Enemy of the Earth

 As per Indian scriptures, there are 8.4 million species living on the earth. In the Water, In the Wild, and the Sky. One of these species is Human beings. Human beings think that they are the only species with a brain. But, looking at the majority I have my doubts.

For example, An elephant is very intelligent in its way. So is a cat. So is a bird. Birds build their homes with locally available materials. And those homes are strong enough for use during their lifetime. None of these animals do anything to help their fellow beings. A dog does not allow an unknown dog to enter its turf. So does a Tiger and Lion. Animals eat, drink, sleep, reproduce and perish eventually. Animals have been living on this earth for how long? Maybe since the day life started.

Contrary to this, human beings are weak in all matters in comparison to animals. The only thing that separates them from other species is the power of rational thinking. Or so we believe. Humans have developed many tools for survival--Stone for hunting, Bronze, and Iron to AI today. This pursuit of survival is never-ending. And humans could never settle, unlike the animals.

Humans found (or invented?) God. Found the sources of energy and extreme levels of energy. Then dynamite, then bombs of various types. Humans have invented machines. The damage caused since the Industrial Revolution is hundreds of times more than what was damaged before that. Driven by personal ambitions we identified the enemy. I consider this to be the most important innovation. Identifying the enemy. This has changed the whole environment. Peace disappeared. The principle of Co-existence disappeared. The environment has been thoroughly exploited.

Arrows, Guns, Bombs, Rockets various ways of destruction unfolded. Identify your enemy and destroy it—Geopolitics, Religious politics, Power politics, Wealth Politics on and on. There has been some light also. Some humans stood out. They sacrificed themselves for the benefit of all. Their number is not sufficient.

Who permits Human beings to decide that they are the best and most intelligent? Among themselves, they never learnt to live together. Never learnt to share and care. All those good things one preaches and talks about are only for the family and the group that he belongs to. It is never universal.

Om Saha NaavAvatu

Saha Nau Bhunaktu

Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai

Tejasvi NaavAdhiitam-Astu

Maa Vidvissaavahai

Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih

Greed. Is there any code?

 NPAs erode the Capital available for funding activities. At a time when India is racing towards achieving a US $ 5 Trillion target, NPAs stand at Rs.5,71,000 Crore which is nearly equivalent to India's defence budget. That should be a concern for all.

The causes of NPAs are many. Some are external, and some are purely self-inflicted by the management of the organizations. Out of that, some are avoidable if identified early. One of the reports mentioned that wilful defaulters owe the banks to the tune of Rs.353,000 crores.

This is causing the Lawmakers to find ways to tackle the menace. Company Law makes it mandatory to have outsiders on the board of directors of every Public Limited company. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was introduced to preserve public money. Corporate Governance and ethics are gaining widespread popularity. Why suddenly Ethics, Governance, Vigilance etc., are gaining prominence? Are they new jargon in the Business Management theories?

That reminds me of Kautilya who mentioned in his treatise "Arthashastra" Book I Chapter 9 how to detect the "embezzlement of state revenue by the servants". And this book was written 2600 years ago. What causes this behaviour? Greed. Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 Verse 21 declares Greed is one of the three doors which open to hell.

These two books are thousands of years old. Greed existed since man existed. Despite repeated teaching by various Gurus man could not get rid of this enemy. One man's greed damages the society as a whole.

The whole world is increasingly getting connected and has become one market. The market size for every product has now grown to be 8 Billion consumers. Be it food, education, an automobile, or a banking service the market size is enormous. A Scientist can benefit 8 billion people with his invention. An artist can entertain a similar number of people with his art. A businessman can fulfil the needs of the same number of people. A scammer too has a huge market to tap.

This reminds me of one of the scenes from the movie "National Treasure". The quote is from the Declaration of Independence "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is made on these lines to suit the corporate world. Under this new law, about 800 companies have been rescued by NCLT. This should send a strong signal to the entrepreneurs to continue working hard and keep their greed in control.

Resilience of a Nation

 22nd January, 2024. The day is destined to go into the history of Bharat (India) as the day of restoration of pride. Humiliated for 500+ years the Bharatiyas have proved their resilience facing much resistance from various rulers and dynasties. My article is not about Religion. It is about character. I hope the readers will look at the subject matter.

RAM is not a name. The name symbolises Duty, Equality, Absence of Self-interest, fairness, Patience, Loyalty, Friendship, Love, Affection, and Governance. The whole world knows about (E) Utopia a theory floated by Sir Thomas More in 1516. Around this time few robbers from Afghanistan moved towards a land that had everything the so-called Eutopia talks about. The robbers won and went on to humiliate the losers. The best way to humiliate anyone is to destroy his home, culture and pride. So they went on destroying the temples which were the cultural centres of Bharat.

Ramrajya is all about good governance. A time when the law and law only prevailed. When Ram returned to Ayodhya after 14 years everyone was happy to accept him as their Ruler. There was no one to oppose him as their King (out of love not out of fear). When he ruled as King of Ayodhya there was overall economic development, and everyone readily followed the Dharma (Law of the Land), Health was given utmost importance, there was no shortage of food and other needs, fear was absent, no premature deaths, women were happy, no fire accidents occurred, no epidemics or pandemics, no fevers, no hunger, no robberies, abundant food was available. (Valmiki Ramayana: Balakanda 1st Chapter Verse 90 to 100). We are talking about the Human Development Index in the 21st Century. What does that include? Long and Healthy Life, Knowledge, and a Decent Standard of Living. (https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)

How Ramarajya is achieved? It is based on Dharma. Dharma flows from top to bottom. Today we talk about Management theories Top-down approach. The culture of an organization, or a country is developed through a top-down approach. Once it becomes rock solid no one can change that. 1,000 years of history of robberies and invasions could not change what Bharat is all about. Ram's life story is all about following Dharma. A few hours before his anointment as the King of Ayodhya, he was asked to leave. He was more than happy to do that. He went to live at Chitrakoot. The general public started visiting his place frequently. This disturbed the environment. Having respect for the environment and the people living there, he moved away from Chitrakoot. This led to struggles with the local gangs. He won over them in many skirmishes. This infuriated the King of the gangs. He wanted to punish Ram. The best way is to humiliate him. Kidnapped Ram's wife. Ram went in search of his wife. Made friends en route. The whole universe became his friends. He took on the mighty Ravana. He needed to be innovative. His forces consisted of indisciplined and untrained persons. He needed to lead them setting the greatest examples of leadership and management. How he won the wars, the strategies, the conflict between Dharma and Adharma (unfair), and how every time he trod the path of Dharma makes the story of Ram unique.

Only when we read the Ramayana we will understand how difficult it is to tread the path of Ram. It is really difficult. But one who understands Ram understands the Dharma. Only when everyone follows Dharma the society can achieve the Human Development. Mere economic theories without the real character will not understand the essence of Ramarajya.

Then wonder why some people consider "Jai Shree Ram" as a political slogan rather than an ode to Ram the symbol of 100% Fair, Just governance.