TIME TO AIR OUR VIEWS STRONGLY ON AIR POLLUTION

It's common knowledge that the economic growth story of India has been better particularly during the last twelve years despite several challenges including the unprecedented problems arising out of Covid19 pandemic. The average GDP growth has been more than seven percent during this period. Naturally, this period has been the witness of rapid urbanisation and also of consistent migration of rural population to our cities which are otherwise facing a lot of civic and other problems including growing air pollution. 

India’s population is also growing fast and in the recent past we surpassed China to become the most populous country in the world. As a natural outcome, the population of all cities in India – from Tier-1 to Tier-3 cities, have been increasing fast - a fact which is vindicated by the latest census data. 

Simultaneously, India’s vehicular population has increased many fold in previous years. And presently, we have more than fifty million passenger cars and four-wheelers alone on Indian roads. Interestingly, India is now the world’s third largest vehicle manufacturer leaving behind Japan. Yes, the number one and two positions are held by China and the United States of America respectively.  

Before moving forward to discuss the burning issue of air pollution, let us look at some relevant facts to appreciate its multidimensional nature. ‘India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world; India ranks among the top Automotive Industry in the world; India’s energy needs, particularly petrol, diesel etc. has been on the rise; coal production and consumption is also increasing in good pace; traffic congestion in big as well as mid-sized cities has risen to an alarming proportion thereby increasing the level of fuel wastage and equally air pollution.’

The industrial and construction activities, petrol and diesel run vehicular traffic and agricultural practices contribute majorly towards worsening air pollution which makes India one of the worst countries in the world as regards the present status of Air Pollution, which is generally defined as the contamination of life saving oxygen with obnoxious gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, methane etc. mainly due to combustion of oil, coal, biomass, stubble and firewood in vehicles, industries and household. This problem has been aggravating with every passing day. This has directly impacted the air pollution scene very badly. In this regard, the country’s capital, New Delhi ranks among one of the top cities in the world to cross the human endurance level. Among the high AQI (Air Quality Index) cities, even non-metropolitan cities like Agra, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, Meerut, Patna, Ranchi and Lucknow are included where relatively high level of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) is found in the air.

Consequently, the Indian population is face to face with some life-threatening situations. Air pollution is causing over two million premature deaths annually. Even far greater population suffers from lung infections, breathing problems, cancer and heart ailments. Senior citizens, pregnant ladies and children up to 5 years are very vulnerable to ill effects of air pollution. The plants, vegetation and animals too are badly affected destroying the ecological balance. 

To say in a few words, breathing clean air is slowly becoming a luxury, whereas it is our basic right; air pollution is a slow poison, invisible but deadly - a silent killer.  

Then, what is the remedy which can earnestly be tried right from now both at the government level as well as at the community level with far greater intensity? Undeniably, it is necessary to ensure reduction in emission of air pollutants; strict compliance of emission norms for industries and motor vehicles; vast improvement in public transport system; promotion of electric vehicles; protection of existing forests and large-scale afforestation. Making solar and wind energy popular in all possible and time-bound manner, providing cooking gas at affordable prices to disadvantaged sections of society, and encouraging as well as convincing people to drive less and walk and bicycle more are equally necessary. 

It is heartening that the Central Government has already initiated some measures in this direction, but we have to go a long way to address this vital issue in a sustained and more effective manner. Isn’t it?

As always, I'm keen to know what you think on this subject. Hence, I request you to post your comments to share your valuable opinion.  (hellomilansinha@gmail.com)

 # Published in my Sunday Column of "Morning India" daily.                   

# Click here to enjoy my Blog in Hindi, "Chalte, Chalte" (चलते, चलते)

NEVER EVER GIVE UP; SUICIDE IS NOT THE SOLUTION!

Recently it was reported in the media that in Ranchi two students of two different universities committed suicide. Almost every day, we find such bad news from this or that part of the country.  During examination and result seasons the number of suicide cases related particularly to students and youths goes up. It is really very disturbing and a serious cause of concern for all of us. Everyone is born to live and live well. Death is a natural phenomenon which is certain, but uncertain. And normally nobody wants to die, and no failure is permanent till we keep on trying our best to improve ourselves. Isn’t it?

Suicide data of our country indicates that the main vulnerable groups are that of youths, daily wage earners and corporate employees. Talking about the male-female ratios, it is found to be 72% and 28%.  

It is notable that incidences of suicide can’t be attributed to one single factor. In fact, it’s the outcome of a combination of more than one factors namely emotional, medical, psychological, social, circumstantial etc., However, the deep analysis of suicide data and the reasons behind most of these cases suggest that students commit suicide mainly due to actual failure, likely failure or fear of failure either in school, college and university examinations or in any competitive tests. The fear of getting caught by the police for doing something wrong or unlawful, knowingly or unknowingly is another reason of suicide attempt for such people across all age groups. The domestic discord, problems, conflicts and related stress issues are major causes of suicide deaths among married people – both ladies and gents. Issues related to marriage and relationship – love failure, dowry allegations or disputes, extra-marital affairs to name a few, plays a major role in this matter. Mental health problem, other major illness issues and financial problems also contribute towards suicide deaths. Bullying, harassment, discrimination, apprehension of job loss and demotion are some of the emotional trigger points responsible mainly for choosing this extreme step in case of youths and salaried people. Here it is note-worthy what Thomas E. Joiner, the famous American Psychologist and Author of the book ‘Why People Die by Suicide’ says, “Virtually everyone who dies by suicide has a mental disorder at the time of death.” Isn’t it a point worth deliberating?

Before discussing this emotive issue further, let us go through the views of two wise persons. Karl A. Menninger says, “Hope is a necessity for normal life and the major weapon against the suicide impulse.” Maya Angelou asserts, “I have learnt that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.” Can anybody disagree with what they said? Not at all. Notwithstanding, the pertinent question has been how to minimize, if not prevent completely the incidence of suicide in our country? It can be done mainly at two levels – individual level and community-government level.

By following even these four simple and doable prescriptions, any individual, however agitated, impulsive, depressed, stressed or angry, he or she can desist from taking this fatal step. 1) Just move out of your room or the place where you have that intense feeling of ending your life immediately 2) Instead of counting your curses, if any, count your blessings, which in any case must be many 3) Talk to your parents, spouse, mentor and/or one or two good friends or colleagues, and don’t hesitate to seek their help and support 4) Call your family doctor or a professional counsellor to share your feelings and get the solution. 

Yes, at the community and government level, the needful should be done to provide easy availability of professional counsellors particularly for all those persons who are having constant mental issues – anxiety, stress, depression etc., Otherwise also, there must be a counsellor in every college and university to let the students talk to him or her freely and ventilate their grievance or anxiety or any other issue troubling them. The near and dear ones can play an important role in knowing and acting suitably when a person is going through the phase of despair and hopelessness. Loretta Girzartis rightly says that if someone listens, stretches out a hand, whispers a word of encouragement, or attempts to understand a lonely person, extraordinary things begin to happen.     

As always, I'm keen to know what you think on this subject. Hence, I request you to post your comments to share your valuable opinion.  (hellomilansinha@gmail.com)

 # Published in my Sunday Column of "Morning India" daily.                   

# Click here to enjoy my Blog in Hindi, "Chalte, Chalte" (चलते, चलते)     

THE MIRACLE OF HEAD AND HEART GOING IN UNISON

It's common knowledge that in the human body, the Head is positioned higher than the Heart. But, why then constant conflict goes on between the two? An interesting and thought-provoking issue! isn’t it? So, before anything else, let us first go through the dictionary meaning of Head and Heart. Head is the uppermost or forward most part of the body of a vertebrate, containing the brain and the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and jaws. It also has another meaning as seat of the faculty of reason, intelligence, intellect or mind; and Heart - the chambered muscular organ in vertebrates that pumps blood received from the veins into the arteries, thereby maintaining the flow of blood through the entire circulatory system. The other meaning goes as a repository of one's deepest and sincerest feelings and beliefs, the seat of imagination.

Interestingly, all the five main sensory organs namely eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin are the parts of head. Anyway, as the physical position is, the Head always tries to behave like a head or a master which supposedly carries its big ego bag on its head. On the other hand, as the general perception goes, the Heart - an innocent, child-like, 24x7 enthusiastic worker, not only pumps blood in the body but also has emotions, feelings, expression, compassion, creativity etc. That’s why someone has said, Heart is like a child, more honest and truthful, but may be a bit immature. Quite interesting! It seems Robert Bulwer-Lytton vindicates this point by saying, "A good heart is better than all the heads in the world' and so is this quote by an unknown author, 'In life when you get into trouble, don't get nervous, just close your eyes and listen to your heart; because, the heart may be on the left, but it is always right'.

Now, if it is really so, I am tempted to put the question which the Hindi film singer, Mohit Chauhan asks all of us in a beautiful and emotive song from the Hindi film, 'Tanu Weds Manu': How many times heart said, but how many times we listened to it (kitne dafe dil ne kaha, dil ki suni kitne dafe)? Interestingly, the authors of "Be the Change" write, “Your heart is so much more than a vessel for romance. It has been described as the king, with the mind as the king's adviser. When faced with a decision, the king may ask his advisers for advice; may even send him out into the world to gather information, but ultimately, it is the king that makes the final decision. Even though the advisers do not always agree with the king's decision, the king is invariably right, because the king's view not only sees the bigger picture but is also aware of the needs of others.

In the same way, when faced with a decision or conflict, your mind may come up with numerous, different and quite logical reasons why you should act as it advises, but if you listen to and trust your heart - however illogical or irrational it may seem - it is usually right and you are happier as a result".

Fine! But it is also true that at times the heart takes a position which prima facie doesn’t seem right. Head does try to engage itself in dispassionate analysis to advise the heart to see the reason and rationale before taking or not taking a firm stand in such a peculiar situation. But normally we are found saying that the heart is not accepting it. To say it in Hindi: Dil hai ki manta nahi. And a lot more. Everyone comes to such a pass, maybe once or more times, travelling through various stages of life.

As such, the simple query here is: Can’t we strike a balance between our head and heart? Can't we think, practice and finally achieve to have almost as a regular and recurring phenomena, wherein both the head and heart agree to work in unison, more so, when one is confronted with a seemingly insurmountable problem in life?

Definitely yes!  It can be made possible by consistent learning and mastering the unique art as it involves our two most sensitive and important organs. Many past and present icons world over could do this and consequently could achieve historically brilliant feats and enjoy their life very beautifully. That is why Bharat Ratna and Nobel Prize Winner Nelson Mandela said, "A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination." This was expressed differently by an unknown author in these words: 'Keep your head and heart going in the right direction, and you won't have to worry about your feet.’  

As always, I'm keen to know what you think on this subject. Hence, I request you to post your comments to share your valuable opinion.   (hellomilansinha@gmail.com)     

# Published in my Sunday Column of "Morning India" daily.

# Click here to enjoy my Blog in Hindi, "Chalte, Chalte" (चलते, चलते)    

CAN’T ACHIEVE REAL SUCCESS WITHOUT STRUGGLE

Our parents, elders and teachers keep on telling us since our childhood days that if we do the right thing right away and make the struggle as our true friend, we would develop ourselves well and get success in all our endeavours more or less as per our expectation, sooner or later. They have also been trying to impress that there is no short cut to success and only through proper planning, dedication, commitment, knowledge, patience and consistent hard work, it is possible to ensure progress, success and happiness in life. There are several motivational books and videos on the subject in the market to underline these points.

Have you seen the farmers working in the fields; the soldiers protecting the country; daily wage workers doing different jobs and many others who are meaningfully engaged in different vocations in all seasons – rainy, winter and summer? Can anyone dispute the fact that the life of everybody is the story of struggle - long or short, less or more, tough or slightly difficult? Is it possible to achieve real success without consistent struggle? 

 

Actually, struggle and success are two sides of the same coin. There are thousands of real-life stories across the world about many great people in all walks of life who struggled indefatigably year after year to achieve seemingly unachievable goals, may it be freedom of their country from slavery of foreign rule or the socio-economic revolutions for an equitable and just society or numerous discoveries and scientific inventions or any other goal. 

If that is so, there should not be any major reason for those people who suffer from negative thoughts and feel demotivated or demoralized when confronted with a difficult situation where they are required to come out of their comfort zone to perform the job to the best of their ability. But sadly, the number of such types of people are on the rise. As a natural outcome, they are making their life as well as the life of their family members quite miserable without any valid reason or rhyme. Why does this happen? 

A number of experts are of the opinion that we are basically comfort loving. As such, we are generally reluctant to embrace struggle as our natural companion in life despite knowing very well that the struggle in anybody’s life is not unusual or uncommon. It is rather part of our long dynamic life cycle and we should be thankful for this as only by travelling through our own struggle route, we become able to develop strength to face our present and future in a better way. That’s why Henry Rollins says, “Strength is the product of struggle; you must do what others don’t to achieve what others won’t.”

It is rightly said by Marian Wright Edelman, “Don’t feel entitled to anything you didn’t sweat and struggle for.” Many thinkers have also been saying it in different manner that as the gold gets a better sheen and shine after going through the test of fire, so is the human being who is required to go through the struggle cycle of varying magnitude to achieve the desired goal in life. To say, the fruits of success become sweeter when it is achieved through the route of struggle. Amos Bronson Alcott puts it in this way, “Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles and defeats.”

In fact, struggle exposes us to many challenges which ultimately pave the way to our manifold accomplishments and progress – may it be our enhanced level of self-confidence, knowledge base, dedication, strength, commitment, experience, empathy and compassion. Undeniably, the harder the struggle, the more glorious is the success. It is interesting that even in the dictionary, struggle precedes success.

Just think for a while about the historical feat of Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and his co-mountaineer Tenzing Norgay of Nepal who unfurled the flag of success for the first time on 29029 feet high Mount Everest in May, 1953 by putting the exemplary level of struggle despite mountain of odds during the course of their expedition. There are many such extraordinary achievements in other fields of activity as well, of course with a common message that great friendship with struggle guarantees great success. Finally, the golden words of Noam Chomsky who says, “Changes and progress very rarely are gifts from above. They come out of the struggle from below.”  So, enjoy the fruits of your struggle.

As always, I'm keen to know what you think on this subject. Hence, I request you to post your comments to share your valuable opinion.  (hellomilansinha@gmail.com)

 # Published in my Sunday Column of "Morning India" daily.                   

# Click here to enjoy my Blog in Hindi, "Chalte, Chalte" (चलते, चलते)      

IT’S VERY EASY TO IMPROVE OUR MEMORY POWER

Normally it is found that the majority of students fail to secure expected marks or grades despite putting in desired efforts. During personal counselling sessions, many students ask me the reasons for this mis-match. By going deep into the reason of this problem and by talking openly with students, one common reason which comes to the fore is the memory problem. Undeniably, the students study their subjects, but even after a few days they can’t remember fully or partly what they had read. Yes, you too can find in the media more than one product, book or prescription for improving the memory power of one and all. Isn’t it? However, it is very easy for everyone to improve their memory power by following a few easy and doable prescriptions. Let us discuss.    

Early to bed and early to rise: Get up early and start the day with a positive note. Make your body hydrated by drinking lukewarm water and then complete your washroom engagements. Now take up reading or writing tasks for 1-2 hours as a matter of habit. Various medical research say that early morning engagements stay well in our memory due to more than one reason - we feel fresh and energetic; the atmosphere is comparatively clean, oxygen level is better etc., It is also true that after a better start in the morning, we feel good and happy. As such, it has a definite bearing on memory power and confidence that in turn reflects in our day’s performance. The habit of late-night study/engagement is found to affect not only our memory badly, but also our overall health. So, it is better to sleep early. Good nightly sleep for 7-8 hours plays a significant role in improving our memory power. To say, the famous saying that early to bed and early to rise makes a person healthy, wealthy and wise is worth practicing.

Stay mentally & physically active: It is all knowing that the blood flow to our brain improves by doing regular exercise – walking, jogging, running, playing, cycling, dancing, yoga and gym activity.  Interestingly, it helps grow the hippocampus, the seahorse-shaped structure located in our brain, that plays an important role in learning, managing spatial navigation and memory consolidation. By regular and conscious practice of pranayama and meditation, it becomes easy to keep us mentally healthy – necessary to improve our focus and memory.  

Take brain-healthy food:  In order to improve our brain health and thereby our memory, it is desirable to include brain-healthy food items such as leafy and green vegetables, seasonal fruits, whole grains, nuts, berries etc., Yes, keeping ourselves away from oily, junk, packaged, preserved and frozen food is definitely better. To say, eating fresh and seasonal food items mindfully and joyfully makes a positive impact.             

Just study at study time: Particularly for students, it is a must to focus only on studies at study time. So, first think about the selected chapter for two-three minutes so as to prepare your mind to focus on that. Then go through it sincerely to understand the matter. Just remain seated for a few minutes after finishing the task. After an hour or two, try to write down the salient points of what you just read and understood. At times it happens that after the first round of reading, you may fail to understand and recall the contents fully. But don’t think of quitting, presuming that the chapter is very difficult to understand. Instead of this, try again and again to read it with firmer resolve and focus until you understand and write it down well. However, there is no guarantee that whatever you read, understood and wrote down well will always stay in your memory. Hence, it is better to follow the spaced repetition process of 1-2-3-7 to review the actual status after one day, two days, three days and seven days of your first successful session of reading-understanding-writing. To say, always keep in mind that practice makes a person perfect.    

Always try to learn something new: The capacity of our mind is immense, but sadly we fail to utilise it suitably and optimally. Normally, we like to stay in our comfort zone and are inertia-driven. As such, we fail to learn many new things. It is found that the more we engage our mind to learn new things, the more our mind remains active which ultimately helps improve our memory power. We may learn to play chess or a musical instrument; or solve crossword puzzles or take up a new task for that matter. Just try this and reap the benefits.

As always, I'm keen to know what you think on this subject. Hence, I request you to post your comments to share your valuable opinion.  (hellomilansinha@gmail.com)

 # Published in my Sunday Column of "Morning India" daily.                   

# Click here to enjoy my Blog in Hindi, "Chalte, Chalte" (चलते, चलते)      

DO YOU KNOW WHO YOUR SIX BEST FRIENDS ARE?

 

Do you know who your six best friends are? The writer of the world-famous “Jungle Book” and the renowned British Author who had the honour of being the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize in literature, Rudyard Kipling said, “I keep six honest serving men. They taught me everything that I actually know. Their names are what, why, when, how, where and who.” It’s really a thought-provoking statement. 

Nobody will disagree that whichever discovery, invention and innovation have been registered so far across the world, these six words have played the defining role in every case. Isn’t it? We can define this in one word as curiosity, the basic natural quality of every person and the essence of human existence. 

Just think about the driving force behind exceptional achievements of Sir Isaac Newton, Jagadish Chandra Bose, Guglielmo Marconi, Thomas Alva Edison, Satyendra Nath Bose, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Michael Faraday, Alexander Fleming, Sir C.V.Raman, Alexander Graham Bell, Wright Brothers, Vikram Sarabhai, Homi J. Bhabha and many others. It was nothing but their intense curiosity.  

Actually, every human being has the natural curiosity of knowing about the unknown and unseen. From the ancient days, human beings marched forward in their challenging journey of life by making this tool as their natural companion. In the real sense, curiosity always motivates a person to know about the existing things and also to think something new and act differently. Interestingly, this novel human quality at times compels those who are living in the zone of pessimism and negativity to do something worthwhile for self and the family. On the other hand, it awakens those who are rich and prosperous to come out of their comfort zone in order to explore the real purpose and value of life. There are many real-life examples in this regard. Yes, the life and thoughts of Mahatma Buddha have been an inspiring example. 

Aaron Klug says that human curiosity, the urge to know, is a powerful force and is perhaps the best secret weapon of all in the struggle to unravel the workings of the natural world. Just imagine, if any person sets a goal of knowing about nature and in the process tries to understand the life of birds, animals, trees, rivers, mountains, seasons and other things around him, he would be the beneficiary of immense knowledge and experiences. Do you agree?        

Albert Einstein asserts, “It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” In fact, the whole purpose of true education is to awaken the curiosity of students so as to make them really knowledgeable and creative. That’s why Leo Burnett opines that curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of creative people.   

Undeniably, all of us possess this unique quality, but we need to try hard to keep improving this trait in order to expand our base of knowledge and wisdom consistently. It is particularly necessary for students. As such, they should focus at least on the following prescriptions: 

First of all, they should never hesitate to ask a question like a child. Yes, the manner of asking the question must be dignified and humble. It is true that at times, the students don’t ask a question in the fear of being ridiculed by fellow students and sometimes by a few teachers as well. On this matter, it is rightly said by the wise people that those students who ask questions can be ridiculed occasionally or can be termed even as fools, but those students who don’t ask question despite wanting to ask one due to some apprehension or fear, they are bound to remain fools and repent too. Secondly, always try to listen to the answer of your question and also try to understand it well. Not only this, if you fail to understand the answer to your satisfaction or a few more related questions come to your mind, try to get the answer or solution forthwith. Thirdly, don’t limit the scope of your curiosity and be sincere to ask the question and digest the answer. 

Walt Disney says rightly that we keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we are curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. Precisely speaking, if you remain genuinely curious to know and understand anything – from the subjects of your syllabus to any matter under the sun, you would be significantly benefited in multiple ways. 

As always, I'm keen to know what you think on this subject. Hence, I request you to post your comments to share your valuable opinion.   (hellomilansinha@gmail.com)     

# Published in my Sunday Column of "Morning India" daily.

# Click here to enjoy my Blog in Hindi, "Chalte, Chalte" (चलते, चलते)      

FOOD ADULTERATION – A SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEM

A Maharashtra Cadre IAS officer of 2005-batch Mr. Tukaram Mundhe, posted presently in Mumbai as the Commissioner of Food and Drug Administration of the state, is currently the talk of the town for very good reasons. He has spearheaded an aggressive state-wide crackdown on food safety and adulteration violations. Shouldn't his counterparts in other states and union territories undertake regular campaigns against the adulterators at least with the same intensity and integrity, if not better?

Undoubtedly, food adulteration has been one of the biggest health problems of our country. It is found that many of the stomach, heart, kidney and liver-related medical issues are also closely linked with food adulteration. Actually, adulterated food items affect our body slowly, but surely like slow poisoning. The growing number of patients particularly in cities is the vindication of this fact. The quality of mid-day meals being served to millions of students in government schools has been a cause of concern because of adulteration issues as well. The media reports of children falling sick after consumption of mid-day meals come almost regularly from this or that part of the country. Actually, the malaise of food adulteration is very deep-rooted and quite widespread.   

Leaving aside for now the issues concerning deceptive advertising and marketing, and also pricing of a number of products being used by children and ladies in particular, it is normally found that certain daily use items like milk, paneer, ghee and other dairy products, edible oils, sweets, honey and spices are the soft targets of adulteration. It is now a common knowledge that even unclean water is mixed in milk; artificial milk is prepared by mixing detergent, urea etc., Similarly, adulteration in spices, honey, ghee and edible oils has become common. It is shocking that adulterated items are found to have toxic chemicals too, which are very dangerous for our health. 

Yes, we come to know about occasional raids in hotels, restaurants, shops and go downs by the food safety personnel, particularly before prominent festivals in different parts of the country where items of human consumption are found in adulterated forms in most of the cases. Shouldn’t such exercises be undertaken regularly across the country? Are such raids and inspections conducted strictly as per the mandate of FSSAI?

It is rightly said that awareness is half the solution. As such, it is worth knowing that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which consolidates various acts and orders that had hitherto handled food-related issues across various Ministries and Departments. The FSSAI has been created for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import, to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. The FSSAI and the State Food Safety Authorities enforce the various provisions of the Act. The FSSAI operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Its head office is situated in New Delhi. The Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of FSSAI are appointed by the Government of India.

There is no denying the fact that FSSAI has a very challenging role to ensure implementation of its own prescriptions and regulations on the ground. Yes, being the principal nodal agency, FSSAI is duty bound to coordinate appropriately with Food Safety Authorities of the states for uniform, effective and visible enforcement of the law in all places of the country. Adequate man-power should not be a constraint in this regard, as keeping every citizen in good health is very necessary. The central government and all the state governments including union territories must come on the same page to include this in their top-priority list for execution in reality. 

The media – print, electronic and social, and civil society have a very significant role to play in this matter. To start with, programs of public awareness about the adverse impact of food adulteration, coverage of violations of FSSAI norms in the media prominently on a regular basis and drawing the attention of concerned food safety officials on visible violations can be initiated and sustained.

As always, I'm keen to know what you think on this subject. Hence, I request you to post your comments to share your valuable opinion.  (hellomilansinha@gmail.com)

 # Published in my Sunday Column of "Morning India" daily.                   

# Click here to enjoy my Blog in Hindi, "Chalte, Chalte" (चलते, चलते)     

BETTER TO ENHANCE THE POWER OF CONCENTRATION

 

Most people know the power of concentration. Experts normally cite the example of Arjuna of Mahabharat days, Gautam Buddha, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Albert Einstein and other such luminaries in this regard. We know well about them and their exceptional achievements. It is said that the secret of success is zero or minimum distraction and optimum concentration or the art of turning all your powers on just one point at a time, of course in a positive sense. 

Ironically, it is observed that some people in every profession are interested in concentrating their mind in manipulation only for getting power and money. Is it desirable, ethical or legal?

During my session on motivation and wellness, the participants, particularly students, ask the question that they want to study, do the needful, but are unable to concentrate. Similar is the case with many people across different professions. Normally, I tell them and also make them understand through some examples about some tested ways to enhance the power of concentration. Let us elaborate and discuss.

Everybody knows that normally when sun rays fall on a piece of paper, no visible change is seen. But when sun rays are concentrated on the same piece of paper through a magnifying glass, the paper starts burning. It is nothing but the power of concentration. 

Let us take another example. One student who was facing the concentration issue in his life was given a simple looking task in front of his class-mates. The task was to take a round of the sports field by holding a glass-full of water with a condition that during the performance of that task, even one drop of water should not fall from the glass. If it falls, he will have to take another round of the field. The student happily accepted the task. Although the task was seemingly easy, the condition of not dropping even one drop of water while taking the round of the field was really difficult. Notwithstanding this big challenge, the student completed the assigned task successfully. Everybody including the teacher congratulated the student. Thereafter, the teacher asked the student whether during taking the round of the field he heard his friends cheering him constantly or he noticed what the other onlookers were saying about the challenge. The student said that he was not at all aware of what was going on around him as he was concentrating only on completing the task nicely. The teacher complimented him for showing the power of concentration and said to all the students that ignoring what is not needed to concentrate on the task at hand guarantees success in almost everything.

Swami Vivekananda said very clearly, “To me the very essence of education is concentration of mind, not the collection of facts. If I had to do my education over again, and had any voice in the matter, I would not study facts at all. I would develop the power of concentration and detachment, and then with a perfect instrument (mind) I could collect facts at will.” 

Undeniably, improvement in the power of concentration results in better performance, confidence, decision making and peace of mind. But the question is how to improve this power?

Yes, by practicing some concentration enhancement exercises daily, it becomes easier to control the fickleness of mind and improve the power of concentration. All of us can very well ensure this by incorporating breathing exercise (Pranayama) and Meditation in our daily routine. It is not difficult, provided we are genuinely interested. Saints and wise people say that Pranayama and Meditation are nothing but the proven system of enhancing the power of concentration. 

So, start it with 10-10 minutes of both – Pranayama and Meditation. Once you start getting the positive results, you would be inclined to increase the time to 20-20 minutes or more. Yes, this should be done in the morning after finishing your wash room engagements, but before taking breakfast. Starting with Anulom-Vilom Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing), which is the easiest one, is the best option. For Meditation, just sit comfortably in a meditative pose like Sukhasana by keeping your spine straight and body relaxed. Breathe in and breathe out mindfully with your eyes closed. With even 10-minutes of regular meditation for at least a month, you would feel a significant positive change in your power of concentration. 

As always, I'm keen to know what you think on this subject. Hence, I request you to post your comments to share your valuable opinion.  (hellomilansinha@gmail.com)

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