The Value of Independence

There has been a recent trend in the country to belittle the leaders of Indian independence struggle, or compare them against each other to decide which was the better one. Indian freedom movement was not a competition. It was the struggle of a nation to assert its right to self-respect, and dignity.

It doesn’t matter who contributed how much. Every freedom fighter, whether it was the common man, or a great leader deserves equal respect. Indian Independence is a great milestone in the history of mankind. It demonstrated to the world the Indian maxim – truth always wins. Don’t ruin the value of the mighty struggle by glorifying one leader, and vilifying the other. Whatever their differences may be, they fought for the same goal – freedom against oppression.

It isn't right to judge the actions of freedom fighters when you yourself haven't fought for India's independence. Let me borrow a quote from the former Prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajapayee, “tum kya jano azadi kya hoti hai, tumhe muft me mili na kimat gayi chukai”. 

It's the duty of every Indian to maintain the independence instead of debating on who is responsible for getting independence. Independence is a responsibility to be nurtured. Thousands of Indians sacrificed their family, career, and life for freedom.

Indian Independence day is the day of pride of every Indian, and everyone else who is against oppression. Let our independence serve as a hope to every nation who dreams to win against tyranny.

Happy Independence Day India!

Image Courtesy: Charuhas Acharya @ A glimpse of Paradise

Ten Motivating quotes by Dr. Abdul Kalam

APJ Abdul Kalam will be etched in our hearts forever.  Dr. Abdul Kalam Sir, was our inspiration...our beloved inventor. His life served to prove a Sanskrit doctrine my parents taught me as a child, "विद्या विनयेन शोभते" (Vidya Vinayen Shobhate) which means that that the more knowledgeable are always humble. As a tribute to him, I'm sharing some of my favourite Dr. Abdul Kalam quotes.

Ten Motivating Quotes by APJ Abdul Kalam

•  Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident.

• We must think and act like a nation of a billion people and not like that of a million people. Dream, dream, dream.

•  Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. In this world, fear has no place. Only strength respects strength.

•  Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.

• Science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it.

• Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than in running after swift but synthetic happiness.

•  It is very easy to defeat someone, but it is very hard to win someone

•  Those who cannot work with their hearts achieve but a hollow, half-hearted success that breeds bitterness all around.

•  You see, God helps only people who work hard. That principle is very clear.

•  If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.

The real hero of the nation, Dr. Abdul Kalam even after passing away remains in our thoughts, continues to motivate us.

Which of Dr. Kalam's quote is your favourite? Do let me know.

Friday Quote #25

Believe in yourself, then no one can stop you from winning.
Posted by Shankhnaad-The sound of change on Monday, 20 October 2014

Day Three - Quotes Challenge

"The purpose of life is undoubtedly to know oneself. We cannot do it unless we learn to identify ourselves with all that lives. The sum-total of that life is God."

- Mahatma Gandhi

Faith is not found outside, but within us. And compassion teaches us to love others, and identify ourselves. In compassion, we find God.

My dear Blogger friend Bhavikk Shah who wries at Bhavikk Shah's blog tagged me with 3 day quote challenge. Thanks a ton, Bhavikk for the tag.

Rules of the challenge:

• Post a favourite quote each day( obviously different quote each day) for three consecutive days. The quote could be from any author, book or your own.

• Nominate three bloggers with each post.

• Thank the blogger who tagged you.

On my third day I tag my blogger friends:
Indrani - i Share
Poonam - Stir your souls
Ganga- GB Land

Day Two- Quotes challenge

"The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honor. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give.” 

-Leo Buscaglia

Here’s a story I read which portrays the same message:

One evening, a little boy was walking along the shore. The bursting tide had thrown some fish along the shore. The boy started picking the fish and throwing them back in the sea.

An older man watched this. He said to the boy, “It’s not like you can save all the fish. Why waste time trying?”

The boy paused, and said, “Ask that to the fish I just threw back. It mattered to him.”

Nobody can change the world single-handedly, but if everyone does their little bit, the world will be a better place.

Does anyone know the author of the story? Please, let me know if you do.

My dear blogger friend, Bhavikk, tagged me for three day quote challenge. Bhavikk blogs at Bhavikk Shah's blog, which provides information on stock markets, investments, and economics.

Thanks a lot, Bhavikk for the tag.

Rules for the challenge:

• Post one of your favourite quotes each day for three consecutive days. The quote can be your own quote, or from any book or author.

• Nominate three bloggers to challenge them

• Thank the blogger who tagged you.

For my second day, I tag my dear blogger friends:

Purba – Love, laugh and reflect

Gaurab- Processing creativity

Charuhas- A glimpse of Paradise

Day One- Quotes challenge

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
- Steve Jobs

I am all for change, so it wouldn't come as a surprise to any one that the above quote is one of my favourites.

Every one is different. When you try to blend in, you move away from your ideal perfection, not closer to it. Be a rebel than a follower, because rebels dare to be true to what they want. It's much better to make this world unique than strive for belonging to an average world.

So, here's to the thought, that we can change the world. Because unless you believe you can, you never will.

My dear blogger friend, Bhavikk has tagged me with this amazing challenge- 3 days quote challenge.

Thanks a lot, Bhavikk for the tag.

Bhavikk writes at BhavikkShah’s Blog. If you want to improve your knowledge about stock market, or need any tips for investment you have to read his blog.

Rules for the challenge:

• Post one of your favourite quotes each day for three consecutive days. The quote could be from any book, author or your own quote.

• Tag three other bloggers with each post to challenge them.

• Thank the blogger who nominated you.

For my first day, I tag my dear blogger friends:

Sindhu - The Arts and Me

Sulaiman -Sulaiman's work- my dream mausoleum

Shetall- Shetall says

Hope you all love the challenge!

Quote of the week

"Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy."

-Norman Vincent Peale