Mahendra Singh Dhoni: The Legend

    As Dhoni has retired from International cricket today my mind is compelling me to write a few lines for him. As an ardent follower of Cricket I love watching him playing. Here I will only write my views and thoughts on him as we all know all the data and statistics about him.

    As I remember I first heard about Mahi (as he is fondly called) in 2003 itself. At that time he was making news for his performance in Ranji Trophy (the highest domestic cricket tournament in India) for his performances for his home state Jharkhand. He was then the only shining thing in the weak Jharkhand Ranji team. I really felt attracted for this guy with long golden hairs when I first saw his photo in the newspaper. At that time India was looking for a wicket-keeper who can bat. So then in December, 2004, the Indian team selectors gave him chance and the rest is history. He changed the definition of wicket-keeper batsman forever. 

    I remember I watched the whole match when he scored his first International century (148) vs Pakistan in May, 2005 and his second century (183*) against Sri Lanka in October, 2005 (it was a Diwali day) from the first ball to the last ball. It was really great watching him playing as he played with attacking style at that time. He loved finishing the match with a big six. But later he changed his style of batting and focuses on taking 1s and 2s rather than 4s and 6s and played according to the situation. He played with more responsively after becoming the captain of Indian team in 2007 and played the role of finisher in the team since then. But he kept his big hitting capabilities intact and used it when needed. We all remember his famous six which gave us our second World Cup in 2011. 

    The first and the only time I got the opportunity to watch this legend playing physically was on 10^th October, 2010 in Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. It was the 5^th day of the second and the last test match between India and Australia. I went with my friend Ravi Keshari. Mahi was quite and calm in the field. There was no sign tension or stress in his body language.

    I remember his says regarding how to control examination stress. He said that if you had studied for the entire year then you don’t need to be panic, initially it might give you tension but you will go through finally. He also said that if you hadn’t studies for the entire year then there no use of being panic. This signifies his simple technique to distress himself.

    I would like tell you that I have his poster pasted in my wall. I always see him as an inspirational leader and a calm person. I will miss him in Indian jersey but hope to see him as thalaiva in IPL 2020 to be held in UAE from September, 2020.              

Mental Health and us

I have been thinking to write about mental health issues for many days. But I hesitated to write about it as I am not a professional in it. But today I have decided to express my views on it. I hope you can relate to my words with you.

The issue of mental health is currently in news because of the suicide of emerging actor Sushant Singh Rajput at the young age of 34. He committed suicide on 14th June 2020 due to depression. It is quite unbelievable for us. He was very much successful in his film and television career. So his death has forced us to take the issue of mental health very seriously.

I think there used to be many reasons for depression. The main reasons are financial problems, failure in examination, unemployment, the problem in love life, family problems, etc. A large no. of farmers of our country commits suicide every year as they are unable to repay their loans due to crop failure and other reasons. The cases of suicide are also increasing among youths due to failure in examination, unemployment, and love related reasons.

I first encountered about suicide in the very first month of my hostel life in college. One of our seniors succumbed to death due to suicide as he had many back papers at that time. Again one of our juniors died because she was cheated by her boyfriend. After that, I come to know about many such cases of known people later. All these incidents always made me very sad.

I also went through mental health problems when I was not getting the desired marks and results in my college. But I was fortunate that I was able to beat it due to the constant support of my family and friends without going to the professionals. In this case, my very good friends Swapnil, Ashu, Lokesh, Karunesh, and others had helped me a lot in my hostel life in fighting with anxiety.

As the issue of mental health is rising so I along with a few of my friends have started its awareness program through digital platform. We invite professionals and consultants to take live sessions for needy people. In this case, we are well supported by Kautilya Foundation and Careu365. I will share the link of the live sessions (now recorded) in the comment section.

At last, I request everyone to take care of the mental health of yours and your loved ones seriously. One should always stay in the company of one’s family and friends. You should share your problems and thoughts with them. Even sharing things with someone can help you to reduce anxiety. Yoga and physical exercises are very much useful in keeping our mind mentally healthy. And if it’s needed, never hesitate to take help from the professionals.   

Our bonding

I thought you were the gift of God for me,

I had never met such a beautiful soul like you.

Your sweet and melodious voices still buzz in my ear,

Your beautiful smile is still in my mind,

Your words still encourages me to do better things.

I thought our bonding would last forever,

I wished we would grow old together,

I thought we both would be lucky this time.

I thought you were the girl I always dreamt of,

A small conversation with you made my day,

Being with you I felt myself completed.

I believed I could achieve anything with you,

I felt we knew eachother for a long

period of time, you too felt this.

But don’t know what happened all of a sudden

And our mesmerizing conversation has stopped.

I am still confused and vacillating,

But I still feel our bonding in my heart.

   

Flood of Assam

Flood is one of the biggest problems of the State. It happens every year during the monsoon season. It creates a lot of problems for the affected people. This year also there is no difference. This year, the flood has affected around 50 lakhs people in 30 districts to date. Around 79 people and hundreds of animal lives have been lost in this flood to date. This flood along with the COVID-19 pandemic is a double blow to the state.

The flood of Assam has been a regular phenomenon in the state since the earthquake of 15th August 1950.  Since then, it has been taking thousands of human and animal lives and devastating properties. The areas around the river Brahmaputra, Barak, and their tributaries are worst affected. During the monsoon season, the surface of these rivers is over-flooded due to massive rainfall. The release of water from the hydro projects of Bhutan and Arunachal has also created problems in the areas.

The flood use to create havoc in the lives of the people during the monsoon season. The people are forced to leave their homes and taken shelter in the relief camps along with their domestic animals. They have lost their farming land with its production in the flood. It also leads to soil erosion and siltation in riverbank areas. This has also created lots of problems for the innocent animals of different nationals parks viz. Kaziranga, Manas, and other wildlife sanctuaries.

The central government needs to announce the flood as the national problem to find a permanent solution. Otherwise, it has always been on the verge of ignorance for the longest time. The financial package released from both the Centre and State Government is not sufficient for the betterment. Moreover, the State Government needs to ensure the speedy and proper process for rescuing and rehabilitation of the people. SDRF, DDMA, and the district administration have a great role to play here. The embankment of the riverbank should be upgraded properly in time. The government should also focus upon the implementation of the dredging of Brahmaputra as announced during the Namami Brahmaputra festival in 2017.

In this regard, I would to like tell you that we also faced the same problem when we shifted to our present home in 1999. I remember those days when we had to go through a lot of hardships in life. So I feel the situation of the people who are currently being affected by the flood.

There is a need for proper planning and its execution to solve the problem of the flood. If China can solve the flood of its Howang Ho then we can also solve it. In this regard, I request our national media to sensitize the flood of Assam as headline news to catch the attention of all.  I also request all to help the flood-affected people in their capacity.

Privatization of Indian Railways: Boon or Bane?

Recently on 2^nd July, 2020, Government of India has proposed to bid for 151 pairs of new trains to be run in 109 roots of Indian Railways from the private investors in the first phase. This will pave the way for the privatization of 167 years legacy of Indian Railways (1853-2020). It is the oldest railways in Asia and the 4^th biggest in the world. It is India’s largest Public Sector Unit in terms of providing employment. It is providing an employment of around one crore including direct and indirect employment.

According to the government this privatization will likely to attract an investment of around Rs. 30,000 Cr ($4 Billion) to Indian Railways. This will also create more employment opportunities, increase safety of passengers and create world class facilities in the railway system. This will also give a boost to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India.

On the other side it has been feared that it may lead to job lose, lose of job security, fare hike, loosening of government control over railways etc. It may further increase the difference between the rich and the poor in the country. Many railways employee unions have already opposed the move citing these factors.

This development has both positives and negatives. There is need of detailed discussion in this topic in a large scale. The government may need to have a fair discussion with all its stakeholders to get their support. In this regard I request my readers to comment your views in the comment section below. 

Covid-19, Lockdown and the Prevailing Situation

      The first half of the year is almost over now. But our experience during this time is very bad even you may say it is the worst until our lifetime. This year, we are hearing the news of the pandemic corona virus disease or COVID-19. First, it affected Wuhan Province of China, then spreads to Italy, Spain, and other European nations. Then it took the shape of Goliath in US, Brazil and Russia. After that, it started spreading in India and other South Asian nations.

      Amidst the fear of the spread of corona virus to every nook and corner of the country, as a precautionary measure, our government decided to lock down the entire country. Our PM announced it at 8 p.m. on 24th March 2020. First, it was announced from 25th March to 14th April i.e. for 21 days. Then again it was extended up to 19 more days as Lockdown 2.0. Then the Lockdown 3.0 and Lockdown 4.0 were also announced with the loosening of a few restrictions. Then unlocking was started from 1st June.

      The COVID-19 or corona disease has changed the way of our life a lot. Now maintaining social distance, washing hands frequently, using hand sanitizer, and wearing masks are not only normal but essential. The people are bound to stay at their homes if there is no essential work outside. The people have started working from home wherever possible. The methods like Video calls, Video conferences, online classes, webinars, etc have become very popular now.

      Due to sudden lockdown all educational institutes (schools, colleges, universities, etc), tourism activities, cinema halls, gym, etc are closed to date from the beginning. The hotels, restaurants, café, transport (roads, rail, and airlines), industries are also completely closed during Lockdown 1.0 and Lockdown 2.0 (from 24th March to 3rd May 2020). It has almost shattered the economy of the entire nation and its people. The poor and middle-class people are badly affected by the lockdown.

      The most affected of this lockdown is the migrant labourers. They lost their job and in the meantime, the government also didn’t avail any time to them to go back to their villages in the home states. So during this time many of them started their journey to their villages in home states by walking, cycling, etc. Many of them even died due to starvation. Then only after 3rd May when the special trains are arranged so that they can go to their villages in the home states. There are almost 2-3 crores of migrants labourers affected by lockdown.  

       

      Even after this strict lockdown also the numbers of the patient of COVID-19 are increasing day by day. Now India stood at 4th position in the world with around 5.8 lakhs COVID patients. We can only hope that the vaccine of the disease to come out soon. In the meantime we need to maintain the new norms of wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and maintaining social distance.

One of My Favourite Poem..I hope u will enjoy it!!

परिचय
- रामधारी सिंह दिनकर (Ramdhari Singh Dinkar)
सलिल कण हूँ, या पारावार हूँ मैं
स्वयं छाया, स्वयं आधार हूँ मैं
बँधा हूँ, स्वपन हूँ, लघु वृत हूँ मैं
नहीं तो व्योम का विस्तार हूँ मैं
समाना चाहता है, जो बीन उर में
विकल उस शुन्य की झनंकार हूँ मैं
भटकता खोजता हूँ, ज्योति तम में
सुना है ज्योति का आगार हूँ मैं
जिसे निशि खोजती तारे जलाकर
उसीका कर रहा अभिसार हूँ मैं
जनम कर मर चुका सौ बार लेकिन
अगम का पा सका क्या पार हूँ मैं
कली की पंखडीं पर ओस-कण में
रंगीले स्वपन का संसार हूँ मैं
मुझे क्या आज ही या कल झरुँ मैं
सुमन हूँ, एक लघु उपहार हूँ मैं
मधुर जीवन हुआ कुछ प्राण! जब से
लगा ढोने व्यथा का भार हूँ मैं
रुंदन अनमोल धन कवि का, इसी से
पिरोता आँसुओं का हार हूँ मैं
मुझे क्या गर्व हो अपनी विभा का
चिता का धूलिकण हूँ, क्षार हूँ मैं
पता मेरा तुझे मिट्टी कहेगी
समा जिस्में चुका सौ बार हूँ मैं
न देंखे विश्व, पर मुझको घृणा से
मनुज हूँ, सृष्टि का श्रृंगार हूँ मैं
पुजारिन, धुलि से मुझको उठा ले
तुम्हारे देवता का हार हूँ मैं
सुनुँ क्या सिंधु, मैं गर्जन तुम्हारा
स्वयं युग-धर्म की हुँकार हूँ मैं
कठिन निर्घोष हूँ भीषण अशनि का
प्रलय-गांडीव की टंकार हूँ मैं
दबी सी आग हूँ भीषण क्षुधा का
दलित का मौन हाहाकार हूँ मैं
सजग संसार, तू निज को सम्हाले
प्रलय का क्षुब्ध पारावार हूँ मैं
बंधा तुफान हूँ, चलना मना है
बँधी उद्याम निर्झर-धार हूँ मैं
कहूँ क्या कौन हूँ, क्या आग मेरी
बँधी है लेखनी, लाचार हूँ मैं ।।