Sea – A Raw Force of Nature

26^th December 2025, marks the completion of 21 years of the most horrific and traumatic tsunami in 2004. The old footage showing glimpses of its wrath is more than enough to give one chills down the spine. This catastrophe was not only a reminder of the raw force of nature, but also a violent assertion of its authority in this world, where we humans believe that we are inevitable.

While natural disasters like tsunami might put humans on their knees, nature does not need a tsunami all the time to declare its superiority. In fact, it always warns us of its power every time we try to toy with it.

Once, on my tour to the eastern shores of India, I witnessed its furious warnings right up close. I always had an adventurous spirit that whenever I saw a natural scenic landscape, the adventurism in me spiked up. I carried on the same enthusiastic spirit to the shores of the Manapad Sea in Tamil Nadu. Manapad is a beautiful coastal scenery painted with a magnificent, old, Portuguese era church; a tall, sturdy lighthouse; and some seductive sand cliffs. Behind those, lies a calm, pleasant, and quiet-looking sea, waiting to play with its tourists. Generally, you can enjoy its warmth by taking a dip. But, if you intend to challenge its authority, it no longer remains calm.

After visiting the church and the lighthouse, I reached the shores. And by that time, the dusk started to engulf the light in the sky. I reached the breakwater where large boulders of rocks were lined up along the seashore to prevent coastal erosion. They said, besides that, the breakwater also acts as a seawall, preventing the seawater from flooding the fishermen’s village.

Instantly, my adventurous spirit tingled me to begin my journey to the tip of the breakwater. The path was obviously wet and at times, slippery. The sea wall narrowed as we went forward. But beyond the middle of it, people dared to walk further, given the night had almost begun to hide the dusk. Still, I wanted to test my grit. I wanted to stand at the tip of the breakwater and yell, “I am the best!” So, despite all their warnings, I marched forward like a seasoned warrior alone into the battlefield.

I was now away from the shore by about hundred meters. Suddenly, I stopped as I felt something different. The wind that hit me, felt like it was blowing in a hurry, as if it was terrified of something, something that was chasing it to the shores. It seemed like the wind rushed to take refuge behind the church. What followed was not any ordinary hunter, but the Mother Ocean herself.

Her mild love tap triggered a violent wave that hit those boulders like a meteor and splashed the water across the sky. That roaring sound was like a bomb blast which sent tremors across my heart. Slowly, the loud voices of warnings by the people from the shores faded. A very deep, dense, and dreadful voice, from the other side of the seawall, hit my ears. It was that of the Mother Ocean. She assertively whispered in my ears, “STAY BACK!” I stood, stunned like a deer in the headlights. Eventually, I retreated to the shores.

That was the moment I realized the true, raw, unglamorous form of nature which is generally not captured by primitive photography. To this day, whenever I hear some disasters on the news, I used to recall her terrible voice that reminds me that I am no greater than nature.

However brave we are, whatever preparations we make, whatsoever fancy technologies we may invent, when nature wants us down, it will humble us in no time. I truly pray for all those who suffered in that terrible 2004 tsunami. While the dead rested in peace, we–the ones who survived–are destined to live humbly, carrying the painful memory etched in our hearts.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power

Disney's Aladdin (2019) showed that while facing adversity brings out one’s resilience, it is the power that ultimately uncovers one’s true nature. With great adversity, when both Jafar and Aladdin got the magic lamp, the former fueled by revenge, sought all-more power, while the latter, filled in love, wished to free a friend in Genie. Similarly, in life too, the power has the ability to expose one's character and bring out the depth in its features. And the depth in its features, in turn, determines the degree to which one can withstand the perks of power.

Power – Indicator of Character

“World is a stage, we are all its puppets who are stringed and controlled by puppets above us in the hierarchy.” –Anonymous

In such a puppet show, the power is perceived to be capable of liberating one by cutting such strings. This cassette of freedom plays the tunes of empowerment for some, eternity for a few, and becomes addictive for others. One becomes like an over-compressed spring. Upon cutting of strings, the spring explodes out of control unless and otherwise contained.

Mohammed bin Tughlaq was one such notable exploded spring. When he became the all-powerful sultan of India in 1325, the fragrance of his unquestionable freedom evoked his deepest desires of experimenting different ways to send a person, presumably those who opposed him, not to paradise but to death. His creative brutality might have even terrify the goddess of death herself, recalls many historians.

However, in a history shaped by many complex characters, not all of them had such dreadful desires. Sher Shah Suri was a great visionary who raised from the ranks of simple revenue officer to become an all-powerful sultan in 1540. And his desire, forged by sufferings of his people, made him administer justice impartially.

The fragrance of freedom, besides evoking desire, tests one’s value system. It simply makes one express what one values the most. In the modern age, the popularity has become a simple yet powerful weapon. In that line, actors became the uncrowned powerhouses who can either influence their fans positively, or seduce them into a misery. Those actors who valued morality campaign for initiatives that can bring a responsible behavior change in the followers, as seen in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign. Whereas, those who valued money through any means seduced their fans by endorsing in online real money games advertisements, brutalizing their followers’ lives.

How-much-ever noble the values are, without tolerance, it would not sustain its nobility. Freedom, thus, tests one's tolerance to critics because inherently, any ideology per se will be challenged by some people, that being the spirit of diversity. Emperor Ashoka was one of the powerful examples of tolerance. Despite being an all-powerful Buddhist king, he was very accommodative towards all religions. He organized and encouraged intellectual debates, pacifying the sound of opposition with his voice of justice – dharmagosha, rooted in tolerance.

Unfortunately, this is not the case everywhere. Rospierre was one of the heroes of French Revolution who was popularly called as ‘the incorruptible.’ But this popular title couldn’t stand the test of power, which exposed his insecurities with the help of critics. Thus, once a liberator, drove France into ‘the reign of terror’ (1793-94), replacing tolerance with guillotine justice.

Finally, the elixir of power invokes one’s ego, blinding even great scholars. In Ramayana, Ravana was a well-versed philosopher. Yet his unworldly power never let him repent for his evil deeds. He let it suppress his divine knowledge by evoking his ego and thus, pushing him into the path of self-destruction.

However, signs of hope too shines in the sky when we see some powerful people exhibit humility. For instance, PM Justin Trudeau was humble enough to apologize to India in 2016, on behalf of the Canadian government for the Komagata Maru incident (1914), when his country unwelcomed Indian immigrants.

While such incidents are momentarily pleasing, giving in a sense of confidence and hope, peace and justice will not endure in this world unless everyone realizes the true nature of power and attempts control its influence.

De-Veiling Power

As contradictory as it may sound, the true nature of power is not independence, but responsibility. As the saying goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Power necessarily creates in oneself, an obligation towards others. This obligation, in turn, constrains one’s freedom through moral boundaries. Therefore, the widely prevailing theory of ‘power giving freedom,’ is nothing but a myth.

Furthermore, the trusteeship doctrine says that powerful people are endowed power in the form of wealth, skills and resources in order to aid those who are devoid of it. Therefore, all the power centers in this society – politicians, rulers, celebrity and, even fictional superheroes, exist to fulfil such noble responsibility of service to people.

And to prevent such noble responsibility from turning into violent autocracy, an ethical and just foundation must be laid. For such a foundation, while humility, altruism and compassion form its roots, weeds such as greed, pride and envy must be chopped out. Such kind of moral rooting was shown by Emperor Marcus Aurelius who lived like a saint, devoted to his people, unshaken in the storm of luxuries of his powerful kingdom.

Besides such moral base, a safety valve must be installed to preventing wild turns at times. This means external checks and balance must be ensured, especially in a sovereign state, to prevent misuse of power by the powerful. This is usually done by dividing and de-concentrating power, and establishing various accountability mechanisms. Even in ancient times, Kautilya advocated to hold the king accountable by protesting against him, if he became unjust. And modern world has diversified the means of protesting via elections, media, judiciary, social audits and so on.

Although power poses itself as an ultimate liberator from shackles of control, it actually entrusts one with a noble duty of service towards others, enchaining one with responsibility. The one who realizes this truth becomes the true altruistic hero, while those who fall for its fantasy become the new evil genie who must eventually be contained in such an itty-bitty tiny space in lamp. Therefore, in the test of power, one withstands its whims and fights its fancies, with what we call “Nishkama Karma” – Selfless duty!

Do you agree on my take that power is the true measure of character? Share your thoughts below.

My Pity Parotta Story

Every time I see a parotta on my plate, its yummy-gummy smell invokes a wet, unfortunate, yet enlightening incident in my life that introduced me to this practical world. It happened on a fine afternoon when I was enthusiastically returning home from my college. I boarded the bus and reached the first stop from which I had to walk to the next stop to board another bus to my home. This is where the story begins….

 After getting smashed by an unreasonably hasty crowd on an unsurprisingly overcrowded city bus, I somehow managed to get out, battling my way through the onslaught of the on-boarders, who vigorously compete for the bus seat as it is strictly occupied on a first-come-first-basis – corruption not tolerated!

As I started to walk through the fruit market to the next bus stand, a droopy old man approached me. He was in terrible clothes, had a shabby old yellow bag in between his armpit, and stared with half-closed blackish eyes – almost looked as if he had forgotten to sleep for some hundred years. The moment I saw him, it invoked the utmost pity in me. Then he pleaded to me in a feeble old voice, “Child, I have not eaten for days. I came here from a nearby city in search of a job and ended up with none. I don't want your money. Buy me some food, child. You will be blessed. Please, please….”

Definitely, he touched my heart. That moment, Mother Teresa, Gandhi, and many national leaders flew across my mind, tingling my skin. So, I decided to help him and took him to a nearby hotel. I asked him to sit while I was standing near the counter to pay.

As I turned, I watched him approaching the food table. To my surprise, the once shaky legs and drooping body vanished. He strutted like a peacock towards the table. As he sat on the chair, his sleepless eyes got brightened. His shaky hands became steady. He just stylishly swung his wrist with a swagger of a superstar, making a trishul mudra showing three fingers. And with a firm voice, he ordered, “Three parottas.” For a moment, I wondered, “Was this the same feeble, saggy old man I met a few moments ago?” Little dazzled and confused, I paid for him and left for my home.

Then, I slowly narrated this whole incident to my father. I pointed out how that old man's sudden change in body language inside that hotel shocked me. I wasn't sure if I was deceived for showing mercy. Hearing all this, my father calmly replied, “My child, I'm glad you weren't kind enough to donate your clothes to him.” With a grin, he continued, “Welcome to the real world. You have a long way to go!”

Social media is triggering ‘fear of missing out’ among the youth, precipitating depression and loneliness

In this tech-driven world, one need not be an astrologer nor calculate the position of stars to predict the fact that very soon, the World Health Organization (WHO) will consider declaring FOMO, a pandemic. And seeing the state of our ever-stressful, sleepless, screen-scrolling youth population, it feels like we are already having a silent outbreak of FOMO that is secretly snatching every country's demographic dividend, of its surging youthful energy.

This essay will shed light on this ongoing outbreak of FOMO, how it is silently slaughtering the youths, and what vaccine will be effective against it.

FOMO

To begin with, we must understand what FOMO is. It is an abbreviation of the fear of missing out. It simply means the feeling of being unseen, unheard, unrecognized, and underappreciated. When our youths feel FOMO, they feel like a cockroach in a bungalow, which is uninteresting, unwanted, and not welcome. Just like how this cockroach fears being poisoned and killed, the fear of getting unrecognized makes youths go into a permanent mode of insecurity. Thus, the silent erosion of their youthful contributions to the world is a manifestation of their hidden insecurities driven by the FOMO.

FOMO is more of a modern terminology for age-old human behavior. Even in the old times, people desired to be seen and heard. And such desire is a basic social need for humans. But back then, a small chit-chat with one's family, a cute-tiny gesture to neighbors, and brief tea time with friends were more than enough to satisfy that social need and prevent FOMO.

But with the world’s networks expanding more and more with urbanization and globalization, and AI adding to this mix, such simple mechanisms to satisfy social needs started rusting. The amount of effort required to prevent the influence of demons in FOMO goes proportional to the speed of globalization. And such efforts have taken a steep upright slope with the increasing imprints of social media.

Social media has successfully trapped our all-powerful, genie-like youths into lamp-like, itty-bitty, tiny living spaces on screens. Although it looks like in such tiny spaces, one is getting more connected with someone else miles away, the reality is that such people are already beginning to disconnect from their surrounding society. A mother's love-filled call for dinner feels like an abrupt interruption when chatting with a fake Facebook friend. WhatsApp emoji have already replaced one's real-life, meaningful & nuanced gestures as a means of communication. The TikTok world feels more real for our youths than the real world, which now feels more like a bad dream. And when such a virtual world fails to recognize them, their hopes fall, aspirations shatter, and confidence crumbles.

Virtual Expectations drive FOMO

The virtual world has raised the expectations of our youths to a different height so that anyone falling below is made to feel like a loser, seriously denting their self-esteem. While social media must be credited for increasing awareness among the public, it has also pushed carefully curated contents that can cash the cows in our youths. Its algorithms feed the viewers with not what they need, but what they like. In the case of youths, their desperate desires to be recognized is being weaponized by these codes.

One such desperate desire that gets weaponized is the “success mantra”. The social media has effectively rebranded success in terms of popularity, and further the achievement in terms of wealth and happiness in terms of appreciation. These rebranded values, despite becoming the new means for motivating youths, have also stripped the hard work of its foundational features like consistency, persistence, and patience and redecorated it with instantaneousness.

Truly, this instantaneousness is a disease. It shifts the focus from performing the duty to expecting results. Because of this, youths in every step towards their goal, crave for rewards to the extent that even a fraction of failure becomes extremely painful and creates a perception of as if the world has turned its back on them. This FOMO in turn transforms itself into anxiety and depression, drowning our youths in gloomy loneliness.

Further, expectations also dislike repetition. For example, a similar kind of content posted in SnapChat again will not guarantee as many likes or views as before. This means the validity of any virtual recipe is limited, and sustainability requires reinvention and renovation. When one fails to reinvent, the views fall, the likes disappear, and the re-share button becomes invisible. This crumbles the confidence in our youths, shaking their mental fortitude.

While some droop in depression, others take a wild turn to stay in the limelight. Many content creators turn toxic to stay relevant and capture a wider audience. Their contents start pivoting towards creating sensation through deep fakes and false news, and thus turning even an aspiring patriot into a petty propagandist.

Moreover, social media not only deprives young people of their time to build their relationships, the false narratives sold by these platforms through the dating apps, pornography, and fantasy videos create unrealistic expectations in real-life relationships. When such expectations are unmet, those real-life social relations fall apart, forcing the youths with FOMO syndrome to hide from life.

So, any vaccine against FOMO should address these false expectations to pivot our demographic dividend towards prosperity.

The Vaccine for FOMO

Youths must understand that false expectations induced harm is not an alien attack, but a self-inflicted injury. Thus, any prevention must begin with the self itself. One's self-esteem must not be measured by the yardstick seen in social media posts, but rather be realized through self-realization.

And in such a pursuit of self-discovery, the FOMO must be replaced by the JOMO – joy of missing out. As opposed to feeling alienated, one must see it as a chance to be with one’s self. Such solitary pursuit gives way to introspecting one’s thoughts, hidden feelings and talents. This also trains them to derive happiness and satisfaction from self rather than from other people’s reactions.

Another crucial step is to redefine success. It must be defined in terms of morality, service to others, and persistence. People must condemn dishonest money-making through these social media platforms and withdraw support from it. In contrast, selfless acts of service with persistence must be glorified and celebrated.

Finally, youths must learn to earn relationships through trust and further build it by investing time with their loved ones in real, not in reel. And family and friends help them in this process as this is the first place where one learns social behavior.

To summarize, the FOMO is just an old wine in a new bottle whose sales saw a new peak through social media networks. Its sales are attributed to virtually induced expectations, which have intoxicated our aspiring youths to the extent of pushing them into the realm of lonely depression, breaking their selves. Besides all the warnings, the only way out of this FOMO drink addiction is – self-recovery through self-discovery. 

Do you agree with my take? Do share your comments below!

My Costly Overrated Witty Plan

After a long, warm meet-up with my no-time-wasting, Insta-scrolling friends, it was time for me to go back home. Bidding a half-hearted bye-bye to my mates, I got onto my half-rusted, semi-braked, fully battle-tested bicycle. Just a few steps from the gate, I started to feel as if I was pulling a rickshaw loaded with a polygamic nuclear family. Puzzled, I looked down at my back tyre. Yes, you guessed it right, a typical, ever-re-laid road problem of our smart cities – a flat tire.

But, when you're standing near a parking lot where your friend's scooty is parked, this is not really a real problem. But calling a friend for help is an old, usual, and an obvious option. I’m a clever-witted youth with firing neurons running across my exceptional brain. How can a nerd like me choose a commoner’s obvious route when my wit is dying to devise for me an extraordinarily genius plan?

So, I obeyed my brain, cast out the casual outdated idea to call for help, and prepared a perfect plan. The plan was to go find the nearest repair shop to fix my punctured wheel at that time, 10 o'clock on Sunday night. Clever, isn't it? So I started walking my bicycle towards the repair shop in the end of the street. Surprisingly, the shop was closed. How in the world can they close a shop in this ever-awake, sleepless city? They must know they are losing sincere customers like me.

Alright, plan B in action. My nudging brain advised me to find the nearest petrol bunk to refill the punctured tyre. Again, I abided by it. Continuing my intelligently-adventurous journey, I walked my bicycle a few more steps. Suddenly, my neurons tingled me. It suggested, ‘why not ride the cycle? Just one flat tyre. Still have an intact steel rim, right?’ Abiding to its words without a second thought, I sat on my cycle and started pedaling. Despite the friction between the road and the rim signaling me with its sparks, my unwavering commitment to my witty brain kept me focused. But just a few meters from there, unexpectedly, my front tyre burst off.

What an unfortunate misfortune! What exploded more aggressively than the tyre was my witty brain. What went wrong? I hoped that the repair shop would be open. I hoped that the petrol pump had an air pump. I hoped they would accept to air up my bicycle tyre with that, which I know, was very risky. I also hoped it would inflate my punctured tyre without leaks. It was deeply depressing to see how such a hopeful, smart and sophisticated plan splattered apart in no time.

While all these thoughts and emotions were battering my mind, my genius brain pricked me, yet again. This time, it asked me to jog my cycle in search of the next nearest tyre shop. If closed, it asked me to jog home. But, I am not falling for its sugary stupidity, yet again. I abruptly shut it off and revived the traditional, casual and common option – to call my friend for help. So, I parked my bicycle back in the parking lot. Then, my friend drove me home in scooty and promised to get my bicycle repaired.

The next day, I got a call from my friend that the cycle was ready and continued, ‘the puncture costs Rs. 50. But the replacement of the burst off tyre costs Rs. 450 more. Total Rs. 500.’ I thanked my mate and cut off the call. Staring at the slow-rotating ceiling fan, I grinned at how my brilliant brain had just cost me 10 times more than a simple phone call!

If you have similar experiences in life, do share them in the comments section below!

The Honest Crumbles when Expects Good

Whether in reel-life or real life, at schools or at the workplace, in the neighbourhood or in a distant place, it is always the honest person who is painfully yelling. Wonder why? It is not because of sacrificing the luxuries of material desire. Not due to the loneliness from walking alone. Not even because of being victimized for their integrity. Then what crumbles them? Unfortunately, it is their own self that melts them down. But how?

Often, honest people are very altruistic. But such altruism also gives rise to a hidden expectation. But what do such selfless people expect? Nothing less than a black and white world!

An honest person always expects a life where they want to fight for the good and resist the bad. But unfortunately, the world is indifferentiable. The subjectivity of ethics makes the good and the bad always blend. Even their composition is not fixed. It is extremely contextual. So, if the people for whom an honest person is going to sacrifice is also corrupt in some or the other way, then what motivates one to be honest? This is the very question that breaks even the unbreakable. This also becomes the justification for corruption in society that cuts aspiring honesty at its very roots.

But what an honest one fails to understand is that integrity is neither a sacrifice nor a badge of valour. It is just the right way to live. If everyone becomes dishonest, it degrades trust in society. Society will go insane. So, honesty is not an exceptional state, but a basic survival trait for humans to live.

Another thing that a truthful person must realize is that Life is not a movie where an honest and selfless protagonist defends good people from a selfish villain. It is an ever-running video game where we must continuously save our good selves from our evil selves. And being truthful is the only way to do that. So, honesty is not purely altruistic. It is a vaccine that prevents guilt from attacking our conscience.

Then what about the protagonist saving others? We can, at the most, guide others to protect themselves. We can't do it for them. All the Gods people worship today, only preach goodness, aspiring to change. They never force it on others. Because one’s way of life is a choice. Forcing an option may contain evil but never transform into righteousness. And only a transformed self can sustain virtue, not the one who has momentarily constrained oneself in fear or fame.

Thus, expecting honesty as reciprocity from others just because one is truthful is like a child expecting a tree to grow the same day as soon as the seed was planted. Such expectations are neither realistic nor justifiable! And these kinds of greedy expectations will not only halt further service if they go unfulfilled, which in most cases they do. But also turn the moral person into a bystander, and in the worst case, into a corrupt being!

Therefore, instead of expecting honesty back, one must aspire to earn it. While the former is about dreaming, the latter tries to bring it to reality. In this way, there won’t be any disappointments, but only duty.

Nevertheless, in such a journey to win trust, one must face failures, betrayals, and backlash. It will be defeating, overwhelming, often leading to questioning one’s own path. It is natural to feel so. In fact, such self-inquiry eventually brings clarity to re-strategize efforts. So, in such times, the thought of giving up must be given up and the necessity of resilience must be realized.

Hence, cultivating morality in others through trust extracts consistent efforts. But, just like how a well-grown tree, even after years of watering, needs more water regularly to sustain its life. Similarly, nurturing ethics in others is not a milestone but a never-ending journey which must be continued by our successors too. To inspire our future generations, we must become a symbol of probity by consistently sailing through the storm of stigmatization, victimization, and self-doubt.

After all, honesty is fidelity to our own soul, not a favour to others. Thus, we must drop the weight of crushing transactional expectations, and aspire to persistently sail into a world where honesty is no longer a stranger but an all-friendly commoner!

What are your honest opinions about my take? Comment your honest thoughts below!

Little Dragon Tales: A Mother’s Tears

Hi guys! Today we begin our journey to learn emotions–sorry, to feel emotions! But I am puzzled, guys. I don’t know where to start. (SUDDENLY, A SHRILLING SOUND HITS.) Did you guys hear that? That sharp noise was piercing through the sky! Let’s see where it is from.

(FLIES DOWN TRACING THE SOURCE. SNEAKS THROUGH A WINDOW GAP INTO A HOSPITAL. A YOUNG NURSE IS SEEN HANDING OVER A NEWBORN TO HER MOTHER, WHO IS LYING ON A BED.) So, the chilling sound is nothing but the baby’s cry.

Wait a second! Why is her mother weeping? Is she sad? But she is smiling at the same time. Confusingly contradictory! Let’s unpack this paradox. (LITTLE DRAGON ENTERS THE MOTHER’S MIND. BEGINS TO NARRATE ITS FEELINGS.)

My wild gaze is glued towards my little girl and refuses to turn away. As the nurse brings her closer to me, my body is turning cold, my chest is becoming tighter, and my nervous heart is beating out of its cage.

As I extend my trembling hands to receive her, my elbows are already stiffened in diligence. The moment she was placed in my hands, I quickly cradled her as close to my chest as possible, as if someone was going to cart her away from me.

Her dazzling little stare is even brighter than the moon. It gives me an eternal sense of delight. Her squeaky little scream sings a melody in my ears, giving me a pleasant shade after an incessant pain.

The moment her tiny fingers touched my cheek, the warmth rippled through my body, illuminating my soul. Ecstasy began to reveal itself through my gleeful smile. The serenity she gave me flowed through my eyes in the form of teardrops.

I gently raised my elbow’s crook to lift her tender head as I was bending my neck, and my protective lips were ready to convey my love for my little princess through a soothing kiss.

(LITTLE DRAGON EXITS.)

Wow, that tingled me! So, the tears are not always sorrow. Sometimes, it is happiness overflowing. That too, a grinning mother’s tears flow with love.

I love you, Maa!

A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities

 

A warrior is not the one who is defined by his victories. Definitely not the one who surrenders upon defeat. A true warrior is the one who, in the face of adversity, despite being outnumbered and out-weaponed, refuses to yield and, daringly, challenges his death with a proud smile! While a warrior challenging a certain death is often an epitome of greatness, what can we call the one who grins in the face of ambiguity? Is legend an appropriate word for that?

In this modern day and age, such legends are not in dearth. In fact, we can see them in our lives every day, especially in our reflection in the mirror. Their smiles not only have charm in them, but also hold a firm promise that silently whispers – We can do it!

Smile in Ambiguities

Ambiguity not only poses itself as vague, but it also invites different interpretations that further heat up its subjective nature. This causes confusion and conflicts, further magnifying the adversity. This ambiguity often crumbles most who carry it in a boat of fear, but some, whom I call legends, choose to carry this obscurity in a vehicle of a smile. They not only withstand the storm, but also secure their shore!

A smile is not just a facial expression, but an armor of confidence. When one faces a situation that demands bravery, a smile is often the source of breeding grit. Often starting from our lips, a smile sends ripples across the nerves, flanking the brain with a spark – not of fire, but of hope!

This hope is like sunlight that escapes the gloomy clouds of doubts, fear, and confusion, gradually bringing a moral clarity in the sky. Thus, the mind becomes calm, composed, and ready to sail through the ambiguity at the command of its captain – the smile!

 A smile is often witty in the face of a storm. It buys you the time needed to make a decision. A smile keeps even the ambiguous confused, evokes in subjectivity, a cusp of doubt, and makes even the disputed to self-contest. It often leaves your opponent without any clue about your thoughts. It stalls your foe, slows down time, gives you the space to think, which further brightens the clarity. The Great Muhammad Ali, amidst the chaotic trade of shots with the ever-scary George Foreman, with his smile, froze the mind of George for a moment, making him hesitate. This hesitation gave Ali the time needed to break the soul of poor George, thus winning the historic “The Rumble in the Jungle” boxing battle. That victory for Ali was a testament to his grinning heart!

While happiness comes at the end of a victory, a smile can sneak in throughout the process. This not only signifies courage, but also symbolize perseverance. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s life, from getting rejected by the Indian Air Force to become the Missile Man of India, and further becoming the Indian president, is a relentless trek through the hills and valleys of life, made possible only with his grinning attitude.

 Moreover, a smile attracts support. A grinning commander instills in the heart, a piece of faith that turns even cowards into warriors, forming a massive army. Buddha started his journey to spread peace in this chaotic world alone under a peepal tree. But his kindness, expressed through his smile, attracted thousands of followers to aid him in reducing the turbidity around the world.

A smile, which is a mark of joy, is also a scent of love that the wearer sprays around him, spreading its fragrance everywhere. Mother Teresa, with her grin, captured the hearts of the poor, giving them hope of love to battle their ailments and sufferings.

So, a smile is a proven vehicle to surf along the gloomy waves of ambiguity. However, modern society does not let everyone enjoy a ride on it!

Not all Smile in Ambiguity

The dearth of smiles should not be attributed to its dislike, but to how this modern world has redefined ambiguities. Society has tailored the narrative such that ambiguity is projected as a villain that must be defeated by the hero who can fit into their molds.

Society keeps coming up with predictable paths to eliminate ambiguity. But ambiguity is a sneaky river that can navigate through any terrain and still keep flowing. Thus, when it inevitably confronts the hero, the hero's predictable plan fails, bringing in frustration, fear, and hopelessness.

This hopelessness not only robs the hero of her smile but also lets the uncertainty consume her, thus making the molded hero into a staggering victim, about to fall into a deep trench of vagueness.

So, it is important to reorient this societal narrative progressively to cultivate more legends who grin in adversity rather than crave for predictability.

In this regard, a simple but powerful mantra can be effective: “Control only the controllable.” At first glance, it may look as if we should ignore uncertainty, but that is not true. On the contrary, it asks us to embrace the unpredictable and be prepared to face it by doing what we can do, with a smile on our face.

Great leaders and warriors like Rani Lakshmi bai, Nana Sahib, Kunwar Singh, and many others never expected such aggressive and bloody battles in the revolt of 1857, which is still one of the darkest rebellions in Indian history. But despite being out-resourced, they cleverly strategized and bravely battled, smirking in valor on the battlefield despite the uncertainty of survival, let alone victory.

Thus, a smile is not only a ship to sail through ambiguity, but also a puzzle that confuses illusions, a tool that challenges disputes, a seed of hope in the windy deserts, and a mask that not only shields from chaos, but also reflects the rays of love all around. To cultivate such a smile in people, we must re-narrate ambiguity as a part of life rather than to treat it as an anomaly. This will help us become legends who can face any adversity in our unpredictable lives with a grinning face by gently whispering to ourselves – we can face it all!

Legends! Don't be shy. Smile and comment your thoughts below.

Are We Disrespecting Social Science?

In a world order dominated by the narratives of technocrats and capitalists, who have reduced the definition of success to mere individual professional achievements, we are witnessing the impact of the emptiness of these accolades through the silent screams of those deemed “successful.” Further, such an aggressive pursuit towards individualism has begun to manifest into hatred and intolerance, trying to tear apart the hard-knit social fabric of our country.

The education system, which is supposed to ingrain social values such as empathy, equality, harmony, and dignity, is seemingly failing. Our excessive obsession with subjects like science and mathematics has sidelined the foundational subject in social science. While numbers and logic are necessary for development, without socialness, it will lack the soul.

A Glorious Subject – Social Science

Traditionally, students consider social exams as mug-up and reproduction exercises. They often fail to realize the substance behind this living subject.

Lines in history were etched in the blood and sweat of the leaders, warriors, and martyrs, without whom India would have never smelled the fragrance of freedom. Geography is not an album of scenery, but an attempt to capture the clever plan of nature to foster in us a sense of interdependence by unevenly distributing the resources. Economics is not merely a bill of accounts. It is the art of managing limited resources to satisfy our unlimited needs. Art and culture are more than a visual spectacle. It brings out the brilliance of our cultural heritage, which defines our way of life. Polity is not a relic of rules, but a breathing moral soul that guides our life in the present and sets a vision for our future.

So, social science is not only a comprehensive subject, but also an ethical mother who nurtures her human children. Therefore, the failed relationship between such children and their mother in present times needs urgent attention.

Revive the Glory of Social Science

Any reforms centered around this regard must begin with school education. Often, social periods are borrowed by other subject teachers. In the minuscule time left, social teachers recite the lessons as facts rather than narrating them like a story. Self-study at home also lacks support. Thanks to the coaching centers for squeezing the remaining time in the name of competitive exams preparation, and that too, mostly for a career in science and mathematics.

A student choosing the field of social science as a career path is instantly stigmatized and branded as a “low scorer.” But the vibrancy of this discipline as a career choice is widely ignored. This is because people often know only a handful of career paths, like engineering, medicine, business, teaching, law enforcement, which are among the popular ones. Career options, including social scientists, psychiatrists, social activists, political scientists, economic advisors, human resource experts, and so on, are often hidden from public eyes.

Even if not opted as a career path, at least, social science must be meaningfully taught and learnt at the school level. Parents, students, and all the teachers, including those who handle different subjects, must be sensitized about the importance of such a foundational subject. Moreover, students must also be allowed to embrace socialness. This can be achieved through field trips to museums, remote villages, different religious sites, and old-age homes, where they can build their social sense.

Thus, in an age of individualism, social science fosters a sense of collectivism. Such a collective identity is imperative to hold our India together, because, without unity, India can pose itself as a country, but will never become a nation in the true sense.

We can be united and still debate. So, let the democracy thrive by expressing your thoughts in the comment section below.

Little Dragon Tales - Who am I?

Hi! My name is Little Dragon. I am a wandering Indian spirit who emerged from the warm breath of my mother, Devi Bharat Ma. Since I am solely a spirit without a body, I lack the so-called “feelings”, nor do I understand what is known as “emotions”. For a spirit to evolve, it must learn to feel before it can understand. But, where can I learn to feel?

So, in my eagerness to learn, I approached my Ma. She guided me to vicariously learn from her children, especially the humans, who are known for being sentimental. Curiously, I asked her about them. She took a deep breath before recounting her experience with them. She said, “

Humans – Pathetic beings, yet act like Gods!

Think they are visionary, yet remain blind!

Try to connect the globe, yet often disconnect from it, though!

Attempt to act brave, yet are greatly cowards!

View themselves as tough, yet are so feeble within!

Stage selves as the all-knowing, yet fail to realize the boundless unknowing!

Although they project themselves as supremely powerful and invincible, yet beneath these layers of false pride lies the true melting soul, which at the eternal pause of their ticking clock reaches back to their mother, me, as the original naked child!”

While I was puzzled how such paradoxical creatures can teach me sentiments, she calmly replied, “Emotions are often best displayed by hypocrites!”

Despite my doubts, I began packing my bag for an emotionally ridiculous adventure. I was ready for the voyage into human minds to uncover vivid experiences. Don’t worry, as you may accompany me on this colorful journey. So, fasten your seatbelts! You are about to enter the world of the Little Dragon through Little Dragon Tales.

History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man

Many students perceive history as just a record of dates, personalities, and events. Yet, our past is more than just a chronicle of facts – it is a series of wars fought between scientific and romantic humans trying to influence the world. Though traditionally viewed as black and white, in reality, the true victor has often emerged from shades of grey – a rational person with an ethical heart who blends science with romance!

This essay explores how science dominates the historical rhetoric over romance and why its victory is dangerous if not confined by moral romance. Let’s get started!

Science-Romance Differentiation

The confrontations of scientific and romantic humans can be better understood by knowing their meanings. Science involves rational and critical thinking before performing an action, while romance refers to irrational, cultural, and emotional reasons for doing the same. Generally, a same action has both scientific and romantic backings. For example, greeting others through “Namaskar” is being followed as an Indian tradition. But due to no hand-to-hand contact, it also prevents transmission of diseases as seen in COVID-19!

However, actions and events in history did not have an equal blend of both. In fact, till the time of the scientific renaissance (revolution), romantic thoughts prevailed. While it certainly helped to bring morality into society at first, it soon transformed into a tool of oppression under power-hungry elites who tried to keep society under their control. To win over their irrational manifestative reasoning and bring in universal prosperity, many scientific wars in different forms were fought throughout history in which science ultimately triumphed.

Science Triumphed Over Romance

Throughout our past, victories of science have been distributed among various fields and aspects to comprehensively move towards this scientific world.

There was a time when economic relationships in many places were predominantly based on trust. Eventually, the exploitation of innocent workers by so-called trusted employers started to increase, giving rise to the workers’ movement. This movement was truly a scientific intervention, as it helped in formalizing labour rights by defining working hours, the pay scale, rules, etc. through written contracts, thus giving them a voice in history, which was earlier choked in the name of romantic trust! 

Politics was another major domain of elite rule and the 19^th and early 20^th century USA was a notable example. Until scientific interventions by US President Wilson, and many other scholars, including Weber, politics was corrupt, nepotism prevailed over merits in public service, and exploitation multiplied due to poor checks and balances. Their efforts gave rise to a scientific bureaucracy, restoring rationality in the political structure that mitigated the sufferings of common people.

Society is an arena where frequent scientific revaluation of reasoning for social practices becomes important to prevent injustices. While the varna system in the Vedic period was mobile, the elite intervention over the period made it rigid, attributing the caste to the birth. Not until the original Vedic scriptures were scientifically reinterpreted by social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, etc., did the people understand the truth that the caste is based on their profession and even that profession is based on their choice and not hereditary.

Further, Science itself is a field where science must war against romance. There was a time when people believed in geocentric theory which held that celestial bodies, including the sun, revolved around the earth. Any critic on this view was challenged by the Roman Catholic Church as they believed it opposed their long-standing intellectual and theological authority. It was only after the efforts of scholars, including Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, and Johannes Kepler, that the rational heliocentric model, where planets including earth revolve around the sun, was accepted. This became an important chapter of European history for accelerating the scientific revolution by breaking dogmatic authority.

The expectation of the education system to blindly accept adults’ sayings without asking why, was also culturally masked in the name of respect. This led to the domination of the elderly, thus prioritising blind compliance over creativity. Again, scientific humans like Socrates were needed to bring back the scientific temper and courage to challenge the irrationals and negatives.

While all the above cases may make us believe that the scientific world is the most just world, this is only partially true. In fact, history has illustrated that science with no romance is a double-edged sword. It can pierce even the good if wielded by an immoral hand!

Romance as a Guide

The scramble for Africa is a classic example of how science can exploit innocents if driven by corrupt forces. The technological advances fuelled by imperialistic and economic ambitions led the European colonial powers to artificially divide Africa among themselves, paying no regard to the innocent African souls. Effects of such scientific colonial exploitation are still being reflected today, as we can see from Africa’s malnourished children, underdeveloped infrastructures, terrorizing coups, and continued economic and political instabilities. What went missing here was not rational thoughts, but empathetic minds.

The cases that we discussed before, from legalizing labour rights to rationalizing bureaucracy, from reinterpreting religion to questioning authority, all seem to heroize science over romance. On contrary, this African Scramble example seems to warn against science. Finally, all these cases keep the focus on the victory between science and romance. But the meaningfulness of that victory has always been determined on whether the victor was rooted in moral romance or not.

That is, every heroic scientific intervention, from labour rights to questioning authority, was backed not only by rationality, but also rooted in morality and justice, which is nothing but moral romance. Without such moral foundation, mere scientific victory seemed destructive as seen in the case of Africa. So, battles in history were truly won by rational humans, who were grounded in morality. 

And further as we advance in science, such battles will be replicated at a huge magnitude. That too in this AI age, which attempts to replace human thinking with that of machines, rooting science in ethical values is never the more relevant.

So, although history is a triumph of empirical fighters over emotional ones, it also shows how even such scientific warriors can lose in the battle of desire, if not guided by a moral compass. Opposed to solely scientific ones, the future needs virtuous technocratic commandos who can lead their people into a glorious age of responsible prosperity!

This is our turn for bringing scientific renaissance. Give your scientific temper a boost. Share your logical thoughts in the comment section below.

Aren't Movies Our Teacher?

“We become what we behold” – A mesmerizing quote by an English poet William Blake puts in nutshell, the impact of observation on oneself. People are constantly being influenced by what they see and hear, thus, restructuring their thought process every passing moment. In this regard, movies as a part of the larger entertainment industry, including short films, dramas, tv shows, and web series, etc., significantly enrich one through their audio-visual lessons. So, a curious question emerging in my mind is – am I wrong calling them our teachers?

While movies might not seem like teachers in a traditional sense, their imprint on an individual’s personality is undeniable in this globalised-technocratic world order. Starting from mannerisms and behaviour to ambition and ideology, everything a person is and dreams of becoming, is influenced by these broadcasted entertainment contents.

Profound Influence of Cinema

The psychological growth of a child implies the growth of its personality, i.e. the child is adding and altering its characteristic features every moment, thus, shaping the child’s habits, attitude, and ultimately, its understanding of reality.

These characteristic features are essentially learned through observation of its surroundings, of which the broadcasted visual contents are an inevitable part of, in this modern age. When a child watches a movie, it absorbs content, encoding them into its brain. So, in turn, this stimulates an emotional response leading to happiness expressed through laughter, sadness through crying, fear through shivering, and so on. And frequent exposure to the same stimulus from the reel world will reinforce the responses, thus, creating and strengthening the attitude towards similar situations in the real world.

For example, when a child watches a horror movie portraying darkness as a “ghost” terrifying people, it will automatically start fearing darkness in real life situations too. Similarly, what is regarded as funny, what is considered sorrow, what becomes annoying, etc., are all moulded through cinematic experiences to a large extent, preparing one to real-world situations.

Just like the emotional system, these digital-visual contents help build one’s value system. Although one learns basic values from their physical environment by observing their parents, teachers, and peers, these digital visual contents further fortify one’s ethical attitude by bringing in confidence.

 In a drama, when the actions of the protagonist are glorified, those actions will be perceived as an ethical standard for the viewers. That is, if a righteous person is celebrated in a film, then consequently, people will strive to replicate such honesty in their personal life too.

Further, the impact of these entertainment contents is reflected in one’s community interactions, societal understanding, and national obligations. Many regional TV serials can make a person from a nuclear family understand the different relationship-dynamics of a joint family, or vice versa. Similarly, a movie like Sam Bahadur (2023) could evoke nationalism in audiences, reminding them of service obligations toward their nation.

From all the above, we may easily be convinced to conclude the motion picture as a righteous virtual teacher. But this can become a disastrous conclusion if the reality is not well-examined!

Cinema – a Risky Role Model

Though cinematic contents help to develop one’s emotional system, often, they tend to redefine basic emotional responses, confining them to a regressive stimulus. Take happiness for instance. Many movies have reshaped the definition of happiness by attaching it to money. While money is one of the means to attain a happy life, the cinema made it an end in itself, thus, glorifying even unethical means to attain it. So-deemed hit movies like Pushpa 2 (2024) reinforce this derogatory message of getting rich through any means to be happy, in a cinematic way.

In addition, these entertainment media further reinforce existing social evils instead of restructuring them. The huge box office response to the film like Animal (2023), reiterates how much the “toxic male heroism” is still valued in this modern India. A student bringing a gun to his school, masking sexual harassment as love, and un-questionable wrecking of law and order (no police in the film!) – if all these are referred to as “heroism,” then what kind of impact will it leave on our future generation is a question to ponder upon.

Another biggest issue is the way they make it sell! To elaborate, in the name of making the viewing experience pleasant, generally, these films or web series tend to add spice to their salad, called masala in films. These masalas historically revolved mainly around objectifying women, derogatory comments on disabled, and social shaming of transgenders. Besides dissolving the growing generations’ childness by pre-matured exposure to such degraded contents, it further desensitizes them, endangering tolerance in this diverse country.

Need of a Responsible Mentor

While the government regulates such virtual role models through legislation, censor board, etc., extensive control becomes a breach of the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression. But self-regulation and peoples’ influence would not be deemed so. In fact, the best reform is self-reform!

To begin with, the entertainment industry must take responsibility for making progressive content. While realistic portrayal is appreciated, it must not cross moral limits. Although cinema may mirror society, it also strongly influences it back. Hence, contents must be made keeping in mind the progressive values of the Indian culture and its heritage.

This cannot be possible if the peoples’ response is not garnered towards progressive film-making. In reality, cinematic industry which once made dramas to bring social revolution in our country reduced to mere “Masala Industry,” not because of the dearth of social issues to talk about, but due to peoples’ apathy towards such progressive contents. People must support movies and series that push forward-looking ideas, de-popularize toxic messages, condemn inappropriate portrayal, and must end piracy as profits are necessary for the sustenance of such progressive contents.

Since the entertainment industry holds a profound task of mentoring the younger generations in this “world in our palm” era, it must hold utmost integrity in its noble profession. While entertainment involves a mix of comedy, romance, action, horror, etc. they must not come at the cost of sensitivity, dignity, and humaneness. Although the role of movies as our teacher is undeniable, the extent to which it will be progressively inspiring will be determined by our response. Thus, the task of transforming this risky role model into a responsible teacher rests in our hands!

Let us begin our actions from here. Do you agree with my views? Do comment below and keep your freedom of expression alive!

Are Our Doctors Losing Their Soul?

On August 22^nd of this year, in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, a moral failure in the medical profession was witnessed when a man came to the Collector’s office carrying his dead newborn in a bag, alleging that a private hospital had been raising the fee and delaying the delivery. While that private hospital was immediately sealed for inspection, this disturbing instance of moral failure raises an important question – are doctors in India losing their soul?

Eroding Medical Ethics

The INDIAN MEDICAL COUNCIL (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, state that “The prime object of the medical profession is to render service to humanity; reward or financial gain is a subordinate consideration. Who- so-ever chooses his profession, assumes the obligation to conduct himself in accordance with its ideals.” While the medical ethics code clearly puts financial gain subordinate to service to humanity, unfortunately, many doctors see it the other way around. But this problem of the reversal of value priorities, keeping financial gain at the forefront, cannot be solved unless this issue is understood across different levels – from medical education to actual practice.

Education is the first place where ethics can be imbibed into the hearts of future doctors. But unfortunately, now-a-days, education is also where the ethical failure begins. Many private medical colleges demand high capitation fees (illegal donations) for admission. This financial entry barrier creates in students a sense of “I must earn it back” kind of mindset, thus imbibing financial obligations instead of service values.

In the medical education, although the National Medical Commission (NMC) has included ethics modules in the syllabus, the dearth of ethical role models has become a major reason for the poor internalization of these ethics in students. Unfortunately, these role models, mostly the senior faculty, consistently reinforce in students a “sense of entitlement,” i.e. a prevalent mindset among some students who believe they deserve special privilege simply because they are in medical profession, rather than earning them through competence, discipline, and ethical practice. Sense of entitlement makes them view the medical field as a prestigious, high-paid job rather than as a genuine opportunity to serve patients. This also makes them focus on their personal welfare, as opposed to patients’ needs, hampering empathy.

Another, less emphasised issue with medical education is desensitisation. While desensitisation is helpful in the professional handling of surgical procedures, it often fails in the context of a doctor-patient relationship. One example of this is the cadaver lab (a cadaver is a dead human body). While the cadaver is a great educational tool for learning human anatomy and surgical procedures, there is often less discussion about the cadaver as once a “living person.” Consequently, students may start to look at the patient as a mere “subject” rather than a “wholesome person,” and thus, become desensitised to their pain and agony.

To increase sensitisation along with hands-on experience, the NMC has mandated the Family Adoption Program (FAP) for MBBS students. MBBS students are mandated to adopt families, typically from rural or underserved slum areas, to conduct regular visits and understand the health challenges of the underprivileged. While this program is aimed at fostering student-patient connections, it often suffers from implementation challenges due to students’ lack of interest, language barriers, logistical issues, and staff shortages.

These shortcomings of medical education often produce doctors who prescribe mechanically rather than engaging empathetically with patients. The consequences of such value erosion become manifold when the profit motive of corporates is added, leading to “Corporatization of the medical profession.” Many corporate hospitals make doctors chase unethical revenue-per-patient targets, increasing the work pressure and mental stress, thus furthering their compassion fatigue toward patients.

Another important issue is the loss of autonomy of doctors in corporate hospitals to independently decide on medications. Every decision they make is influenced by the management’s guidelines, tie-ups with pharmaceutical companies, and insurance companies. This puts a serious dent in doctors’ consciences if these tie-ups and partnerships are solely profit-driven and disregard quality and fairness in healthcare.

As these structural problems are becoming more concerning, proper reforms at each level become necessary.

Internalise Medical Ethics

Firstly, besides digitising the payment records and independent external audits, there must be a dedicated educational tribunal to address education-related grievances, including capitation fee issues.

Secondly, through awareness programs, medical colleges must de-heroize unethical role models who idolize entitlement behaviour. Thirdly, while the NMC has introduced a “cadaveric oath” reminding students of the altruism behind body donations, a voluntary “body donation pledge” for educational/medical purposes can further empathize students. Fourth, with respect to effective implementation of FAP, students must undergo sensitivity training before such village visits. Robust supervision of student-patient interactions by faculty, coupled with proper feedback, can bring back the seriousness of FAP among students. And language barriers can be resolved with AI voice translators. Further, logistical and faculty issues must be resolved with proper pre-planning.

Fifth, Independent ethics committees to act as doctors’ grievance units must be set up within hospitals. Sixth, doctors should prescribe medicines with their generic names and leave the selection of brands to the patients’ convenience. For its effectiveness, proper maintenance of drug-quality standards across brands is crucial. Finally, there should be patients’ feedback on treatment, their expectations, and suggestions. While positive responses might improve the morale of doctors, negative responses can increase the scope for improvements.

The ethical meltdown of doctors is a major obstacle for India in becoming the health capital of the world. India must act now, as further delay might lead to the vanishing of the remaining humanness of doctors in this fast-growing corporate world!

The views are personal and never intended to hurt anyone's feelings. Just a constructive criticism from a victim point of view. Kindly contribute by letting me and the world know your views. Do comment below!