Today in one of my WhatsApp groups i noticed a passionate discussion on the definition of entrepreneurship and related topics.. I shared my two cents for this weekend discussion as below

Entrepreneur is basically someone who shows initiative and resourcefulness to set up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks with the aim to create value to stakeholders (profits, shareholder wealth or social benefit).

Entrepreneur, Intrapreneur, businessperson, social entrepreneur are all tweaks of the parameters mentioned above in terms of identity of stakeholders, kind of expected value creation etc..

As we all know, these terminology has been and continue to be debated till cows come home with different tweaks.

Atleast i have been part of such debates over the past couple of decades from World Economic Forum to Academic and Industry conferences in both US and India. These are good discussions for an academic research and writing books. The entrepreneur on the street is oblivious to such debates and busy creating value to the stakeholders

Today is the ekadashi (11th day) in the month of Ashada ( name of the month in the sanatana bharata varsha calendar). It is considered as holy by many people living in this holy land of India (Jambu dweepe, bharata varshe bharata khande).

Apart from the religious significance associated, it is also interesting to understand that many of these holy days of India are not just of simple religious importance.

These holy days observed signify a lot more dimensions – material, social, religious, and higher spiritual pursuits.

They align with local weather patterns, environment, being concious of personal health needs, avoid seasonal disease associated with the changing weather conditions etc. There is a significant scientific basis for each of these holy days which are observed in this bharata varsha. Ofcourse they are important for religious and spiritual pursuits as well.

Maslow hierarchy of needs informs us of how a human being progress from satisfying the basic phisiological needs to that of self actualization. Much earlier human sciences of Patanjali ashtanga yoga is another example of satisfying physical needs (yama, niyama, asana) progressing towards the self actualization(dharana, dhyana, samaadhi).

The holy days that are observed in this land of Bharat is also satisfying aspects of human needs aligning both with prakriti(the environment in which we exist) and paramatma (the universal spirit who is present in each atom of this infinite cosmos as an inner dwelling antaryami).

The observance of the holy days of this land also teaches us about how to be one with the environment around us, appreciate it, adopt to it and reach oneness with it.

We don’t need different social activism to save environment if we can be one with the environment. By following these different holy days in accordance with the local customs that our ancestors with wisdom (in every part of the world) have suggested based on the local needs of that particular geography.

Understand to make sure why each geography of the world had its festivals and observance to be one with local nature. These holy days helped to be one with local environment, improve personal health and help reach a higher spiritual pursuit in their blissful journey in search of truth.

Today in India, devotees pray to Lord Vitthala , many fast for the day, many pray as deva sayana ekadasi, few start their observance of chaturmasa(holy life of 4 months). Each of these topics have a deeper meaning and require interest and study to understand and experience.

Yad bhavam tad bhavathi. Whats in your heart is what you experience. This journey is to understand our true self.

Wishing all a blissful day

Sarve jana sukhino bhavantu
Sarva Sanmangalani santhu
Samasta loka sukhino bhavantu

As a person who gives lot of importance in life to harmony, it is painful to hear  the social disturbances in USA these days.

I personally experienced the warmth that the great Indian monk, Swami Vivekananda famously said at a Chicago conference more than 100 years ago “brothers and sisters of america”. A land of freedom – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I always had beautiful experiences making friendships with people during my stay in USA.

The colour of the skin, eyes, hair or any other physical attribute neither hindered nor entered our minds.

We also as society needs to evolve. Media, social service organisations and civic leaders all have to play a role in this.

Everytime such incidents happen‌, unfortunately populist focus is more on punishment of culprits alone. Punishment is very much needed but it is only reactionary and doesn’t address the real issue.

Even if unfortunate, the public outpouring of sentiment at such times of crime should be funneled to shake the 3 wings (legislative, executive and judiciary) from lethargy for taking some proactive measures.

Continue reading “Crime,. Policing and suggestions for improvement – part 2” →

Deeply saddened with yesterday’s rape and murder incident of a young doctor in Hyderabad. Police should certainly focus on nabbing the culprits and taking them to court to give them the most appropriate punishment for criminals of such a henious crime.

Unfortunately the punishment, candle light marches, introduction of additional legal laws alone will not necessarily stop the next incident to happen.

Nirbhaya incident in Delhi a few years ago and all the activities afterwards didn’t stop yet another similar incident by another set of young, drunk, illiterate truck drivers.

We need to address the root cause and not just the immediate postmartem and focusing on very similar activities. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is insanity.

I think there should be some crowd sourcing of ideas on this topic and then create a focused group of experts for implementation to address the root cause.

Some of my quick thoughts in my blog here as well as series of tweets this morning.

Iam sure there are many other good ideas, please share yours as well.

Continue reading “Crime, Policing and a few suggestions for improvement” →