Sunshine Thoughts

Sunshine Thoughts

 

Let me meditate on sunshine a bit, coming with sunrise & ends with set

There’re dawn & dusk before sunrise & after sunset, and light is spread.

 

In Sun’s presence direct light is always in front, and revealing very much

Altitude varies color from creamy red-yellow to white, then again so turn.

Ambient dust soaks light from sides in dawn & dusks, reveals in else dark

Very useful as plenty light exists for working, before actual sunrise or set.

 

There’s no atmosphere on moon or other planets, may at some of other kind

And with sunrise & sunset, either is direct daylight or night’s pitch darkness.

Meaning this, there are no dawn or dusk, and sudden changes come before

Having these Nature’s phenomena, we’re lucky to have many such boons.

 

We should be grateful to little charities around, and sunshine is one of them

In equatorial & tropical regions, Sun is very intense, but at poles quite dim.

Optimum well suits here, depending on locations of Earth’s exterior sphere

Fact is our lives revolve around sun, and we sleep & wake along with this.

 

Sun is our Earth’s master, and in ancient times, was worshiped as good god

There were different concepts around, one that revolving around the Earth.

Then we learnt it is very large compared to Earth, which revolves around it

Seasons are made as per relative positions of places on earth vis-a-vis Sun.

 

In winters, sunshine is boon of, it warms the Earth’s surface & our bodies

Kids, old people, women, all stand in sun, just to bask & gain some heat.

On sea beaches, people enjoy on warm sand, benefit from sun’s presence

Its rays emit vital Vitamin D, strengthen our bones and illuminates faces.

 

Its heat gives life to plants, and all flowers, fruits produce in that process

Photo in ‘photosynthesis’ is light only; all animal life depends on plants.

Plants are primary food producers, whole life-cycle revolves around them

But before that Earth, water, air, Sun i.e. fire & space are all contributors.

 

Sun is intense in summers, protection needed from discomfort & dehydration

But it changes air-pressures, makes heavy air to rush to low pressure places.

Creates huge wind rise, results oceanic currents & cyclonic rains in near lands

Sun is sole melting pot effecting all, cold water rises to waves to mee warmth.

 

Sun is very massive star, other 8 planets, satellites, asteroids move around

It is the ultimate source of all energies; light is a great boon to fulfil our lives.

In perpetual darkness no life can sustain, & Earth will be a dead planet then

Sun’s optimum distance from Earth is very benign, & has made life possible.

 

Sun’s penetrative rays clear all wastes, process to transform into useful goods

Life threads are built around it, and clouds, rains, fog, storms are phenomena.

We tend to forget blessings nearby, and just go on weeping on minor problems

Rather should see our boons around, and then happily can pass on this Earth.

 

Sun is some 5 billion years old star, our great constellation Milky-way’s part

A tiny in super-massive universe,  which is spread in measurable expanse.

Here locally I brood, but Sun has filled the Earth with everything we require

Present atmosphere, air, water, soil, plant & animal life are due to this only.

 

Sun-shine in poles is amazing phenomenon, it never sets there for 6 months

For another 6 months, doesn’t seem rising, and there is complete darkness.

Life activities suffer in dark phases, but light may be absent for small period

Many issues require knowledge to brood, ignorance simply mires the ways.

 

We see effects of sunshine’s intensity-changes on bodies, skins, eyes, or hair

Hot & cold have changed features of flora & fauna, as the permanent effects.

Bodies resonate with its motions; many cultures adore it with different names

Many ancient shrines like Odisha’s famous Konark were built in Sun’s name.

 

Several people worship Sun god in dawn & dusk times, to please & gain boon

Many epics, poems, stories contrive around Sun, I am lucky to describe its bit.

 

 

Pawan Kumar,

30^th October’2024, Wednesday, (Chhoti Deepawali), 7.32 A.M.

(From my Dairy dated 25^th May’ 2018)

Human Strengths

Human Strengths

 All are given same body -organs, but how much one uses then

It is like billion dollar’s cheque with, but not cashing for riches.

 

A great treasure hidden beneath, lying in self’s hands and mind

Many combinations are available, just to see the raw materials.

Same hands create marvelous artistic sculptures, & earn virtues

But others may do heinous crimes too, burdening self with guilt.

 

Nature imparts full raw stuffs to all, only difference what to use

Alerts treat this precious, and make good settings to order them.

They make inventory of each, know all what-when-where & how

They remain steadfast in volitions, and creativity is their passion.

 

With same culinary items ingredients, one makes delicious food

Other can spoil costly items, heat & time,  & product is rejected.

We all have same type of body & mind, energy & required stuff

But with right learning & caution, different results come to fore.

 

Given difference in basic characters, varied outcomes are obvious

Basically, one’s conditions remain same, even if drudgery known.

I am poor, know can turn rich with hard-work & zeal but don’t act

It is our minds’ reluctance to major changes, even if they’re good.

 

Different settings, thus outcomes, & man remains servant of nature

It is strongly bound with him, & silliness tries to keep in status quo.

All treasures are near, only requirements are attention & willingness

Try to unravel hidden layers, & gather precious materials retrieved.

 

Mind is definitely a gold-mine, but it needs to be dug & soil sieved

It is difficult to obtain yellow metal, & lot work is required for little.

Sometimes fate favors one, & a large nugget may be found in a way

But those who do persist realize some, others will just see happening.

 

What makes us differ, may be seen in pursuits, outputs - conditions

Millions are pauper, hands to mouth, beggars, vagrants or hawkers.

Some remain fool, dumb, bodily frail, diseased or animal existence

But few transform their lives, conscious to do good to self & others.

 

Who is able to find & pick up great resources, which often lie nearby

And creates many useful goods, make own & others’ lives at relaxing.

How one learns to weave, by picking up simple plant straws & twigs

And can protect from heat-cold, rain, and cozying in rough weathers.

 

All civilizations have come up by this conversion of natural elements

Or just trying to order them, and impart some good-beneficial shapes.

Initial implements, tackles, arms were of stone, earth, wood, bone, etc.

Man learnt to form them for cutting, lifting, chasing, defence, aiming.

 

He didn’t know much chemistry, but could gauge use by observations

And was able to roughly shape into things, by removing extra material.

Whole purpose was to turn efficient, to make life little more convenient

And to reduce drudgeries to maximum extent, being felt days & nights.

 

We observe in nature, that only few creatures use tools effectively

Though are intelligent beings, but use mainly body-organs instincts.

Survival is here question, and one has to learn flying far for the food

Things don’t come of own, & one has to traverse hard so as to grab.

 

Sparrows arise early in morning, herons start searching their food

Elephants seek water and food, so others busy selves in activities.

From insect ants to big mammals, are creative as per requirements

In survival question, they’ve to learn few techniques for efficiency.

 

We learn from company we live in, & act to fit in that very setting

Some are agile, can’t afford laziness, take exercises to remain fit.

If others aren’t working, it is their problems, self is to behave well

You can’t forcibly awake people by nudging, but learn good for own.

 

But modifications came in man’s body postures like erect structure

Prehensile hands, enhanced cranial capacity, stereoscopic vision etc.

Man got descended from trees, and started walking erect on ground

Then searched food-water, & shelter- protection from fierce animals.

 

Man’s struggles in this hostile world, has kept him fit to live long

It was also to add ‘we’ numbers like, by progeny & brotherhood.

Living in company was essential to evade dangers coming in way

Cooperation & labour division was vital for strategy-management.

 

But this was not enough for him, and he brooded for higher causes

Mere wandering day & night was not very good for health & group.

Women were left in caves to nurture kids, and take house-hold tasks

He ran after chases, pick fruits, dig edibles, cut flesh, take hides etc.

 

Man had to protect self from rough weathers by barks, leaves, hides

Not much body-haired like other animals, so prone to cuts-exposure.

With bare thin skin was a little unproductive, craving was important

There was need how to choose, invent such helping tools in vogue.

 

Always caves were not available, and one had also to stay in open

By practice, he tamed fire to cook food, and fear ferocious beasts.

Teeth & digestion weren’t tough like animals, cooking was crucial

Fresh food is not available often, so some storage for future needs.

 

He needed tools to chase animal-birds, & gained some perfection

Otherwise, counter-attack could be, & own life is to be sacrificed.

Needed some throws, sharp weapons, ropes, snares & aim precise

Difficult games but man was steadfast, & couldn’t afford dullness.

 

Big rivalries in nature demands creatures to grab scarce resources

And man had to become winner, so learned techniques of success.

He saw other innate behavior of animals & birds, how they survive

He developed some habits too to cooperatively behave with others.

 

First survival then was necessity, then quality to find life’s meanings

He started cogitating higher realms, creating little stories of around.

Provided names to near objects/phenomena, aided such to learn more

And transferred knowledge to friends & kids, taught to behave well.

 

Females used nearby wild vegetable-fruits, and some seedling began

One seed can grow several, only requirement to time & basic needs.

Farming slowly started with kitchen gardens, & produce began coming

They needed sickles, spades, ropes, plough, axes to manage them well.

 

Slowly learnt makeshift arrangements by natural stones, earth or wood

He erected them in vertical/ horizontal directions, so as to protect self.

Daily new necessities made him to think beyond the immediate needs

And he become creative & imaginary, which led to use his brain more.

 

Thinking power & consistency in efforts, made him accomplish tasks

Different hands, minds, necessity & ways, brought many new objects.

Combined intellect & available raw materials, became proof of victory

Slowly was mighty amongst other companions, & added competencies.

 

We can see by shear necessity-zeal, one can attain to many strengths

So real creators survive well doing intelligent, otherwise only to stale.

 

 

Pawan Kumar,

21^th October, 2014, Monday, Time 9:39 A.M.

(From my dairy dated 4^th May’ 2015, Monday (Buddha Purnima), 07:10 AM)

‘Good Economics for Hard Times- Better Answers to our Biggest Problems’ - A Book-Review

‘Good Economics for Hard Times- Better Answers to our Biggest Problems’

- A Book-Review

Yes, governments should build good trust in public that they are doing but for their nations

In democracies it is important, as political parties have to woo voters to poll in their favour.

 

I am reading a book ‘Good Economics for Hard Times : Better Answers to our Biggest  Problems’

It is by Indian Abhijit V. Banerjee & US Esther Duflo, winners of 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics.

It figures out how to deal with today's critical economic problems – greatest challenge of time

What is at stake is the whole idea of the good life, and perhaps, of liberal democracy also.

 

We’ve resources to solve problems, but lack ideas to jump dividing disagreement-wall & distrust

Only if we can engage seriously in this quest, and world’s best minds work with governments.

If civil society can redesign social effectiveness & political viability programs, history will gratefully remember our era.

 

Questions are whether international trade is good for all, do immigrants from poorer countries take jobs from low-income native workers, or does redistribution actually undermine incentives,

Or should we worry about rise of artificial intelligence or celebrate it, how do we manage trade-off between growth & climate change, and is economic growth is over in West & should we care?

Figuring out how to deal with today's critical economic problems’ is great challenge of present,

And it is much greater than a space travel, perhaps even than curing the cancer.

 

The Book carefully lays out evidence for grounded approach to tackle most pressing global problems

With focus on alleviating inequality & poverty, it clears path for more interdisciplinary work centred on improving citizens’ well-being & protecting human dignity.

The authors emphasise the role of policy in influencing individual behaviour, habits and norms

And specifically, they call for the interventions that marry issues of psychology & economics.

 

A book must include a change-theory : How to use insight to bring about a more humane world

              Authors offer an enlightened selfishness by rich : ‘They may eventually see self-interest to argue for a radical shift towards real sharing of prosperity’.

A rigor sharp analysis disseminated to public is -‘Only course against bad ideas is to be vigilant’.

 

The book’s greatest contribution is to provide ideas by demonstrates both brilliant insights

Mainstream economics can inform of limits, progressive internationalism has duty to transcend.

                They conclude despite best efforts of generations of economists, deep mechanisms of persistent economic growth remain elusive,

And recommend a focus on poverty reduction using insights from randomized controlled trials.

 

Bill Gates says ‘Economics is not grounded in natural laws like Newton's Law of gravitation

And it is very much rooted in the human nature, which is notoriously hard to predict.

                       Those lucky enough to be in right place at right time, with right skills or ideas, grow wealthy, sometimes fabulously so’, and ‘For the rest, jobs were lost & not replaced’

Trade created more volatile world, jobs suddenly vanish only to turn up a thousand miles away.

 

Politicians need be more honest, enact smart policies helping losers from trade & technologies

They may use extensive data to zoom out & show us a wider view of their human dynamics.

 

John Maynard Keynes, founder of Keynesian economics, once said, ‘If economists could manage to get them thought of as humble, competent men as dentists, that would be splendid’.

Able economists like plumbers patiently solve problems with a combination of intuitions grounded in science.

Some guess with grounded in science, some aided by experience, and a pure trial & errors

Preferred tool of trial & errors is randomly controlled, but make healthy use of other evidences.

 

To fix a water tap, informed poking is good, but house-building thinking is hard what you want

Not just technical knowledge, but also normative judgement what we try to achieve & for whom.

Authors remain a little enigmatic in that respect, they certainly want world to be a better place

But not clear what that place would look like, other than having less poverty & nastiness.

 

We have resources to address issues of Immigration & inequality & globalisation,

And of technological disruption, slowing growth & accelerating climate change, etc.

But lack ideas that will help us to jump walls of disagreement & distrust that divides

If succeed, history will gratefully remember our era; otherwise, incalculable potential losses.

 

Developing world has people- problems left behind by development, ballooning inequality,

And of lack of faith in the governments, there’re fractured societies & polity, and so on.

Economics must try ideas-solutions & be wrong, its ultimate goal is to build more humane world

Democracy can live with dissent, if all respect each other, but demands some understanding.

 

Focus on income alone is not just a convenient shortcut, but more of having a fulfilling life

Respect for community, the comforts of family & friends, and dignity, lightness & pleasure.

A deep human desire is of the dignity & human contract, and we all should work.

 

This is little about of this 403-pages work of husband-wife, one from JNU & other from MIT

As a human-being, I must too inculcate a broader world-view for citizens’ welfare & dignity.

 

 

Pawan Kumar,

10^th February, 2024 Saturday, Time 20.37 (Evening)

(My Chennai Dairy 13^th April 2023, Thursday, 7.20 A.M.) 

Picturing Self

 Picturing Self

 

Today is holiday – being Ram Navami, Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s birthday & Baishakhi. Millions of good people take inspiration & make their life’s goals to walk in the paths prescribed by the great persons. I was born somewhat 42 years ago in a small village in Sonepat District. I don’t know whether the Almighty had any scheme in his mind for my incarnation on this earth. I only know self a body of certain stature or skeleton with flesh & skin clad, and a bit sensation called ‘Prana’ infused. A body system keeps it alive by feeding, inhaling & exhaling, locomotion, etc., and a little mind to think which always remain engrossed - at times in essentials and often in unnecessary ignoble too. Almost half life is already spent, and not much is known to it. I don’t know my directions, goals, settings, internal programming of my manufacturing & tasks prescribed. I am just like a computing machine but with no operator in picture, hence almost not-operational or only a little bit is used. There is no use of this sturdily constituted inner machine if not powered & skillfully operated. I am quite numb as don’t know even what I am. Here either the builder or the operator knows who shall put it to use after checking configurations & loading necessary software, a necessary implant. So, a skilled operator is immediately required to avoid uselessness & obsoleteness too as then advance technology will come, and no one likes to work on an old model. Maybe the operator will not know the machine’s constitution & its working.

My writing-purpose here is to explore self in me, where I am hidden – what & where is that? The heart is not a centre of thinking, but is blood-pumping machine with chest-armor alround for its physical safety. It is only described so in the ancient poems. Yes, brain is definitely the centre of thinking, and also the source of realization. It is the master of neurons feeling the body-sensations & thoughts erupted due to reactions between neurons or due to their nature to remain active. Mind thinks necessary & also unnecessary also often when idle. Self-exploration means the concerted effort for unified realization or doing away the mind’s activities from unnecessary wonderings to a focused one. It means the mind-body discipline, and exploring the life’s pitfalls & rises, and analyzing reasons & setting the right future-activities. A man can explore his self’s life - if not full then up to certain extent, and can overcome limitations steadily. Life is great, and should be lived in a worthy way. One can set self in an intelligent class, and improve self’s image in own eyes & of outside world. One can overcome life’s difficulties & lead a life of possibilities, and can do away the negativities, and soothe the outside world. People can know & trust him as an honest, modest, humble, simple, a duty-bond, responsible, responsive & trustworthy learned fellow. He can influence ambiance with positive energy and feel its effects too. World is good often but man being perplexed in own problems, assumes it as troublesome which is wrong. Being self as bad does not mean that everybody is so. Similarly, one should not construe others as inferiors, rather in many cases, they are superior.

Even if I feel self as intelligent then the world is already there, and I am to live here being only the abode. So, leave the thought of the world – it is happy where it is as everyone is responsible towards self & that does not concern me. However, a true self-realization can free a bit of energy for others too. It is better to help people needing due to own reasons. Life’s first aim is to realize self, and then contribute to uplift others. It shall raise the mind’s level, and have a greater sense for self & others. Life is not only a breathing or body’s tasks-machine but much more, however, to learn that requires to go near, find a friend & solace in self. I can forget others & so-called their injustice & enhance my capacities for betterment. I can little bit anticipate the future course of things & possibly influence them by positive intervention for common good. I can stop blaming others, and find proximity with self & start truly respecting others. I can practically implement the best management practices into my working to bring positive results. I can generate a goodwill for self & others and call self a true human being. I can raise ignoble birth status into a learned entity, and positively transform of lives of common people by acts, help, moral support, concerns. I can positively change the people’ opinions for selves & others, and help developing some good citizens really imparting to the future world. I can understand my worth & others’ helps which I still ignore, and rather be truly obliged. I can leave indulging with people in ill-thinking due to illiteracy, physical conditions & wrong environments.

I need to anticipate poor self-esteem. Inappropriate behavior by somebody maybe the result of his / her own mental sickness which needs medication and not the rebuking. Others may need concerns; youngsters need love & not the bashings always. I owe great responsibility towards parents & siblings with whom I grew up. I must help them also, and my motivation / persuasions should pave their ways to knowledge, prosperity & good education. Help people to transform/shape lives & attain life’s unlimited opportunities and gain success. Lead them to go beyond body-limits, and realize some mindfulness in the life. Respect great people of community, and help many to be so. Find time to talk to people, and help them in sailing right paths and fighting odds - mostly self-created social ills. Do something to improve possibilities / opportunities & bring that into use.

I need to raise several questions in day-to-day life, and answer them by brain-storming. Life should be active & not-weeping. Think correct and strategize implementation by abdicating procrastination, being seen in many spheres of life. Make this Today great, take tasks into hand & accomplish. Learn from the process-follies, and resolve not to repeat. There are many unseen numerous wonderful paths. Life has a limited span & energy, but needs be lived fully. Don’t leave its single bit unlived. Fill every moment with greater life, and in all who come into your touch. Often pen down the ideas, and go as deep as possible. Enlighten self by continuing in this path. Mind is great & wonderful when trained in a purposeful channelized way. Speak mind often in pages along with pen. Speak to fellow beings, let them feel your good heart (if so) for them, and do every bit positively for the nation/organization. Be pleased with good intensions and don’t speak ill of others & rather find reasons, if possible, instead of rebuking. Become a forgiving fellow as men act out of their infatuations / habits, and don’t know the correct ways. Be a working fellow, and don’ much bother about others. Be the best worker and produce the excellent results. Behave well & learn from the superiors. Thank God for blessing good mind. Make goals, and do all to accomplish in time. Help superiors in deciding, and clear pendency. Manage things by dividing them into parts & work. Demand work from colleagues without hurting. They should keep good intensions in mind, do happily without feeling pressure taking it as their duty. Make LIFE to live intimately forever, and have intimacy with self & others. Train mind by concentration, and establish self as a good worker. Find more purposes of life more frequently.

 

Pawan Kumar,

13^th December, 2013 Wednesday, Time 00:10 A.M. (Mid Night)

(From my Dairy 14^th April’ 2008, New Delhi Time 4 PM)

Happy Childhood

Happy Childhood

Melodious voices of workers’ children enchant mind-soul

I long to catch that nice giggling, heard few just a before.

 

Elders are busy in day-chores, but children trace free time

They fill love in lives by their naughty-innocent sweet acts.

They do attract our attention, being real gems of the world

Being always active, very curious, and try something new.

 

At times we force silence, by quite severity & seriousness

Ignorant that they carry huge vigour in their little chirpings.

Maybe we’re unable to give full growth-environment to all

Penury & other reasons, keep many without schools even.

 

Crying of babies & toddlers, may trouble parents and others

But it is to draw attention, and crave comforting conditions.

They see big world with widened eyes, & get perplexed a lot

But we all were children once, carried many fears in hearts.

 

They are our parts, and will carry legacy to next generations

They need apt care and guidance, will only run future show.

We must prepare & train them, to face big challenges of life

Else they’ll remain weak prodigies, unable to sustain much.

 

Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi likes devote life for children

Began ‘Bachpan Bachao Andolan’ helping to exit hardships.

Provide good environment, wean forced labour-vulnerability

Facilitate them to good schools, bring overall life happiness.

 

Pawan Kumar,

29^th September’ 2023, Friday 7.10 P.M. Evening

(From My dairy 5^th December’ 2014, Friday, 9:22 A.M.)