We live in India, which is a nation with almost 1.2 billion people. We are being looked with envy by many superpowers because we are blessed with a young population. We have the power and skill to take this nation take a sneak peek at glory. But what's stopping us?
Well, the education which we are being provided with is to be blamed. Our society has adopted an educational system which is doing absolutely no good to us. We are producing tons and tons of graduates who aren't competitive enough to fight their way to jobs, high school students who aren't able to give an extempore speech for 5 minutes, but are able to score 90's in English in their board exams and primary students who aren't strong enough in basic math. With such a pitiable situation at stake, we can never dream of becoming a superpower in the future.
The problem is not with the system but it is the system itself which is a problem!
'Marks, Marks & Marks' is all that a student thinks about. He looks at ways to remember key points in a particular topic with the prime motive of gaining the fully allotted marks for the question that rises out of that topic, but not with the intention of UNDERSTANDING the topic. This is where are lacking big time! We fail to induce the need to 'apply' rather than 'by heart' . We need to bring in a system where marks do not scale a student's effectiveness and competency. We need to go in for a grading system which will the mold the student into a bright young lad who is ready to face the competition outside.
We at WonderWords are committed to this issue in particular as the youth of today understand the loopholes in our education system much better than anybody else in this country..
To be continued...
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Facts That Are Bound to Shock You, Bigtime ! Wake up & Save The Environment!
The world is growing at a rapid pace! Nations are fighting it out to become superpowers and showcase their industrial and economic prowess to the world. While all this is taking place, we tend to forget about one major issue which could sound the death knell for the entire human race, if ignored- the environment. Today, I would like to highlight a few facts and figures which are bound to spark a sense of shock and disbelief.
Around 600,000 babies die every year without being blessed to come out of their wombs and have a look at this world, thanks to the impact of air pollution and the umpteen numbers of diseases it can bring!
While that's with the babies, we haven't spared our plants and animals either. We are on the verge of wiping out 1/4th of the species of precious plants and animals which could signal the rise of a huge ecological imbalance.
We live in a world where flaunting the latest phones in the market is some sort of a status symbol. Of course, they're affordable, attractive and addictive, but have we ever spared a thought to the people who work in the every growing yards for electronic waste? The problem with this trend is the fact that we do not mind throwing away our old phones but the concern with this habit is that only a few of them actually get recycled.
So, India is an agricultural country. People in almost every part of the country consume wheat which comes from Punjab. Now here's a shocker for every 'roti' lover out there. The pesticide content in Punjab's agricultural produce is the highest in the country and India swallows the largest amount of pesticide. Having some healthy rotis for lunch is it?
This one is for the girls out there and of course a few guys too. Cosmetics are something which most of us cannot live without. However, if we could afford to live without it, we would not be supporting the heartless brands that slaughter thousands of animals for their fat nor will we be indirectly choking the environment with the toxic pollutants which go along with the cosmetics and their packing.
With all that's said, I'm sure we cannot give up most of our modern life luxuries, but before making extensive use of it, we need to give it a thought!
Reduce, reuse and recycle is the mantra!
Around 600,000 babies die every year without being blessed to come out of their wombs and have a look at this world, thanks to the impact of air pollution and the umpteen numbers of diseases it can bring!
While that's with the babies, we haven't spared our plants and animals either. We are on the verge of wiping out 1/4th of the species of precious plants and animals which could signal the rise of a huge ecological imbalance.
We live in a world where flaunting the latest phones in the market is some sort of a status symbol. Of course, they're affordable, attractive and addictive, but have we ever spared a thought to the people who work in the every growing yards for electronic waste? The problem with this trend is the fact that we do not mind throwing away our old phones but the concern with this habit is that only a few of them actually get recycled.
So, India is an agricultural country. People in almost every part of the country consume wheat which comes from Punjab. Now here's a shocker for every 'roti' lover out there. The pesticide content in Punjab's agricultural produce is the highest in the country and India swallows the largest amount of pesticide. Having some healthy rotis for lunch is it?
This one is for the girls out there and of course a few guys too. Cosmetics are something which most of us cannot live without. However, if we could afford to live without it, we would not be supporting the heartless brands that slaughter thousands of animals for their fat nor will we be indirectly choking the environment with the toxic pollutants which go along with the cosmetics and their packing.
With all that's said, I'm sure we cannot give up most of our modern life luxuries, but before making extensive use of it, we need to give it a thought!
Reduce, reuse and recycle is the mantra!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Tax For The Roads That Do Not Exist?
If you commute to office on a bike or drive your car for a minimum of 5 kilometers every day, you are bound to face a horrid time on the road. The main reason is that the roads do not actually exist. We live in a world today where urbanization is the latest sensation, but in India it only adds to the woes of the cities which are congested already.
In any city which houses at least 4 million people, it is absolutely essential to get the fundamentals of development right. All that the common man could ask for is water, power and roads and this is what governs the development of a geographic area. However, in India, the story is pretty different.
Roads in urban jungles face two huge threats - traffic and rain. A slight drizzle for 30 minutes could leave you hopping on the road to evade puddles of muddy water. A reasonable downpour has the power of a lightning to drill potholes of huge sizes within a few hours. This is how strong our roads which have thousands of people relying upon it for their daily commute, actually are. Another issue is traffic which is mainly due to the spurt in the number of vehicles and poor reliability factor of public transport.
If you observe things keenly while travelling, you will find that a majority of the roads are laid at least once a year, however, post monsoon, you are left wondering if this was the newly laid road. The major problem which revolves around our roads is the fact that quality testing of newly laid roads is lacking big time. Most of the contractors get a chunk of the contracts through illegal means and when the job is done they do not bother about perfection or quality. The authorities who have the right the to question just cannot because of the hefty share that they get to keep their mouths shut.
We as honest tax payers have the right to demand something that we deserve. And when it comes to roads, there's not much we can compromise on! We believe. ONE CAN CHANGE!
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Who's Going to Stop The Sand Robbers?
The modern world has its own share of woes and it seems to be a silent spectator to the endless list of atrocities that it has to bare with. One such issue which seems to be literally 'eroding' our country's progress, especially in the world of agriculture is illegal sand mining.
We find that the real estate sector is on the boom and this has in turn caused a strain on the amount of land that is under crops in a significant manner. Apart from this, the illegal quarrying of sand from river beds has added to the woes of this country, where agriculture was once considered to the backbone of the country.
If you are wondering as to how the removal of sand affects agriculture, the answer is simple. The constant removal of sand from river beds tends to form huge cavities in the course of the river and in some cases it also tends to alter the course of the river. Apart from this it has a daunting impact on the ground water quality and also affects the salinity which makes the river water unsuitable for irrigation . Adding to the list is the fact that the flora and fauna in the regions adjoining to the river bed face a serious threat.
Concrete jungles are being built up at a rampant rate, thanks to the rapid urbanization and this has proportionately impacted the surge in demand of sand. With the prices going up every day, there is no doubt that people are looking at illegal ways to mine it.
So what happens when people try to stop the illegal sand mafia network? It is simple. They are brutally murdered. This has been the case during a number of instances in Tamil Nadu when trucks with illegal sand were stopped by the authorities. The issue of illegal sand mining is being downplayed to a huge extent and the main reason behind this is due to the fact that the heads behind the illegal mining network are pretty powerful.
It is never too late to take action against the law breakers who think that they own the environment!
We find that the real estate sector is on the boom and this has in turn caused a strain on the amount of land that is under crops in a significant manner. Apart from this, the illegal quarrying of sand from river beds has added to the woes of this country, where agriculture was once considered to the backbone of the country.
If you are wondering as to how the removal of sand affects agriculture, the answer is simple. The constant removal of sand from river beds tends to form huge cavities in the course of the river and in some cases it also tends to alter the course of the river. Apart from this it has a daunting impact on the ground water quality and also affects the salinity which makes the river water unsuitable for irrigation . Adding to the list is the fact that the flora and fauna in the regions adjoining to the river bed face a serious threat.
Concrete jungles are being built up at a rampant rate, thanks to the rapid urbanization and this has proportionately impacted the surge in demand of sand. With the prices going up every day, there is no doubt that people are looking at illegal ways to mine it.
So what happens when people try to stop the illegal sand mafia network? It is simple. They are brutally murdered. This has been the case during a number of instances in Tamil Nadu when trucks with illegal sand were stopped by the authorities. The issue of illegal sand mining is being downplayed to a huge extent and the main reason behind this is due to the fact that the heads behind the illegal mining network are pretty powerful.
It is never too late to take action against the law breakers who think that they own the environment!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
More Coal Power = Less Green Cover
The population of India is growing at a rampant rate and it is predicted that we would be living in the most populous country in the world in another 15 years from now. Cities lack the infrastructure but are getting over burdened with people. It is not only the urban hubs which are facing the heat today, but the precious forests too.
We have emphasized the need to grow more trees and protect the existing ones but at times an individual's voice tends to be to weak to brave the ills that are crippling our country, thanks to the big shots who are behind the scenes. It is a simple vicious cycle which India is currently experiencing. We need the power to run the umpteen numbers of power plants which run on coal and with the demand for power surging, the demand for coal has risen proportionately. From possessing a tag of being one of the biggest producers of coal, we are now in a position where we are looking to import it. When the demand has spurted to such an extent, it is obvious that the government has to scout for alternative options to produce coal and this can be done only by exploring new areas that have a vast expanse of coal . It is pretty unfortunate that several densely forested areas have been identified as hotspots for coal mining. This is the vicious cycle that we are talking about. Power to grow at the costs of our dense green forests.
When it comes to planning on issues like power, authorities should adopt a futuristic approach and have a certain extent of sympathy towards the environment. If we continue to rely upon coal power plants, the demand is definitely going to increase and this will not only reduce our forest cover but also pollute to a larger extent. It is important that we think before we act and ensure that our actions doesn't dent the hopes for a bright future!
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Oh Wait, Are You A North Indian Or A South Indian?
We live in a country which is claimed by me to be rich in culture and traditions in almost every post on this blog. It is indeed a fact that we are one of the most populated countries in world and also one of those countries which has a huge 'inland diversity' when it comes to the number of religions, castes, languages and so on. Before independence our forefathers were successful enough in splitting Bharat into India and Pakistan based on two major religions - Hinduism and Islam.
Today, the scenario is pretty much different. While extremism still exists, there is a slight change in the way people think at least when it comes to the Hindu-Muslim divide. However, there is a bigger picture to this divide beyond the friction between these two religions.
We as Indians , forget that we are 'Indians' at times. It is our religion or caste or language which comes first to our mind. We are so biased towards it that we blindly tend to support politicians of our own religion or caste or language, irrespective of their political performance or background. Even during times of calamity, a Hindu will give preference to helping another Hindu over a person of any other religion and the divide and bias continues with the caste and sub caste and so on. Apart from this , there are geographical divides too. For instance, people in the south are looked with a meek eye in the north, while people from the north east are not treated equally in the country and there are several other examples which one can quote. There is absolutely no end to this.
We fail to understand how big an impact it would create on the future of the country and how weak we will become in terms of a country if we do not change TODAY. Forget about the common man, even the people who hold the highest authority in this country are biased and so are people everywhere.
If we need to take a step forward, we need to portray India as a nation that stands united in peace and harmony irrespective of the number and types of divisions it internally possesses. It is all in the hands of the educated youth to bury the divide and consider every Indian to be his/ her brother/sister.
Today, the scenario is pretty much different. While extremism still exists, there is a slight change in the way people think at least when it comes to the Hindu-Muslim divide. However, there is a bigger picture to this divide beyond the friction between these two religions.
We as Indians , forget that we are 'Indians' at times. It is our religion or caste or language which comes first to our mind. We are so biased towards it that we blindly tend to support politicians of our own religion or caste or language, irrespective of their political performance or background. Even during times of calamity, a Hindu will give preference to helping another Hindu over a person of any other religion and the divide and bias continues with the caste and sub caste and so on. Apart from this , there are geographical divides too. For instance, people in the south are looked with a meek eye in the north, while people from the north east are not treated equally in the country and there are several other examples which one can quote. There is absolutely no end to this.
We fail to understand how big an impact it would create on the future of the country and how weak we will become in terms of a country if we do not change TODAY. Forget about the common man, even the people who hold the highest authority in this country are biased and so are people everywhere.
If we need to take a step forward, we need to portray India as a nation that stands united in peace and harmony irrespective of the number and types of divisions it internally possesses. It is all in the hands of the educated youth to bury the divide and consider every Indian to be his/ her brother/sister.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
The Manmade Theory Of Life
Today's modern world greets you with a lot of drastic changes which includes the ways in which we live, eat, sleep and of course - earn. In India, you are forced into school at an age of 3. However, in the west you get to enjoy your early childhood for a couple of years more. However , when you are in India, you're probably an engineer or doctor by the age of 22-24. And post that it's a mad race against time to settle ourselves with a decent job or continue to study*.
*This if-else condition depends on your economic background and interest.
If you choose to work, you are not going to sit back and enjoy as your teachers lied to you. Yes, we've heard our teachers repeating one common preach when we are in our twelfth grade, " Just struggle hard for one year and your future will be bright, I promise". You believe them , you work crazily hard and secure cool marks. Once you enter college , your professors tell you -" If you want to have a comfortable life , work hard for the next three/four years". You respect the words of your professor this time and slog hard. You are now a graduate with a job at the end of four years. Just when you think it is the time to relax, training tests, performance appraisals, your 'Hitler avatar' boss woo you to sweat it out like a dog and you realize that life's synonymous to hell and you are never going to be happy, even though your bank balance is going to keep spiking.
So, the point we'd like to convey here is simple. We are tuned right from our childhood with a notion that you need chunks of money to be happy and 'settle down' in life and this money is going to come only if you study hard. Of course, education is important but to what extent? We spend almost one-thirds of life span for education and post that the race to earn begins. When we blindly run behind money with only the future in mind and do not spare a thought for our personal happiness or satisfaction, we would all sit back in our sixties and think about what we did or achieved in our lives and unfortunately, there wouldn't be a single moment to cherish. You would have all comforts at that stage, be it your self owned apartment for which you paid EMIs for more than 20-30 years, a nice little car and a lovely family but there's one important thing which would be missing in your heart- that's the yearning to do what you longed to do but you couldn't because you were pressurized to gain a meager steady income, even though your passion promised you more.
This is the simplest theory of life. Make sure you do not regret living a life that didn't live up to your expectations. Find the source of your passion, chase it down and succeed!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
If Work is Worship, Are Offices Really Temples?
Crime is unacceptable , irrespective of the person or magnitude. But what is so disheartening is the fact that people who're educated, professional and have a decent life to live, commit incorrigible acts which not only drives them to shame, but also leaves a big question mark in our minds about the safety of employees in an organization.
We've been bombarded with news everyday about women being harassed or sexually exploited at work. While a few of these stories become sensational cover stories and breaking news topics, there are thousands of women out there who simply hide such incidents to save their reputation in the society. Such is the state of women who are considered to be equal to men when it comes to the modern world.
With a steady spurt in the number of incidents, organizations are slowly stepping up the ante on work related crimes as such incidents not only affect the lives of the employees, but it also dents the reputation or image of the organization to a huge extent. However, the effectiveness of the action taken is quite questionable when it is the person who is on the top of the hierarchy, who commits the crime. We must understand that ethics plays a vital role when it comes to addressing such situations and when work ethics is missing, there is not much that one can do to instill discipline and morality in an organization.
It must be understood that women are not tools to be exploited but similar entities like us who deserve respect and care on an equal scale. Professional ethics is the need of the hour. The judicial system needs to tighten up too, to grant an immediate judgement and punishments on crimes relating to a workplace.
If your boss is a sleaze, do not be scared to stand up and scream at him. It could cost your job, but it could potentially save several other people from getting caught in the hands of a perverted superior. Wake up before it is too late..
We've been bombarded with news everyday about women being harassed or sexually exploited at work. While a few of these stories become sensational cover stories and breaking news topics, there are thousands of women out there who simply hide such incidents to save their reputation in the society. Such is the state of women who are considered to be equal to men when it comes to the modern world.
With a steady spurt in the number of incidents, organizations are slowly stepping up the ante on work related crimes as such incidents not only affect the lives of the employees, but it also dents the reputation or image of the organization to a huge extent. However, the effectiveness of the action taken is quite questionable when it is the person who is on the top of the hierarchy, who commits the crime. We must understand that ethics plays a vital role when it comes to addressing such situations and when work ethics is missing, there is not much that one can do to instill discipline and morality in an organization.
It must be understood that women are not tools to be exploited but similar entities like us who deserve respect and care on an equal scale. Professional ethics is the need of the hour. The judicial system needs to tighten up too, to grant an immediate judgement and punishments on crimes relating to a workplace.
If your boss is a sleaze, do not be scared to stand up and scream at him. It could cost your job, but it could potentially save several other people from getting caught in the hands of a perverted superior. Wake up before it is too late..
Monday, June 10, 2013
India and Endless Woes- What Are We In the Eyes of the World?
We live in India. A country which houses more than 1.2 billion people and is known for its rich culture and heritage. We possessed all that's required to drive our nation to glory and prosperity. But where we are today is pretty much far and away from where we actually should have been. Have you ever wondered why?
It is primarily because of one and only one reason - We do not value our land, our country more than ourselves. Our life, our jobs, our houses, our families, our future is what comes first and everything else takes a back seat in our priorities list. I'm not suggesting that we should simply sit and brood about the hapless state that our country's affairs are in, but we should spare a thought and do the needful at least during troubled times like these. If you are wondering about what I'm talking about, well, it is about the 'Image of India' in the eyes of the 'foreigners'.
How often have we seen taxi drivers and autorickshaw drivers circling around the foreigners who can just stop and stand there feeling awkward? How often do we see tourists getting raped in prime tourist locations? How often do we see tourist guides wooing the foreigners to take their services and coming out with innovative ways to fool them? Be it at shopping places, tourist spots or simply any other place , we consider the white skinned men and women to be mere puppets from whom we can extract a bounty from! This is indeed an act of shame and we are not simply losing out on our image to a family or two of foreigners but to an entire country or two.
This is one of the prime reasons why our country has been portrayed in a manner which makes us stand with our heads down. Numerous film makers look at India as a spot to shoot their films on the poor , needy and the malnourished. We are looked at as a dirty place with filthy slums and greedy people who give a damn about the nation.
We do know that we are far better than that and we can outnumber a number of developing nations when it comes to our skill and competence. However, the global image is something which needs to be repaired immediately to avoid adverse effects which could also dent our economy in the future.
Wake up India, we have a brighter face to show.
It is primarily because of one and only one reason - We do not value our land, our country more than ourselves. Our life, our jobs, our houses, our families, our future is what comes first and everything else takes a back seat in our priorities list. I'm not suggesting that we should simply sit and brood about the hapless state that our country's affairs are in, but we should spare a thought and do the needful at least during troubled times like these. If you are wondering about what I'm talking about, well, it is about the 'Image of India' in the eyes of the 'foreigners'.
How often have we seen taxi drivers and autorickshaw drivers circling around the foreigners who can just stop and stand there feeling awkward? How often do we see tourists getting raped in prime tourist locations? How often do we see tourist guides wooing the foreigners to take their services and coming out with innovative ways to fool them? Be it at shopping places, tourist spots or simply any other place , we consider the white skinned men and women to be mere puppets from whom we can extract a bounty from! This is indeed an act of shame and we are not simply losing out on our image to a family or two of foreigners but to an entire country or two.
This is one of the prime reasons why our country has been portrayed in a manner which makes us stand with our heads down. Numerous film makers look at India as a spot to shoot their films on the poor , needy and the malnourished. We are looked at as a dirty place with filthy slums and greedy people who give a damn about the nation.
We do know that we are far better than that and we can outnumber a number of developing nations when it comes to our skill and competence. However, the global image is something which needs to be repaired immediately to avoid adverse effects which could also dent our economy in the future.
Wake up India, we have a brighter face to show.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Food Food Everywhere - Wasting It Will Leave Nothing to Spare!
We all work for , earn for and spend on one common thing - Food. In fact to put it straight, we eat to live. Food is something that important. More often than not, we do not understand the value of something, unless we are devoid of it. It is predicted that the same is going to happen to food too.
Take a simple example of our own country India. We have all leading food joints setting up franchises in India because they know how much we love our food and how ready we are to spend on it. The rich spend millions of rupees on lavish weddings which boast of a six course buffet, but down the very street there would at least a dozen children starving without the wealth to afford even a meal a day. While this discussion could lead to the rich-poor divide which is haunting our country since time unknown, a little awareness or concern towards the needy could change things. We could always contact a food collection agency which could distribute the surplus food to the needy. It is not that tough a task to contact these people - simply google - waste food collection chennai , and it's done!
While this is one step which we can spread awareness on a personal front and successfully feed at least a handful of poor kids and people, food wastage is a bigger issue . In a country where malnourished kids are in millions, we just should not tolerate the fact that grains and crops get spoiled in the warehouses . Just because our storage facilities our inefficient, we can't allow innocent people to die. It is not their fault but that of the authorities. It is high time we raise a voice against this.
In future, if we do not have enough food, it is not because of growing demand or shortage of supply , it is mainly because we were reckless today and wasted a lot without caring about tomorrow. It is not only India but several other developed countries too, which are sparing little thought about food conservation and optimum utilization of the same.
It is high time the world wakes up before it dies hungry!
Take a simple example of our own country India. We have all leading food joints setting up franchises in India because they know how much we love our food and how ready we are to spend on it. The rich spend millions of rupees on lavish weddings which boast of a six course buffet, but down the very street there would at least a dozen children starving without the wealth to afford even a meal a day. While this discussion could lead to the rich-poor divide which is haunting our country since time unknown, a little awareness or concern towards the needy could change things. We could always contact a food collection agency which could distribute the surplus food to the needy. It is not that tough a task to contact these people - simply google - waste food collection chennai , and it's done!
While this is one step which we can spread awareness on a personal front and successfully feed at least a handful of poor kids and people, food wastage is a bigger issue . In a country where malnourished kids are in millions, we just should not tolerate the fact that grains and crops get spoiled in the warehouses . Just because our storage facilities our inefficient, we can't allow innocent people to die. It is not their fault but that of the authorities. It is high time we raise a voice against this.
In future, if we do not have enough food, it is not because of growing demand or shortage of supply , it is mainly because we were reckless today and wasted a lot without caring about tomorrow. It is not only India but several other developed countries too, which are sparing little thought about food conservation and optimum utilization of the same.
It is high time the world wakes up before it dies hungry!
Food Wastage - All Talk and No Action Will Make Our Planet A Hungry House!
Alright, June 5th was World Environment Day and we all know that. Newspapers came out in green color, several corporates sent out advertisements to show their concern for the environment with their names embossed in bold. The media revealed umpteen numbers of stats - one of the most shocking was the one which stated that India ( alone ) wastes food worth 50,000 crores INR every year! There were several others which took to the papers and television channels.
Most of us would've been shocked once we read such stuff but the very next day we get back to our daily routine and all that we felt bad about is history! Yes, probably we need to wait till the next World Environment Day to wake up again.
It is a matter of fact that we follow the 'all talk, no action' strategy many a times and when it comes to the crisis revolving around the environment, things aren't different. Enough has been said that people should take to public transport and cycling to curb pollution but in reality is it easy to cycle through our packed roads in a safe manner or is it possible to find a seat in a train or bus during peak hours ? Absolutely no. We talk about saving electricity and how much of coal is burnt to light that bulb in your house, but can we bare the heat during peak summer without our air conditioners on? Absolutely no, again.
We live in a modern world where our ultimate goal is to make our life comfortable and save enough for our children . In such a scenario, even though it is tough to spare a thought about compromising on certain essential stuff, there's definitely something that we can do to protect the environment.
For instance, we could turn off lights and fans when they are on unnecessarily and even air conditioners when it pretty comfortable to stay without it.
When we see that a tree has been cut down in our street or near our residence, we could compensate for it by planting a sapling in our own backyard.
There are 1000's of such small initiatives which we could practically implement and make this world a better place. It is indeed true that an individual can trigger a revolution and that's why we still believe that ONE CAN CHANGE.
Save trees, save your breath!
Most of us would've been shocked once we read such stuff but the very next day we get back to our daily routine and all that we felt bad about is history! Yes, probably we need to wait till the next World Environment Day to wake up again.
It is a matter of fact that we follow the 'all talk, no action' strategy many a times and when it comes to the crisis revolving around the environment, things aren't different. Enough has been said that people should take to public transport and cycling to curb pollution but in reality is it easy to cycle through our packed roads in a safe manner or is it possible to find a seat in a train or bus during peak hours ? Absolutely no. We talk about saving electricity and how much of coal is burnt to light that bulb in your house, but can we bare the heat during peak summer without our air conditioners on? Absolutely no, again.
We live in a modern world where our ultimate goal is to make our life comfortable and save enough for our children . In such a scenario, even though it is tough to spare a thought about compromising on certain essential stuff, there's definitely something that we can do to protect the environment.
For instance, we could turn off lights and fans when they are on unnecessarily and even air conditioners when it pretty comfortable to stay without it.
When we see that a tree has been cut down in our street or near our residence, we could compensate for it by planting a sapling in our own backyard.
There are 1000's of such small initiatives which we could practically implement and make this world a better place. It is indeed true that an individual can trigger a revolution and that's why we still believe that ONE CAN CHANGE.
Save trees, save your breath!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Employing the Youth as 'Agents of Change'
The nation is drowning under controversies, corruption allegations and inhumane behavior against women. At times, the common man feels paralyzed when he has to battle it out against the intolerant police force and a weak and slow judiciary. People with money and powerful positions are the only ones who have a say in this country which is one of the world's most powerful economies. Luckily, there is some hope considering the fact that a few concerned souls are raising their voice against the evils of this modern society which still continues to reel under power of the rich and the corrupt.
As individuals, we are only bothered about our present and future, our career and our lifestyle. Limited is the time to spare a thought about the issues which are slowly crippling this country. Thanks to a few outfits and organizations, we have been a little successful in voicing protests against raging issues which is heard echoing at the parliament too, at times.
I Lead India is one such initiative which has been taken up by Maruti Suzuki and the Times of India which aims at utilizing the power which the youth of India possess and propagating them as the 'agents of change' against any act which is against the law. Today, India has a very strong percentage of population which is built up of young blood. Hence, it is an absolutely wonderful initiative to provide the responsibility to the youth to clean up the rot.
It is high time we stop sitting back and watching news channels and voice our opinions by simply sitting on our luxurious sofas. It is time that we actually take an actual step forward.
We believe, ONE CAN CHANGE and campaigns like 'I lead India' shall only strengthen our fight against India's umpteen numbers of problems.
As individuals, we are only bothered about our present and future, our career and our lifestyle. Limited is the time to spare a thought about the issues which are slowly crippling this country. Thanks to a few outfits and organizations, we have been a little successful in voicing protests against raging issues which is heard echoing at the parliament too, at times.
I Lead India is one such initiative which has been taken up by Maruti Suzuki and the Times of India which aims at utilizing the power which the youth of India possess and propagating them as the 'agents of change' against any act which is against the law. Today, India has a very strong percentage of population which is built up of young blood. Hence, it is an absolutely wonderful initiative to provide the responsibility to the youth to clean up the rot.
It is high time we stop sitting back and watching news channels and voice our opinions by simply sitting on our luxurious sofas. It is time that we actually take an actual step forward.
We believe, ONE CAN CHANGE and campaigns like 'I lead India' shall only strengthen our fight against India's umpteen numbers of problems.
Friday, May 31, 2013
When in the World of Business , Do As the 'Dabbawalas' Do!
We've heard a lot about management strategies, the elevator pitch for wooing investors, the financial forecasting plans, customer engagement strategies, pricing policies and what not! Entering into the world of business is pretty tough considering all the paper work, the investments and the planning at stake. But India is a proud nation which houses one of the most incredible businesses which have been running successfully for ages now, probably without even knowing as to what a few of the above mentioned terms mean. Yes, I'm talking about the age old dabbawalas!
The 'dabbawala business' is pretty simple. It aims at providing freshly cooked food for the people who slog their hearts out in their shops or offices. It has indeed become a tradition for Mumbai's working class to rely upon these guys for their lunch. What makes the dabbawalas so special? The answer is simple, it is the efficiency with which their business is carried out. Most of you would be knowing that the dabbawalas have been awarded with the six sigma certification for the fantastic efficiency which their business model possesses.
What's so unique about the dabbawalas is fact that their business is almost 100+ years old and the business is still growing at 5%-7% which is pretty fabulous to note. Also, these men are highly disciplined and dedicated which helps them to battle through the war against time that arises everyday during lunch time. The organizational structure brings in almost 5000-6000 people who work their way towards achieving an immaculate efficiency of 99.999%. The most amazing part about this business is that they do not take the help of any modern day technology. However, the business model now accepts orders through SMS which is the way to go!
The dabbawalas have been recognized and admired by the western countries for their outstanding performance. Big heads like Prince Charles and Richard Branson have all taken note of this inspiring model of business.
We salute the dedication of the dabbawalas and only wish that they continue to make India proud!
The 'dabbawala business' is pretty simple. It aims at providing freshly cooked food for the people who slog their hearts out in their shops or offices. It has indeed become a tradition for Mumbai's working class to rely upon these guys for their lunch. What makes the dabbawalas so special? The answer is simple, it is the efficiency with which their business is carried out. Most of you would be knowing that the dabbawalas have been awarded with the six sigma certification for the fantastic efficiency which their business model possesses.
What's so unique about the dabbawalas is fact that their business is almost 100+ years old and the business is still growing at 5%-7% which is pretty fabulous to note. Also, these men are highly disciplined and dedicated which helps them to battle through the war against time that arises everyday during lunch time. The organizational structure brings in almost 5000-6000 people who work their way towards achieving an immaculate efficiency of 99.999%. The most amazing part about this business is that they do not take the help of any modern day technology. However, the business model now accepts orders through SMS which is the way to go!
The dabbawalas have been recognized and admired by the western countries for their outstanding performance. Big heads like Prince Charles and Richard Branson have all taken note of this inspiring model of business.
We salute the dedication of the dabbawalas and only wish that they continue to make India proud!
If You are an Indian, Are You Bound to Be a Software Engineer or a Doctor?
We are proud sons and daughters of Mother India. A nation that is slowly getting stung by a bug called 'Western Culture' . We Indians love Domino's Pizzas, KFC's chicken and at the same time we do not ditch our traditional pani pooris or vada pav. We love to alter our lifestyle and lean a lot towards the western style of living, but when it comes to certain aspects, our society is yet to see a drastic change.
The children of today have a lot to do apart from their regular academics. They are exposed to a lot of things which a student of the 90's wouldn't have had the chance to. One of the major things that tops this list is the Internet. However, Indian students begin to face the heat right from school. Here, marks matter more than the knowledge that you gain. Parents have literally transformed their child's academic performance as a factor which could boost their pride in the society. 'My son scored 96.2% in his +2 and has applied for his MS in the US' - How often have you heard this?
Forget the marks, of course it is important to score well in school, thanks to the heavy competition offered by your fellow friends who are squeezed to perform. A teen who is a great artist by nature, can definitely end up scoring decent marks in his schooling but that does not qualify him to become an engineer. The Indian society has been effectively molded in such a way that parents can go out and tell the world that their son or daughter is an engineer or doctor and if they end up becoming something else, they end up bringing shame to their family. The situation is as dirty as this!
I'm not writing this post with the outright idea of blaming our parents. I understand that it is absolutely natural for them to dream and have good aspirations for us, but at the end of the day I feel they should be more concerned about the happiness of their children than thrusting their dreams onto their children.
The world is filled with opportunities and it is the not the engineers or doctors who are the most successful people in the country today. An English daily reported a few weeks ago that around 180 and a total of 1700 graduates had applied for the job of cleaning Chandigarh! How pathetic can it get ? Of course, if you have the passion to do engineering, there is nothing that should stop you from doing it, but if it is not really your passion, then there is a lot of thinking to do.
We are in the 21st century and the world is filled with opportunities. There are a million ways to earn money and at the end of the day if you are making money and still happy , your life is a dream come true. If not, well, it is never too late to rediscover your passion. If you are really good at it, I'm sure you are going to succeed bigtime, no matter what!
We believe ONE CAN CHANGE, and you are the one who can change the course of your life!
The children of today have a lot to do apart from their regular academics. They are exposed to a lot of things which a student of the 90's wouldn't have had the chance to. One of the major things that tops this list is the Internet. However, Indian students begin to face the heat right from school. Here, marks matter more than the knowledge that you gain. Parents have literally transformed their child's academic performance as a factor which could boost their pride in the society. 'My son scored 96.2% in his +2 and has applied for his MS in the US' - How often have you heard this?
Forget the marks, of course it is important to score well in school, thanks to the heavy competition offered by your fellow friends who are squeezed to perform. A teen who is a great artist by nature, can definitely end up scoring decent marks in his schooling but that does not qualify him to become an engineer. The Indian society has been effectively molded in such a way that parents can go out and tell the world that their son or daughter is an engineer or doctor and if they end up becoming something else, they end up bringing shame to their family. The situation is as dirty as this!
I'm not writing this post with the outright idea of blaming our parents. I understand that it is absolutely natural for them to dream and have good aspirations for us, but at the end of the day I feel they should be more concerned about the happiness of their children than thrusting their dreams onto their children.
The world is filled with opportunities and it is the not the engineers or doctors who are the most successful people in the country today. An English daily reported a few weeks ago that around 180 and a total of 1700 graduates had applied for the job of cleaning Chandigarh! How pathetic can it get ? Of course, if you have the passion to do engineering, there is nothing that should stop you from doing it, but if it is not really your passion, then there is a lot of thinking to do.
We are in the 21st century and the world is filled with opportunities. There are a million ways to earn money and at the end of the day if you are making money and still happy , your life is a dream come true. If not, well, it is never too late to rediscover your passion. If you are really good at it, I'm sure you are going to succeed bigtime, no matter what!
We believe ONE CAN CHANGE, and you are the one who can change the course of your life!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Vanishing Lakes of India - I Thought I saw A Lake there 4 years ago!
It's summer time and our throats are running dry. Living in a country that greatly depends on the monsoon for its water requirements, we've got to act smart when it comes to saving this precious resource. More often than not, we tend to be the people who tend to feel the heat only when we're devoid of something and the same is the case with water.
I had already mentioned about the reckless usage of water in one of my previous post and today I have something to share, that is even more alarming - the story of the vanishing lakes of India.
Our national anthem portrays our country to be a paradise on earth with its description of the wonderful serene landscape of India. Today, we've come to a situation where we doubt if this is the same India which was being talked about. Wondering why?
Here's a simple stat. In our very own Bangalore, there were more than 250+ water bodies which ensured that Bangalore wasn't dry at any point of time. But today, the number has fallen by almost 500% to around 50+. Can you imagine the impact of that drastic drop?
The corporation always has answers to our questions. They claim to have a whopping 900 crore lake conservation project to save the little that this urban jungle has to boast about.
What's the mystery behind the vanishing lakes of India? It's pretty simple. The residential towers, parks and townships that we see today were all lakes once upon a time! If this is the case with lakes that dry up, the ones that are filled are not spared either. They are blessed with sewage and toxic contaminants which ensure that they become one of those ugly useless pond which is eventually useful for absolutely nothing and slowly vanish .
Wake up India ! We still believe that ONE CAN CHANGE!
I had already mentioned about the reckless usage of water in one of my previous post and today I have something to share, that is even more alarming - the story of the vanishing lakes of India.
Our national anthem portrays our country to be a paradise on earth with its description of the wonderful serene landscape of India. Today, we've come to a situation where we doubt if this is the same India which was being talked about. Wondering why?
Here's a simple stat. In our very own Bangalore, there were more than 250+ water bodies which ensured that Bangalore wasn't dry at any point of time. But today, the number has fallen by almost 500% to around 50+. Can you imagine the impact of that drastic drop?
The corporation always has answers to our questions. They claim to have a whopping 900 crore lake conservation project to save the little that this urban jungle has to boast about.
What's the mystery behind the vanishing lakes of India? It's pretty simple. The residential towers, parks and townships that we see today were all lakes once upon a time! If this is the case with lakes that dry up, the ones that are filled are not spared either. They are blessed with sewage and toxic contaminants which ensure that they become one of those ugly useless pond which is eventually useful for absolutely nothing and slowly vanish .
Wake up India ! We still believe that ONE CAN CHANGE!
Monday, May 27, 2013
Concrete Jungles Chewing Up Trees - A 'Warm(n)ing' Issue At Stake!
Temperatures are soaring high and none of us are spared from the blistering heat. Every six months , the scenario with the urban concrete jungles keep changing. We have become slaves to comfort and we are ready to do anything for it. We are happy going about in our cool cars with the air conditioners on and we do not have the time to even spare a thought for these widely expanding concrete jungles which are eating up the greenery at a rampant rate.
There once existed a time when people used to cut down forests to bring large vacant lands under cultivation. Today, we do not spare the agricultural lands either. Just take a time to sit back and rewind a little. If you've been to Bangalore about ten years ago, I'm sure you would've loved the place primarily for its climate, especially if you are from the 'land of humidity' - Chennai. But today , you can find that 'mission urbanization' has succeeded to the maximum extent possible and there are hardly any trees in places which used to be lush green. Coimbatore is just another victim of urbanization to a slightly lesser extent than Bangalore. A whopping 50,000 trees have been cut in the recent years in Bangalore, thanks to the rapid infrastructural development projects like the metro rail. The metro rail projects in Kochi, Chennai and Hyderabad have also come under the fuming ire of environmentalists for cutting down trees mercilessly.However, the Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) has promised to plant 15,000 trees to compensate for the loss but whether this takes to immediate effect, is a question which can be answered only by time.
The overall picture doesn't look bright. We need infrastructural development and I do not deny that at all. But this cannot continue at the cost of the environment.
Here's a simple strategy. Say, Chennai has lost around 10,000 trees over the last one year due to various reasons. Imagine that each one of us who owns a car in Chennai promises to plant a tree every six months, we would match the number without a doubt and exceed it by a pretty decent number too. This is just one small example and imagine the power of a million when engage in saving their city.
We believe ONE CAN CHANGE! Plant a tree, it is an investment that you can always fall back on..
There once existed a time when people used to cut down forests to bring large vacant lands under cultivation. Today, we do not spare the agricultural lands either. Just take a time to sit back and rewind a little. If you've been to Bangalore about ten years ago, I'm sure you would've loved the place primarily for its climate, especially if you are from the 'land of humidity' - Chennai. But today , you can find that 'mission urbanization' has succeeded to the maximum extent possible and there are hardly any trees in places which used to be lush green. Coimbatore is just another victim of urbanization to a slightly lesser extent than Bangalore. A whopping 50,000 trees have been cut in the recent years in Bangalore, thanks to the rapid infrastructural development projects like the metro rail. The metro rail projects in Kochi, Chennai and Hyderabad have also come under the fuming ire of environmentalists for cutting down trees mercilessly.However, the Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) has promised to plant 15,000 trees to compensate for the loss but whether this takes to immediate effect, is a question which can be answered only by time.
The overall picture doesn't look bright. We need infrastructural development and I do not deny that at all. But this cannot continue at the cost of the environment.
Here's a simple strategy. Say, Chennai has lost around 10,000 trees over the last one year due to various reasons. Imagine that each one of us who owns a car in Chennai promises to plant a tree every six months, we would match the number without a doubt and exceed it by a pretty decent number too. This is just one small example and imagine the power of a million when engage in saving their city.
We believe ONE CAN CHANGE! Plant a tree, it is an investment that you can always fall back on..
Friday, May 24, 2013
Billions Being Fooled For Millions of Money?
Scams, scandals and corruption, have become synonymous to India. Crores of rupees go down the drain and get locked in the hands of people who do not deserve it. What makes it more disgusting is the fact that people target sports as a source of infusing their acts of fraudulence.
I need not talk about how addicted we Indians are towards the sport of cricket. We wouldn't bother skipping a meal but we just can't refrain from watching Sachin Tendulkar play! Yes, I agree that it is a 'good' addiction but looking behind the curtains, you are most likely to find something which is alarming, disappointing and absolutely shocking.
We stay glued for hours to the TV screens to hoping that our favorite team win, we spend thousands of rupees to buy tickets in 'black' to watch our favorite stars on the pitch. It is because of us that the BCCI has become the richest cricketing body in world. But, what we get in return is something we need to ponder upon. With all the scandals and betting allegations which is giving the media a good time, there is definitely a point where we think 'Are we being fooled?'. Yes, that's a fact indeed.
The rot in the apple is deeper than we think it is. Team owners, players and who else do you need to spoil the name of this game? We hope that in the times to come, players with integrity step will on to the field rather than players who are looking at cricket as a 'quick money churning machine'. Let us not speculate on what the media says. I'm not here in support of the Indian justice system but I'm sure truth shall triumph someday. There is still hope ! We still believe, ONE CAN CHANGE a billion fans' fate.
I need not talk about how addicted we Indians are towards the sport of cricket. We wouldn't bother skipping a meal but we just can't refrain from watching Sachin Tendulkar play! Yes, I agree that it is a 'good' addiction but looking behind the curtains, you are most likely to find something which is alarming, disappointing and absolutely shocking.
We stay glued for hours to the TV screens to hoping that our favorite team win, we spend thousands of rupees to buy tickets in 'black' to watch our favorite stars on the pitch. It is because of us that the BCCI has become the richest cricketing body in world. But, what we get in return is something we need to ponder upon. With all the scandals and betting allegations which is giving the media a good time, there is definitely a point where we think 'Are we being fooled?'. Yes, that's a fact indeed.
The rot in the apple is deeper than we think it is. Team owners, players and who else do you need to spoil the name of this game? We hope that in the times to come, players with integrity step will on to the field rather than players who are looking at cricket as a 'quick money churning machine'. Let us not speculate on what the media says. I'm not here in support of the Indian justice system but I'm sure truth shall triumph someday. There is still hope ! We still believe, ONE CAN CHANGE a billion fans' fate.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Stop Haggling , Start Travelling - 'Namma Auto' is Here !
How often do you see the people of Chennai haggling with the autorickshaw drivers. Every now and then we read from the newspapers about the atrocities which these drivers in khaki bless the hapless citizens of this beautiful city. It is indeed a shame to note that tourists from other nations are warned about auto drivers who are bound to cheat them. Chennai is in dire need for a system that regulates the prices that we pay for our commute and with ventures like Namma Auto, the good days don't seem to be far away.
Even though ventures like these have gone down the drain in the past, Namma Auto does offer some promise. It hopes to create an envy in the minds of the other drivers who will have to face a stiff competition from around 350 autos which are set to join the Namma Auto fleet by June. I'm sure you wouldn't have dreamed of a day when you would see autos in Chennai with meters, which give out bills too! Namma Auto is indeed a dream come true for people who have to rely upon autos for their daily commute. A minimum charge of Rs.25 (for 2 kms) and Rs.10 for every additional km is not going to hurt you badly considering the face that we're paying more than 40% of that fare today.
It is really early to predict the rise or fall of Namma Auto , but we hope ventures like these help the common man to the maximum extent possible. We believe ONE CAN CHANGE and there are many more ventures like these which spell good news to the citizens of this wonderful country.
Here's an article about Namma Auto in an English daily:
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-19/chennai/39369332_1_autorickshaw-drivers-auto-meters-auto-drivers
Even though ventures like these have gone down the drain in the past, Namma Auto does offer some promise. It hopes to create an envy in the minds of the other drivers who will have to face a stiff competition from around 350 autos which are set to join the Namma Auto fleet by June. I'm sure you wouldn't have dreamed of a day when you would see autos in Chennai with meters, which give out bills too! Namma Auto is indeed a dream come true for people who have to rely upon autos for their daily commute. A minimum charge of Rs.25 (for 2 kms) and Rs.10 for every additional km is not going to hurt you badly considering the face that we're paying more than 40% of that fare today.
It is really early to predict the rise or fall of Namma Auto , but we hope ventures like these help the common man to the maximum extent possible. We believe ONE CAN CHANGE and there are many more ventures like these which spell good news to the citizens of this wonderful country.
Here's an article about Namma Auto in an English daily:
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-19/chennai/39369332_1_autorickshaw-drivers-auto-meters-auto-drivers
Monday, May 20, 2013
Save Water Before It Fails to Save You!
'Save water' is too cliched. We have heard it a thousand times now but we don't seem to care much about it. Just imagine a day when you shall not have a drop of water for your umpteen numbers of needs. Won't life come to a standstill? In life, we understand the importance of something only when we are deprived of it and in future, the same could be the case with water!
Chennai is estimated to have a population of 12 crore people by the end of 2020. We currently possess a shortage of around 12% which is bound to grow to 20% within ten years. These are alarming numbers considering the impact it would have on millions of people.
The need of the hour is trying to optimize our usage of water and find alternate ways of protecting it. We are one of the blessed nations which receives rainfall which covers the entire nation, yet we struggle to meet the demands of every citizen. Have you ever wondered why? Let me give you a simple example. Your body has numerous veins and arteries that carry blood to and from all the parts of the body. Have you ever thought what will happen if your veins or arteries get choked? You will collapse! That's exactly the scenario with India and its numerous rivers. The vital arteries which carry water through thousands of cities, villages and towns are getting choked. As a result we do not have enough of fresh water sources where we can fall back on even during the times of adequate rainfall. Be it the Ganga or Yamuna in the north or the Palar and Coovum in the south , rivers and water bodies are being brutally exploited. Encroachments along water bodies are cropping up by the day. We are sucking up our ground water at a massive rate. We are not bothered about tomorrow at all!
The youth play a major role in any step that this country takes and it is certainly in our hands to tackle this crisis. Here are a few steps that we could take:-
Chennai is estimated to have a population of 12 crore people by the end of 2020. We currently possess a shortage of around 12% which is bound to grow to 20% within ten years. These are alarming numbers considering the impact it would have on millions of people.
The need of the hour is trying to optimize our usage of water and find alternate ways of protecting it. We are one of the blessed nations which receives rainfall which covers the entire nation, yet we struggle to meet the demands of every citizen. Have you ever wondered why? Let me give you a simple example. Your body has numerous veins and arteries that carry blood to and from all the parts of the body. Have you ever thought what will happen if your veins or arteries get choked? You will collapse! That's exactly the scenario with India and its numerous rivers. The vital arteries which carry water through thousands of cities, villages and towns are getting choked. As a result we do not have enough of fresh water sources where we can fall back on even during the times of adequate rainfall. Be it the Ganga or Yamuna in the north or the Palar and Coovum in the south , rivers and water bodies are being brutally exploited. Encroachments along water bodies are cropping up by the day. We are sucking up our ground water at a massive rate. We are not bothered about tomorrow at all!
The youth play a major role in any step that this country takes and it is certainly in our hands to tackle this crisis. Here are a few steps that we could take:-
- Persist your mom or dad to change those leaking taps in the house or sacrifice a meal at McD or KFC to change them. After all, they are worth every penny that you spend on repairing / changing them.
- Avoid showering to the maximum extent possible. Using buckets to bathe could save anywhere between 5-6 liters everyday. That is the amount of water which a small town could probably use in a day!
There are a lot of things that you could do other than these two steps to save water. Raise an alarm to the authorities when you find the government's water tankers literally washing the road with their leaks tanks. Make sure sufficient water seeps into the ground during rain . If each one of ensures this happens around our houses, we could go a long way in enhancing the health of the ground water system.
Let's take a pledge to save water and most importantly, protect the water bodies. Let's reduce our talking and increase our actions! Because we believe that ONE CAN CHANGE!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
The One Can Change Campaign- Lending Voice For A Better India!
This blog was almost dead but WonderWords wasn't . We have been loving every minute of our work in the content development/SEO industry for the last three years and ironically, we never felt the need to update this blog. However, today we need a voice, not to broadcast our business, but for a cause.
We live in India, a country that is shining on one side and is plagued by umpteen numbers of issues on the other.I need not tell you how cruel and inhumane our race is becoming. Forget crimes, for we not bothered about how we spend our precious resources either. Our race is growing at a rampant rate without thinking about tomorrow. If the media talks about these issues today, there will be some new scam / crime that makes the headlines tomorrow. It doesn't mean a lot to the media, but it does mean a lot to us, our lives and our future.
We Indians forgive and forget too easily. We strive for a change through street protests for a week or two and a few weeks later we are back to our own lives. We do not bother about the perennial eradication to these problems.We do not have the time and energy to care about eradicating the rot from our system once and for all.
We at WonderWords pledge to change the way things work. We've got to learn to stop complaining and start working. We aren't powerless, for every'ONE CAN CHANGE'. A change that will bring bliss to the future. Let's start acting before it is too late.
WonderWords is proud to launch it's ONE CAN CHANGE campaign. We will address every issue that needs a change or a revolution to make this country a better place to live. We shall cover each and every issue that is affecting our life. Bring it to our blog/ Facebook page and we'll make a strong community! Because each ONE CAN CHANGE.
Looking forward to your support, comments and posts!
ONE CAN CHANGE (OCC)
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