Elections- Do we really have a choice ?

 

Democracy-“The Will of People”

Every five years one is given a tool

The tool called “vote”

It makes or breaks the parties

Rejection is the mother of all fears

A politician’s nightmare

And nobody likes a defeat

A few days before the voting day

Every candidate is seen with folded hands and bowing head

Standing in front of the so called “common man”

Begging for a vote in his favor

Using everything in his kitty

From development to freebies to God knows what

Would like to ask these people a simple question

Are they not common ?

What makes them elite ?

Are they not elected to serve the people ?

Are they not duty-bound to fulfill the promises?

Promises of progressive future

Of good roads, clean water, ample to eat

The golden picture of election time “A mirage”

Vanishing and fading humility of elected ones

They are secure for next five years.

Secure to be carelessly trample the hopes

The hopes of that helpless “common man”

That smirk on their face a tale of their arrogance

Their indifference towards their constituency

A slap on the voter’s face

Why we are helpless?

Why can we not have a say?

Why can we not have right ?

To reject a candidate nomination

And ask for a better choice

As there are selfless and honest men/women

Not looking for galore for themselves

But ready to work for “comman man”

Five years or fifty the promises will be broken

The professional politician will serve their own interest

Until they know the switch to power is not in their hand

But in hands of the so called common man

They can be removed as fast as they were elected

With a press of button called “RECALL”

 

When I hear the word common man from these so called politicians and netas, wonder who they think they are. Is it not time to recognizing and respect the people for being fellow humans and a force which can change the fate of these netas, by press of a button.? Why from being sevaks at election time, they become masters after being elected. May be they know that there is no way to de-elect them for next 5 years and they take full advantage of the fact. Most of the time people have no choice, because choosing between bad and worst is after all no choice.

The good choice is as rare as the mango tree😄 in a dessert.

 

Random

People look in the mirrors
Not to reflect themselves
But to see how the world wants to look at them
I do not look in mirrors
Apart from highlighting a few wrinkles
Or a few grey hair
It does not say much
I search for my reflection in the hearts of my loved ones
Why?
I know
Would love to know your point of view

Copyright (c) 2018 Namrata D Prabhakar

Random-PEACE Reflection of their expressions

The cause of many sufferings

Happiness an illusion

Never stays for long

Never consistent

Always dependent

Still everyone is running

Trying to own it

BUDDHA did not go in search of happiness

Neither did Kabir or other great Saints

For them there was nothing to be achieved

With my limited observation

I could say

The common bond they shared

Is

The serenity and calm

The love and generosity

And

Their state of Inner PEACE

Copyright (c) 2018 Namrata D Prabhakar

All rights reserved

Random – Tea

Desi chai of Jammu

While having my morning ☀️ tea, my thoughts took me to the world of this magic beverage.

The tiny leaves may be the only one (not sure) having so varied tastes and colors. And every tea lover has his/her unique taste and style of making. A “cup of tea” is our companion, supporting us in our good times or bad times.

For me it created a few very precious friendships and lots of Memories. 💕.

Today I thank the first planter of T😇.

Are we disposing of e-waste safely?

Every year GITEX shopper is held in Dubai and numerous other such events in other parts of the world to introduce latest technology in the market. People await eagerly for these mega events. The latest gadgets and IT related products are introduced at these events . All the vendors come with their special offers and discounts to attract the consumers. It is good to see all the technology advancement. The sales of mobiles are especially high, even I have bought products at times. Since my receny visit few questions are constantly arising in my mind, i.e.

Is the fast tech. and innovation at such a rapid pace good for the society?
Are we aware of hazardous effects of improper disposal of e-waste on environment ?.

It is mind-boggling that in a year’s time what you bought seems like obsolete. I am not against development but least the Tech companies and their distributors could do is :

1. Encourage the people to trade-in the gadgets which they are no longer using.
2. The products which are not usable or broken can be disposed off at a collection place within the exhibition centers.
3. These places are best for consumer awareness programmes about the harmful effects of storing at home the gadgets no longer in use.
4. A display highlighting what can be disposed of in garbage, what can be given for recycling or for proper disposal of e-waste would go a long way in raising the consumer awareness.

Just for an example take the case of batteries of mobile phones. Despite having knowledge a click away, how many of us are aware of harmful effects of unused batteries lying at home for long time?

Lets be conscious about using the Technology and saving our environment by proper disposal of e-waste after enjoying it “

Random – The tradition of quality continues

It is amazing to visit the favorite place of one’s growing-up years. Some places have 2-3 generation of proud continuity with the quality and taste still the same. And most important the humality of the young owners who represent their grandfathers and fathers makes them more special

Experience of 50 + years of making samosas

Continuing the tradition of quality and good customer relationships

The old ways of making tea on clay chulas ( burners), a small shop on Jammu-Srinagar highway known for tea-mathi ( snack), a most stop for travelers

Shop of barfi (sweets) on Jammu-pathankot highway, the most authentic taste, continues to pull the travelers and locals alike

No one can beat the taste of Rajma-rice with pure ghee of this shop of 3 generations on Jammu-Srinagar highway

They still do the grinding of spices and chuteny in old ways with stone grinders

Continuing his father’s buisness this young man is proud of his father’s name. Most of us Jammuities who have known Girdhari have fond Memories. Despite having such a hugh customer base he would remember the individual tastes and used to address everyone “uncleji”

Maniram made Jana falls in Manali famous and must visit with his authentic and traditional Himachli food thali complete with brown local rice pudding.

RANDOM- SPELLBOUND

Most fortunate are the people who have an opportunity to travel and witness the nature at it’s full Glory.

Everytime I look at my treasure house of Memories I feel like shareing them with my friends 🙏🏻

RANDOM – The Traditions A Visual treat

The old traditional houses blending into the surrounding, treasure for Artist ‘s imagination.

The trees
The mud
The wood
Together a shelter
Withering the weather
The rains
The snow
The storms
Protecting the mortals
From nature’s fury

Dear friends,
Most of the shoots have been captured while moving. From Jammu &Kashmir to Himachal Pradesh the magnificent and ever changing beauty is a treat for eyes.

Copyright (c) 2018 Namrata D Prabhakar

All rights reserved

Victims of expectations


Since last few days after the results of 12th and 10th standard were declared, one question has been haunting me “Is this worth? Today morning I read that two children gave their life just because scores may not be good enough to take science stream. Every time something like this happens the debate on current education system starts and ends without any positive conclusion. Is the present parent generation so helpless under their burden of their own expectations that they can not see the suffering and struggle of their children.


The moment child enters 9th class, his/her whole world is turned into a tsunami of expectations. The school, parents and the society has few sentences to say i.e Now you have to study hard, forget about playing, Concentrate , do not waste your time. People in their lives expect them to turn into marks machine. Parents think that if their child does not get into science stream it is end of world for them. The teachers think that students not scoring above 80% are not good enough for taking science. The relatives and friends think that as if the child has some intelligence deficit. It is vivacious circle of unjust expectations for which children pay the price.
Majority of parents think that if their children become engineers or doctors , that means they have done their best. They do not bother to find out their child’s aptitude or his/her talent. Why are they afraid to look below the surface ? Why they do not let child have freedom of thought and be his/her natural self. No doubt it is parents duty to guide the child for choosing the career. Every parent wants to see their children progressing. But today it is more about their expectations then the child’s welfare. Why we are so insecure as a parent generation ? Why can’t we explore more avenues and opportunities instead of limiting their choses.
The school and the teachers are the equal contributors to this sorrow state. The moment they see less than or more than 80% on the mark-sheet, the student’s fate is decided. Their only agenda is result. Who says a child scoring average marks is not intelligent enough to study science or vise versa. Why is a student not given freedom to choose his stream/subjects irrespective of marks he/she scores in 10th standard ?
If the parents and the teachers give enough opportunities to choose from, there are better chances of having a progressive future generation. And most important when there is no fear of being judged on the limited criteria, they would perform better.

“Opportunities are exploration of interests

Right to choose the path and walk on it

Is what freedom is all about.”

Appeal to all parents : let the children study without fear of failure and we may leave a legacy of fearless society