Observation: Things that do not make sense

We tend to ignore little observations about the surroundings simply for the fact that they do not affect our lives much. But it is interesting to know that we all might have observed the same scenario once in our lifetime! Let us start with Déjà vu. I am pretty sure you all must have felt that the same situation or the same glimpse has happened before, gazillion times! ‘Aisa lag raha hai ki yeh ho chukka hai’. At that moment, the life just stops to think when this has happened, or where have I seen this before? Whoa!

The Day the Earth Stops Moving

As I was reading the Father’s Day edition of the Sunday Times, I came across an article that spoke about how the whole world is waging a war against ‘un-intelligent’ people. It goes on to speak of how college degrees are becoming essential now, of how all menial, ‘unintelligent people’ jobs are being replaced by robots, automation and drones and how the support provided by the government is pitiable.

That is all fine, but as I read the last line, I felt a shiver run through my spine. It read, "we must stop glorifying intelligence and treating our society as a playground for the smart minority. We should instead be shaping our economy, our schools, even our culture with an eye to the abilities and needs of the majority, and to the full range of human capacity." As I read this line, I was reminded of John Galt from Ayn Rand’s book ‘Atlas Shrugged’. The words of the Antagonists from the book began to echo in my ears and the effect of their policies began to flash before my eyes.

To summarise the takeaway from the book, it criticizes the people who take pride at their own mediocrity and are so proud to be average, they refuse to work hard to improve themselves. The book paints a world shaped with an eye to the abilities and needs of such a majority, and it ultimately leads to the doom of the world, as those who do work hard and strive to be above average, go on a strike against the system, as it makes them bear all the weight of the world, just like Atlas.

Coming back, making the world for the mediocre would only be a start of this doom. I understand that the author meant well by waging a war against a system that seeks to belittle and demean mistakes and one that demands nothing less than perfection. He talks about how people these days make fun, rather than help someone who doesn’t know a topic. I agree with this point. I have seen some of my classmates do it and it is a very ugly practice.

 One should never be afraid of making mistakes as that leads to being stuck to the tried and tested. Truly, if no one dares to make a mistake, there will be no growth. But to belittle meritocracy is no good. I am personally a believer in Carol Dweck's principle that if you work hard and learn new things, there is nothing you cannot do. That is true intelligence. To belittle the intelligence of this kind is fatal. I would always want to live in a world where the work I put in, is rewarded.

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I understand my definition of intelligence and that of the author may also vary, but really, no one really reaches the top without hard work. The so-called ‘born brilliant’ people too, put in a lot of effort, dedication and passion into their work. We only see the result and claim they are ‘blessed’ but refuse to understand the inhuman amount of work they have put behind the curtains.

A society need not always profess in the necessity of academic brilliance I agree, but it should never be one that belittles the need to be good at what you do. Telling people it is alright to just coast along- leeching off the work other people have put in, is unethical and unproductive. Sure, such a society may continue to retain all its jobs, but it will lose real productivity and any real inventions or breakthroughs. To create such a society that promotes the average would lead to no good because ambition to be better, or achieve more is often the fuel for the growth of a civilization as a whole. The day the drive for betterment stops, will be the day the Earth stops moving forward.

The article did raise one good point though- Of how poverty and intelligence have a strong negative correlation. It says that the elementary education that a child receives has a very strong impact on him/her; it is one that can never be compensated if lost. Thus, by default, people who are poor as kids may never reach their true potential, due to their poverty. Personally, I think it’s not just education, but everything we see, feel, experience and do in our childhood that has a significant and irreplaceable effect on us. So, instead of trying to create a ‘mediocre’ world, we should focus on opening up the minds and hearts of kids to various experiences and showing them the true importance of hard work and dedication.

LIFE IS ABOUT THE JOURNEY AFTER ALL. THOUGH TOUGH, IT IS THAT JOURNEY THAT MAKES YOU.

Written by Shreya Srinivasan

A person of varied interests, with a possible ADHD that went unnoticed as a child. A gypsy philosopher looking for her place and space in the world. Admittedly a little odd at first, but then, you have to be odd to be number one.

Chanakya: A man with WISDOM or a CHAUVINIST

I recently read Chanakya Neeti and was amused by some of his statements and thoughts. Chanakya, born with broken teeth and crooked feet was destined to advise rulers and not become a ruler himself. He helped Chandragupta in building and expanding his empire. He wrote many inspirational books and one such book is Chanakya Neeti where he has shared his personal opinions about life, spirituality, women, marriage and much more. But some of his views were in contradiction with his earlier opinions and conveyed a negative message too. Some may find his teachings inspirational while other may not agree with his views.

He started the book with talking about spirituality and dharma. In his message, he conveys that one should follow his Dharma without thinking about the consequences or the fruit we get from it. Also, Dharma should be above everything else in life. He says that a person should remain loyal towards his Dharma till he dies. The meaning was clear that Chanakya wanted us to realize what we truly want in life, we should be loyal to everything and everyone who are in our life. As the saying goes that “The man who knows others is intelligent but the man who knows himself is wise”. Chanakya then talks about Self-Actualization. One should be aware of one’s actions and the impact or the consequences it will have on others.

He further goes on by talking about a state and the king. He says that a matter should always remain between two people, one the king and the other with the concerned minister. If a third person gets to know about the matter the whole assembly will know about it. Here Chanakya is trying to say that one should never reveal a secret to the person who has nothing to do with the matter, just for the fun purpose. Also, Chanakya says that when you let other know about your weakness they take advantage of that to use it against you. So always keep control of your emotions and feelings.

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These were really inspiring and the truths of life which we usually don’t realize but we face it every day. So take control of your life before it takes control over you.  But now we come to the negative part, where I feel that Chanakya was a chauvinist. He talks about women in one of his chapters and he says by giving the example of Sita, that she was abducted by Ravana because of her beauty. What he tries to convey is that s girl is molested because she is beautiful, which is totally not acceptable. He further goes on and says that a woman looks at one person, loves another and marries some other person. This totally made him a chauvinist.



Some of his views were contradicting each other as well. At first, he says that a man should marry a woman who always stays loyal to him regardless of her class and in another he goes on by saying that a man should always marry a woman of the same class. Which one should we believe? Well, in my opinion, NONE.

Chanakya Neeti may be inspiring but some of the views are just not acceptable.


Written by Chayanika Singh
Unique name right? Well, I am a big time foodie and a travel junkie but I also love to write about serious issues and problems all over the world. Sometimes my write-ups will be of great joy and sometimes they’ll make you think about issues.

Beat the Heat this Summer

We’ve come back to that time of the unbearable heat where we humans would get roasted under the sun or try to avoid stepping outside. Instead, be cozy in our rooms with our air conditioners running wild. Here are several tips to ace this summer.


1. Avoiding tan is a difficult task for everybody.

There’s no need to fret you can go outside and hang out with your friends with sunscreens, stoles or fedoras, and aviators and avoid getting sunburns.



2. Summer means Drinks to cool our sore throats.

Shop for those lemonades and juicy strawberries from the supermarket. Mix and mash all the fruits in a jar with crushed ice. Voila! your fruit punch is ready.



3. Turn your beverage into a spray mist.

Peppermint tea could also be used not only as your average cuppa but also as a skin soother. As tea contains methanol it has a great cooling effect on the body. Try out this new DIY Summer Deo.



4. Yoga exercises such as Pranayama can help one not only develop a relaxing effect but also cools our body during summers.

By inhaling and exhaling alternately you could achieve a calming effect



5. Escape the heat, drag your friends to cool new destination.

Music festivals are an upcoming event. Go get tickets to any event and enjoy the music and the lighting.

Caution: Always drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated.

Written by Anju Mani