The will to do something really meaningful has to manifest itself in solid action, that can be seen and felt on the ground.  

Unfortunately, most of us do not do this either in our personal or social lives.  We are lazy, we tend to misread people or opportunities or become cowed down by some small threat or even small failures. 

Such action is needed in the political sphere as well.  We rarely come across such examples.

However, a good number of such examples are now emerging and we need to understand how to appreciate such examples and examine the possibilities of multiplying each of the possibilities to benefit the society at large.

As the first example, let us take the recently increasing focus on organic farming.  Since the multinational companies have systematically destroyed our crops and all yields with the excess use of nitrogenous fertilizers, there were quite a huge number of followers of the traditional methodologies of farming who saw great merit in the traditional methods themselves.

The result?  Organic farming is now picking up like never before, and the hopes to save Mother Earth is really alive now. 

For instance, one Mr Namvazhvar, a self-trained organic farming professional, saw that he propagated his messages to hundreds of thousands of people, and effectively fought against BT Brinjal.  His teachings and his methods were known nation-wide, till he died a few years ago. 

He may have gone, but his messages remain fresh in the hearts of his followers for ever.

Similarly, there is one Mr Srinivasan, who heads an NGO in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, who is leading a massive movement to convert all forms of waste into useful manure.  He has been trained in the art, using the most advanced technologies in the USA,  but he has now given this knowledge to several hundreds of people, who simply flock to him to understand what it means to get the whole waste movement going.  

In fact, very recently, the Chattisgarh Government has invited him to train hundreds of people in that State, who can take the message and the methods really forward, in terms of meaningful action.

We should reach out to such people in a big way.

As the second example, let us take the very question of the education system.  We, as Indians, are very good at talking.  We do so much talking that we lose track of what we were talking in the first place!

The cacophony regarding the "useless" educational 'System" has reached a feverish pitch.  

What needs to be done is to seriously explore, within the so-called "System", what can be done to improve the output, at various levels, and seriously consider industry collaboration at every stage. 

For instance, some Universities in some colleges have already started to collaborate with the giant IBM, to offer diploma courses in Business Analytics, which is in great demand, particularly in the IT industry.

Professionals who have been trained in this field readily find jobs with very good salaries.  Similarly, there have been some good private initiatives in terms of retail management, supply chain management, telecom management and so on.

This is exactly what needs to be done.  Let us not waste any more time in trying to reform the "System".  Let us tinker with it and bring out dramatic changes wherever possible.

The best example, is the Railway Reservation System in India.  What was a purely manual thing, is now superbly done with the most advanced information technology.  When this is possible, why not introduce IT in every place, to minimize corruption, and to end red tape?

It is gratifying to note that the use of IT is now improving like never before, everywhere and anywhere.

As the third example, we can see a big movement emerging, where youngsters are being drawn to politics.  It is not the usual kind.  We have the AAP example, and what is refreshing is that many well known professionals are now entering the fray, keen to do something really meaningful.  Nobody talks about the "System" here.

In terms of doing something really solid, for the very poor, is also an urgent priority.  For instance, the Tamil Nadu Government's initiative of opening a huge number of highly subsidized canteens in Chennai city and elsewhere, to satisfy the food needs of the urban poor, will and can have a spin off effect in terms of reducing the crime rate, and increasing the savings potential of people.

However, what is a matter of great concern, is the way in which it is being done.  The money that should go into building roads, provide lighting and improve sanitation, is now frittered away in providing food subsidies to keep the canteens running. 

Instead, the Government should turn to the Corporates to help them out with resources and money.  This can easily ensure that it becomes a big social initiative. 

So, let us focus on really doing something meaningful, and developing the will to do so, at all times. 


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