Isn't Labour Day the need of the hour?

By Chaudhary Sandeep Datta

Another International Labour Day (May 1) is passing on but most of us are working in office as usual, feeling nothing different even on this day! For some people around the world or activists, in particular, the day may be an occasion to celebrate the revolution, which brought in practice the eight-hour schedule for all. But for most of us, it's not any different day. Isn't it?

It's nothing new if one has to say that to the present-day workers it holds barely any meaning. The reason being, nobody bothers.

But it's interesting to notice the day, which belongs to most of us, is never given even a single thought by us!

Despite having joined the service sector for long or just recently, it's likely not many of us may have bothered to learn about the significance of Labour Day.

Before knowing about this May Day through its history, we must realise it's about us. It's about the assertion of office-goers, daily wagers or labourers.

It's about being one voice or a united force to state that we deserve a better and respectful treatment as any human being on earth.

The over-hyped reason of recession and the threat to be made a victim of lay-off any day has created an unprecedented scare among almost every office-goer across India.

Everyone knows but not many can share it with the family. It's been made traumatising in different degrees for the servicemen to lose interest in their work and perform in peace.

There is a hanging sword on everyone's neck to be asked to put in his or her papers and live with the ignominy of being tagged 'incapable' in job.

The companies are making the most of the persisting hullabaloo about recession time, which is widely being stated not going to end very soon. Hence, it's been used as a good reason to push workers to take up more than they can physically or mentally afford.

Be it the fake competitions among the staffers and pushing of everyone to the brink of giving up on medical or any other grounds, is nothing but a fabricated presentation of extra workload.

The bosses, pressed to deliver more and justify their heavy-packaged salaries, have started putting unwanted and unjustifiable workload on their colleagues.

The more the bosses know about the compulsions of workers' reason to work and need of money, the more he or she is exploited today. There is no code of ethics in execution which may prevent such a wide scale injustice.

Everyone wishes but nobody dares to raise one's voice loud n' clear to question what's bugging their peace of mind constantly and pushing them to alcoholism, smoking, irritating mood or other suicidal tendencies.

The courts know it all but nobody is paying attention.

We all know everyone deserves humane treatment at work place. One cannot be treated as stray animals on the street. But, sadly, most of the people in jobs are treated nothing better than that in one way or the other. And, they have to abide by it with a face-saving smile.

After all it's a matter of sustaining one's family, especially the kids.

It's not exaggeration if one has to state that today's workforce is being made to work as educated slaves, who have to abide by anything and everything their immediate bosses' orders.

Even if everyone is supposed to deliver to the organisations' goal, the way workers are being compelled to deliver results is growing harsher with each passing day.

Today, individuals in offices don't work with the kind of justified freedom that workers deserve.

Labour Day is not just a reason to talk secretly about demanding holiday, but it's a day to realise workers' rights and be united and inter-linked. For, united we stand, divided we fall.

Historically, Labour Day Parade in Toronto in the early 1900s---The celebration of Labour Day has its origins in the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.

On April 21, 1900 Stonemasons and building workers on building sites around Melbourne, Australia, stopped work and marched from the University of Melbourne to Parliament House to achieve an eight-hour day.

Their direct action protest was a success, and they are noted as the first organized workers in the world to achieve an eight-hour day with no loss of pay, which subsequently inspired the celebration of Labour Day and May Day.

Chaudhary Sandeep Datta

Is there actual democracy in India?

By Chaudhary Sandeep Datta

India is known as the largest democracy in the world. People have been accorded fundamental rights to live with happiness while cherishing fruits of living in a free country.

India's eligibility to gain UN General Assembly's permanent membership is being increasingly supported largely due to democratic system of governance and its increasing role in world affairs. But what sort of democracy prevails anywhere is best answered by its republic.

Ask the poor middle class families, the children and the women if it is actually proving useful for them or it is existing only on papers to be used in political speeches, ahead of elections and in parliament.


Right to Live, Right to Equality before law, Freedom of Speech and Expression, Right to practice religion, Right to Livelihood are some of the fundamental rights given under the Indian Constitution to the citizens of the country. Right to Information and Right to Education are two of the most recent added fundamental rights. These are meant to define and show democracy prevailing in this part of the world.

But are Indians actually free to live in this country and enjoy democracy? It might sound offending if some fine day a child or an elderly person would ask the President or Prime Minister of the country to explain a layman what does democracy mean in true sense? The prompt reply may leave anyone of that stature embarrassed.


If Sheila Dixit, chief minister of Delhi, the national capital of India, is unable to provide a glass of clean drinking water even after nearly 15 years of rule, what can be expected of governments in other parts of the country? Perhaps, the countrymen need the Right to Accountability which should force officials and political leaders together to explain and pay for their inefficiency in actual terms.

Democracy should define a citizen's power to question the political representatives without fear of backlash or threat of any kind. It should be empowered to carry the power to put the leaders and officials, irrespective of the position, behind bars if they were found guilty of being inefficient or casual in ensure public welfare or causing corruption. The true democracy should offer people the power to question and make the might pay for it personally.

The leaders and the officials must be made to lead an ordinary person's life using the same basic facilities to live, if found guilty of impropriety at any time. They must have fear of public backlash not just after five years after being voted to power but during every day of their life as political representative or being in government office as official for public service.

Democracy does mean availability of facilities and opportunities to all without push and bribes. It does mean that the son of a poor labourer and the son of a rich businessman or politician are treated equally not just before the law but also before after being sent behind the bars.

Democracy does mean answerability and accountability to public of every official and politician. They need to be reminded that they are given certain degree of power to serve instead of ruling the people.

If an uprising is possible in less developed Africa and Middle East, it is very much possible in India anyday, anytime, and anywhere due to corruption and silencing of voices of justice. For, the world is changing and so is the people living in it.

The day is not far away when people in localities, towns, and rural areas will join hands and start punishing the corrupt leaders and officials on their own. They will make the leaders and officials pay for their follies by themselves and decide their rights in democracy on their own.

Perhaps, that will be the saddest day for India as a nation and democracy.

Former Supreme Court Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer in his write up 'The Quality of Justice' (Feb 28, 2011) writes: Every instance of criticism that seeks to expose a government's operation against the people and their liberties is not a bid to overthrow it. That is not sedition but a patriotic mission on account of public commitment.

Pointing out the case of Dr. Binayak Sen, who has been imprionsed for life for allegedly being supporter of Maoists, Justice Iyer writes: "Dr. Binayak Sen has been found guilty of sedition. This charge is an extraordinary one and is based, according to newspaper reports, on his association wih certain Maoists. Dr. Sen has worked extensively in teh rural areas, providing medical assistance to the poor. He has a reputation for having sacrificed much of his time and his skills for the poor. This should be an important factor in considering the sentencing dimension of his guilt.

"....public commitment critical of the state administration should not be confused ith a traitor operation."

The new organisation

It's a difficult and quite demanding world. Trying to swim with my full strength to sail through this highly journalistic life. With eyes on that almighty God existing around my world in different forms and individuals to pray and bless my life, I am determined to make things possible in this new organisation. Thankfully, I am here and realising my wide rooms for improvement for the good.

The busy journalistic life and its pulls and pressures with high level of expectations to deliver have made life quite a hard path to tread on.

Love never dies....it exists in memories and turns eyes moist to reminisence the moments lived together.

This year, my Valentine's Day held a special meaning.

It's a new world...

Trying to explore the new things. Wish to catch up accuracy and speed at the same time. I must say these are highly quality-concious and a bit too deeply involved people of journalism. While I am having my share of tough time learning and imbibing myself of all new things of international arena, there is a bit of joy at the end of the day. That is of having learnt something new with each passing day, despite high-level of nervousness creeping in.

I hope my well-wishers will keep praying for my success, just like they have done for my wedding and new job and particularly my return to journalism. MK

There was never a genius without a tincture of madness.

-- Aristotle

There are many geniuses who were laughed. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers

The new journey

Life has taken a quite interesting turn. I always wanted to write about foreign affairs or foreign politics or siimply what should be as eloquent as anything worth publishable in international newspapers.

By the grace of God and my well wishers' blessings I have moved in that direction after a long and painful wait of so many years.

The brief stroll outside this journalistic world didn't suit me professionally, except for coming across a variety of interesting, kind and affectionate people at Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga. I am feeling quite relieved from running in a wrong direction just for the sake of change of job.

I have realised, journalism, particularly this world of news is that to me what is water for fish. The freedom to write something useful is one of the biggest privilege the God has gifted me again. I am quite grateful to him and the ones who prayed for me.

--

Regards

Chaudhary Sandeep Datta

New-age Yogics can bring Yoga to your home forever

By Sandeep Datta

I have recently come across a group of brilliant youngsters, including Ayurvedic doctors-cum-Dieticians, who offer private tuitions for Yogic management of health. These youngsters are actually so accurate in teaching in various yog Asanas that anyone least familiar with it or hesitant to perform can learn it the absolutely right way, following their personal attention.

This team teaches specific set of Asanas for every individual, based on his or her specific health condition or ailment. The best thing is that this group of boys and girls provides "special private tuitions at home"only after analysing the need of the individuals based on his or her requirement as observed by a special doctor of their group. Moreover, this doctor gives his or her prescription for highly beneficial Easy-to-Follow Diet Routine.

Taking yoga away from high-sounding institutes and Gurujis of television, they provide personal attention as required by specific individual as per his or her ability to perform.

They don't just teach and vanish. They enable you perform the highly effective but least understood Yoga in daily life. This team involves a big pool of exceptionally talented and professionally trained youngsters.

They have joined hands as a team as professionally qualifed instructors and recognised doctors to make Yoga easy for everyone. They give demo class, and only if the person concerned is okay with it, he or she can get their very reasonable and high quality service.

Having been training and graduated from India's national yoga institute, which is premier institute of yoga in the country, they are now taking yoga privately to individuals who cannot visit big institute's due to time constraint or commutation problem.

They are second to none. Trust ME. I just felt like sharing this information with you and felt quite delighted after meeting this little known but highly useful group.

It's a stupid world

It's been one-and-a-half month since I joined Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), an autonomous organisation under Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health as a Media Consultant. Having just switched over from a private media organisation, I joined this organisation with quite enthusiasm. But the day-to-day peculiar experiences here are leaving me with cramps in my stomach.

One of the latest incidents occured when I needed to have a photostat copy of a 21-page Information Brochure. As the Director wished to have it edited at the earliest, I expected it to reach me for editing work at least within 5 or 10 minutes from the concerned room. Well, it reached me three-and-a-half hours later that too when I chanced upon to visit that specific official's room for some other information. I was handed over the file.

I somehow appreciated that the 'most important' document's copy was pubished on used print out to save government expenditure. I looked into it and realised it need much time consuming editing work.

Having worked upon it for half-an-hour or so of the left official time, I decided to carry the document to my home. I worked on it late night and finished almost one fourth of it by 2.00 a.m. much to the annoyance of my wife for carrying official work to home. But I knew its urgency. Hence, I ignored her and put in my best of sincere effort to make it read better.

On the following morning, I decided to skip the morning prayer citing the chill and cold overwhelming my mind and body in particular. But I decided to work upon the pending editing work with my gloves and winter jacket on. I finished my work by 12.30 p.m. despite routine highly irritating and disturbing noise of the staff in this Communication and Documentation wing that includes a huge library, meaning silence should have been its prime feature.

Anyhow, I was delighted to have completed my work a bit faster than I anticipated. Now, I required a photostat copy of the edited file as a backup or proof for the work executed, lest it should fall prey to the list of 'misplaced files' of the institute.

Though this section of the institute has a photostat machine as any library should have, but it is a paid service for students.

The Director's latest instructions have made it essential to first have official approval of him before getting even a single page photostated by the staff including the highly positioned individuals to prevent 'misuse'.

As I came out of my cabin for photostat copies of the 'urgently' required and edited file, as the Communication and Documentation officer-cum-incharge of this entire wing comprising exhibition hall, library and multi-media centre of the institute, reminded myself that this is payable. But I needed to have it urgently. Still, it's of no use approaching my own peon for the same service.

I approached one of my senior colleagues for advise for the same. She asked me to visit the Administrative building where another photostat machine has been kept for such works. I visited that place on the first floor. I enquired from one of the four peons deployed there for the photostat service.

His answer left me a bit shaken. He said: "Sahab, you cannot have photostat copy of the document just like that from here even." "But what do I do to have it photostated as it's 'urgent'," I asked.

"Sahab, do one thing. Write an application stating that you need this much number of photostat copies, the purpose, and your position in the institute not forgetting to mention the timing and the date," he said.

I raised my eyebrows in utter surprise at his suggestion-cum-reply and left the place in peals of laughter. I approached my colleague again and shared the incident. Being very kind in nature, she directed our peon to find out another way for some solution. He did find some 'real' solution asking me to make an official entry in the register stating...the purpose, the timing and number of copies marked against my position and name. "But please come after one hour lunch, sahab." he left with no choice but smiling for the rest of the day and attempting this anecdote about this studpid world 'Sarakari Tantra'.


RegardsChaudhary Sandeep Datta

33 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR FINANCES IN 2011

By Sandeep Datta

All of us wish to save, but not many of us succeed in that. It is quite common hearing words like: “How can I save in this little salary? Or I barely manage to survive in this salary”.

What most of us fail to realize that it isn’t just how much big or small salary we get at month-end, instead it is more to do with how well we manage within our income following our personal approach to save money.

Following are some of the important ways to improve one’s financial life in 2011, based on the latest economic research and interviews with financial experts. These ideas, which focus on spending, saving, and earning, guide us about the tools for a complete financial makeover.

Whether you want to ramp up your earning power, finally start a retirement savings account, or just stop feeling like you're wasting money, now is the time to put together your New Year's resolutions.

So, want to have a complete financial makeover? Read on.

GOAL-SETTING:

1. Decide on your big goals.

2. Share those goals with other people.

3. Do a little every day. Take small steps toward your big goals every day.

4. Take time to reflect. Look back on 2010. What were your personal money highs and lows? What mistakes did you make and what challenges did you face? What financial decisions are you most proud of?

5. Develop a back-up plan. In today's economy, no job is 100-percent secure. Create a list of steps you would take if you were to lose your job, even though you hope never to have to use it. Having a Plan B can give you peace of mind as well as a practical "to-do" list if you ever face the shock of an unexpected job loss.

SPENDING:

6. Budget by the year. Research shows that budgeting by the year instead of the month makes it easier to stay within your spending limits. That's partly because when we create an annual budget, we remember to take into account occasional expenses such as gifts.

7. Keep a spending diary. Even if you just track every dollar you spend for two weeks, it will open your eyes to where your money goes and what you could cut back on. You might not realize that you spend $100 a week on lunches, or that your taxi-cab habit is eating up half of your discretionary income.

SECURITY:

8. Check up on your insurance. Do you have the auto insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance that you need? According to Allstate insurance, 2 in 3 renters skip insurance altogether, even though most people could benefit from the protection and it's relatively cheap. Life insurance is another awkward topic since no one wants to talk about death. But many people are under-insured, which puts their families at risk. Review the insurance that you have and decide whether you have the right amount.

9. Protect your privacy. Whenever someone asks for your Social Security number, question if it's necessary to share it. Never give it to a solicitor on the telephone or in an E-mail, and if you ever notice a suspicious charge on your credit card, follow up with your card company--it could be the first sign of identity theft.

SAVING:

10. Write down how much money you want to save by the end of the year. As with your other goals, the simple act of writing it down will help keep that goal at the top of your mind throughout the year.

11. Become a better cook. Sometimes you have to spend money to save money. Nowhere is that truer than in the kitchen, where investing in a few key pieces of hardware can help you cook better, faster, and cheaper. And anything that makes your food taste better and gets it on the table quickly can lessen the temptation to order budget-busting take-out. Consider investing in a slow cooker to make meals even easier.

12. Use less energy. Small changes, like closing doors to unused rooms or turning off the air conditioner during the day, can make a serious dent in utility bills. So can unplugging appliances, turning off lights, and shutting down computers at night. Even televisions can use power when they're turned off, so unplugging them when they're not in use saves energy.

13. Start making cleaning supplies from scratch. The Internet contains hundreds of do-it-yourself recipes; Jennifer Taggart's thesmartmama.com can get you started.

14. Find inspiration online. There are hundreds of personal finance blogs and websites; find the ones that speak to you and visit them regularly to help keep you on track. Popular options include Wise Bread, The Simple Dollar, and Centsible Life.

15. Give yourself a stress test. How vulnerable are you to sudden job loss or unexpected expenses? Do you have an emergency fund? If not, start building one. You should have at least three months' worth of living expenses in your bank account.

16. Work with family members. Sometimes, family members can help each other save more money by working together. You can also help out by gardening, doing housework, or sharing your computer skills.

INVESTING:

17. Begin investing today. Waiting to start a retirement account until you feel like you can afford it might mean that you can never retire. Don't put off opening a 401(k) account if your employer offers it, even if you start by contributing just 2 percent of your salary. Soon, you can raise that percentage to 4 percent, and eventually to 10 percent or higher. For extra motivation, plug your numbers into a retirement calculator on Bankrate.com, and see how much you need to fund your golden years--it's probably much more than $1 million.

DEBT:

18. Pay off your expensive debt, even student loans. Student loans that carry a 5 or 6 percent interest rate (or higher) are costing you much more than your savings can earn in this current low-interest rate environment. Paying off a chunk of your student loans will immediately start saving you more money than you could if you continue to make those slow-and-steady monthly payments.

19. Choose the best credit card for you. If you pay your balance off each month, you should have a card that gives you rewards points. If you carry debt, just focus on getting the card with the lowest interest rate. Most people have multiple cards that aren't suited to their needs. Pick the one that fits you best and stop using the other ones. Don't close them, though, because that can hurt your credit score.

20. Improve your credit score. The easiest way to do this is by making steady, on-time payments every month and otherwise keeping your accounts in good standing.

21. Make a plan for paying off high-interest rate debt. If you carry any credit card debt, auto loans, or high-interest student loans, it's time to come up with a plan for paying them off. With interest rates on savings account so low, it often makes more sense to unload your expensive debt rather than continuing to make interest payments.

RETIREMENT:

22. Know how much you need in retirement years. Run some numbers. Most people fail to calculate exactly how much they're on track to save, or how much they'll need, in retirement. Use free calculators from Bankrate.com.

23. Ramp up your retirement savings by a few percentage points. Those calculations might convince you that you need to start saving more. To keep anxiety (and a major budget crunch) at bay, increase your savings in small increments.

EARNING:

24. Invest in your career--even when you're being frugal (being economical or careful in spending) everywhere else. Investing in a career coach or development course can help you snag a promotion, get "unstuck" from a career rut, or transition into your dream job. Formal advice can come from meeting with more experienced colleagues over lunch or coffee.

25. Start earning extra money on the side. Many people don't realize they have valuable skills that other people are willing to pay for, such as a second language or even craft skills. To get ideas for how to earn extra money, check out the services section on Craigslist and see what people are advertising--editing, gardening, and event planning. Earning just a few hundred or thousands of rupees a month can help get you back on your feet, plus you'll get valuable job experience and the possible start of a successful small business that you can continue to grow.

26. Launch your own business. Have you always dreamed of being your own boss? Make this the year you start taking small steps toward that goal. Decide what you can sell, buy your website address, and consider taking on a few clients.

27. Use social media tools to boost your career. Making connections on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn can enhance your overall profile in your field and strengthen connections that will come in handy when you're job-hunting. Many people err by not fleshing out their profile information on their social network accounts; start by adding more information about yourself, along with a photo.

28. Schedule creative time for yourself. Boost your productivity with scheduled downtime, in which you give yourself the freedom to brainstorm about new ideas and possibilities for yourself and your career.


GIVING:

29. Gift words of wisdom or good evening instead of expensive articles. When birthdays or other events come up, think about how you can give an experience, such as an afternoon at a museum or conversation over tea, instead of things.


30. Read a book or two to further educate yourself. Get some more in-depth knowledge" by traveling, reading, or volunteering. Studying up on your cause doesn't need to cost much money, but it will make you a more informed--and more effective--giver.

31. Talk with parents and siblings about any support you expect to give to them. It can help raise overall family saving. Giving doesn't relate only to charities; many people also support their aging parents and needy siblings. Make sure you understand what your parents or siblings expect from you, if anything, and that you can afford to provide them the support that they need.

32. Clean out your closet. Not only will you have a more organized space for the new year, but you probably have some valuable items--books, CDs, and games--that charities could make good use of.

33. Join forces with friends by forming a giving circle, a group of friends for any social cause for fun or an unforgettable joy.