Take a bow Japan for Tokyo Olympics and way forward for India

As the glittering ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics 2021 came to an emotional end, one can’t move ahead to Paris 2024 before bowing to Japan and its courteous people. The nation known for its hard work, values and economic power was looking forward to the Olympics but for the COVID-19, the biggest epitome of sports concluded with empty stands.

World War- II or the war against COVID-19, Japan did exactly what it is known for. Moved ahead with poise and heads held high 🙇‍♀️

For Indians, its sportspersons stood tall and made us proud especially in the category of medals we won. 

Badminton having its roots in India (thanks to Pune, where it all began in the 1860s) brought bronze to India courtesy PV Sindhu.

Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Ravi Kumar Dahiya proved to the world that they were still good enough for the rest of the world in their traditional game of ‘Kustee’.

Lovlina Borgohain punched hard for the bronze whereas Mirabai lifted the weight of expectations to get a silver lining at the end. 

Hockey brought the India Shining moment after almost four decades. It was a feeling to come back home after years of wilderness.

The golden Javelin boy Neeraj Chopra put India on the gold map after years of wait and misses. Pre Olympics hype was no hoax for this wonder boy.

Mythologically proven javelin finally found its rightful descendant in Neeraj 🙇‍♀️ 

Few other sports missed the medallion by a whisker. Hopefully, we will have new champions in Paris 2024.

China is known to put kids in sports according to their talent. The children after golden glory in the Olympics are found wanting to make both ends meet after their retirements. The western world has moved far ahead and let their children enjoy what they are good at and they can still make a career out of it. 

If we look at the winners from India, all of them belong to the small towns and it’s a proud moment for the nation. 

It’s also an introspection for people like us as we are heading towards work-life balance than living our lives. 

For India, it is a different story. Education takes a lead over sports as our means of survival comes through the books.

Whatsoever are the medals, except (maybe) badminton the next champions are bound to come from villages only.

Time to think, time to get awake, else we may just end up in an educated society that survives on commercial lives. 

The change may come, but for that to happen, the system, infrastructure and mindset need a change. 

With Olympics glory, the journey may have just begun.

Disclaimer: The article is a personal observation of the sports and does not intend to comment on any individual or authority.

Image courtesy: The Indian Express

Project Management: An Art or Science?

“Where are you?”, a stern voice on the other side of the mobile asked. “I am on a coffee break” was the calm response. “NO! Do not spend time on anything else. You need to be back. There’s a high business impact emergency”. After putting a long day and deservedly having a coffee break, the skilled subordinate walked back to the workstation. The issue was fixed in no time, much ahead of the agreed timelines with the customer. The Boss won the ‘Schedule Management’ battle but lost the ‘Stakeholder (Internal)’ confidence.

Our friend in the story somewhere tilts himself into the category of an autocratic leader who gets his job done.

There is another community that liberalise itself to a complete democratic mode, leaving all the nuances of the deliverables into the hands of subordinates. The method may give a free hand to deliver but potentially impacts costs, scope, schedule and may result in risks that have no mitigation.

Whichever is the endeavour, long or short one, ultimately fits itself in a category called ‘Project’. The one who manages it, is the leader and typically has to work on the principles of’ Project Management’ or ‘Science of Project Management.

Project Management, by no means, can be learnt on its own. It is an amalgamation of knowledge and experience. The skillset over a period has evolved and has set guidelines to make it easy for the Project Management Disciple. 

A project is a journey from initiation to closure. What lies within is vigilant planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling. 

The Project Manager is normally the first one to onboard and the last one to get released from the project. We will now see the different phases of the project which are the responsibilities of the Project Manager.

1) Initiation: Project Charter and Identification of Stakeholders are the key takeaways of this phase. Identification of stakeholders is very critical component, and the methodology can give guidance, however, no science can teach how to identify the ‘Unknown Stakeholders’who have the potential to influence the project. To overcome this challenge is an art that one must inculcate for a successful endeavour.

2) Planning: This planning phase encompasses Project Management to engage with stakeholders across various knowledge areas. The science helps to plan scope, schedule and costs which are the critical takeaways. However, no planning is complete without quality, associated risks, resources and their activities. The art indwells in the judgement and assessingthese areas beyond what is planned.

3) Executing: You reap what you sow. If the planning is not full proof, execution becomes a challenge. This is a phase where adherence to planning, quality and stakeholder’s management is the key however the real calibre is to manage and develop a team. This phase revolves around communication. High-quality project delivery is of no use if there is a lack of communication. It is an art that can keep the human aspect of any project connected; else it is bound to culminate into escalations.

4) Monitoring and Controlling: As the project nears its journey towards closure, volatile parameters are bound to put spokes in the moving wheel. If the Scope, Schedule, Costs, or risks start showing their tangible deviations then the Integrated Changes or the Stakeholderscan pose questions beyond the methodology. A Project Manager needs to rise beyond his role, boardroom talks and need to manage these challenges by thinking out of the box. This art comes from the experience and needs to be assimilated by the Project Manager as he moves across the projects or aims to move to a bigger platform called a ‘Program’.

5) Closing: The closure, by far is the toughest phase of any project. It is a review of all the phases which were delivered. Data points shall prove that the project has come to an end. However, it is the Project Manager who shall need his ‘Art of Convincing’ to bring all the stakeholders in sync for the final sign off before he can make a successful exit from the project.

With the advent of technology, human demands, and competition to survive it's not only the Science that can make a project successful but also it will need an art called ‘Pragmatic Project Management’ as a skillset for the future. The days for an autocratic or a democratic leader are soon going to be a story of the past.

Disclaimer: The above article takes the liberty to utilise and stitch the project management methodology to a human approach. The thoughts are individual, and do not propagate any methodology or represent any organisation.

माझे बाबा आणि Happy Father’s Day !

 

लहानपणी कधीही अस्तित्वात नसलेला Father’s Day आज मार्केटिंगच्या युगात मात्र न चूकता माध्यमातून मनावर बिंबविला जातो. आपल्यालासुद्घा काळानुसार बदल स्विकारावाच लागणार कारण अस म्हणतात ना, Change is Constant आणि बाप म्हणुन तर स्वत:ला बदलणं खुप महत्वाचं.

म्हणुन मग म्हटलं अशा खुप व्यक्त, अव्यक्त भावना आपल्या मनांतसुद्धा आहेत मग Father’s Day च्या निमित्ताने आपण पण मनोगत व्यक्त करावे.

सगळ्यांनाच आपला बाप हा जगातील सर्वोत्कृष्ठ बाप वाटतो तसा मलाही वाटायचा, अजुनही वाटतो. डॅडी, डॅड, पॅाप, पप्पा या विशेषणापलीकडचे म्हणजे माझे ‘उत्तम बाबा’.

असं म्हणतात, मुलगा १५ वर्षांचा झाला की वडिल मुलाचे मित्र होतात पण आमच्यासाठी (मी आणि माझा भाऊ डॉ उदय)मात्र बाबा लहनपणीपासुनच घट्ट मित्र. बाबांची भीती किंवा धाक खर तर कधी वाटलाच नाही. लहान असतांना वडिलांच्या खांद्यावर हात ठेवायचे जे freedom होते ती मजा काही औरच.

परीक्षेत कमी मार्क्स मिळाले की पुढच्या परीक्षेत नक्की चांगले मिळतील हा विश्वास ठेवत सही करणारे बाबा 😊 असोत की मला पहिली नोकरी मिळाल्याचा आनंद असो, सगळ्यात आधी कुणाला हे कळणार म्हणजे बाबा. हं, आता मी 10 jobs बदलले तरी माझ्या प्रत्येक निर्णयाचे समर्थन करणारे ते बाबा.

कुठलेही वर्ग असोत वा उन्हाळी शिबिरे, स्वत:ला कितीही कष्ट झालेत तरीही न चुकतां वर्ग सुटायच्या आत बाहेर उभे असणारच याची खात्री असणारे बाबा.

MBBS ची ॲडमिशन न घेणारे बाबा, IAS First attempt मध्ये पास होणारे बाबा, Bank Of Maharashtra मध्ये उच्च पद न स्विकारणारे बाबा आणि पुस्तकांसोबत रममाण होण्यासाठी निवडलेली नोकरी म्हणजेच बाबा.कदाचित म्हणूनच Doctor, Engineer होण्याचे स्वातंत्र्य आम्हा भावंडांचे आणि कुठलाही निर्णय न लादणारे आमचे बाबा.

नोकरी निमित्त सरकार कडुन बाबांना मिळालेला बंगला आणि  बाजुला असलेले मोठे मैदान म्हणजे माझ्यातल्या क्रिकेटवेड्यासाठी  पर्वणी. बरोबरची असलेली सगळी मुलं spinners म्हणून मग मला Fast Bowling चा सराव असावा म्हणुन Outswing आणि Inswing टाकणारे माझे बाबा.

आई शाळेत शिक्षिका, त्यामुळे प्रत्येक शनिवारी घरी बाबा, मी आणि दादा. मग नुकतीच लॉन्च झालेली Maggie 2 minute noodles उत्साहाने बनविणारे ते बाबा.

कुठलेही प्राणिसंग्रहालय, बगीचा असो वा Long Drive असो, आम्हा दोघा भावंडांना न चूकता फिरायला घेऊन जाणारे बाबा.

वयाच्या 13 व्या वर्षी जी डायरी लिहिण्याची सरुवात केली ती अजुनही अखंडित ठेवणारे बाबा. मग, नातेवाइक असोत, सहकारी किंवा शेजारी, कुणाचा कुठलाही milestone असो, तो न विसरतां नोंद करुन ठेवणारे काका म्हणजे आमचे बाबा.

जागतिकी इतिहास किंवा भूगोल.इसविसन पुर्व असो की नंतर, encyclopaedia, Wikipedia पेक्षा मजबुत स्त्रोत बाबा. 

Time, Sportstar, Illustrated Weekly, धर्मयुग, Filmfare किंवा माधुरी, दिवाळी अंक, प्रत्येकाच्या आवडीनुसार आणुन देणारे आणि आमची वाचनाची आवड जपणारे बाबा.

आईला लग्नानंतर सुद्धा डबल ग्रॅज्युएशन करण्यासाठी प्रोत्साहन देणारे बाबा. मग आईच्या परीक्षेत किचन मधे बाबा दिसले नसते तर नवलचं 

नोकरी निमित्त आमची गावं, देश बदलले पण  मनात कुठलाही प्रश्न नाही. आमच्या बरोबर स्वत:चे पण निवासस्थान चुटकीसरशी बदलणारे आणि नव्या गावावर तितकेच प्रेम करणारे बाबा.नातवंडांसोबत स्वत:ला रमवुन घेणारे आजोबा.

बाबांइतकीच आईची तपश्चर्या तितकीच मोठी, प्रत्येक संकटात बाबांसोबत उभी राहणारी आमची आई पण आज Father’s Day म्हणुन मग आईविषयी नंतर कधीतरी. 

Father’s Day ही काही आपली संस्क्रीती नाही पण नवे ते accept करायला शिकविणारे बाबा म्हणूनच या दिवशी बाबांसाठी प्रेम आणि त्यांचा मिळालेला आधार याविषयी व्यक्त केलेले हे आभार 🙏🙏🙏

Image Courtesy: iStock

13th Year in Power or downlslide?

 

As BJP attempts an unusual but sombre attempt to celebrate 7 years of Modi government, an offensive narrative is getting created in parallel to analyse and showcase the failures of the Prime Minister.

A natural (or man-made) calamity has put the world leaders in the dock and India is no different,

especially when the population is so high and distressed, opposition finding an issue which is bigger than Rafale and media having an opportunity to get its pound of flesh for all the ignorance it has got since 2014.

With 3 years to go for the Central elections, it’s an open game and not the right time to paint a disaster on the wall for the master strategist Modi. The last 21 years have shown, how the setbacks were converted into opportunities by the Leader. This time too, the quick learner will find his way out of all the difficulties posted unless the opposition or the media can build a narrative and a leader who can take head-on in the Modi territory called as ‘People’.

Every leader has a shelf life, but when it comes to the replacement of any larger than life persona, the alternative needs to be a fresh face, who can cut across party cadre and strike a chord beyond territorial compulsions or preferences.

The downfall for Congress had started way back in the 1990s. A depleted opposition, especially the GOP could never regain its glory even though it can claim it's been out of power for the last 7 years only.

Congress and BJP have enjoyed power through North and West with coalitions across the South. However, with UP gone, it’s going to be a nearly impossible task for Congress to come back to the podium on its own.

Congress as usual is not looking beyond RaGa and the granddaughter has not grasped the pulse of the people. It looks beyond their charisma to pose any challenge to NaMo. 

Uttar Pradesh was always the route to LKM.

Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati got full terms as Chief Ministers of UP. However, instead of growing, they have found themselves more into oblivion than the limelight. With wiped out background, they can at max dream it big to be back as the Leader of the state.

Bengal elections have given new ammunition to media and opposition parties to start a new power struggle for the Centre.

With anti-NaMo agenda and zeal to find a new narrative, only a bunch of leaders stand tall or have an aim beyond state politics.

The top amongst the lot is Naveen Patnaik. An ideal leader, who believes in a federal structure and keeps giving his relentless service to the people of Orissa. With almost 2 decades of unblemished performance and governance, he has the persona to grow beyond state politics. However his reluctance to take sides, being content in Orissa and age not getting any younger, he seems to be on his retirement path in Bhuvaneshwar, albeit till people keep him voting back to power in the State.

Arvind Kejriwal is another intelligent and ambitious politician. However, he seems to be stuck in the media glamour who prefers his paradise and still nurse ambitions for the top role. A leader has to grow beyond his state by vision, political acumen and statesmanship and not by playing to media. He does not seem to enjoy any support outside his cocoon. For sure, the other opposition parties will cut him to size even if he tries to make it big.

Mamatha is the only leader who was successful in the last 7 years to prove a point against Modi on a big landscape. Winning a state as large as Bengal has given her a tremendous head start. However, her last stint at the centre whether NDA or UPA was all about swinging moods. A nation can change its mood but not the leader. With her tantrums on a higher pitch, it will always be difficult for her to hold a coalition together. Instead of soothing down into a stateswoman, she is getting entangled in her image, temper and attitude. The attributes are bound to impact her national ambitions, except for those who build the ‘Defeat Modi’ platform.

This leaves only one leader, the Maratha Strongman Sharad Pawar to be a potential national alternative. However, with the MVA coalition, a three-party jumble will mean his party contesting only 1/3 of Maharashtra Lokasabha seats in 2024. If the parties decide to fight separately, erosion of the party base will impact him higher. With age and no substantial MPs on his side, it will take his across the party skills to fulfil life long dream of being an incumbent of LKM.

2024 looks tough for NaMo, but with the opposition not learning its lessons from history and the country not willing for 3rd Front fiasco after VP Singh, Gujral and Devegowda failures, it is bound to be a challenge for the opposition. Hopefully, there won't be any repeat of Charan Singhs and Chandrashekhar's who's ambitions stood above the cause of the nation.

It now depends to be seen how NaMo manages the damage(image) control and if the opposition can find a new national hero ready to take on iconic Modi. Time is sleeping out of hands for those in and out of power for sure.

On a lighter side, the number 13 is proving to be bête noire for the BJP once again. Vajpayee Government lasted for 13 days and then 13 months.

This is the 13th year of BJP in the power😜

Disclaimer: The article is a self-analysis of the current political situation and does not affiliate with any political party or a forum.

Image Courtesy: Internet 

Nextgen BJP ! Who’s the future?

 

She was in love with him but not sure about his future and asked, “What should  I tell my father about your future plan?”

He said, “Tell him, I will be the Chief Minister of Assam.”

This must not be an ordinary person, isn’t it? And he proved himself after 30 years to take oath as 15th CM of Assam, thy name is Himanta Biswa Sarma.

A staunch congressman, getting hurt by party for ignoring his natural claim to become the CM and feeling humiliated when the party’s top leader ignored him to play with his dog made him leave the Congress (not to look back at 10, Janpath) and landed himself at BJP headquarters. He waited patiently for 5 years before rightfully getting coronated as the new Chief Minister.

A man so focused and determined, am sure will have foresight far more than the CM chair.

After NaMo tsunami of 2014 and 2019, the second rung leaders of the BJP started establishing themselves. The future of the party looked secured in the ever dependable Amit Shah, maverick Yogi and an able administrator Fadnavis. 

Last 2 years though, have tested them to the core. Reasons known to him, Shah has been keeping a low profile. Also, he has not worked on his transformation from Chanakya to a mass leader. If he has to follow the footsteps of his guru NaMo, then he has to take lessons, how Modi traversed from an ordinary Karyakarta to a Statesman. NaMo not only worked on his communication, oratory skills, controlled aggression but also changed his personality and mass image. Shah will have to quickly adopt this change to make an imprint on the minds of people.

Yogi was a surprise choice to the post of the CM of Uttar Pradesh but has taken control of this largest state. 2022 will prove whether the leader who looked promising is ever lasting too. With SP/BSP geared up, aura of NaMo having reached saturation point, it will be Yogi who has to prove his mettle. The hurdle for Yogi is his image. Getting acceptability beyond UP will restrict his rise. With media and elite tied to secular India, it will be interesting to see how Yogi overcomes the challenge or remains content with Uttar Pradesh.

Fadnavis started with a bang, winning every nook and corner of the state to become poster boy of Maharashtra in no time. Out of the blue, The Sena dumped him and his struggles have just begun. With no visibility of MVA failing due to internal conflict, it will take the Nagpur strongman to go beyond mathematics of MVA, re-establish himself and cast himself into a mass leader. His political failure in Maharashtra will curtail his national ambitions. Historically any leader from Maharashtra has failed to rise in Delhi. Except for a short stint of late Yashwantrao Chavan who was Deputy Prime Minister in miserable Charan Singh government and been there but not crowned Sharad Pawar.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, seems to have lost the race and may remain content in beautiful city of Bhopal.

All these leaders need brand BJP and cult of Modi for their respective growth.

Here lies the difference of Sarma. The possessed politician not only walked out of Congress but ended up in RSS headquarters too! Having no connect with the Sangh Parivar(his brother’s education was supported by RSS though), the man single handedly established himself in the corridors of Nagpur as well as those in power in Delhi. Sarma could demand CM role even after Sonowal had fared well(Not the BJP culture). The demand comes from the confidence of credibility in NEDA. The BJP can not ignore his control over the North-East. He has the potential to walk out of the party and still fare well. But the wise man will not do so. He will first improve his grip on North-East and will test his aura in non Hindi adjoining states of the NE. The quick learner in him will ensure good administration, good books of RSS and image building. Acceptance in Delhi is a long way to go, and nothing is easy. He too will have to improve his connect outside NE and oratory skills acceptable all over India, but his path has lesser thorns than the others at least in his own kingdom.

It will be intriguing to see how these leaders hold their forte and rise beyond their own potential to make a mark in national politics and the party. The people of nation obviously will choose and have the last laugh. 

                         “ये जनता सब जानती है।”

Disclaimer: The article merely touches upon potential of future leaders of the BJP and their standing in their own party and does not intend to compare them with any other political party and its leaders. All the statements above are an expression of an avid political observer only.

 Image Courtesy: Internet Media

Historical Elections- Assembly 2021

बेगानी शादी मे अब्दुल्ला दिवाना ! 

That’s what RaGa and Congress party will be doing tonight.

मै तो रस्ते से जा रहा था.. 

BJP will claim they never expected to win Bengal and wanted to improve 2016 tally, but in reality are deeply hurt by the harsh defeat.

तेरी ऊँगली पकड़ के चला..

AIADMK will be missing Amma Jayalalithaa but might be happy with it’s performance to stop the return of Chinnamma.

साला मैं तो साहब बन गया अरे..

Pinnari Vijayan is back and that too decimating it’s long distance partner (relation) Congress in Kerala. 

रूठ के हम से कहीं जब चले जाओगे तुम

Sarbanand Sonowal shall keep hoping that Hemanta Biswa and the Party let’s him to continue him in CM seat.

जो जीता वही सिकंदर and Mamatha walked (with fractured leg but not the mandate) victorious to prove that it was all about खेला होबे.

However, We need to understand the elections of South and Bengal historically. They were always about  मां, माटी, मानुष. Unless and untill BJP brings in local stalwart, it is going to be difficult for them to penetrate the local mindset. 

Bengal for that matter has generally persisted with the incumbent government for last 40 years and it shall take charisma of a new leader to uproot Mamata from the saddle. Till then Bengal may remain happy with the grumpy leader but won’t let any outsider to rule.

TN was due for change of guard especially after the loss of Amma and it will take Kalaignar’s son Stalin to put in huge efforts to prove his potential to govern. Chinnamma shall remain content with results and wait for right moment to grab the opportunity of discontent within AIADMK.

Assam voting in predictable manner proved hold of NDA in NEDA and looks set for status quo till 2024 Central elections.

With all parties finding its pound of flesh across different states, the biggest looser is Congress and RaGa. With no introspection, they will continue its agenda of राजा का बेटा राजा..

Hopefully the EVMs are accepted across the cult of the society and we put all those discussions to rest, period.

The COVID factor also played an important role in the elections. With sheer pressure from the people, it was bound that NaMo had to take a backseat from the rallies and BJP shall feel lucky that these were not national elections.

Never to forget, it’s victory of democracy and during this pandemic, the people came out of their homes to vote for the popular government. They have taken the risk of Covid-19 for their future, now it’s turn of the political parties to improve people’s present at least !

Disclaimer: The above article is a personal observation of the electoral verdict and does not intent to comment on the DOs and DONTs of the political parties.

Image Courtesy: Times of India

शिक्षण की शिक्षणाचा धंदा !

अखेर ठरलं आणि 1 अब्ज डॉलर्स (₹ 7,300 कोटी) चा सौदा पक्का झाला. अबब! रक्कम बघुन  कुठलीतरी बहुराष्ट्रीय कंपनी विकली किंवा विकत घेतली असावी असा समज (गैर) होतो पण हा तर चक्क Byju’s ने Aakash Educational Services ताब्यात घेतल्याचा व्यवहार होता. 😳😳

गरिबांसाठी, गरजुंसाठी, योग्य विद्यार्थ्यांसाठी शिक्षण ही संकल्पना हे सगळे ऐकल्यावर कल्पनेपलीकडचेच  नाही तर भयावह सुद्धा वाटते.

मला आठवतयं, आणि ही काही कोणे एके काळची गोष्ट नाही, गणिताचा क्लास  ₹ 20 / महिना, १२ वी ₹800 / विषय आणि पैसे देताना शिक्षक आवर्जुन सांगत,” कळत असेल आणि आवडत असेल तरच पैसे दे. उगीच आई बापाचे पैसे खर्च करु नकोस”  आता तर executive चा कॉल येतो आणि educational benefits समजावून सांगीतले जातात.

सर्वांसाठी सुरू झालेला शिक्षणाचा प्रवास, जागोजागी फोफावलेल्या शिक्षण सम्राटांच्या हातात कधी  गेला ते कळलेच नाही. विज्ञान, वाणिज्य महाविद्यालयांपेक्षा अभियांत्रिकी महाविद्यालये जास्त, वैद्यकीय शिक्षण म्हणजे १० वर्षाचा खडतर (कमी पगारातला) प्रवास आणि मग कुणी कुठलेही शिक्षण घ्या आणि IT मध्ये जा. सगळेच अनाकलनीय  🙏

शिक्षण व्यवसायात इतका पैसा की, Byju’s BCCI चा ₹ 1200 कोटी देउन प्रायोजक होतो, Unacademy IPL पार्टनर होते आणि आई वडीलांचा मुलांना “ ब्रेक तो ले ले पार्टनर”  सांगतानाचा आनंद ओसंडुन वाहत जातो.

Benson & Hedges ही  cigarette कंपनी ऑस्ट्रेलियात क्रिकेट sponsor  करायची पण अखेर कंपनीचे प्रायोजकत्व बाद करण्यात आले कारण  जनतेकडून आलेला व्यसनातला पैसा क्रिकेट वर ओतुन कंपनी goodwill कमवत होती. ऑनलाईन शिक्षण सुद्धा आपल्या खिशातला पैसा काढून क्रिकेटचा असाच उपयोग करत आहे.

Online education, demonstrated practicals, 24*7 शिक्षण, आणि हवा तेव्हा अभ्यास ही काळाची गरज आहे पण म्हणुन ₹ 7300कोटी? अशामुळे , एक नाविन्यपुर्ण कल्पना business model मधे भरकटत जाणार हे नक्की 

शिक्षण आई वडिलांच्या कमाईच्या स्त्रोतावर, exposure वर अवलंबुन असुच शकत नाही तर विद्यार्थ्याच्या  बौधीक पातळींवर  अवलंबुन असायला हवे. आधी शिक्षणसम्राट तयार झाले आता ऑनलाइन व्यावसायिक तयार होणारं आणि आपल्यासारखे गरजवंत पालक मुलांच्या भवितव्यासाठी या जाळ्यात गुंतत जाणार 😔 

काळ बदलला, वेळ बदलली, शिक्षण, शिक्षक आणि विद्यार्थी बदलले , Global exposure च्या नावाखाली आता पालक पण बदलतोय. चुक की बरोबर हे भविष्यात दडलयं. तोपर्यंत आपण या takeover ची तारीफ करुया आणि नवीन Business Model ची वाट बघूया 😊

टीपः वरील विचार ऑनलाइन/ ऑफलाइन शिक्षणाच्या विरोधात नाही पण त्यातल्या व्यवसायाच्या आणि गुंतलेला पैसा यावर वैयक्तिक मत आहे.

Image Courtesy: Times of India

राजधराण्याची रीतच न्यारी

 राजघराण्याची रीतच न्यारी ..

एक होती राणी, दिमाख तिचा मोठा

होती पगारी पण तिचे असंख्य दरबारी..

साम्राज्य गेलं, सत्ता गेली

जुनी पुण्याई धावुन आली, राणीला  तारुन नेली..

काळ बदलाला जग बदललं

राजपुत्राचं मन घुसमटल..

राणी सत्ता सोडेना, राजपुत्र राजा होइना

राजगादीवर आले सहा वारसदार, राणी म्हटली  माझाच कारभार..

राजघराण्याची रीतच न्यारी ..

राणीला आली नातसुन, होती ती काळी

तिच्या रंगाची चर्चा मात्र जगात रंगली..

सुनबाईचं मन  रमेना, बडेजाव काही रुचेना

होती मनांत पोकळी, राजवाडा सोडुन झाली मोकळी..

आली मोठी बातमी, सुनबाई होणारं आई

तिच्याबरोबर मीडिया पण डोहाळे देई..

राणीला झाला पणतू, मनांत होते किंतु परंतु

असेल का तो राजबिंडा की दिसेल  सामन्य जनता?..

राजघराण्याची रीतच न्यारी ..

राणीचे नातलग, राणीपेक्षा त्यांनाच चिंता

शोधु लागले सातव्या वारसदारात भीन्नता..

पणतू थोडा बाप, थोडा आईवर

सुनबाई बोलू लागली वर्णभेदावर..

राणीला काही उमजेना, खिन्न होउंन एकांतात बसली

सुनबाई आणी नातू म्हटले , आम्हाला वाळीत टाकली ..

किती ती चर्चा, किती तो खटाटोप

राजघराण्यालासुद्धा नाही सुटत प्रसिद्धीचा लोभ..

राजघराण्याची रीतच न्यारी ..

हे तर सामान्यांच्या घरात रोजच घडतं

सासू सुनेतला वाद समजुन सोडुन दिल्या जातं..

कुणाचे डोळे, कुणाचे कान बघुन आनंद होतो

आपलाच भास समजुन मिरवलं जातं...

शेवटी काय? 

तर 

राजघराण्याची रीतच न्यारी ..

टिप : ही फक्त कविता म्हणुन वाचावी.. हे वर्णभेदावर भाष्य नाही .

- जयवंत

State Elections: Watershed or Predictable?

With elections announced for state assemblies in Assam, Bengal and South, the election fever is bound to reach high temperatures in the summer of 2021.

The BJP which didn’t even dare to hold election rallies in these states not so long ago, is aiming to retain power in Assam and form the first right wing government in Bengal and not to forget Tamilnadu Puducherry and Kerala where they aim to make their presence felt.

For the party which let its partner Mamatha and Amma call shots in Vajpayee coalition for the state, the change is significant as one is now the biggest rival and other’s followers are looking for persona of Modi to come to rescue to retain power. 

All these states, for years since independence had silent unnamed RSS workers who relentlessly worked on the ground to make a base for the BJP. The Congress on the other hand remained in illusion of invincibility to let the power slip to Left in Bengal,accepted alternate 5 year term in Kerala and  pushed its own disciples in Assam relegating the second rung leadership to move to BJP.

The opponents, the media and the Power circles of 10, Janpath underestimated the ambitions of BJP and the ground reality of voters shifting the base to saffron party.

The shift is not a miracle. It’s something what Vajpayee predicted and Advani perceived. The duo slowly but steadily ensured to come out of the so called untouchable party tag. 

2014 to 2021 has been an amazing juggernaut of Modi ably driven by his trusted Sarthi Amit Shah. The thought process is very clear. Do whatever it takes to win. Work on your strongholds, be open to pamper turncoat ambitions, not to bog down for lack of local face and fight elections in the name of Mascot Modi. 

Mamata who single handedly mesmerised Bengal to dismantle Left is getting jitters in her own bastion .This is going to be her biggest fight for survival and probably will change the course of Bengal politics.

With Gogoi gone, Hemant Biswa on its side, Sonowal faring satisfactorily, Assam could be a safe bet for BJP.

Kerala, Puducherry is more to do with Congress than BJP. Even a small gain is significant for the future of Saffron party.

Amma’s disciples or Kalaignar offspring in Tamilnadu whosoever wins, BJP shall remain content for now to have a say in state Politics.

This is going to a tough test for the Congress. If it survives this battle,it’s partners fare better than the rest, then only the GOP has hope to remain relevant as a principal opposition party in national politics.

For the BJP, it’s all the way gains as it’s aiming the territories which were alien to them since the party’s inception.

Whatever are the results, 2nd May 2021 is going to be a watershed day in the history of Indian Politics.

Image Courtesy: The New Indian Express

Disclaimer: The article does not aim to propagate any political party and is a mere observation of an avid follower of the current state of politics.

Manya Singh..The girl power

 

As the nation is engrossed in ‘Hum Do Humare Do’ debate, farmers fighting over identity crisis as political parties are infiltrating their agitation, India gripped in cricket fever with COVID-19 showing signs of exit, a young girl took a silent entry in the world of glamour and grabbed pole position at Miss India 2020.

Manya Singh, daughter of an auto rickshaw driver made headlines as she proudly took runner up crown as Miss India World 2020. 

The girl who starved for food, clothes and studies, overcame challenges through her sheer determination to reach the pinnacle of glory to make her parents, city and nation proud but most importantly made a statement on girl power.

A girl dream can come true but for that to happen, belief in your daughters is the first step, supporting them is the second and empowering them is every parent’s moral responsibility.

Let Manya grab the headlines for now and best wishes to her for tomorrow. 

Image courtsey: Hindustan Times

Bose and Thackeray.. Identities personified

Is it a mere coincidence or fortune that 2 of India’s brave sons were born on the same day (not year)?

As nation celebrates, Netaji Subhashchandra Bose and Balasaheb Thackeray’s birth anniversary, similarities come to galore with their memories.

Both leaders who were supposed to be close to Congress turned out to be its biggest bête noire.

If Netaji was a typical politician and Thackeray, a cartoonist, both ditched their original professions to form their own Senas, Azad Hind and Shivsena.

Both became youth icons when they were past their prime youth. Both had the charisma to motivate and invoke nationalism amongst the youngsters.

Both changed their soft approach into hard core aggression which they believed was the way forward for democratic India. If one said attack, the other said defend and give it back.

Both were misunderstood when they went vocal with their ideologies, time proved their preachings were visionary and sustainable beyond their lifetime.

Both had liking for the cigars and were open to admit it.

If Netaji was (is) Bengal’s pride, you won’t find any Maharashtrian not speaking the tone of Balasaheb.

Bengal and Maharashtra, both the states having a rich culture, political history and vocal citizens are bound to miss the iron men of Indian politics today.

May the soul of Netaji and Balasaheb bless the nation on their birth anniversaries. 🙇‍♂️ 🙇‍♂️

Image Courtesy: Wikipedia and India Today

Disclaimer: The article is a personal observation about 2 great sons of Indian soil and does not intend to make any political statement.

Indian Cricket Team and the Spider Story

Once upon a time there was a strong kingdom which had a powerful King, warrior soldiers, intellectual well wishers who were ably guided and protected by wise men.

With no onslaught expected the king was advised to get rid of unutilised species whoever they were from the kingdom and ultimately it zeroed down to spiders who were identified as having a least worth.

Out of nowhere, a war erupted and the king

had to flee, only to find shelter in an unprotected cave in faraway mountains. As the night progressed, king heard whispers from the enemy soldiers near the cave but surprisingly, they walked away. As the sun rose, king came out of the cave to find out that the spiders had built a web in the night outside the cave and the opponents just walked away assuming no one could reside there.

The king realised his mistake, dropped his plan to get rid of spiders and went on to defeat the enemy at next opportunity.

That’s what exactly happened in India Australia Test match at Sydney yesterday. The guns were blazing everywhere to get rid of Pujaras, Viharis and Pants from the team. Fortunately we had a wise king in Rahane who stood by his spiders and the web they built (supported by ‘Always under the lens’ Ashwin) not only saved the kingdom from ignominy of defeat but(also) the platoon is now ready for the final battle at Brisbane.

Amazing turnaround by the Indian Cricket Team at Sydney and though a lot of homework is needed for Gabba, interesting times lie ahead.

Mentally strong team will take the series and accolades. May the game of cricket win rather than off the ground nuisance. 

Disclaimer: The imaginary story is used as a reference only and does not intend to compare any individual with spiders.The intention is to positively correlate all the hard work spiders do to build the web for its own benefit.

Image Courtesy: Hindustan Times and Wikipedia

माझी आजी! माझी ताई!

24 December 1990. आज तिला जाऊन ३० वर्ष झालीत(1 April 1911-24 December 1990). Mrs. Gokhale ह्याच नावाने ती educational field मध्ये ओळखली जायची. आमच्या साठी मात्र ‘ताई’.

आजी असुनसुद्धा ती आम्हा नातवंडांची ताई होती.

आधीची दुर्गा ढवळे आणि लग्नानंतर सुशीला गोखले. दोन्ही नावं तितकीच सार्थ ! प्रचंड दरारा, करारी, पण तितकीच प्रेमळ.

ज्या काळात मुली शाळेतसु्द्घा जात नसतं तेव्हा ही Pune Fergusson ची graduate आणि नंतर डबल-ग्रॅज्युएट. दरवर्षी शाळेत, कॅालेजमध्ये पहिली येणारी दुर्गा BA Honoursला दुसरी आली. शहीद भगतसिंगच्या फाशीमुळे प्रचंड चिडलेली आमची ताई परिक्षेत ब्रिटिश राजवटीविरुद्ध ताशेरे ओढून आली. ब्रिटिश प्रोफेसर्स तिला पहिला नंबर देऊ शकले नाही पण त्यांना तिची हिंमत पण हिराऊन घेतां आली नाही. तिच्यातली दु्र्गा शेवटपर्यंत कायम राहिली ती अशीच! सावरकर आणि टिळक तिचे दैवत.

बालविवाह ही प्रथा असताना ताई मात्र शिकत होती. वयाच्या 26 व्या वर्षी तिचे लग्न आमच्या नानांशी (Anant Ramachandra Gokhale) झाले आणि ती कायमची सेवासदनमयी झाली. एका छोट्या खोलीत सुरु झालेला नागपूर सेवासदनचा कायापालट एका व्यासपीठात रुपांतरीत करण्यात नानांइतकंच ताईचे पण कर्तुत्व अस्मानी होतं! नानांच्या पाठीशी खंबीरपणाने उभी राहीलेली सुशिला.

बालविधवांसाठी शाळा आणि होस्टेल, गरीब मुलींना शिक्षणाबरोबर रोजगार, Montessori Training College ची स्थापना,इतकं सहजतेने करु शकणारी म्हणजे फक्त ताई. वंदनीय Principal Mrs. Gokhale.

संस्क्रीत पंडीत, English म्हणजे हातचा मळ, हिंदुधर्माविषयी प्रचंड आस्था आणि ज्ञानं पण प्रथेप्रमाणे १.५ दिवसाच्या गणपतीमुळे शाळेकडे दुर्लक्ष होते म्हणून घरी १० दिवसांचा गणपती, इतका सहज आणि सोपा निर्णय😊 आजही आमच्या घरी गणपती १० दिवस असतात.

वयाच्या 80 व्या वर्षीसुद्धा उत्साह आणि कणखरपणा कायम. मला आठवतयं, माझा मोठा भाऊ डॅा. उदयची surgery झाल्यावर, डॅाक्टर्सना नववार नेसलेली माझी आजी दिसली आणि म्हातारी समज़ुन ते तिला आधार द्यायला गेले.शांतपणे हीने  डॅाक्टरना सांगितले , “Dont try to confuse or pacify me, Tell me the diagnosis. I am more interested to know what you guys are doing about that”. डॅाक्टरने दंडवतचं घातलं 🙇‍♂️ 

मी स्कुटर शिकल्यावर double seat बसणारी ताई, ‘सिलसिला’ चित्रपट ३ वेळा बघणारी ताई,Science,Maths, Sanskrit, English, History, Geography चे आमचे doubts सोडवणारी आमची ताई किंवा ‘पुलाव स्पेशल’ ताई.

काळ पुढे जातो, आपण आपल्या आयुष्यात गुरफटून जातो,जुनी पीढी नसल्याची सवय करुन घेतो पण त्यांची उणीव मात्र आपल्याला कायम भासत राहते.

ताई जाऊन ३० वर्षे झाली पण आजही तिची आठवण येतांना मन उचंबळुन येतं. असती तर हवीच होती वा अजुनही हवी आहे पण नसली तरी तिचे आशिर्वाद आमच्या पाठीशी कायम आहेत आणि आजही चुकलो तर धाक आणि प्रेम तितकंच आहे याची खात्री आहे.

We miss you Tai .. keep blessing us 🙇‍♂️ 

- Gokhales

RIP Maradona !

When football meant Mohan Bagan versus East Bengal and visibility of the game restricted to Doordarshan, if youngsters were playing football and keeping awake for FIFA World Cup(across India), then the enigma who made it possible was none other than one and only Diego Maradona.

As they say, short personalities make a towering impact and whatever they

touch turn into gold even if it was hand goal by Maradona.

The ‘Hand of God’ in 1986, (Maradona) took Argentina to victory against England in quarter finals and rest is history. The champion craftsman took his country to coveted championship and our generation got an answer to undisputed ‘Pele’.

Yes, the world of football now formally argues  who’s the best ever, Pele or Maradona? And the answer still remains under the wraps.

The man with golden foot, golden hand and golden heart, faltered immediately after retirement. The fat became obese, hero to fallen one and the king on the ground found peace in drugs and finally ended up in rehabilitation in Cuba.

The king returned but with diminished personna of himself. Out of sight is always, out of mind, but not Maradona! This time though, he has gone forever.

The world will miss Maradona and for many amongst us, he still remains the greatest forever.

RIP Maradona.

Image courtesy: CBS Sports

TGIF..

As I open my eyes, calendar says Monday 

I just blink, the calendar points Friday !!

Monday and Friday never meet each other

But weekend in between bonds them forever !!

Monday I am lazy , Friday I am crazy 

The work in between makes me edgy !!

Monday I love, for the challenges it pose

Friday ends with the high, the way I rose !!

Weekend is the one, we exploit the most

If it wasn’t there, weekdays would drag !!

Thank God It’s Friday 

There won’t be any other better day !!

Have a great weekend guys  🥳 🎉 

-Jayawant

आज नाही तर उद्या कोरोनावर मात आहे..

टपरीवरचा चहा नाही

अचानक दिसलेला वडा-पाव नाही..

सलोनचा हेड-मसाज नाही

दाढीनंतरचा स्प्रिंकलर नाही..

बारमधे मित्र नाही

शाॅपिंग माॅलचा टाईमपास नाही..

होम डिलीव्हरी म्हणजे रेस्टाॅरंट नाही

नेटफ्लिक्स म्हणजे थिएटर नाही..

ऑफिसची धमाल नाही

सुटी घेतल्याची मजा नाही..

दिल्लीतले पिताश्री, मुंबईतल्या मातोश्री 

एकाची धडपड, दुसरीकडे पडझड बघवत नाही..

टिव्हीवर बातमी नाही

कंगना की कोरोना समजत नाही..

कोरोनाचं काही खर नाही

तो तुमचा आमचा कुणाचा नाही..

विश्वासावर जग आहे

सामान्य माणूस सजग आहे

सायंटिस्ट्सची साथ आहे

आज नाही तर उद्या कोरोनावर मात आहे..

-जयवंत

A perfect partner:Chetan Chauhan

One always needs a partner whose eye contact,body language and sheer presence makes you assured about yourself.

If one needs to make it big in life, you should have a partner who is always there for you in thick and thin situations. 

That’s exactly what Chetan Chauhan was to Indian Cricket and Sunil Gavaskar.

With Gavaskar, Chauhan redefined the definition of opening partnership and went on to become one of most trusted lieutenants of Indian Cricket.

For Chauhan, Gavaskar was his leader, partner and by all means a mentor for whom he almost infamously left the cricket ground in Melbourne when to later’s amusement, he was given out by the umpire against Deniss Lillee.

If Gavaskar retired as India’s leading test scorer with 34 centuries, Chauhan got into oblivion without scoring a single century. That probably remains his most highlighted achievement of his career. However it speaks volumes for his consistency,commitment and contribution towards the game.

But there was so much more about Chauhan than Gavaskar. He was a typical khadoos opening batsman, putting a heavy price on his wicket and not to get bogged down against top class bowlers. Wish only those eluding centuries came his way too 😔 

Chauhan went to become an able admistrator, an honest lawmaker and still had a long political career in front of him when COVID caught him off the guard only to succumb to his trademark of not converting a good start into long innings.

Chetan Chauhan ! You will always be remembered as early pioneers of Indian Cricket who made the world take a note of India’s supremacy and will be regarded as one of the best opening batsmen, the country was ever blessed with.

RIP Chetan Chauhan 🙇‍♀️ 

Images Courtsey: Dainik Bhaskar

 

Take a bow 🙇‍♀️ Legend MSD

A stalwart bids adieu and one wonders whether we treat this as one of the saddest days of Indian Cricket or congratulate media for finally achieving its goal by consistently taking up a cause for MSD farewell.

Gavaskar had once famously said,

“Retire, and let people ask WHY? Rather than getting asked WHEN?”

Media seems to pick up this cause of ‘WHEN’ as soon as they see someone falter even once and are happy to take expert role to write a cricket obituary.

As MSD retires from International Cricket, luckily for the fans, the world has a window in form of IPL and hopefully we see him around for few more years to come.

As a typical fan of the BIG 5, MS was always an outsider for many amongst the cricket followers and one wondered whether the long haired raw teenager had the potential to carry heavyweights under his leadership and boy ! 

He brought the glory home for the first time in 2007 World Cup 20-20 and then made it a habit to take the podium position whether it was IPL, Champions Trophy or that coveted 2011 World Cup which made India erupt in loud cheers and tears for the Master Blaster Sachin.

The time flies, a career that started as a rusty teenager is about to end as a legend. We might have seen one of the best ever keepers and skippers of India bidding adieu to the game we loved and he lived.

Each legend gives us something to learn but Dhoni gave us patience, cool head, difficult mind to read and most importantly an ideal leadership one should idolise and aspire for.

Thanks Dhoni for giving us those wonderful years and bringing those amazing moments for all the cricket fans, the world over.

Take a bow 🙇‍♀️ ‘The Real Keeper of Indian Cricket’ 🙇‍♂️ 

Image Courtesy: Economic Times

Disclaimer: The article is personal tribute to a glorious cricketer and does not intend to comment about the ups and downs of the Indian Cricket.

Scindia and Pilot, two sides of same coin

Slowly but steadily, the clock is ticking.

What Madhavrao Scindia and Rajesh Pilot wanted to do two decades back before unfortunately fading away from limelight amid untimely accidental deaths, their sons tried to replicate the model in their hope to come out as winners in Congress as organisation’s stalwarts or in their own states as Chief Ministers.

The calculations though mathematically sound, failed to find ears from Congress high command and two young sulking leaders were born.

With one already exited and other(or probably many more) on the way out, the road to bring back RaGa at the top is clear but the question remains how bumpy it’s going to be when it comes to people and their right to choose the next Prime Minister in future elections.

The Congress has a long legacy to cut the wings of its own leaders. In the past we have seen many of its stalwarts confined to state politics or systematically wiped out from their political careers.

However, the most important factor here one tends to forget is the centralised power then and now. Doing such act was easy as the leadership revolved around Mrs. Gandhi or RaGa’s father Rajiv. The opposition had an excellent but not so ruthless leader in Vajpayee.

Last 2 decades has seen legacy of state centric families which have their own cultures and high command who won’t let a piece go away anything in politics without getting its own pound of flesh. The BJP has become a full fledged political party and is no longer afraid to play the games of trade and the Congress is entangled in dynasty and poor organisational management.

With MP gone and Rajasthan on the verge, it is high time the dynasty politics review its future strategy. Maharashtra could be the next in the line with sulking karyakartas waiting for their next political jump.

The country needs a strong opposition for its secured existence but if they are indulged in family first, party next and country last as part of its political ideology, the road for redemption seems tough for the Congress, multiparty governments and vulnerable fence sitters are bound to have their last laugh to plum roles and careers.

Image Courtesy: Loksatta

Disclaimer: The blog is primarily an expression of thoughts of current political situation across states and does not justify or argue for the political behaviour of the parties or its leaders.

Nepotism ! As it unwinds..

Nepotism is the new buzzword which has triggered a war of words on social media with some defending and some going extra mile to let the world know how have they suffered. 

Nepotism is an age old tradition going across cultures, geographies, monarchies and in modern world even inflicting the corporate world.

Nepotism, as bad as it sounds, there’s always an unknown side to it and no human is spared without using it. The important factor to understand that whether it is a harmful nepotism or harmless. 

Nepotism knowingly or unknowingly begins in the childhood. Whether it’s schools, your neighbourhood, one will find a parent promoting his or her own child unknowingly   (/sometimes knowingly) hampering the talent of other kids. As parent or as a child, one fights it’s out and either proves a point or moves away to different avenues. Nepotism continues!

Nepotism need not originate from an individual and can be socially driven. A normal child of a talented parent sometimes will find it hard to come to terms with own potential. If one goes back into history of sports, an interesting story of Sir Donald Bradman’s son makes us realise that, we as a society stretch ourselves too far. His son chose to change his surname to Bradson dumping the legacy of the greatest ever or someone like Liam Botham who retired in early twenties to move to Rugby from Cricket. Many such examples in  normal walks of life can be quoted wherein the next generation has chosen its own path. But, Nepotism continues!

Nepotism, if it was the way our ancient nobleman propagated, the same has not changed in today’s corporate. What has changed, is its course and now it goes beyond family roots. Favouritism can be the new synonym to keep the control under your own pedestal. Survival of the fittest is still the rule and the one who copes up, stays back or can choose to move out. Nepotism continues! 

Nepotism, the word turns foul when it starts impacting the very existence of other individual. Promoting your own progeny or chosen one is fine but postering them without an iota of credibility and that too at the cost of others is harmful. Kingdoms were replaced with democracies, caste based professions made its own way towards skill based society. However, those who haven’t understood these ethos of life, still suffer with agenda of own and many a time we come across leaders with no credibility pushed on the society. Nepotism continues! 

Nepotism, as it means will keep coming at you and one has to find own means to survive with it. What matters is the fact, that it should not come at a cost of spoiling a childhood, snatching a promising life or most importantly compromising nation’s interest. As like ages, Nepotism continues!

Nepotism, as it means is here to stay. Harmful or harmless is our choice.

Image Courtesy: CEO World

Disclaimer: The article is a personal observation about nepotism and does not talk about any individual or a family.