यत्न तो देव जाणावा

समर्थांचे विचार -
जीवनात आपल्या वाट्याला जी सुखदु:ख येतात किंवा जे यश-अपयश मिळते. ते प्रारब्धाच्या अधीन असते का प्रयत्नावर निर्भर असते? मानवी मनाला पडलेले हे कोडे खूप जुने आहे. समर्थ रामदासांनी ‘प्रयत्न श्रेष्ठ की प्रारब्ध श्रेष्ठ’ या नावाचे एक ओवी शतकच लिहिले आणि त्यामध्ये समारोप करताना प्रयत्नाला श्रेष्ठत्व दिले.

प्रयत्न श्रेष्ठ हे सांगताना समर्थांनी फार चांगला युक्तिवाद केला. ते म्हणाले, की आधी आपण प्रयत्न करतो आणि फळ मिळाले नाही म्हणजे प्रारब्धाला दोष देतो. याचा अर्थ आधी प्रयत्न आहे आणि मग प्रारब्ध आहे. जे आधी येते ते श्रेष्ठ आहे. समर्थ प्रयत्नवादाचे कट्टर पुरस्कर्ते होते. प्रयत्न करूनही जर माणूस अपयशी झाला तर ते प्रारब्धावर ढकलत नाहीत ते म्हणत्तात-

अचूक यत्न करवेना । म्हणौनी केले ते सजेना ।
आपला अवगुण जाणवेना । काही केल्या ।।

जर चुकीच्या दिशेने प्रयत्न केल्यामुळे अपयश आले, तर प्रारब्धावरती का ढकलायचे?

प्रारब्ध ही आळशी माणसाने शोधून काढलेली लपायची जागा आहे. एकदा प्रारब्धाच्यामागे लपायचे ठरले के आत्मपरीक्षण थांबून जाते. विज्ञानात ज्याप्रमाणे प्रयोगशील अंत:करण असावे लागते त्याप्रमाणे कर्म करताना चिंतनशीलता हवी. माणसाने जर नीट विचार केला आणि नियोजनपूर्वक कर्म केले, तर ताे कधीही अपयशी होणार नाही. जीवनात यशस्वी झालेल्या सगळ्या महापुरूषांनी विवेकपूर्वक निर्णय घेतले आहेत. त्यांनी अविरत कष्ट केले आहेत.

आधी कष्ट मग फळ । कष्टचि नाही ते निष्फळ ।।
सापेक्षेमुळे केवळ । वृथापुष्ट ।।

असे समर्थ रामदास म्हणतात. कष्टाशिवाय मी द्रव्यार्जन करणार नाही, असा संकल्प जर प्रत्येकाने सोडला तर भ्रष्टाचार विसर्जित होईल. अनेक लोक नियोजन करण्यापेक्षा ज्योतिषाला पत्रिका दाखवून निर्णय घेतात.
याबाबतीत समर्थ पुरूषार्थावादी आहेत, ते म्हणतात-

रेखा तितुकी पुसोन जाते । प्रत्यक्ष प्रत्ययास येते ।
डोळे झाकणी करावी ते । काय निमित्त ।।
घालून अकलेचा पवाड । व्हावे ब्रह्मांडाहूनी जाड ।
तेथे कैचे आणिले द्वाड । करंटपण ।।

जो भविष्य सांगतो त्याच्याकडे जाण्यापेक्षा जो भविष्य घडवितो त्याच्याकडे जावे. समर्थांनी दौर्बल्याची सामर्थांना विलक्षण चीड होती. दुबळा माणूसच लपण्यासाठी जागा शोधून काढतो. कोणत्याही उद्योगपतींचे चरित्र बघा किंवा एखाद्या वैज्ञानिकाचे चरित्र बघा. त्याचा जीवनात प्रयत्नवादाची उपासना पहायला मिळते.

भारतीय शिक्षण परंपरेत विद्यार्थी दहा-बारा वर्षे गुरुकुलात राहत असे. गुरुकुलातले जीवन अत्यंत खडतर असे. तिथे विद्यार्थ्यांना अध्ययनाबरोबरच आश्रमातील कामेदेखील करावी लागत. अलिकडे काही
गरीब विद्यार्थी कमवा आणि शिका - अर्न अँड लर्न - या योजनेनुसार शिकतात. गुरुकुलामध्ये राजपुत्रांनादेखील कष्ट करावे लागत. याचा अर्थ माणसाने सुखात राहूच नये, असे समर्थांचे मत होते, असे मुळीच नाही. त्यांच्या मते, कष्ट हे कारण आहे आणि सुख हे कार्य आहे.

संताना कुणीही शत्रू असत नाही; पण समर्थांना दोन शत्रू होते. एक आळस आणि दुसरा दुश्चितपणा. आळसामुळे मनुष्य प्रयत्न करायचे टाळतो. विनोदाने समर्थ म्हणतात की आळशी माणसाला पडून राहण्याचे काम एवढे मोठे असते की त्यानेच तो थकून जातो. कष्ट टाळण्यासाठी माणूस आळसाच्या मागे लागतो.

दुश्चितपणा हा आळसाचा परिणाम आहे. दुश्चित याचा अर्थ कुठेच लक्ष नसणे. शरीराने एखाद्या ठिकाणी उपस्थित असणे आणि मनाने तेथे नसणे याला समर्थ दुश्चित म्हणतात. विद्यार्थी वर्गाात बसला असेल; पण त्याचे जर तासाकडे लक्ष नसेल तर तो वर्गात असून नसल्यासारख्याच आहे. आळस आणि दुश्चितपणा या दोन दोषांमुळे माणूस एकतर प्रयत्न करायचे टाळतो किंवा प्रयत्न करताना चुकतो आणि अपयश आले म्हणजे नशिबाला दोष देतो. माणसाला अपयशाचे खापर फोडण्यासाठी जागा हवी असते . प्रारब्ध अथवा नशीब ही ती सुरक्षित जागा आहे. एखाद्या व्यक्तिला दोष दिल्यास ती व्यक्ती भांडायला उठेल; पण गुपचूप ऐकून घेणे हेच नशिबाच्या नशिबात लिहिले आहे.

(संकलन - सौ.वनमाळी, सौ जोग.)

ग्रेट आर्टिस्ट : मिता प्रशांत देव

दैनिक मुंबई सकाळ तर्फे  घेण्यात आलेल्या ग्रेट आर्टिस्ट स्पर्धेत अ गटात दहिसरच्या विद्या प्रसारक मंडळ, विद्या मंदिर इंग्रजी माध्यमिक विभाग सहावी अ मधील कुमारी मिता प्रशांत देव हिला प्रथम क्रमांकाचे रु.21,000/- चे रोख पारितोषिक मिळाले आहे. इ. 4थी ते 7वी तील विद्यार्थ्यांचा या गटात समावेश होता.

विद्यार्थी आणि शिक्षक तसेच अन्य वाचकांसाठी वेगवेगळ्या गटात ही स्पर्धा घेण्यात आली होती. विद्या प्रसारक मंडळातर्फे मिताचे हार्दिक अभिनंदन.

मितासारखे अनेक गुणी चित्रकार विद्यार्थी आणि त्यांचे पालक तिच्या  ह्या यशापासून स्फूर्ती घेतील आणि आपल्या कलासाधनेसाठी  जोमाने प्रयत्नशील राहतील असा आम्हाला विश्वास आहे. 

Minal Dixit wins over VPM teachers

Namastey Everybody,

USHA RAMAKANT MHATRE Memorial lectures are arranged by VIDYA PRASARAK MANDAL  with the help of funds donated by Mrs. Kusum Pramod Pendse. 

I am very glad to report that a lecture in this series organised for teachers of VPM schools,  on 13/12/08 at DSF Samaj Kalyan Kendra, was a success and was appreciated by one and all .

The speaker was Mrs. Minal Dixit, Principal, R. A. Poddar Marathi Primary school. Her topic was:

" Handling students of different learning abilities."

Mrs. Dixit has to her credit, 29 state level awards and 5 national awards in the field of education.

She presented her lecture in the form of a workshop consisting  various activities and games.

Mrs. Dixit was very pleased with response of our teachers.

Novel ideas, force and request are three approaches to solving a problem, she said. She also emphasized the importance of 8 'C's - Culture, Control, Confidence, Concentration, Co-ordination, Communication, Courage and Cost-effective techniques. During the course of the workshop she touched upon various themes such as 'types of listening', touch-therapy, win-win situations, the power of dreaming, time management etc. Most importantly she stressed the need to change and to remain relevant to new vision.

Our teachers were impressed by her pedagogical methods.

98 teachers from VIDYA PRASARAK MANDAL sankul attended the workshop-cum-lecture.

Mrs. A. A. Surve, Headmistress, gave a floral welcome to the faculty.

Mrs. Suvarna Sawant, Asst.Teacher, Marathi Primary, ably compered at the event.

At the end of the programme, Mrs. Nandita Churi, Supervisor, English Pimary, offered a critical appreciation of the activity.

The workshop ended with vote of thanks by Mrs. Jyoti Honkote, Asst teacher, English Primary

Shri. S. K. Parab and Mrs. M. M. Kulkarni represented the Management.

The hall was made available with the kind support of Dahisar Sports Foundation, through the good offices of Shri. D. S. Mhambrey.

Shri. S. A. Paranjpe, Campus Chief, looked after the arrangements.

Do look forward to many such initiatives.

Thanking you,

With Warm Regards,

Tharval

Supervisor & Facilitator

शाळेची नवी इमारत

 

आपल्या विद्या मंदिर शाळेची नवी इमारत साकारते आहे, हे तुम्हाला माहीतच आहे. ह्या इमारतीच्या पहिल्या स्लॅबचे काम आता सुरू असून त्याचे हे छायाचित्र पहा :

ह्या कामी सढळ हस्ते योगदान द्यावे असे सर्व हितचिंतकांना, माजी विद्यार्थ्यांना आणि पालकांना आवाहन आहे.

शाळेचे माजी विद्यार्थी आणि इमारत समितीचे सदस्य श्री. नंदकुमार मिराशी ह्यांनी हे छायाचित्र घेतलेले आहे.

A HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE RULES THE WORLD

Contributed by - - Prathamesh Gaitonde, Std X

It was the felicitation ceremony of the students of std 10 . A timid looking homely lady was introduced as the chief guest of our function .We were taken aback as we are normally used to seeing a dynamic personality as the chief guest The teacher , judging the expressions on our face, explained that her greatness was no less than any of the dynamic personalities , for it was she who was the role model ,the anchor behind the huge success of the student who stood in the merits and who had glorified the school

Truly how huge and extensive is the greatness of our mother!!!! Right from shaping the ball of clay that takes birth from her womb to giving him a dignified status in the society , her life revolves around her child throughout. She is an extensive mine of love and affection . She sacrifices her own happiness for her Image by mharrsch via Flickrchild . A mother is like a candle that burns herself but enlightens others. She may not actually govern the country , but she influences people< guides and directs them , who then become efficient leaders of the country. It is in this sense that she rules the world . Mother is just like an engine, who has the necessary drive and initiative to pull or push the coaches. In short she is the leader and the torch bearer of our progress.

Great men in the world acknowledge the contribution of their mothers in making and shaping their personalities and characters. Who could have believed that a dyslexic and a failure child like Einstein could have given the theory of relativity. It was his mother who had faith in her child and found the talent in him and made him a great personality . Shivaji Maharaj accredits his mother for the success he achieved in his life for it was she who instilled the lessons of bravery and courage in his tender mind

Today all that which helps mankind and benefits his life is personified as MOTHER The nature that provides the food clothing and shelter to man is adorned as MOTHER NATURE . The earth , which supports the entire life is beautified as MOTHER EARTH.

Truly all such things, which may not think about , provides a first hand testimony to the fact that is the hand that rocks the cradle, which rules the world.

VM students observe 'Shaurya Din'

Contributed by- Ms. Sonal Tharval

Our school paid tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives on 26/11.

The students were given idea about importance of the day, Shaurya Din, one day in advance and they had therefore brought one candle each.

Accordingly, on 12th December ,which was also Late Shri. Hemant Karkare's Birthday, the students sang patriotic songs after offering the prayers in the morning.

In afternoon shift everybody stood with a lighted candle in hand and offered tributes to the martyrs.

The supervisors and PT teachers led the students in a quiet rally around the school premises.

After the rally, students placed the lighted candles in front of the martyrs' photographs and bowed to them with respect.

Mrs. Jagruti Save, Supervisor of English Secondary section, addressed the students explaining the importance of the day and concluded the programme.

Regular school was conducted after the programme.

Beyond any religion, race or ethnic group...

Contributed by - Shreyas Wagle

We are jolted again by the horrific news of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. No religion or nation regardless of race and ethnicity, could ever condone the mass murder of the innocents without forever condemning their souls to darkness.My heart goes out to the people who lost their lives and to untold others who have been left behind to pick up the pieces of tragedy.

As a global community we need to be careful in pointing the blame against anImage by Bird Eye via Flickry religion, race or ethnic group.

Fanning the flames of hatred at a sensitive time like this is not only foolish but would prove to be potentially catastrophic. It is important that the media discriminates between peace loving Muslims and terrorists who only bow to the gods of hatred, bigotry and fanaticism.

I hope that the UN Secretary Council would take proper action against terrorism and will hopefully win it.

The erosion of integrity & ethics

Contributed by - Unnati B Mhatre Std X

Gone are the days when this proverb was much more than a mere saying. There were indeed people who were absolutely righteous, just, humble and truthful in their commitments and outlook. There truly was a time when people were safely unaware of theft, robbery, corruption and deceit. But today the society faces a widespread moral deterioration of values.

Today people are ready to sacrifice their long-cherished beliefs and principles at the slightest obstacle or difficulty they encounter. They are ready to lie or cheat or harm others for a meagre gain. Little do they realize that their dishonesty has achieved them just short term benefits and happiness. Such people are far from understanding the importance of honesty. Let alone practicing it.

The never ending crave for more & more luxuries and privileges has left man resorting to black-marketing, corruption, bribing and today even terrorism. Rarely do we find people who are willing to make honest and sincere efforts for the well-being of the society. Rather there are an increasing number of people who through deceitful and immoral ways fetch their own benefits. But how long do such people survive? For instance, a person who has earned hordes of money by dishonest means lives under a constant dread of being exposed or found out and soon after the truth triumphs the name, fame, money and glamour that the person has achieved crumbles to pieces. He loses all the respect and dignity in the society. He is forced to pay the price for being dishonest.

An honest man, on the other hand, is free from such guilt and shame because he has never cheated nor lied to anyone. The one who has been straightforward and honest has nothing to conceal. Such a person is bound to be happy, contented and satisfied.

Today dishonesty has spread its tentacles so deep in the society that soon the situation would become irreparable. By giving bribe our work may be done swiftly and the extra money earned makes the suitor happy too, but this comfort and happiness is short lived. The erosion of integrity & ethics will ultimately make living unbearable for the entire society. Once people know that they can bribe their way through for anything they want, the moral edifice of the society will start crumbling.Image via Wikipedia

At such times we need to act and act swiftly. We must reassure people’s belief that even in today’s cutthroat competition being honest would surely pay off. Leo Tolstoy, had once said, “Everybody thinks of changing humanity & nobody thinks of changing himself.” So let us make efforts to be honest & sincere. We can hope that there would be a day when the whole society would be honest and everyone will surely reap its benefits. Only then would we realize that honesty indeed is the best policy.

MY MOTHER

(Contributed by Mukul A. Ghan)

'Mother' this word has no definition. This in itself is a great thing. The saying that 'God created mothers to look after everyone' is true in all aspects. Aai,Amma,Maa,Mom whatever you call her, mother remains the same.Indeed, mother is the only love in our life.

My mother is a teacher by profession and a housewife by real profession. Like other mothers she loves me in the best possible way she can. Even when she is in school, she calls me and asks me everyday. She is the one who has improved me and my habits. I succeed but I succeed because of my mother. She has a good share in my success. People say that 25 percent is share of external factors. But, I say 50 percent is the share of my mother in my success. She has a relation of blood with me.

She is the one who has feelings about me. When I get hurt she feels the same. I remember during my exam when I came home at 3.00 in the afternoon my mother stayed back and did not eat food at all. She is the 'be all' for me. I live to satisfy her favours on me. She is the one who pats me in failures. Now, I have to be the reason for her smile in the old age.

In Marathi, a poet says that,' The God of three worlds is a beggar without a mother'. My mother is a role model for me. She is an epitome of a good lady, a better wife and the best mother. I thank the almighty who put me in the womb of an angel who is the world for me.

`Life:an Education'

From the time the world came into existence, men have tried to educate themselves to survive and combat with the innumerable situations. We cannot exactly define the term `education'.
Every situation in life is an experience which in turn educates the individual to surmount obstacles with mental capacity and skills. Image via Wikipedia
When Swami Vivekananda was walking through the forest he came across such situations he had never come across earlier. These situations opened his eyes to new vistas of life and ultimately he realised that life is an educator and the stages of life are the levels of educational process.
Every experience is an examination, may it be an unfortunate one or a fortunate one. The quantity of solutions we can find to the problems is the consequence of the result of examination that one surpassed.
Once again life gives us many opportunities to educate ourselves and pass through the smouldering fire in a furnace. An individual, if can tolerate the wrath of the fire, he will emerge fully purified and shaped blacksmith. So, education has many forms, moral, social, physical and spiritual. If there is a synchronisation of all these forms, then truly an individual is educated in the real sense!
Great souls like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa through their diligent work, tried to educate the world the true meaning of humanity. Let us mould ourselves to be good educators like these great souls. Only then will man be happy and prosperous which will transform the world into `Heaven'!
- Mrs. Usha Shimoga
English Secondary Section

स्वातंत्र्य

हीरक महोत्सवी वर्षे (स्वातंत्र्याची 60 वर्षे)
हीरक महोत्सवी वर्षांचे स्वागत आपण सर्वचजण आनंदाने करीत आहोत. तरीसुद्धा स्वातंत्र्याच्या 60 वर्षांत मनाला
अत्यंत व्यथित करणाऱ्या घटनांचा थोडक्यात घेतलेला आढावा

स्वातंत्र्य मिळून
भारताला 60 वर्षे झाली
विविध क्षेत्रात नेत्रदीपक
प्रगतीने भारताने केली
साधन संपत्तीचे केंद्रीकरण झाले
मूठभर लोक गब्बर झाले
सामान्य जनतेवर अन्याय होऊ लागले
हक्कासाठी आपल्या याचना करू लागले
शेतकरी हवालदिल झाले
आत्महत्या करू लागले
कुपोषणाने मुलाबाळांना घेरले
पुढारी जनतेच्या पैशावर
विदेश भ्रमण करू लागले
मस्तीत राहू लागले
सत्तारूढ विरोधी पक्ष
आपापसात भांडू लागले
संधीचा फायदा घेऊन
देशद्रोही बॉम्बस्फोट घडवू लागले
दहशतवादाची टांगती तलवाल घेऊन
चाकरमानी बाहेर पडू लागले
राष्ट्रीय सण नेते बुलेटप्रूफ गाडीतून करू लागले
स्वातंत्र्याचे वारे आज असे वाहू लागले
नि मनात धस्स झाले!
जनता आत बावरलेली आहे
प्रश्न त्यांच्यापुढे एकच आहे
मी स्वतंत्र आहे की आपल्याच माणसांचा गुलाम?
शोकांतिका ही स्वातंत्र्याची आहे.

- श्रीमती नीता न. म्हात्रे
(मराठी माध्यमिक विभाग)

100% True Proverb

Contributed by - Sagar Surve, Std. X

Proverbs are sayings which have transcended down through generations. One can make a point of view more emphatic using proverbs. There is a huge collection of proverbs in our ancient literature. There is a fun in exploring the deep meaning of proverbs.

The proverb ‘HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY’ appears to be very attractive and the most easiest of all the proverbs, when used in some speeches or dialogues. But it appears to convey a deep meaning when we read it between the lines. Honesty is sometimes the best thing for a situation to end up well. This is because, if you lie and people find out, then you are likely to end up with many negative consequences. You will not be trusted anymore. A practical example showing this is politics. If the leaders promise then they will do a certain things after getting elected. But if they nothing then people find it harder to trust the politicians and he is not elected next time.Image via Wikipedia

It is said, ‘Honesty always pays rich dividends.’ But it may not always pay rich returns in short run but may end up with providing many rich dividends. A practical example showing this- A student who is honest with his studies, who studies regularly may not receive the fruits of his honesty instantly. But in the long run he will definitely obtain it in the form of good results. Honesty is the prime quality that a merchant, trader, or a business man should inherit within themselves so as to prosper in their transactions. A person who is dishonest but performing his work passionately may not survive in the long run.

But why are we today attracted towards the way of dishonesty? The thirst of ‘Yeh dil maange more’ makes a person corrupt and dishonest. It is the greed and selfishness that ultimately leads an individual to enter in the grave of dishonesty. Today, we live in the 21^st century which is described as ‘fast life in the fast world.’ To cope up with this exorbitant rate of people around, we are attracted towards making fast money. And to earn this fast cash, people are ready to choose the way of dishonesty and disloyalty. But I would like to remind such people that, though we can make money by improper way, we can’t earn a respectful status in the society. If we are honest, people believe us.

I personally feel that even in this deceitful world, somewhere there is a ray of honesty trying to make its way out from the evil darkness and spread all over. So at last, honesty should be followed by everyone to succeed in life. And this proverb is cent percent (100%) true to be quoted.

Is India Well–Equipped to Fight Terrorism…?

Contributed by Ankit Dalal Std X

26-Nov-2008; 9:40 p.m.: Two terrorist entered the CST station and started firing indiscriminately with AK (Assault Rifle Kalashnikov) 47’s and AK56’s. The RPF’s attempt to stop their rampage was futile. Later, revelations showed that only 6 out of 200 RPF personnel are equipped with rifle that too, self loaded. Their obsolete weapons were no match for state-of-the-art destructive weapons used by the terrorist.

Image via Wikipedia

26-Nov-2008; 10:15 p.m.: Taj Mahal Hotel-Colaba, Nariman House- Near Colaba Market, Oberoi Hotels-Nariman Point were next target by the terrorist. Small number of terrorist ramped into all these places and captured them with many hostages and killed many innocent people in the process. Once again, resistance offered by security people were no match to their equipments. The process of recapturing all these places required more than 300 commandos, took more than 60Hrs. and ended on 29-Nov-2008. More than 200 people were killed and more than 400 people were injured (as per the official number were stated). We also lost 3 most important Police Officials, acclaimed for their fight against terrorism.

Similarly, the serial blast in 1993 and again, in 2006 had mocked the security in India. This is the limit of the entire police force; no one is equipped with automatic or even semi automatic guns! How pathetic is it! The extent of damage suffered by the 105 year old heritage, Taj Mahal hotel is unimaginable. The commandos are the only one who are “supposed to be” well equipped. Are they truly well equipped..?The numbers of sophisticated equipments are far less then what is required. A comparative study between the British and Indian commandos shows that we are nowhere near the so-called well equipped force.

Investigation revealed that the terrorists were well trained in using Maverick’s latest rapid fire rifle with night vision and few of our commandos had this. While our commandos were trying to fight out these well-trained terrorists, what our politicians were doing..? Visiting and lecturing at the very site, mud-slinging each others to increase their vote bank. Will police provide protection to the “precious” politicians or recapture Taj and other properties..? (Handle law and order situation in the city). A Chief Minister of a particular state in India requires 350 police personnel and 35 cars along with him and creating curfew like situation so that the CM can make “safe” passage. What are these politicians doing in turn for the protection of common people of India, who have actually given them such position.

According to the law, ‘Z’ cover security should be provided to only the President and Prime Minister. Also official vehicles for MP’s, MLA’s and CM’s are Ambassador, but they are seen moving around in very expensive vehicles. From where are these expenses funded..? The tax paid out of our hard earned money is being used for their luxuries..! Or have they some other sources…? With such “Leaders” to run our nation, how can we be free from terrorism? We can learn some lesson from USA, after 9/11 attack not a single terrorist attack has taken place. A combing operation across the nation weeded out the terrorist and beefed up security averted any such possible attacks. Corruption in our country has taken major toll. Corruption in buying defence equipment has left us being ill equipped and India has become soft target for terrorists. Reports have shown that India has more than 80-90 ‘unused’ snipers.

The Guns like of AK47, AK56 which is now being used for years even by terrorist have still not found its way into our protection forces. Some of them are still using rifles, which by the time are loaded, AK47 can fire multiple rounds. The competition and distrust exists within the officials of RAW and IB etc and the information received earlier is not passed on to concerned authorities. Due to this, internal problems leads to inaction on sensitive information. Too much is TOO much! People have showed too much resilience but now water has gone above their head. People have shown their protest against the system, this resulting in resignation by Home Minister of India, Dy Chief Minister and Chief Minister of Maharashtra. After all “people, the ordinary citizen” has the power. Today, there are wide spread protest against terrorism, corrupt and irresponsible government official. We saw large flock of people coming together at Colaba after a week of terror attack. Similar rallies were seen in different part of city and country. The placard taken by people showed their frustration towards system and politicians. Some of them read like: “Give us weapons to kill terrorist or let them kill politicians.” “Let politician pay money for their protections, our money should be used to protect us”. How well does this express our anger?

Do we still think: “Is India Well Equipped to Fight Terrorism..?” And the answer is …..

काय आहे हे मनुष्य जीवन - क्षणभंगुर, अशाश्वत !

-  सौ. संध्या समुद्र

आज आहोत उद्या नाही. कधी आतंकवादी हल्ला, कधी निसर्गाचा प्रकोप तर कधी दुर्धर आजारांचा मानवी जीवनावर हल्ला. आणि हा हल्ला इतका जबरदस्त असतो की सगळ होत्याच नव्हत होऊन जात आणि आपण बघण्यापलिकडे काहीही करू शकत नाही. ज्यांना हल्ल्यामध्ये प्राण गमवावे लागले त्यांच्या नातेवाईकांकडे आपण फक्त सहानुभूतीपूर्वक बघू शकतो.

असं सर्व काही घडत असताना एकच विचार मनात डोकावतो हे सर्व अस का घडत? आपण नक्की कोठे कमी पडतो? करतो का आपण सुख शांतीने, एकमेकांना सहकार्य करत जगण्याचा प्रयत्न ? असतो का आपल्या हृदयात एकमेकांबद्दल ओलावा ? नाही ! आजही आपल्याला काय अनुभवण्यास मिळते तर अहंकार, द्वेषभावना, स्वार्थी वृत्ती, अप्पलपोटीपणा आणि ह्यासगळ्यांतूनच काय जन्माला येते तर हिंसक भावना जी देते खतपाणी आतंकवादाला. एकमेकांचे पाय ओढणे, एकमेकांविरुद्ध कट रचणे, आपले म्हणणेच खरे करणे, एखाद्याला नाहक बदनाम करणे, हे सर्व आजही चालूच आहे. हे करून करण्याला मिळत काय तर एक आसुरी आनंद, राक्षसी विजय ! ह्या आसुरी आनंदाचा, राक्षसी विजयाचा खरोखरच प्रामाणिक आस्वाद घेता येतो का? नाही तर अंत:करणात कुठेतरी शल्य हे असतेच की आपण अस करायला नको होत, पण हे कळत कोणाला ? जो तो आपलाच विचार करण्यात दंग असतो.

अगदी सर्वच मनुष्य प्राणी ह्या आसुरी आनंदामागे किंवा राक्षसी विजयाकडे जात नाही.

काहीजण अजूनही नि:स्वार्थी पणे सगळ्यांवर प्रेम करताना, मदत करताना, एकमेकांसाठी धडपडताना दिसतात. दुसऱ्याच्या आनंदात स्वत:चा आनंद व दुसऱ्यंाच्या दु:खात त्यांच्या जखमी अंत:करणावर प्रेमाची फुंकर घालताना दिसतात त्यांना त्यावेळी मिळणारा आनंद असतो निर्भेळ आनंद . अंत:करण्यात कोणतेही शल्य नसलेला आनंद. दुसऱ्यांसाठी काहीतरी करायला मिळाल्याच समाधान.

पण ही लोक असतात जगाच्या दृष्टीने वेडे!. जगण्याचा गमक न कळलेले ! पण खरे वेडे कोण ? आसुरी आनंद उपभोगणारे की निर्भेळ आनंद उपभोगणारे ? शेवटी हा विचार ज्याच्या त्यानी करायचा आहे.

जर ह्या भूतलावरील सर्वच मनुष्यप्राण्यांनी नि:स्वार्थी जीवन जगण्याचा निर्धार केला, सर्वांना अंत़़:करणपूर्वक मदत केली, सर्वांवर प्रेम केले तर निदान मनुष्यप्राण्यांच्या दहशतवादी कारवाया तरी कमी होतील.

निसर्ग प्रकोप, दुर्धर आजार हे रोखण्यासाठी काही प्रतिबंधात्मक उपाययोजना करून त्यावर मात करण्याचा प्रयत्न करता येईल.

आपल्यावाट्याला आलेल्या ह्या जीवनाचा सर्वतोपरीने उत्तमरितीने जीवन जगण्याचा प्रत्येकाने प्रयत्न करायला हवा निदान त्यादृष्टीने विचार तरी करायला काय हरकत आहे? आपण जाताना आपल्याबरोबर काय घेऊन जातो? नाही पैसा , नाही संपत्ती, नाही सत्ता. पण आपण केलेल्या कामाची दखल तर निदान पुढील पिढी घेऊ शकते. पुढच्या पिढीला तरी आपण चांगले संस्कार, आचरण देऊन त्यांचे जीवन तरी समृद्ध करूया ज्यायोगे त्यांना सगळ्या आतंकवादी कारवायांना सामोरे जाण्याची वेळ येणार नाही !

तरी सर्वांनी आपल्या अंत:करणात आपल्या नि:स्वार्थी प्रेमाचा झरा पाझरायला सुरुवात करूया.

जे खळांची व्यंकटी सांडो तया सत्कर्मी रती वाढो

भूतां परस्परे जडो मैत्र जीवाचे

दुरितांचे तिमीर जावो विश्व स्वर्धर्मे सूर्ये पाहो

जो जे वांच्छिल तो ते लाभो प्राणीजात

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

(Contributed by Roopak S. Raut, X-B)

Honesty is one of the basic values of social life. It forms the foundation on which the character of the person is built. ‘Honesty is the best policy’. Everyone knows this proverb very well. We also use this proverb in our day to day life. But, do we really know the deep meaning which is conveyed by this proverb?

‘Truth’ – the five-lettered word seems very easy to pronounce. But many are afraid of speaking one. And so only they change their path towards dishonesty. In today’s world there is a misconception that only dishonest person can be successful. ‘Honesty can never lead to attainment of one’s goal’ is the modern belief. The deterioration of this value can even take place in a family. Sometimes ignorant parents advice their children that speaking harmless lie is a part of modern competitive world. They are often exposed to the lies that their parents speak on the telephone. But, this is indeed wrong.Image via Wikipedia

Dishonesty sometimes leads to success. But, the success obtained in this way is temporary. Sometimes it might happen that luck may play it’s role and dishonest person may become successful. He might gain name, fame and wealth as well. But, he would be debarred from the happiness of an honest achievement. His conscience will keep on pricking his soul.

Man is a social animal. It is but natural for man to commit mistakes. But, if a mistake is committed, it has to be admitted. “He that does one fault at first and lies to hide it makes it two.” For instance, if a person commits any mistake he should admit it rather than hiding it with a lie. A day will come when everyone will know the truth and no one will trust him. George Washington chopped down his father’s apple tree. But father did not punish him because he admitted doing so. If a single lie is told, one has to tell other thousand lies to protect it.

Honesty is the best policy. Saying so, I remember a quotation of a great philosopher, Bacon –

“It is heaven upon earth, to have a man’s mind move in Charity, rest in Providence and turn upon the poles of Truth.”