59 HOURS

59 Hours - of threat, terror, horror, and cowardice.
59 Hours - of shame and dishonour for India's Political System and Politicians and failure of the Intelligence .
59 Hours - of anxiety, patience, perseverance, daring of the Media persons.
59 Hours - of confinement, fear, insecurity of the common people.
59 Hours - of courage, bravery, stoicism, duty, loyalty, of the Staff of Taj/Oberoi Hotels and of
the Security Personnel of the ATS/NSG/MARCOS/RAF/MUMBAI POLICE/ARMED FORCES.
59 Hours - of a dreadful experience which was beyond imagination, which put a country of more than a billion to a situation of vulnerability. A situation from where there seems no assurance of security of citizens, from where the faith and believe in the leaders of the country starts fading, from where the political and bureaucratic system looks more as a barrier, an obstacle, a weakness rather than a support, a bridge or the strength towards the growth and development of a nation.
Those 59 Hours, which has been sadly dubbed by some media channels as 9/11 of India, have shook the nation like never before and specially its political system. The aftermath seems to be taking toll on the politicians as the Home Ministers of India and Maharashtra resign, taking moral responsibility on their shoulders and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra has offered to resign if the party high command thinks that it was him who was responsible for it ( It seems that he wants to convey that he is nowhere responsible nor accountable for anything that has happened). Forget about that politicians apathy towards national security, which has resulted into this ghastly act. Far more worse is that even after the dreadful mayhem in Mumbai, these politicians have not learnt anything and some of them are coming up with the most disgusting and despicable statements and gestures. CM of Kerala, Achhuutanand is the front runner in this list of notoriety by issuing an utterly insensitive and irresponsible statement against the Unnikrishnans (family of Lt. Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan). The BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi comes next in the list when he chides the women who made a march in New Delhi to express their condolence and to show solidarity with the family members of the victims. Not far from these two, the CM of Maharshtra, Mr. Vilas Rao Deshmukh made a mockery of the terrifying event when while inspecting the Taj was accompanied by his Actor Son Ritiesh Deshmukh and the Director - Producer Ram Gopal Verma - what was the point of taking them along with you Mr. Deshmukh, there is no logical explanation for this type of irresponsible gesture, which indicates nothing but abuse of power. If the CM of state can be so, then how can be the Home Minister be far away from his mentor - Mr. R R Patil told media persons that - 'bade bade shehro main chhoti chhoti ghatnaye hoti hai'. At the time when politicians are the targets of every one's anger and loathing, these type of unfortunate events are nothing but like sounding the death knell on the credibility of the politicians. Politicians must understand the gravity of the situation and they must for god sake stop taking political mileages from these heartbreaking and soul stirring incidents, after which a nations need them and look up to them more then ever before.
What ever has happened, has happened. But its high time that we must be well prepared from now onwards to avert anything that goes against the interest of the nation and which poses a threat and insecurity in the minds of its citizens. All of us from the common citizens to the bureaucrats, to the politicians to the security forces to the intelligence services, to the media must vow of not repeating the mistakes which we have committed knowingly or unknowingly which can result into a disaster of any sorts. Its high time when we as Indians show a sense of responsibility, a sense of anticipation, a sense of belonging, a sense of togetherness, a sense of brotherhood, and above all A SENSE OF BEING ONE to the world and stand by each other in every situation transcending the microscopic selfish motives and momentary gains and sending the message to the psycho lunatics terrorists that how hard you may try, it will always be you who will succumb to hatred. JAI HIND.

NEEMUCH RAILWAY STATION - MEMORIES

No matter whatever was the colour of my mood, be it blue - I wanted to be there to be with myself, be it green - I wanted to be there with my friends, be it saffron - I wanted to be there with volunteers. And, POHA definitely was not the only reason for me to be there, but for sure was on the top of the priority list of - why I wanted to be at station. Even if my stomach was full enough to not allow even a nano particle to get into it, or was it empty enough to send the signals, that it will readily devour whatever finds its way down to it through its agent - the tongue, I always craved for atleast EK POHE KI PUDIYA.
Though POHA has always been the main reason for me to be at station, there has always been some uncanny and very subtle feeling of comfort and relaxation that has always enveloped me. The serenity of the place, thanks to the apathy of railway ministry and lackadaisical attitude of the political leaders of Neemuch for hardly allotting the city a good number of trains to even pass by, has always helped me to provide a perfect ambiance to think, mull, moot or ponder over myriad of issues or matters, I have confronted during my journey of the evolutionary stages of the roles and responsibilities attached to me being a social homo sapien. And, believe it or not I have, almost every time, found myself coming out of the morass of issues and problems.
Not only that the station has been a place for me to satisfy my taste buds or a place which has given me a reason to discover or explore my inner universe, it has also given me my first opportunity to serve the society and its people. Strange though it sounds, but it is indeed a fact.
There were some dedicated people in Neemuch, who thought of a very noble cause of serving water to the passengers travelling through trains, specially in summers. Geographically speaking, Neemuch falls in a semi arid region and borders Rajasthan. In summers, the need of water increases in geometric progression and those people who travel through trains, whatever amount of water they carry with themselves, always fall short of satisfying their thirst. By looking into this situation some people came forward to offer volunteer services to serve water to the passengers. Being a regular visitor to the station I came to know about this initiative and liked it very much and started offering my services for the cause. I time to time was accompanied by my friends like Vikas, Pranay, and Akshat in serving water, but due to lots of other commitment and engagements I could not found a regular partner. Though, once out of the Neemuch for studies and then to pursue carrier, even I could not continue the effort but whenever I used to come to Neemuch during summer vacation or for any holiday/s, I always tried to take sometime out for my volunteer ship.
It was such a fun, running with buckets of water with a 'MAGGA' and a 'KUPI' once the train arrives, and start yelling PANI PANI PANI, NISHULK JAL SEWA and then reaching out the general compartments first to serve the general public. I simply can not describe what actually we used to feel when we offer water to the passengers, it was heavenly and so satisfying. A feel good factor always lingered on, specially when the passengers used to appreciate what we were doing for them and some passengers even blessed us like anything. Linked with this social service was also some mischief. Once we were through with the general compartment, though it hardly happened, we used to rush to the reservation compartment just to take a glimpse of any beautiful girl travelling that day in the train, and to show how benevolent we guys were. But for sure that was the last that we expected to do while doing our duty. I used to go for 581 up and Meenakshi express, one in the afternoon and other at night. It indeed was one of the best feelings of my life whenever I found myself satisfying the thirst of people, literally.
Besides all these, I with my friends have lots and lots of memories attached with the railway station, specially Sumit who has, I think, has accompanied me the most number of times to station for Poha. We have celebrated birthdays, festivals and what not at the 128 years old structure bulit by the Britishers to ease the movement of the troops between Rajputana and Mewar.
At one place I want Neemuch Railway Station to be the same place as it is for ever, but when I look for the growing needs of the common people and really needed proper volume of trains passing Neemuch, to connect it to the main cities of India, I foresee the gradual transition of a peaceful, serene, calm place to a busy, noisy and chaotic place. Though this transition, keeping in mind the persistent apathy of the concerned department and the lack of political will, will take place in next 25 - 30 years. So, if my calculation is anywhere seems to be correct then, its high time, do not miss this opportunity to visit one of the oldest structures of Neemuch, based on Gothic style, and have a CHUSKI of GARAM GARAM CHAI with a POHE KI PUDIYA. Inner Ecstacy is guaranteed.

My First AUTOGRAPH(S)

9th August 2008, Sangli - Miraj, Maharshtra.
I with my team under our project 'The Scooty Institute' (TSI) had organised a School Conatct Programme (SCP) in Miraj - 10 kms away from Sangli at Patwardhan Hall. The programme started sharp at 1200 hrs and we had a 100% turnout of 450 invited girls of class 11th and 12th.
I have always loved to interact with girls and women through SCPs. Through these SCPs I have always conveyed my and my project's reason and vision, concerning the overall development and empowerment of women.
The programme went ahead in a great manner, in which, I, with the girls, exchanged lots of opinions and thoughts, on issues like Road saftey, Self Dependence and the Role of Women. Throughout the discussion and the speech, I was satisfied and could make out from the enthusisatic faces of the 450 girls that the vision and reason, for which we all were there, went across to the crowd quite well.
But, adding cherry to the cake, which was totally unexpected and happend to me for the very first time in my life, was, when I was asked for my FIRST EVER AUTOGRAPH.
After the programme was over, some 30 - 35 odd girls approached me and asked for my AUTOGRAPH. I was taken aback, but, definitely with one of the most pleasant surprises of my life. I told them that I was quite emabarrassed and was not wothy of it. But the girls kept on insiting for the autograph, and I was left with no better option but the best choice. I started giving my autographs to those girls, with an overwhelming and overjoyed heart.
Meanwhile, a girl with two of her friend approached to me and said, "Sir, you were very good throughout the programme, and you spoke so well, and the whole session was very encouraging and full of positivity." I really do not know how encouraging was my speech, but those words of appreciation for me, from that girl were really very encouraging for me. I then, stealing a dialogue from SINGH IS KING, which I had seen the last night, replied to the girl that I always speak the truth, and it automatically looks sweet and nice.
After that a girl approached and presented me with a beautiful rose, on behalf of all the girls who attended the programme, and wished me good luck in marathi (Shubechcha).
I really thank God, and my family, for making me such, that I got such a beautiful opportunity in the form of TSI, through which, I with the help of my team, consisting of around 80 people, are bringing some quality change in the lives of girls and women of 30 odd cities, in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. I am proud that till date I, with the help of my team have contacted around 65,000 girls and women and have made 8,000 of them self dependent by making them learn how to ride a two wheeler.
I hope and wish to God that he should always keep giving me such wonderful opportunities throughout my life, through which, I, as an AGENT OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, will keep touching the lives of the common people and will help in adding Something Special in their lives.

द स्कूटी इन्स्टिट्यूट - अब मुश्किल नही कुछ भी

हम सब सपने देखते है, हम सब के मन में बहुत सी इच्छायें होती है, आशाएं होती है. उन सपनो को पूरा करने के लिए, उन इच्छाओं को वास्तविकता का स्वरूप देने के लिए, बहुत सी चीज़ो की आवश्यकता होती है. अगर वह सारे साधन हमे सही समय पर नही मिल पाते हैं तो हुमरी वह इच्छा, वह सपने कही दबे से हमारे मन मैं पड़े रह जाते हैं.
ऐसे ही मन में दबाए हुए सपनो की कहानी दर्शाती है हमारी आम भारतीय नारी की आम जिन्दगि.

इस आम भारतीय नारी की आम जिंदगी को कुछ खास बनाने के लिए, उनके जीवन में आत्मविश्वास पैदा करने के लिए,
उनको कूपमंडूकता की मानसिकता से बाहर लाने के लिए, उनके सोए हुए सपनो को जगाने के लिए,
ऐवं उनकी दबी हुई इच्छाओं को जागृत करने के लिए कई मध्यमो की आवश्यकता हैं. ऐसे मध्यम जो की उनके जीवन में एक ऐसा मौका लाए जहाँ वो अपने आप को साबित करे,
और अपने अंदर की झिझक और भय को मार कर के 21 वी सदी की सशक्त ऐवं सबल नारी बन सके.

ऐसे ही एक माध्यम की परिकल्पना करते हुए टी वी एस मोटोर कंपनी ने एक सामाजिक अभियान की शुरआत की - भारत के विभिन्न शहरों में 'द स्कूटी इन्स्टिट्यूट' स्थापित कर.
द स्कूटी इन्स्टिट्यूट विशेष रूप से बालिकाओं ऐवं महिलाओं की आम जिंदगी की ज़रूरतों को देखकर स्थापित किया गया है.
यह आम ज़रूरत हैं दु पहिया वाहन चलाना जानना, जिससे सिर्फ ना उनकी जीवन मैं आत्मनिर्भरता बड़ेगी बल्कि, एक नया आत्मविश्वास पैदा होगा जो की उन्हे आगे बड़ने में एक अहंभूमिका निभाएगा.
इस इन्स्टिट्यूट में 16 साल से उपर की बालिकाओं ऐवं महिलायों को स्कूटी चलाने का छह दिवसीय प्रशिक्षण, कंपनी द्वारा प्रशिक्षित महिलयों द्वारा दिया जाता हैं.
स्कूटी इन्स्टिट्यूट मैं सिर्फ स्कूटी चलाना ही नही बल्कि ज़िम्मेदारी से ऐवं सुरक्षा पूर्वक स्कूटी चलाना सिखाया जाता हैं.
इस इन्स्टिट्यूट मैं आने वाली महिलाओं को यातायात सम्बन्धी सारी जानकारी दी जाती है, साथ ही साथ उनको लेरनिंग लाइसेन्स बना के दिया जाता है. प्रशिक्षण पूरा होने पर कंपनी द्वारा सीखी हुई महिला को प्रमाण पत्र भी दिया जाता है.
स्कूटी इन्स्टिट्यूट में महिला की सुरक्षा को प्राथमिकता दी जाती है. इसके फलस्वरूप, प्रशिक्षण के दौरान हेल्मेट, एल्बो गार्ड, नी गार्ड ऐवान फर्स्ट ऐड की व्यवस्था की जाती है.
इस कार्यक्रम की सबसे अच्छी बात यह हैं की इसमे स्कूटी, पेट्रोल, कंपनी द्वारा उपलब्ध करवाया जाता है
इसके अलावा महिलाओं को उनकी सुविधानुसार अनुकूल समय ऐवं स्थल पर स्कूटी चलाने का प्रशिक्षण दिया जाता है.

स्कूटी इन्स्टिट्यूट की सफलता का अंदाज़ा इस बात से लगाया जा सकता ही की गत सात महीनो में 16 से लेकर 70 साल तक की करीबन 7000 महिलाओं ने प्रशिक्षण प्राप्त किया है. इन महिलाओं से बात करने पर पता चलता है की स्कूटी इन्स्टिट्यूट ने उनके जीवन में एक ऐसा बदलाव लाया है जिससे उनके
मन मैं उमंग सी जागी है की जब आज वह स्कूटी चलना सीख गयी है तो कल वह कार और हवाई जहाज उड़ाने का प्रशिक्षण भी प्राप्त कर सके.
यही नही स्कूटी चलाने से उनकी दिनचर्या मैं भी काफी बदलाव सा आया है, एक ऐसा बदलाव जिससे वह अपने लिए ऐवं अपने परिवार के लिए ज्यादा से ज्यादा समय निकल सकती है, और किसी भी काम के लिए उन्हे किसी पर आश्रित या निर्भर होना नही पड़ता है.

टी वी एस मोटोर कंपनी, स्कूटी इन्स्टिट्यूट के मध्यम से भारत के विभिन्न शहरो के नागरिकों विशेषतः विद्यार्तीओ को यातायात से
संबधी जानकारी देने हेतु स्कूल ऐवं कॉलेजस में यातायात सुरक्षा कार्यक्रम भी करवाती है.
स्कूटी इन्स्टिट्यूट का संकल्प है की नागरिको खास तौर से महिलाओं को यातायात सुरक्षा के बारे मैं जानकारी देने के साथ साथ उनको सही ढंग से से स्कूटी चलाने की शिक्षा दी जाए.
जिससे की एक ऐसा समाज का निर्माण हो जहाँ हर नागरिक एक जागरूक नागरिक हो, और अपनी सुरक्षा के साथ दूसरों की सुरक्षा का भी ध्यान रखें.
स्कूटी इन्स्टिट्यूट में एक ऐसा अनुभव की पारपति होती है जो की एक नारी को सबला, आत्मनिर्भर और आत्मविश्वासी बनती है.
और यही सब एक नारी के जीवन को सफल बनने की कुंजी है.
स्कूटी इन्स्टिट्यूट के माध्यम से आपके पास अब साधन उपलब्ध हैं. स्कूटी इन्स्टिट्यूट एक प्रयास हैं, भारत की महिलओं को उनकी
इच्छाओं को पूरा करने का, उनके सपनो को साकार करने में सहायक बनने का., और यह कहने का -
आशाएं खिले दिल की
उमीदें हँसे दिल की
अब मुश्किल नही कुछ भी
नही कुछ भी.