called my friend over. The argument now was not how much the fare is but the way we were talking and both of them threatened to be violent. Ultimately, we sweet- talked to settle it at Rs.250 and left the scene only to see Akhil’s smile when he was shocked to see me and I just realised that his smile was worth it.

So, I would like to wish all of you a ‘Happy Journey’ to the road not taken as at the end of it you will have a tale to tell and an experience to share with the Mumbai Rains and the Indian Railways.