ALS Ice Bucket Challenge - Is it just a waste of water or more

The ALS ice bucket challenge has reached all the corners of this globe, across, caste color or religion. In last couple of weeks, i have seen videos of people as prominent as Bill gates to a common man in Africa.

Some prominent question : Is it really helping or just a fancy leading to waste of gallons of water. A promising bollywood super star even even making a video and posting it on social media asking people not to waste water for the ice bucket challenge.

Sonakshi Sinha's Ice Bucket Challenge

I thought of identifying the pros and cons

Cons : 

• Uses water (almost a bucket)
• The donations not reaching to under developed countries. Also, the ALS organization cannot be trusted with proper utilization of donated money (based on previous year financial reports)

Pros : 

• Creating awareness
• bringing people together involving them to connect with each other
• Being adapted in different country

Lets discuss them:

- Water a Precious Resource
We all take bath and hence to use one bucket of water to bath with an ice cold water is no big deal, unless we plan to have multiple shots /retake which most actors do take while filming a scene of rain dance or even an advertisement like Fem fairness cream. if you plan responsibly like Akshay Kumar who used sea water for the challenge or Bill Gates who performed the act in his lawn (adding water to the green), you are not really wasting water.

A water is wasted when you let it flow unused. like when you keep your tap on while shaving or brushing your teeth.

- Funds not being used properly
This is a serious issue but am sure when more people gets involved, the chances of misuse decreases. I am sure Federal and State agencies would be keeping a keen eye on the functioning of ALS after the kind of media attention it has reached. So although alarming, we can still take some risk in keeping faith with this organization for a little more time.

+ Creating Awareness

Before this campaign, not even 20% of the world knew about this disease to exist. It has been very difficult for the ALS patient to cope up with the fast urban society who never cared for it. Awareness leads to support. I am sure the ALS patients will definitely gain some support from its citizens. And, unconsciously, this campaign has also created awareness about the importance of conservation of water.


It has also inspired many like me to think about our health and living life to the fullest.

+ Bringing people together

The communites are getting connected, and so are friends. So many people are talking about this and many are being able to recognize the patients that they had met in past but not realized. Some of these communites will not end here, but will lead into another social groups doing some good innovating things. For example: the rice bucket challenge.

+ Adaptation across the globe
People has adopted this program to create awareness about topics that they feel is close to their heart. some about the sacrifices of soldiers and loss in war, while other took up this challenge for helping an institute researching on treatment of Cancer.

Some friends of mine told me that Indians do not need to dump water on their head. they need to serve the hungry people first. My friends, I honor your idea of rice bucket challenge and it is indeed a very noble thought. But that idea being conceived from ice bucket challenge made me believe that this challenge was really effective in bringing people closer towards good will.

Conclusion
This challenge has been effective in creating awareness. Even though it has gained both supporters and critics, it has created awareness about this disease with both the genre. So, the campaign has meet its purpose effectively. Every idea when becomes fancy is sometimes being misused. Not everyone needs to participate or be a part of it. Or if you want, you can adapt it in a way to support the cause that is more close to you. And if you don't feel like that, just accept that, because that will be the most honest answer a human being can give. There is nothing such bad thing if you do not participate.

Wait

There is a wait all around.
Some are waiting for rain, then some are waiting for their friends
Some are waiting to forgive, some are waiting for being forgiven
Some are waiting to rule, some are waiting to be ruled
Some are waiting to travel abroad, Some are waiting to come back home
Some are waiting for power, Some are waiting for peace

Even I am waiting for something,
to be accepted, to be forgiven, to be let free
to enjoy, to love and to serve

Indian Democracy at its best

Election over and the parties have started looking for companionships

Pre election :
Congress found BSP leaders as incapable and the prime accuse behind the setback of the state of Uttar Pradesh
Mamta di with Sonia on her side left no stone unturned to grandstand the ineffective governance of left front in West Bengal

I met a person who was standing in front of me at the polling booth waiting his turn, for his finger to be dyed blue which later turns black like the fate of our nation. Oops we are growing democratic and secular nation so we should not be speaking this. Often elders asked me to practice my right when I grow up and bring in a change. I cast my vote, only to found myself in the same mess again.

So to save this nation from getting destroyed, I thought of taking the advice of that elderly person and I asked him, “Whom do you think have been able to rule the nation for the betterment of this citizen. Who do you think is the best emerging leader for our nation”. Undoubtedly, he was not very satisfied with the results of his hand. Neither the hammers could help him; neither the lantern could show him way in the darkness. Elephants were too costly to be maintained in his limited capabilities.

Anyway, with all my knowledge, I exercised my power and tried to stop the hand. I brought in the leader who was exposing all the weakness of hand in my locality just few days back. He was the man of solidarity and wanted to raise his voice against the lackluster government at the centre.

5:00 PM: Closing bells rang for polling. 30 minutes and I heard that the same fellow, I passed my veto, is looking for the companionship with hand. Oh my God! So that hand is back at the center with new energy to rule for another 5 years.

Those of you who are laughing on my fate, be careful, I am wondering if there was any choice.

In Kolkata, there were only 3 parties: Left, TMC and Cong. TMC & Cong were already together, so the only option was left, which also reconsidered to join hands with Congress in just 30 minutes post election. They think so fast.

Similarly in UP, BSP, SP and Cong contested elections against each other and are now planning to solder their relationships with few cabinet posts. Mr. Election Commissioner, why don’t you put up an NSA against such political parties who bluffed millions of mass through their faux passes?

Truly the best way to practice our fundamental democratic rights. I am not sure how ecstatic I will be for the next election.

Hooliganism or Vandalism

Mangalore incident was another alienated event getting full coverage from media with marking the event just as hooliganism. Many asked the question, what we mean by Hinduism, has anyone also asked what we mean by modernization? A modern working class woman wants to enjoy her life. For her doing odd jobs at home is not healthy for a women. So she keeps a maid for such jobs. Isn’t that maid is also a woman, doesn’t she have any rights. We all have started enjoying our success and in the process have disparaged the importance of the Hindu society as a whole, which asks us to share, which asks for certain sacrifices both from males and females.

Democracy of speech, action, blabs… blab…

The incident was wrong, humiliation and use of power in any sense is unjustified. I agree with all the sufferings of so called modern women on this global society. Their action was wrong, but have we done anything to soothe their anger. There is a big misconception in our society that the literate white collar independent society is always right, and all their actions are clean. We have a big misconception of taking ourselves as the solicitor of this world and ignoring the every thoughts of the illiterate society. If an illiterate raise his eyebrow on the action of a literate, his action is bisected by this hard words. Women still compare themselves with the atrocities that were long abolished. Sita was not a normal human woman, neither was Rama. There has to be liberties, but there are also certain behaviors which may not be that comfortable to one but should be acceptable for the betterment of our society. This question on Hinduism is not just about women, but the overall youth Hindu society of India who are least aware of richness of our Vedic literature. Those who have read Bhagvat should know that it doesn’t mention that women should be captivated in the purdah system, but it asks for their protection. How good we may be, there are some evils in this society, from which our goddesses should be protected. It’s only the Hindu religion where a woman is being considered as the source of everything, whether its power, money, or knowledge. The Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh have only being symbolized as the care takers. I agree that we follow many practices that is due to our aloofness and which should be abolished, but we need to make it understand to the other section (who believes in them) why should we do so. For that we need to show them equal importance.

We spoke openly of our liberties, but have we thought about our elders who find it difficult to visit their nearby parks, all because of youths like me, us for whom showing affection in public which has become so common. There is nothing wrong, but its about the respect that they deserves. Regarding, pubs etc, all are good till we are there to enjoy after our hard work. But don’t we misuse it. All those other things that happens there, can we justify that. We literate society citizen never took offence to create awareness on them and now some uncomfortable people are taking some action, we want to hide the issue in the conception of violence. We all feel bad when we say that a woman in Delhi is not safe, how safe we all are in our corporate. The movie was not just out of an illusion. We leave everything to be proved first, and somebody else should take the initiative to prove it and if someone tries to put his voice, we make his voice dead. If everyone stops listening to us, we will be in an equally miserable state of frustration and someone else will be judging our actions.

I appreciate Taliban for making such strong laws though they over carried it. Do we have the courage to declare a similar tough law against a rapist? It takes 13 year for us to hand one rapist and in that time he humiliated another 6. Not every one can be made happy with the laws. Instead of finding out loopholes to overcome it, we should learn to value them. Being independent is good, but to think only about our own comfort is selfishness. I will support the woman if they work on creating awareness against the misconception about them. They deserve their due respect, but should not try to get everything by complaining and crying. The editor at IBM mentioned about the atrocities on women she saw at Rajasthan. Why didn’t she try to do something then? She asked it on Sena sevaks to take care of those issues. Isn’t it like giving excuses for not taking the responsibility about something she feels? Sens sevaks took actions (I know wrong actions) against something they find unjustified. If you feel something similar about any other area, take the lead, may be few from sena sevak(if they realize it too) may come and join you in your efforts. It’s like someone asking to sweep the floor and you are asking to wash your clothes first. Why cant we understand that cleaning of floor is important and then help in making the other person understand about the importance of clean clothes. all it requires is taking of responsibility and sharing of visions.

Financial Literacy

How much do we understand finance? How much do we understand, how the money works? Let me share out a snippet from the inauguration speech of the 44^th President on USA. He says,” those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it”.

The president of USA has led accentuated on the importance of our behavior, the way we use our resources, the way we live our life. It’s a time when we should understand the scenario globally and should check on our actions. We have pool of youngsters, who have recently joined the work force or will be joining. It’s important for them to acknowledge what finance is all about.

Let us look at the new lifestyle of our urban nation. Work hard, tirelessly, earn a lot, pay big taxes and spend a lot. We consume more resources then we actually need and are saving less. Our super stars, at the age of 45, are recognized as youth icons where entrepreneurs like Ankit Fadia are the lost names, occasionally read on book stalls.

All of us need to understand the cycle of money. We spend a lot (mostly on credit), put ourselves into big debts, and then ask for more money as the pay. This increases the cost of us as resource which impacts the cost of production of our service. It results in the increase in the cost of the products in the market. With higher salary, we spend even more on things that we do not need actually(more than 40% of the multimedia phone users use the phone for nothing else but calls, taking pictures, and listening songs. But they buy handsets where they pay for services that they never use. The inflation hit us hard back again with the increase in cost for food and other essential items. We also waste lots of energy. It’s a country of billion where everyone wants to own a vehicle. Has anyone ever thought about the land that these vehicles will consume just for parking. We need to restrain on the gasoline that we burn in our car. The same energy which could have served around 10 people in transport is now consumed by only one person.

For our nation to grow and prosper, we have to be aware of the place and society we live in. Our high consumption and waste makes the life more miserable for the lower and lower middle class. None of us are sure how long they will be able to tolerate us this way. Their course of action can’t be predicted, but we should learn something from the incidents in Mumbai and other places. A satisfied person won’t be participating in ransacking shops. We have taken over the jobs of Mumbai, increased the cost of living so high, without caring about its effect on the society as a whole.

Finance is not just about money. It is about the power to survive in this constantly changing world. Everyone is buying a house (some have 10 houses today). It’s good if one can afford it. But those who are buying on debt (do reconsider your thoughts). A house on high loan rates can never be an asset. You can’t sell your dwelling. If you think, that in time of crisis you will sell your home and can live in a smaller home, you never needed this big house. Similarly there is lot of places where we do not use our money smartly. You can call it lack of vision; I call it lack of financial literacy. Most of us have completely exhausted our financial powers in paying back to loans and we miss on lots of opportunities of life, just because the lack of it. I am myself paying back the debt taken by my family and me for education and other purposes. And I know how hard it hits you back.

I have also seen many youngsters caught in the rat race of being better then the other. And in this race they put themselves into situation which hurt them in long run. We have to be responsible, quiescent, and have tolerance. We all have big pay checks in hand. We also need to be profound in using it.

We all need to analyze our assets and liabilities. Government need to check the assets and liabilities of our country and if required should take decisions that may not be easy.

What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

Mr. Sanjay Dutt, Member of Indian Parliament

Sanju Baba, Munna Bhai, Sanjay Dutt and may be now MP Sanjay Dutt.

An actor like him will be adulated by his fans worldwide for ever. He has experienced various stages of life and must not be the same immature person who bought arms around 15 year back. Guilty or not, but the man won the heart of many by his acts of Gandhigiri as Munna bhai. The question now is how much we should trust him. There are few facts which raise doubts on his credibility as real life person as compared to his reel life.

1. His involvement in the bomb blast case (may be his immaturity) but the city as well as country is still churning in its ire. It wasn’t a mistake but a blunder which should not be ignored. Or else we want to set an example that how bigger the mistake be, we are still ready to forgive it.
2. In 2007 he pleaded to the court with an application for bail, citing cause as the sole earner for the family and need to take care of his daughter studying at US. Fact: He was on bail for more then 12 years. Had done over 50 films during the period of 19995 to 2005. And must have an average earning of around 2-3 crores per year. That must have saved enough money for his daughter to complete her study. Even in worst case if he has lost his money in Equity market, he could have get his daughter back in India and could have made her complete her education here. I wonder how mature he still is – very weak in Mathematics and finance.
3. Sanju Baba has also been known to have a roving eye and is known to have had casual sexual relationships with tens of women around the world. (Source wikipedia). Highly efficient and responsible act, it must have been.
4. His humanitarian acts commenced only in the year 2008, when the court rejected his plea and sentenced him for a 6 year rigorous imprisonment. There has been no record about his performance or level of participation here.

I wonder how responsible a person of this state of mind is, though I will confess that I am myself a die hard fan of couple of his flicks. But now he is using Indian Parliament as an escape gate from all the punishments (6 year is too small to set an example). I am surprised at the honorable leaders of Samajwadi party if they have read the rules of Constitution. He is a convicted, who is only out on bail and they have made him a representative of their party. I think I should not be, they bailed out Amitabh too at the cost of Sahara, always loyal to bollywood. (I wish Mr. Singh do not read my blog. I am too tired of all his speeches as a Mr. Loyal Bachhan).

If Mr. Dutt is so keen to service the country, why doesn’t he flex his muscles, join the Indian Army and fight for our nation.

But am sure this topic will also get lost somewhere and I will have to salute Mr. Sanjay Dutt somewhere on an Indian Republic or Independence Day.

I wish all such petitions be rejected and such person and the party should be punished for making a mockery of Indian Constitution. I feel such people should never have the patronage of getting an Indian flag over there body when they die.

Happiness

Everyone wants to be happy. I am sure everyone is looking for ways to be the happiest person in the world. They work hard, party hard, socialize, exchange greetings, sometime curses and do many more things. Then why are we still so worried and gloomy.

Anyway, let us not research on the cause of worry. Let me share few things/causes to live a happy life:

1. You are alive. (Common smile, I have never seen a dead person smiling)
2. Don’t be sad if you don’t get the things you want. You can still get it. Have this faith and start looking for ways to get it(its better to waste the time trying to get the things then being sad over it)
3. Stop breaking laws. If everyone do that, we can move around freely without being worried of bribes to get a water and electricity connection.
4. Follow traffic/driving rules, you can save lots of life on this earth.
5. Work hard. You will have a pleasant sleep at the end, and whatever you eat will taste delicious.
6. Don’t be worried with what others have. You can get it for yourself by being honest to your work. If you still can’t get it in 20 years (You have survived without it for 20 years), it was never necessary to have that thing. So stop running like dogs after every car.
7. Do your prayers regularly and try to understand it. You will get lots of peace and strength from your faith in the lord.
8. Don’t get bogged down with your hesitation. You are very human. Just accept or reject it whichever way you are comfortable in the first thought. And never spend a moment to regret over it.
9. Share yourself openly with everyone. There is nothing like ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Every human likes/dislikes something or the other.
10. Find out the person in you. Look for the opportunities where you can contribute. And prepare yourself for the others.
11. Be sensible to other. There is always another side of every big picture that we generally miss to see.

We spend our life worrying about things that very rarely happens and miss the beauty of people and life around us. Life is just this moment, live it with a smile.