Online Abuse. Ring the Bell.

This.Online.Abuse.

Don't shy away.

Raise your voice against such abuse. To you or anyone else. 

Succumbing, is not an option. 

Right-wing or Left-wing, no one deserves this. 

Have you come across any Amaresh Misra online? Rip open their stories.

What do I do when I see someone being abused online? 

1. Report abuse. 2. Share their faces as much as I can. 

3. Shower their TLs with inspirational messages from Mahatma Gandhi, Vivekananda, etc. 

Bhago mat, Bell Bajao. 

Schizophrenic Encounter #1

"Why must you always have this compulsive need to cling onto other people?
Why do you have this need to constantly drag people into Your world?
Why do you await for them to abandon the path that awaits for them and join yours;
One that they have no intention to follow? 
Why can't you be happy with your way and let others be happy with theirs?"

Yesterday night, I woke up to somebody saying this ^^ to me. I searched to who that person was but I was surprised to see the room empty. It was just me. Me talking to me.
I have been practicing this exercise for a while. Because it is helping, I would like to share with you all.
I have stopped CREATING dreams for a few days now and instead I talk to Myself, telling My problems and confusions and conflicts to Myself and sleep.
And then, the next morning, I record all that I could remember of my dreams that night in a diary, and trust me; THE SOLUTION IS ALWAYS THERE. Somewhere hidden between the lines.

What I told Me that morning kept reeling in my head. I was right.
I not only wanted my way, I wanted others to live my way too.
That was the how I had ruined a few of my relationships with friends, family and co-workers.

To explain in simpler terms, some relationships begin to end with this. Say for example, with your partner.
You want him to live your way and he wants you to live his. When you want to stay home over the weekend, he wants you to accompany him to go drinking and partying with his friends.
And you end up with an argument. So you would stay home and sulk and he would go out and sulk and get drunk. And he returns home, the fight resumes.
If you win the game, you drag him into your world and he would stay home and sulk. And you would fight again!
Now, how about this? He would have let you be home and you would have let him go out with his friends, then he would come back home with latest about his world and you could share yours!

This habit to force others live a life you want them to live and to perceive things as you perceive, can also be one of the factors you could blame for your sour relationship with your children, parents, friends or colleagues. Even if that is your way of showing care and love!

Sometimes, we don't take people for granted, but their freedom. If we grant the other person the freedom to be themselves, the other person is always growing and renewing.

For every person to grow and explore their greatness, they have to follow their path and purpose.
Most people fail because they try copying others and leaving their path not realizing that each of us here has a different question paper.
If you sow a seed and dig the soil every other day to see how much has the sapling grown, the tree wouldn't ever happen!

Dreams on a Tricycle

"When I asked Raghu what is your dream in life, he said only one thing: 'I want to see the women of India and their children smile'", said APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India as he welcomed Raghu Mackwana on the stage.

It was YUVA Unstoppable Jalso and Abdul Kalam was the chief guest of the evening.
The crowded hall was expected, as it wasn't just the President of India, but a scientist of ISRO who was the chief of the evening.

I was here since last one hour and all I had seen of this man was his back and the green shirt, neatly ironed and his smartly cut hair. With all lights focused on him and cameramen trying to capture as much as they can of him, I saw the man collapse on the floor. I was the only one who was shocked among the audience who were cheerful and applauding for Raghu. Cameramen and lights swiftly followed his pathway. I had no clue if there was anything moving which cameras followed. As he lifted himself smoothly on the stairs to reach the stage I realized it was Raghu bhai and he was walking on his arms!

On the stage, next to the President of India was this thin man with sheer determination that over-flowed from his eyes, a smile that answered a thousand questions and a gaze that was confident and comforting.

“I’m not doing anything great. I’m not on a mission to change the world. God has been very kind to me in my struggle to survive. Now it is my turn to repay", Raghu said as he opened the talk. 

After 5 minutes of a 'Thank you' speech, there was still a lot more that was left unsaid about Raghu bhai. Or may be I just wanted to know more about him. 

I was at YUVA Jalso as a reporter to cover the event. After the event ended and when most journalists hushed towards the President, who himself is an inspiration I have always looked up to, I couldn't stop but force myself towards Raghu's Tricycle on which he was trying to sit. I partially remember my cameraman asking me to interview the President of India, but I walked towards this extremely simple yet charming man who had just received, 'I am the Change' award.
It was better than running behind the President's car who was getting late for his flight. Yes, I was a lazy media intern.

"Namaste...tamee Newschannel ma thi avya cho? (Namaste, are you from a news channel?)",asked extremely humble Raghu bhai. He sounded street-smart and decent. 

I nodded. 

"A lot of media people have interviewed me. I was in Times Of India too!", he chuckled as he spoke about his fame.

"Yes I have read about you. Need to take your bite", I said trying to dilute the awkwardness in communicating to strangers, that I had acquired naturally.

"I am sorry but I need to leave. It is already 7.15 p.m.", he said twisting his wrist to see time.

I looked at him with a 'So What?' expression.

May be he understood. 

Raghu Mackwana on his Tricycle

"I have to start delivering tiffin boxes from 7.30 pm. Shantiba has to take her medicines at 8 pm after her meal and I have to deliver her food before that. Jayant bhai sleeps at 9 p.m. If I reach late he will be like really late to sleep!", he said leaving me startled with his punctuality, sense of responsibility and of course his fluent English! He claims to have learnt English 3 years back from an exchange student from U.K who taught him how to read English and today, his fluency was a result of reading 2 English newspapers daily. 

"We must constantly learn and upgrade our self. We must grow and contribute on daily basis", he said leaving me spell-bound for a moment. Was he really a slum-dweller who studied only till class 5? 

"But can't you wait? I'll only take 10 minutes", I muttered. I was unreasonable but he was my story! I knew my Bulletin Producer would kill me because (a) I missed bite of President of India (b) Even Raghu bhai was denying to give me bite.

"Madamji, I have struggled for two meals a day. I know how disastrous each minute turns out to be when you have no food in your stomach.", he didn't sound rude. He spoke each word with peace. 

This young man, who lost his legs in his early childhood to Polio, pioneer of Ahmedabad's most efficient and creative social services, "Tyag nu Tiffin" (Food of Sacrifice), "Tulsi (Basil)' Project" and "Lok Mitra (Friends of People)" was reluctant to come on a T.V show because it interfered with his service time which he served for no money! This, only celebrities did, I told myself.

Raghu bhai, one of the million people who come to Ahmedabad (Mini Mumbai) with dreams in their eyes, had spent couple of his initial years in a temple arranging shoes in the shoe-racks until he met Jayesh Bhai, who was equally charmed by the bright shimmer in his eyes that reflected the desire to do SOMETHING. 

Helped by Jayesh bhai, Raghu became self-reliant. This did a lot more than just helping him survive. 

He was always seen resolving street feuds in the slums. But this wasn't it. He gifted both the parties a sapling of Basil plant each and explained them its significance.(Basil is considered a sacred plant in India and is proved to be medication for a lot of disease) At times, he recited prayers and sometimes he shared stories of saints to people. 

He sang to anyone who wanted to uplift their mood. 

"I am a huge fan of Rafi saab", he had said in his speech on stage. 

"Today I gave my 800th Tulsi plant to an old lady who was upset because his son was on alcohol", he almost read my mind. I tried to help him put his bag on his Tricycle to which he refused. 

Raghu Mackwana, along with a group of other four members gave a kick-start to his dream in 2011. He started giving home-cooked food tiffins to needy. In no time, more and more people joined in and what was his 'small pay-back' turned into most poor/working people's bliss in Ahmedabad.

"I set-off at 12:30 pm and 7.30 pm to deliver food to some people who are less fortunate than I am. Anytime in between and we can surely meet!", he informed me while his hands were busy fixing his tricycle's side clips with tiffin boxes ensuring the order of the dabbas as per vicinity of people he was to give food. 

"I ensure taste and quality of food made myself", he kept on explaining even though I hadn't asked. 

"I don't eat unless I am sure each of my Saathi (Companion) have had their meal", he had said in his speech after receiving the award.

"Jay Shri Krishna madam!", he bid me good-bye as he set-off on yet another journey of giving, spreading and sharing love and joy.

I wish to get my story published in Chicken Soup for the Indian Entrepreneurs Soul in association with BlogAdda.com

Tale

Yana walked into her room,in a pair of hot-pants and an over-sized top with a fashion magazine in her hand. She threw herself on the sofa and flipped across the magazine pages.
"Why aren't you getting ready?" Shehzad asked her, irritatingly.
The duo were to go out for a dinner with a couple of his friends that evening.
"No mood of discussing real estate and politics with your 'Friends' tonight. Some other night. Why don't you go ahead?"
"It's an important meeting Yana. They want to meet The Glamorous Yana Malhotra!", he said teasingly, trying to persuade her.
"Oh, so now I have become your trophy showgirl right from being your mistress! Stop portraying me like your expensive exotic monkey to the world! Go if you want to!", she flunk his hand from her waist.

Yana was a failed actress who no one seemed to recognize after her two flops. In her career of 10 years, she had done only 6 films on her name. At 32, she was single. After her flip-flopping career, she settled down with much-married Shehzad Malik, 56 year old businessman from Delhi.
He had bought Yana a sea-facing apartment, the best gift given by a lover to her lady in Mumbai, as Bollywood claims it so far.

"I already told you I cannot leave Aasma. I offered to marry you....."
"You offered me what Mr. Shehzad Mallik? To take me as your second wife? Yeah, I should have seriously considered the offer as it still sounds better than being called your mistress by the media!"
"I cannot leave Aasma. Get that?"
"Oh why won't I? From a husband-stealing bitch to your second wife, you have a great offer for me, don't you? Mr. Adulterer who sleeps with women a little older than his daughter..."
"Don't bring my daughter into this!" He held her by her arm, raising his hand to slap her.
"Don't try to abuse me like you abuse your wife. I am not a kind of woman who'll take this" she pushed his away from her.
"Yes, you are a kind of woman who will sleep with anyone to serve her purpose. The world knows how you got your 4 films after sleeping with that director who is your dead father's age. Don't get me started.."
"Then what are you here for? Why don't you just go away?"
"My manager will get in touch with you soon Yana Malhotra. Please vacate the apartment as soon as possible."
Shehzad walked out, with his coat in his hand, to discover one of many other lives he led outside Delhi.

In the next apartment
"Come on Ritesh. You have done this for months together!", Rashmi spoke with a hint of irritation.
"I don't want to. I am not getting the notes. I cannot just make music whenever they want" , said Ritesh, still rubbing his eyes.
"I have been hearing this for months, Ritesh! How long do you think the directors will wait? You've put off your deadlines four times!"
"Stop nagging Rashmi. I can't do proper justice to music if it doesn't come out from within."
" I do not get you! Rather I don't want to. You've spent all your advance on this plush flat and your SUV. Now, I have to pay for everything from servants to electricity!"

Rashmi was HR India - Vice President in a multi-national.
Ritesh, former wealth manager at IDBI bank was THE TRENDING music composer. He had earned a whooping advance of 500,000 INR by T-series and enjoyed the pleasure of being poster boy of Indian Music. He quit his job as manager as soon as his debut album became a hit.
"Yeah! I'll be getting my royalty check for Junoon by next week and you can take your money from me. Am not in the mood. Please, don't nag me anymore, am leaving for a jog."
"Yes, all you are in a mood these days is to sit and smoke and drink, gazing at the sea as if you are waiting for a ship of money to arrive!" Rashmi huffed to take a shower.
Our life in the small flat was better than this pretentious existence. We were much in love then. 

At the Bandra Bandstand
Ritesh finished his run and realised he had put on a lot of weight in last some months.
His mind wavers to the awesome morning sex he had with Yana, her neighbor. Yana and Ritesh had got to know each other past few months and met at a promotional event for Ritesh's album, realizing they were neighbors.
'So what have you planned? How are you leaving Rashmi?', Yana had asked him this morning, running her fingers over his bare torso, naughtily looking at him.
'I have never felt things for Rashmi the way I feel for you. I'll be talking to her this weekend, I have decided to leave her" , he said grabbing her in his arms.
Ritesh and Rashmi dated for 3 years before they decided to tie the knot.
Yana wrapped the sheet around her luscious body after she kissed him for the twentieth time in last thirty minutes.
'Will you really leave Shehzad?', he asked looking into her eyes.
'Yes tonight, I will. Won't be tough really!'

Ritesh stopped jogging and took few deep breathes.

Should I leave Rashmi? Or do I leave Yana? Rashmi has been with me through all the phases. And we are married! No, I will have to leave Rashmi. Yana is such a beautiful lady and having someone like her by my side is all that I want! Rashmi nags me all the time but she cares for me in a way Yana wouldn't.  Will Yana stay loyal to me? What do I do?

Only You Lead yourself.

Mentors, Godfathers, bosses and guides telling you they have a rocking future planned for you are liars
Yes, you read it right. They lie.
A young employee on being promoted from AVP to VP found it quiet frustrating when all he was still doing was his old job, only the title changed.

He decided to talk about it to his boss.
"What next? What do you have in plan for me?"
"As in?", his boss smiled.
"Now that I am promoted and I still end up doing the job I did as AVP, is there any plan to give me new roles and responsibilities?"
The boss gave him a slight smile.
"Do you know who love you? Your parents, wife and your children. Only them. They will love you selflessly, give you what you want. Everyone else will give you what suits them."
"But how does that make any sense?", anxiety was clearly visible on his face.
"No one has your strings in their hands. No one will plan and design a career for you. Even if they claim so and you believe, you are mistaken. Others will fit you in their schemes for their success and not yours."

This is the harsh truth. No one but you yourself have to look after yourself. No one can give you a rocking career other than you. No one can lead you except you.
Bosses, Mentors, seniors will only take you where they want to lead you and not where you want to go.

Be very clear in your mind as to what you want, where you want to go, what you want to do, what experience you need for you development. Be very very very selfish when it comes to your career.
If you want some specific experience, you need to ask for it. Or better still, you need to grab it.
Nobody will guide you selflessly to what is good for you. Take the initiative.

This however doesn't mean that you should be rude and disrespectful or you shouldn't have oneness with the organisation you are working for.
Just that, if you develop yourself, if you lead yourself only then can you contribute to development of the organisation you are working with. Only then can you lead the organisation to the next level of success.
Align your and organisation's goal so as to develop both together.
And yes, give yourself a daily boost of motivation. Everybody needs to be encouraged, including you.

What most people call 'Workplace', I call it a battlefield where you need to take charge of yourself.
There might be chances that you don't end up with success but remember one thing,
If you ask for something, you give yourself a better chance to get it.