Developing Self Reliant Communities

In these days of World economy I came across a presentation from a organization called Swadeshi Jagran Manch which tells the Indians to buy Indian goods. Its motto is "Buy Local". Swadeshi means produce belonging to ones' native country and "Jagran Manch" means platform to raise awareness. This organization aims to raise the awareness amongst Indians to buy local goods and reject the multinational companies. I think there are similar kind of organizations all over the world in different countries.

As per this philosophy, every consumer should try to buy goods which are produced and manufacture locally and if they are not produced locally then go for imported goods if they are absolutely must. For example, if a person wants to buy grain he should buy that from a merchant or farmer from his own village. If it is not available then try to buy merchandise from his district, then from state and then from other states. If not produced in the country then go for imported goods. If at all we need to import then see if that is absolutely essential or has technical benefits for the country.

In my view it does makes sense. There are several benefits I can see.

Following are the benefits of Buying Local.
1. Firstly, it will develop micro economy.
2. Money will reach the small farmers and producers.
3. It will generate more employment locally and in turn it will stop migration of people to cities where they stay in improper conditions, as they will find employment there.
4. The wastage and expenses incurred during the transportation will reduce.
5. Big multinational firms spend more money in advertising there by increasing the price of the goods. Their involvement in selling these goods also means they lesser number of people are employable for selling the same amount of the goods. They hardly bring any value to the good and charge exorbitant amount for the shopping service they provide.
6. By going local you are providing money for a local family instead of filling the coffers of a cash rich company.

What are the steps you can take.
1. Buy local material. For example if you can see grains, cereal or spices manufacture by local company buy that instead of local brands. Just make sure they are of good quality.
2. There are certain items which may not be produced locally, there go for the companies which have manufacturing facilities in your state or district.
3. Try to avoid buying items such as toys which are made in China for example even if they are cheaper.

This can be done by people in all countries of the world. This will strengthen the local communities and not restrict the wealth in the hands of few individuals and corporations. Less babies will suffer from malnutrition and hunger and world will be a happier place.

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Dress Restriction for Girls in Colleges

Recently there was a news in the media regarding the dress code for girls in colleges in Kanpur city which is in northern India. The girls did not like the ban and reacted by protesting it. Similar bans have been called for recently in Karachi and various other colleges. The target is always the girls and they are told that wearing jeans would invite eve teasing. Some places the plea is that jeans is a western dress and we should stick to our culture.

I think the reasoning is absurd. The sickness is in the loafers and idiots roaming around in the streets and we are treating it by telling the girls to wear traditional dresses. As if you have a pain in the legs and instead of treating it we say amputating the leg will relieve the pain in the leg. Can the college authorities assure the girls that the eve teasing will stop if they start wearing traditional dresses? Another reason I don't like such bans is it is giving in to the rowdies.

I am not against the traditional dresses, and in fact I think girls look beautiful in them, but again choice should be with the person as to what they want to wear. If sticking to the culture is the main point then the boys should also not be allowed to wear T-Shirts or jeans and instead should come to college in Kurta and Dhoti which are traditional dresses for male in India.

Some people would argue that the crime against the women will rise if they are in Jeans and T-Shirt. That is also not very true. In fact if a girl is confident in these dresses then there are less chances of eve teasing compared to a weak body language in traditional dress. There are scores of rapes and crimes happening against girls and there is no statistics to suggest that most were in western dresses. I feel if the dress is dignified and not revealing it should be allowed. If compared to Tops, sarees, the traditional dress shows more skin. Some ladies wear Sarees in a very dignified manner while some can make it look vulgar.

The major solution in my opinion would be to run a public campaign to educate people on how to handle eve teasing, encouraging people to help girls live a dignified life and at the same time give police more power to tackle the culprits. Recently in Kanpur, police caught few eve teasers and invoked the strict national security act on them. Such kind of actions can be deterrents to crimes against the women and not the knee jerk reactions being shown by the weak college administrators.

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How to maintain you cool in Traffic

Driving in congested traffic is one of the major causes of stress in day to day life. I have asked many people and they agree that they get angry regularly while Driving. While in America, I saw that most of the traffic was well disciplined and respecting other drivers. It is not to say that everybody is disciplined but most of the people obey traffic laws. Here in India and rest of South Asia people somehow want to move ahead and beat you. Everyone seems in too much hurry and some how want to reach their destinations earlier. People take too much time to save 5 to 10 minutes of their time, while putting at risk their own and others' lives. Most of my friends who come back from America after a long time are afraid to drive here for first few days even if they have been born and brought up here.

When do most people get irritated?
I was thinking about this problem for a long time and trying to analyze what caused me most irritation. I came across three major reasons which creates anger.

1. Slow traffic in front
   When you are in a hurry to reach your office or rush home after a day at the office, one thing that irritates the most is another motorist who is moving too slowly on a single lane road and blocking your path. It gets more annoying when you want to overtake but unable to do so because of lack of space. You start cursing that person.


2. Honking
   Sometime you might be traveling at a proper speed but the person behind you may be in too much hurry and keeps on honking on you. I have also see people who keep on honking on everybody else on the road expecting that everyone else will clear the road for him. This habit creates a lot of stress to others. Quite a few people think of taking revenge and start honking on that person. This creates more stress on the road.


3. Rash Driving
   Few people think it is their birth right to move into every little space on the road and do not care about the lanes or any other rules. Some others turn suddenly without any indicators. When you see such driving you become aware of the danger to you and become apprehensive and cautious.

Steps to remain cool in Traffic

1. Start Early
   Starting early is one of the key to remain calm in traffic. If a destination requires 15 minutes, then start 20 minutes early. Similarly for a destination of 1 hour start 15 minutes early. If you want to hurry, use it to make an early start. For example, try to finish the daily routine like bath, or breakfast earlier so that you can make an early start. Once you start with sufficient time in hand, the traffic jams will not cause stress as you already accounted for them.


2. Drive Slowly
   This is an extension of the earlier point. Apart from starting earlier, try to drive within the speed limit and as per the road condition. I have observed that driving slowly ensures that the driving anxiety is not there. Even if you are in a real hurry, try to drive as much slowly as possible. Remember it is better to reach late than ending up in hospital with few broken bone or disability for life.


3. Keep Distance
   Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. If there is sudden braking from the vehicle in front you would still be safe. Another benefit of maintaining safe distance is you can anticipate any danger and take evasive action. If you are too close you may not get a chance to save yourself from the danger.


4. Forgive
   This is a technique which I find extremely effective and useful. Even if someone manages to irritate you and makes you feel angry, lets say by continuous honking, suppress the urge to honk him. Think that may be this person is in real hurry let me forgive him. You will immediately find peacefulness returning and stress getting released.


5. Observe Your Stress
   I also use this technique quite a lot. When ever you feel angry, try to divert the attention and observe and feel the stress your face. Observe how the forehead is tighter. You will immediately be able to relax and de-stress.
   

Try out the above techniques and let me know about them. I would also love to hear from you, any other techniques which you find useful. Happy Driving, Bon Voyage.

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Starting Practical Self Improvement Tips & Information Blog

I am currently running a blog called headfirstyoga.com. That blog is dedicated to Yoga, Acupressure and Ayurveda articles and tips. I am starting this blog in the hope of sharing other information and tips which I collect and which I want to share. Like everybody else, I have my own perspective of everything around us which I want to bring to you.

I feel that everyone of us have lot of potential and we can keep on improving each day. Even if we move one inch a day ahead we will move 365 inches forward in a year. That is my philosophy. One year from now you would wish you had started today. Start the improvement today and even if we move slowly we will be better off next year this time.

Have a great day and I look forward to bringing you my views on various topics.

Thanks
--Nilendu Bhattacharya

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