TRAVELUTION!

One of the upcoming trends in the youth today is the urge to travel. Whether it is globetrotting, local excursion or a rural expedition, the new generation just wants to move around and explore the world. They are likely to be in places which are contrasting to their current purlieus.

The indegrients for this inclination have been the growth of young professionals, increasing number of outstation students who are more independent, the weekend culture, evolution of travel networks like Couch surfing which provides free housing across the globe and expansion of Youth organizations like AIESEC and Rotary Club. Though, the biggest antecedent is, the boom of social media where can share his wanderlust with his virtual friends and followers. One can check in a popular place, share what he is feeling in his travel blog, showcase his photography antiques and with whom he is hanging out with. In fact, this has led to a contemporary peer pressure wherein it is obligatory to commute to a unique/ famous destination. It has become an intrinsic part of social conversations. The path to social elitism is no longer what you own but where you have been and what adventures you had.

Interestingly, travel is being viewed by more and more youngsters as the means to breakthrough their rather comfort zone and explore the real world. It marries the concept of ‘self-discovery’ wherein you tour the world and come back home to discover the new ‘you.’ In fact, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, a Bollywood film based on a Road trip of 3 best friends won the IIFA Award for the ‘Best Film of the Year 2012.’

Institutionally, increasing number of jobs and educational courses are becoming virtual, giving the general public a chance to go around. Professionally, a person’s resume stands out with his knowledge of the real if he has a culturally diverse education or experience. Considering, developed countries, this movement has developed to the next level wherein young couples and families are contemplating, relocation to an entirely diverse part of the globe. This is vividly represented in the American Series, ‘House Hunters.’ While for developing countries, it’s a win-win situation for MNCs. It enables them to employ cheap labour for a project in a developed country; while the employee is lured by foreign travel. For educational institutions, it improves the profile when they say they have an exchange with a foreign university.

As I write this article on vacation in America, I realize, I’m myself a contributor for TRAVOLUTION!

Concluding, with a beautiful quote-

“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. Tolkien

LOUV STORY- Saahil Narang and Subhro Ganguly

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.