Indian Flag

Indian Flag

The Indian Flag, also referred to as ‘Tiranga’ which means tricolour, is rectangular in shape. It has three colours- saffron on the top, white in the centre and green at the bottom. There is a blue wheel called the chakra with 24 spokes in it. This wheel is in the white centre portion of the flag. Our National Flag was born on the 22nd of July 1947. It was hoisted on the 15th of August 1947.

The saffron colour stands for bravery, courage and sacrifices.
The white in the middle stands for peace and truth.
The green at the bottom stands for greenery and prosperity.
The blue wheel with 24 spokes in the middle symbolises the 24 hours in the day.
The current flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya for the Indian National Congress.
Our national flag has been through a series of changes in its design ever since it was conceived.
Some of our earlier flags can be seen below.
     The first flag to be hoisted was on the 7 th of August 1906 at the Parsee Bagan Square in Calcutta (Kolkota). It was a horizontal tricolour flag comprising of dark blue on the top which consisted of 8 stars of different points. It was yellow in the centre, with ‘Vande Mataram’ written on it in Devanagari script and red at the bottom with a sun, star and crescent.
     The second was hoisted by Madame Bhikaji Cama in Paris. This flag was similar to the first one except that the top portion of the tricolour had one lotus and seven stars. This flag was exhibited in Berlin, Germany at the Socialist Conference.
     Dr. Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak hoisted the third flag in the year 1917 during the home rule movement. The flag had five red and four green, alternately arranged horizontal lines. The top left corner had the Union Jack. There were the seven stars and also in the corner there was a white
crescent and a star.
     Fourth, in the year 1921, a young man from Andhra Pradesh presented a flag to Mahatma Gandhi for his approval. This flag originally had only 2 colours, green and red symbolizing the Hindu and Muslim community. It was only after Gandhiji’s suggestion, that the white strip denoting peace and all other
communities of India, and the charkha symbolizing progress were included.
Our current flag is very similar to this, the only difference being that we have replaced the charkha with the Ashoka Chakra or the Dharma Chakra as it is called. It was the Congress Party flag that became the flag of Independent India.

Politics and Morality cannot be segregated.

     Politics, basically is a term derived from the word 'policy'. The process of formulationg policies is called politics and those who formulate policies are called politicians.
     For the past many years, the word 'politics' has got a bad image. It has come to be associated as a dirty game being played by politicians in a conniving and a ruthless manner to gain power and extract advantages pertaining to vested interests from others. Though this is true to a large extent yet if we go by the basics, this process of policy formulation leads to formation of rules and regulations that govern the society at a large and affect its day-to-day living.
     Now, the policy that is to be framed, must be bona-fide in its intent and must lead to welfare of the society. This implies that the person, who is formulating it, must be morally sound and ethical. This leads us to the concept of 'Morality'.
     Morality is defined as the attribute of a person who is 'moral' i.e. one who has a bona fide intent and thinks of such practices which are in the best interest of society. This means that a politician must have morality in order to formulate policies that will serve the interests of public in the best possible way. This means Morality and Politics have to be intertwined for societal welfare.
     Now, there's another aspect to it. As we see, politics has taken up the image of a bad game in the quest to power. In this game, all morals are generally kept aside and the use of "sama, dama, danda, bheda' is open for all. In this case also, morality, is still the same i.e. the societal welfare. The difference comes in approach and path undertaken so as to achieve larger good. We don't have a choice between "good" and "bad" but between "larger good" and "smaller good" where the former will lead to losses for the latter i.e. a small section of people.
     A person in politics should always intend good of the most. Hence, his morality is correct if it guides him to the larger welfare. He might have to do some bad to achieve greater good but he still will be said to be right because of his bonafide intent. His actions were just to root out the malafide intentions.
     Thus we see that Morality and Politics can't be segregated but still the definition of morality remains the same in all cases i.e. larger good and politics should work in a direction to achieve morality. However, morality is a human made concept in which perspective differs. Basically, it is a teleological concept where the definition changes from case to case i.e. there may be a difference in path taken to achieve a result but the end result remains the same.

An Open Letter to Chief Election Commissioner on election duties.

Dear Sir,

I am an ordinary citizen of India giving a suggestion as per my capability for duties in polls. 

First, in every elections, I have been seeing election duties of working employees of government viz. school/college teachers, bank officials etc. In today's scenario such election duties take a toll on students(in case of teacher's election duty), citizens(in case of bank officials' duty esp., after demonetisation) and similarly in various other cases. Moreover, they are already earning and already under a huge job burden. Instead the election commission should consider retired Group A,B,C and D employees or their equivalent in PSUs/PSBs and schools/colleges for election duties. This serves a dual purpose of

1. Not putting more burden on currently employed
2. Giving a chance to retired employees to earn some extra income alongwith utilisation of their free time in service of the nation

Second, unemployed and willing people can be considered for such duties

Seeing that they get money for a duty, they will work with utmost sincerity. This will also reduce government's burden and exchequer's bill in considering unemployed and educated youth for a minimum wage. In any case, election commission does a training programme twice/thrice before elections and this will also aquaint the youth and common citizens of the electoral process besides making them a responsible citizen to take part in democracy. This will reduce burden on programs like SVEEP of ECI.

Third, the EC can consider sending those people on election duty who did not vote in previous elections. This will make them realise their duty towards the world's largest democracy and make them more sensitive and responsible towards their duties as an Indian citizen.

I hope you consider these suggestions before allotting duties this year.

Thanks

--

Thanks and Regards,

Aditya Gupta.
An Engineer by Academics and a responsible citizen of India.

To Banks for easing currency exchange and deposit problem.

Dear Sirs/Madams,

    I have been observing the currency exchange process for the past few days. There has been huge rush and inconvenience caused to customers. It is more because of standing in long queues than of getting/not getting new currency notes. Not only this, regular banking has taken a toll on account of this.

    To overcome this, I suggest you to reemploy the retired personnel for these 50 days at a nominal incentive. You can reemploy a retired employee of any bank locally available just for notes exchange process. Let depositing and other tasks be done by regular employees. This will relieve regular employees so that they can focus on regular banking.

     Less credit giving also is a loss to bank's business. Instead, the cost of providing a small incentive like Rs. 1500/2000 daily will be less. There have been some serious instances if 2-3 people esp. elderly dying while waiting for their turn in queues. I am sure that banks don't want anymore such instances.

     Some banks have, probably, already issued a circular regarding employment of retired staff, if required, but they have not mentioned the daily/incentive that needs to be given to them. Not just the incentive, this will also be a recognition of their life service at the banks and the concern they have in their minds about their employer banks. Just a mere recognition will do wonders in easing banks' and their regular employees' burden.

     I have met some retired people of banks like union bank and sbi and they are ready to work provided the bank asks them to do so. Banks should also recognise their services and then I am sure that they will definitely be readily available for them. Even employing them from 10-5 will ease burden of the banks to a large extent and they also will happily work for atleast customer dealing hours of 10-7 and if requested, they will aid in preparing and submitting the reports i.e. the daily routine which is done post customer dealing hours. The existing employees will also have a sense of satisfaction and will develop a liking towards their existing employer banks and as such, image of banks in public, will also improve.

     The best possible way-out is to contact the retired emloyee of any bank and request him to work in the nearest bank of his/her choice. This suggestion will be more appropriate for rural areas because some villages/cities/towns/areas might have a retired personnel of one bank but the branch of some other bank. In that case, that personnel can be contacted for his services in that other bank as well at a nominal daily. This will boost the self-esteem of retired personnel whose care is your duty otherwise as well, and also ease bank's burden to a large extent.

     I am sure that you will consider the above-said suggestion and soon send a circular to all of your respective branches mentioning the no. and rank of ex-employees that should be temporarily engaged and also, the suitable compensation that should be given to them, if any. Even a mere recognition of their service (e.g. a memento/a souvenir) and an incentive in the form of priority treatment in branches in normal days when they visits for his own banking needs, will only do wonders.

     Apart from above-said suggestion for these heavy workload days, otherwise also engagement of retired personnel who are back to their hometowns and know their town more than the transferred employee to that branch, will help increasing banks' business. Consulting the retired employee, in itself is a recognition of his/her services and a message to him/her that the banks care. This suggestion is keeping in mind of the discussions I had with retired employees having desire to work for bank and see it rise to new heights. On analysis, personally I conclude the above-said suggestion.

Dussehra Ram Vivah Hoshiarpur

Ram Leela in Hoshiarpur

Indian Independence Day

                                       VANDE MATRAM - JAI HIND     

     Today i.e. 15th August is a truly auspicious day as it is Indian Independence Day. On this day, India was declared Independent of the colonial rule of Britain. It was a day when India had a tryst with destiny. When the world was asleep, India awoke to a new era, a new dawn. The country was reborn. It was free to pursue its own path and draw its own destiny after almost 200 years of intense slavery.
     Indian civilisation dates back to thousands of years. Indus Valley Civilisation has been pioneer and one of the oldest and greatest civilisations, Earth has ever had and whose proof of existence is available. This civilisation belongs to India. In various religious texts, the civilisations further go back to as old as the eras of Sat-yug, Treta-yug and Dvapar-yug. Known as 'Jagatguru' i.e. 'Teacher of the world' in ancient time, India never believed in violence. It always preached for peace and the tradition continues till date, but as destiny would have it, its peace was ruined and it was not ready for a battle. The situation's advantage was taken by then British and the country got colonised. This marked an end of the greatness as the money was drained out to the tune of about 80 crore (i.e. 800 million) pounds per annum. You can imagine the value of this money in 1800s era when still in 2016 this money is too much, even for a lifetime in any country. Thus, the country was left poor and disillusioned.
     The first Independence Day as declared by Indian freedom fighters was 26th Jan, 1930. It was a historic day when the leaders decided that India won't have anything less than complete freedom. Till then the demand was of dominion status and from this day the fight for complete independence started with a vigour and energy unmatched. The stuggle finally bore fruit on 15th August, 1947 when we got Independence from foreign rule.
     This happiness could not be expressed in words but it was just that there were no foreign rulers now. Independence from evils like poverty, malnutrition, communal thinking, colonial hangover etc., was still not achieved. The nationalists saw the huge work that was to be accomplished and the time was too less. The foundation of this was laid by the enactment of Indian Constitution which was to be the framework of Indian governance and thus began a new journey and a new struggle of freedom from these evils, but this struggle was different. All nations were working together to be free as these evils were (and still are) prevalent in almost all nations. People had learnt their lessons from the two world wars and had realised the ill effects of wars. They were now united and had become peace-loving.
     Slowly, this great nation, in its journey of 69 years and on this 70th Independence day proudly boasts of what it has truly achieved at an unparalleled pace. Today, the nation is proud, the nationalists are proud and the citizens are proud. Indians don't keep an eye on other nations, but are not such bad children that they can't protect their motherland now. No Indian will think before happily laying down his/her life for the country.

TODAY's ERA and TODAY's INDIA:

     As the era advances, new problems emerge. No country today, is independent of these termites of corruption and other political and social evils and India is no different, but as Indian PM says, "India has 1.25 billion minds to solve its problems" and I truly believe that the countrymen are capable enough to solve them. It's just a matter of time and a need to wake up the country. People can make a difference but an internal unity is an utmost requirement.

My message to Indian people: 

    WAKE UP INDIA. Wake up to these evils and end their roots. Utilise your capabilities and think in a collective way. A nation can become great only when its citizens are great. Don't just think individually. People are bigger than money which is nothing but a dead wood. It is true that some vicious trends are going on in our country and some bigwigs are involved. It is true that political-bureaucratic-industrial nexus is taking a toll on common man but as a great freedom fighter JP Narayan said in the era 1970s," If you do not like an order because you feel it does more harm than good to the country, you must not follow it."
     Now, a single man can't follow this great ideal but if we have unity and think collectively for nation's good, this will be very easy to do. The powerhouses are so because common man listens to them. Stop listening and their power is gone. Even on our 70th Independence day we Indians are struggling with our petty problems, thinking only about ourselves and keeping nation at the backstage.

The situation of Indian society today.

     It's high time that this country wakes up to the various social and politico-economic evils like derogatory position of women, corruption, communal tensions and thinking, reckless attitude. The alongside picture illustrates what some anti-India elements are doing to our mother when we as its children are sleeping. Become responsible children instead of being irresponsible and letting our motherland in the situation depicted in this picture.

What India was and should be.

     Our country has always been great and shall remain so. The alongside pictures show a happy mother. Can we Indians see our biological mother cry? No we can't. So, how can we see our motherland cry and allow anti-Indian elements to succeed in their motives?
     It is time that we wake up to these evils. We can't allow these evils to proliferate in our country. We can't allow them in our society. We have to come out of colonial hangover and status-quoism of king-subject mentality. This will not do any good, instead will harm our nationalism.

What India was and should be.

     Women needs to be given a revered position. Remember Lord Rama and how he revered his mothers and his wife. Why can't we do it? We strive to have 'Ram Rajya' but we want it free of cost. We do not want leadership by example, but we want good leadership by destiny.

     O my dear fellow Indians, we have struggled a lot to get Independence because we wanted to be free of evils and not keep struggling with them. Introspect, do a SWOT analysis, remove your weaknesses, become strong, inculcate good values and become both patient and impatient. When I say be patient, it is to be sensitive to societal needs and having faith in your efforts which might take some time to give results and when I say be impatient, it is towards evils in our society. Don't kill the bad person but kill the badness in him. This was the message given by our revered Swami Vivekananda. Live up to his expectations. Our beloved President Late APJ Abdul Kalam, wanted to see India as a developed country by 2020. Can we Indians fulfill his dream? Yes, we can and we should. He had faith in our capability and so we must work tirelessly and change ourselves from head to toe and colour ourselves in goodness and become one who does work to the best of his ability. We are a young country and we should not waste our youth indulging in petty pleasures but utilise it in building India. Always remember what the great Bhagat Singh and other nationalists said,"Ab tera khoon na khaula to wo khoon nahin wo paani hai, jo desh ke kaam na aayi wo bekaar teri jawani hai."

     Let this country regain its lost glory. Let there be a transition from India to Great India to THE INDIA i.e. Greatest India. Vande Matram ! Jai Hind !