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Leadership skills in Whatsapp Group Admin

 

whatsapp-admin-leadership-rimple

 

 

While we talk about the leadership, the persona having capabilities to transform the vision, in reality, taking all teams along with him, becoming a guiding light, motivator all the time to reach the final goals. We never thought earlier about the comparing and taking an example of leadership qualities before on Whatsapp Group Administrator. The following write-up is inspired by few WhatsApp group where I am an admin as well as my day to day experience of being an Entrepreneur.

Vision: Creating a group on a certain theme and make it successful is a vision of the Group Admin, and he or she makes it happen by having a thought in mind first. Certain people create a group on the theme of School members, college students, certain company members or some industry altogether. Some groups are of special interest or like-minded people who wish to exchange ideas on very prompt medium. Have read somewhere that the first ingredient of success is to dream a great dream and if you can dream it, you can do it. Our leaders are also visionary and they led us to some goals and achievements.

Establishment: People need courage and a strong commitment to establishing something new, on which they are not sure about the clear-cut goals and guidelines. Group admin creates a group by having certain thoughts in mind, like from what will be a theme, first conversation, who will be group members, from where he or she will get those number and etc etc. The small things matter, micro-planning required, even if you are at top level being a leader. The planning while and before establishment makes the leaders confident and makes him aware of the potential problems lie in the path. The foresight will help teams to find a solution.

Selection / Recruitment :
Selection of members in Whatsapp group is also a very important task since the activeness of group and members lies on this criteria. Even in some cases where the count of members increases above 50, Admin needs to select some inactive members to remove and add new aspirants in the group. What exactly the Admin does in this process. Selection of suitable member and add them in a Group, Monitoring of Performance ( Activeness, effectiveness, and Value) of the group members. Take the decision to remove and add new members. Same is happening in the Corporate world. In today’s scenario, the Corporate is totally Performance driven and an employee is rated, graded, awarded and terminated based on the performance.

Policies :
Whatsapp group Admin admin generally makes and helps others to break the rules either way. I have seen certain Admin, who restrict members by posting unwanted material, photos or contents on racism which may not generate a healthy discussion. It is a leader who decides how his group will behave. In certain groups there are only light contents will be forwarded whereas some groups are so active where they discuss technology, job opportunities, current affairs which adds value to your knowledge.

Conflict Resolution :
Many members have a difference of opinion with others still they are active participants and who make the group alive, it is a leader who keeps them alive and encourages them to talk and share their views whereas applicable. In some of the cases, Admin becomes intermediator to resolve the difference of opinion and drive the discussion to some other fruitful directions.

We never notice such leadership skill but it is everywhere in each individual if a person starts looking at that angle.

Note: Not all WhatsApp admin are leaders! Not every admin is successful in managing the group. A success of a WhatsApp group can be measured with the content and discussion happening in the group. You can ask questions like: Is the purpose of the group still intact? Purpose can expand, Vision can get larger, but it cannot dilute! 🙂 Happy Whatsapping.

Paralysed life of locals in Kashmir

State of Jammu and Kashmir has been in dispute since India’s independence. We can say, 70 years of Independence and for this state, 70 years of struggle. Meeting and having conversations with the locals of the areas where disputes are part and parcel of daily life was softening and heart-breaking. It made me feel how blessed we are to deal with city and corporate life instead.

I was in Srinagar for 2 days during this period of curfew. Starting from Sonamarg, when i went to small market here, people were happy to see some customers. Halted at Hotel Akbar in the town of Sonamarg. Hotel owners and staff were kind enough to support their guests to reach the city of Srinagar safely. The owners too travelled together. At Srinagar too, had stayed at Hotel Akbar, near Dal lake. Compared to other parts of Srinagar, this area was safe. Next day, when we went to Dal Lake for Shikara ride, we could chat with the “khivaiya uncle” for some time. He shared how the curfew and forced strike is affecting their life. They are labors – earning for each day, living for each day. Luckily, being in Kashmir they all are used to store food, some money and remain jobless for some months (winter season). This habit of theirs allowed them to survive for almost a month of curfew now. Locals have a family to feed. And when such disputes are taking place, their life is paralyzed. Forget about earning livelihood, with the use of pellet guns, protests, etc they also live in constant fear whether they would reach their home alive or not. Very small number of postpaid connections were in service. Prepaid connections don’t work at all. Mobile Internet services continued to remain suspended.

Violent protests rocked Kashmir following killing of Burhan Wani and two of his associated in an encounter with security forces on July 8 in Kokernag area of Anantnag district. Normal life has remained paralyzed in Kashmir on account of separatist sponsored-strike and curfew-like restrictions imposed by authorities.

Hotel owner, Mr. Zaffer Ahmed Boktoo, his partner and his entire staff had been extremely kind. He shared few things with all his guests, of which i missed a lot of his sharing though. He shared a newspaper wherein the entire business community of Kashmir appealed to the Home Minister of India, Mr. Rajnath Singh. Below is the pic of the open letter from a Kashmir local newspaper.

open letter to home minister by Kashmir business community

open letter to home minister by Kashmir business community

Had been waiting to write this article, did some readings too on pellet guns, some past disputes, reason for this curfew, etc. But they all seemed to be giving practical information, not about the lives of the locals there. Bullets or weapons don’t ask people whether they are locals living normal life there or are they terrorists….. I read why pellet guns are used… Normally during protests, police use lathi charge or tear gas, never thought that pellet guns were also used in some part of the world. Then i read, during protests, people throw a bottle of petrol that leads to fire / blasts, that’s the reason why pellet guns are used in the protests. Reading everything brought a huge dilemma. But one thing is very clear, locals don’t want this. Bureaucrats / politicians twist and turn the situation that is beneficial to them. Why would army or locals need a bloodshed? After reading many articles, i was clear, i don’t want to address any of those information in this article but something that’s coming from my own experience of 2 days. I ended up buying lot of stuff from srinagar chashmeshai garden and dal lake as we, tourists were only source of income for the locals here and the curfew had struck the daily income and livelihood in quite a hard way.

When will this hell in heaven end? When will J&K see a set of leaders in govt that works for the well-being of its people and the state not for their benefit. I dont believe one thing that media says… “Kashmiris are not integrated with India emotionally” I don’t think being a part of India or Pakistan is an issue. Peace is important to them and the freedom and peace that they can get from India might not be same as they may get in Pakistan. The villages acquired by India during the border conflict, mention that they feel happy to a part of India. But i am not talking about India and Pakistan or border… but about the basic right for humans to live safely. Safety and Security are prime issues there. Living a normal life is an issue there. Peace is an issue there. Mean bureaucrats are an issue there. They can easily survive with even 1 year or 5 years of curfew, but what about local labors, small, medium or large scale businesses?

Click Here to know more about pellet guns.

Thank you! to Hotel Akbar owners and staff. 🙂 We all can pray together for the well-being of Kashmir, not just for now, but forever…. that can bring joy in the lives of the people living there.

Below are few more clippings from kashmir local newspaper.

article from greater kashmir newspaper, dated 24th july 2016

article from greater kashmir newspaper, dated 24th july 2016

article from greater kashmir newspaper, dated 24th july 2016

article from greater kashmir newspaper, dated 24th july 2016

article from greater kashmir newspaper, dated 24th july 2016

article from greater kashmir newspaper, dated 24th july 2016

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article from greater kashmir newspaper, dated 24th july 2016

 

Journey of Indian Flag

Before moving on to the history of Indian flag, let me answer,

Why Do Countries Need a Flag?
Each country needs a flag as a visual representation of its people—and to distinguish it from other nations. A flag is also a code of honor. When anyone sees an Indian flag, he gets reminded of a country called the India and its people.

Where on earth did the word flag come from? From Vexillum, a latin word meaning flag or banner. Over 4,000 years ago, the first flags were called vexilloid and they were made of metal or wooden poles with carvings.

They helped ancient armies coordinate on the battlefield—identify the allies from the enemies. They were also used to honor those who lost their lives in the fight.

Today, every country has a national flag made of fabric. It is hoisted on a flagpole and flown so that everyone can be reminded of the values and history of the country.

Flying a flag is also a way to show pride and ownership. If you find a building anywhere in the world with the Indian flag, you can be sure it is Indian territory—a consulate, embassy, or headquarters.

A country’s flag also helps to unite people. By having the same flag, we Indians have a common symbol to bring us closer together—at home or abroad.

Flags show ideas which would otherwise take many words. On sad occasions, country flags are flown at half-mast to honor the dead, and draped over the coffins of national heroes.

Countries usually design their flag with certain colors or shapes to stand for specific meanings. Sometimes, a flag is altered to represent new messages or events. And so is the Indian flag, altered at various times in history.

Below is the journey of Indian Flag.

1880 - British india flag

1880 – British india flag

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1880 – Flag of British India.

This is the first single indian flag raised by British. The flag included the Union Flag in the upper-left quadrant and a star of India capped by the royal crown in the middle of the right half.

 

Unofficial flag of India in 1906

Unofficial flag of India in 1906

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1906 – Unofficial flag of India in 1906

It is said that, the national flag was first time hoisted on 7th of August in 1906 in the Green Park (also called as Parsee Bagan Square) in the Calcutta (current Kolkata). It was a simply designed flag using three horizontal strips of tri colours (red, yellow and green). The uppermost green colour strip contains eight (8) white lotus flowers. The middle yellow colour strip is written in the center with “Vande Matram” in Hindi. And the lowermost red colour strip contains a crescent (left side corner) and a Sun (right side corner).

 

1907 - Indian flag

1907 – Indian flag

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1907 – The Berlin committee flag, first raised by Bhikaiji Cama in 1907

According to the history, it is said that Indian national flag was hoisted second time in the Paris by the Madame Cama with her banished revolutionary band in 1907. Later that flag was exhibited in the social conference of Berlin. The second flag was little different from the first one. The uppermost orange colour strip contains one lotus flower and seven stars (identifying the Saptarishis). The middle yellow colour strip is written with “Vande Matram” in Hindi in the center. And the lowermost green colour strip contains a Sun in the left corner and a white crescent and star in the right corner.

 

flag used during the Home Rule movement in 1917

flag used during the Home Rule movement in 1917

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1917 – The flag used during the Home Rule movement in 1917

The third flag went up in 1917 when our political struggle had taken a definite turn. Dr. Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak hoisted it during the Home rule movement. This flag had five red and four green horizontal strips arranged alternately, with seven stars in the saptarishi configuration super-imposed on them. In the left-hand top corner (the pole end) was the Union Jack. There was also a white crescent and star in one corner.

The flag unofficially adopted in 1921

The flag unofficially adopted in 1921

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1921 – The flag unofficially adopted in 1921

During the session of the All India Congress Committee which met at Bezwada in 1921 (now Vijayawada) an Andhra youth prepared a flag and took it to Gandhiji. It was made up of two colours-red and green-representing the two major communities i.e. Hindus and Muslims. Gandhiji suggested the addition of a white strip to represent the remaining communities of India and the spinning wheel to symbolise progress of the Nation.

 

The flag adopted in 1931. This flag was also the battle ensign of the Indian National Army

The flag adopted in 1931. This flag was also the battle ensign of the Indian National Army

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1931 – The flag adopted in 1931. This flag was also the battle ensign of the Indian National Army

The year 1931 was a landmark in the history of the flag. A resolution was passed adopting a tricolor flag as our national flag. This flag, the forbear of the present one, was saffron, white and green with Mahatma Gandhi’s spinning wheel at the center. It was, however, clearly stated that it bore no communal significance and was to be interpreted thus.

 

The present Tricolour flag of India

The present Tricolour flag of India

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1947 – The present Tricolour flag of India

On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly adopted it as Free India National Flag. After the advent of Independence, the colours and their significance remained the same. Only the Dharma Charkha of Emperor Asoka was adopted in place of the spinning wheel as the emblem on the flag. Thus, the tricolour flag of the Congress Party eventually became the tricolour flag of Independent India.

Thousand Splendid Suns

Finished reading Thousand splendid suns.
The story spans roughly over 3 decades. It’s story of hope, humanity, compassion, empathy and spirit of humans. The 2 main characters are Mariam and Laila. 2 women, generations apart, whose life cross as they become wives of same man under different circumstances but not happily in either case. Yet its a story of how their relationship shape to of a mother and daughter…. their inner journey. Their outer journey. Their journey in the time when their country was war-torn. Things were not same before late 60s in Afghanistan. in 40s 50s and 60s women’s could go to school, had freedom, etc. In early 70’s to 2003 how big was the struggle in these 3 odd decades for women in Afghanistan.
It’s not as violent as I thought it would be given that it takes place during the war in Afghanistan and there is hope, but the story will shake you to the core. You have people living a regular life, they go to work, they fall in love, they have a family, they make mistakes, they try to atone for their mistakes and then war hits and life as they know it changes within the blink of an eye. It’s not a story about war though it’s a story about people from different walks of life trying to go about the business of living as best as they can and trying to find a tiny corner of happiness. 
I appreciate Hosseini’s portrayal of a part of the world that is under so much scrutiny lately. Afghanistan, and the city of Kabul where the story takes place, have a long history of wars and occupations which result in a great chasm between different ethnic tribes, Islam, economic classes and gender. Hosseini uses this novel to tell the story of Afghani women and the hardships that face them with each regime change. It’ll rip out your heart, have you crying buckets and buckets of tears while marveling at the triumph of the human spirit through severe and virtually unimaginable adversity as well as pure hell.
The writing is absolutely beautiful. The pictures he paints with his words are so vivid that everything from the fun everyday life to the squalor that war brings to the ordinary person just flashes before your eyes like a movie. When you read, you can actually live the city of Kabul, house, neighborhood etc of its characters. You can imagine their struggle, their pain. There are some parts that have no doubt happened to many people but to think that any of this is even remotely possible will just kill you especially the parts about what a mother will do to save her children. 
As a woman, I feel blessed to have been given confidence and opportunities. I truly cannot imagine what it would be like to live under the conditions the women in this book live under. I am grateful to be born to the family I was born to and in a country which allows me to live the kind of life I choose.
When you read this, you will be in utter shock of how people live in war-torn countries. The regular life that you and me live in is like hope to them, someday, it will be possible. Can you imagine rockets and blasts and curfews happening everday for decades? How do you think people can live and find some tiny bit of happiness there?
That’s what the author Khaled Hossieni has portrayed in this book. Awesome read!!
Splendid Suns_web banner 700

Walk by the Bay

BOMBAY AT DAWN

BOMBAY AT DAWN

An amaranthine city leaving its mark amatively. City of dreams now may sound old, yet it’s a city that never sleeps. I like to call “Bombay” more than “Mumbai. The charm of South Bombay is mesmerizing. You may love the new developments in Mumbai, yet, there’s love for old buildings in South Bombay. Malls are overrated, it still can’t beat the feel of walk by the bay, especially early morning. Food Court puts forth a range of platter, satisfaction comes over “chana zor garam”  (masala beaten grams) or “Bhutta” (roasted corns) and a “cycle chai” at the Nariman Point.

Experience the early morning walk by the bay as we did on Saturday Morning and see the diversity of Bombay. View of Bombay’s famous necklace at the dawn, clear sky, flock of birds flying, dog relaxing at nariman point. Roads are empty. A part of road is blocked for kids to skate. Parking is in ample. Busy city seems less quiet, but not passive. People in Bombay are into some different world. You experience a flip side of them. They are not someone who are dressed up and ready to go office. Not in hurry. Some are just there to sit around the Arabian sea, some are jogging, some are exercising, some are doing yoga, someone is doing Surya Namaskar, some people are meditating, someone is supporting old-age with the wheel chair, many have a morning walk with their pets, Couples having a chit-chat, group of people gossiping over a local chai. Faraway in the sea, en-number of fishing boats are visible. I like to call its regional name “Naiya with his Khivaiya”. It also reminds me of a song,

“Chal kheva re kheva re naiya kheva, machli hai sagar ka meva…..” 😀 Hope you all have heard the song as this is not so famous or common. 😛

Marine Drive or Nariman Point (whatever you may like to call) is where Mumbaikars come for a few moments of freedom from the stresses of commuting, of high living costs, of cramped homes. It is a place that breathes possibility. Bollywood filmmakers have long exploited its majestic arc to show Bombay as a city that sets you free. Young couples turn their backs on the world, cuddling and kissing, unmindful of the throngs behind them, throngs who generally leave them alone. In claustrophobic Mumbai, where privacy of any kind is at a premium, Marine Drive affords anonymity. Here, at least, Bombay lets lovers be; in any other Indian city they would be routinely disturbed and harassed.

In such moments, what is missed is travelling in open double-decker bus. 😀

Recollecting few things I heard, Amitabh Bachchan would recall the time when he slept on a Marine Drive bench at night. Years later, many of his films were shot here. In one, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, he rode a motorcycle down the road, rakishly dressed and singing with abandon. It was a statement of having finally arrived, proof that having made it in Bombay you can make it anywhere. After all, as the song from the 1956 film C.I.D. goes:

“Ae dil hai mushkil jeena yahan, zara hatke, zara bachke yeh hai Bombay meri jaan.”

(Oh my heart, it’s very difficult to live here, be careful and be warned, this is Bombay, my love.)

The song subsequently became the de facto anthem of this tough metropolis.

The three-kilometre stretch along the waterfront extends from Nariman Point to Chowpatty, disappearing into Walkeshwar and, beyond that, tony Malabar Hill. The famous Art Deco, buildings, however, run only along about one third of the drive; after them come the gymkhanas with their open cricket fields, followed by a run-down aquarium, a modern tower block that is a hostel for female students, and at the far end, Wilson College, built in 1889 in the Victorian Gothic style. I have always been in love with this Victorian Gothic style construction of Wilson college.

This 3km stretch has been giving me mu space and time to make tough decisions of my life. Every time I am crossroads, coming here early morning or late night, makes me listen to my heart. Sound of waves brings me peace. I find myself lost amidst endless abundance nature of vast ocean. Love the smell of sea.

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Gulaab gang and management

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Movies and Cricket are most common form of entertainment in India. Why not learn something from there? I saw movie Gulaab Gang this Sunday(first time), though i missed initial 45 mins of the movie.

Movie had very interesting lessons from the management perspective:

1. “NO” is not no but “Next Option”:

When Madhuri and Juhi meet first time, madhuri handovers a letter for justice to which juhi gave a sarcastic answer and rates for the rape victim and mocked at madhuri. Next Easiest thing for madhuri was to beg or move out. But she had next option ready.

2. Be bold to move towards your dream or be a pawn to accomplish someone else’s dream:

Scene where juhi offers madhuri to be in her party and be on her side. Madhuri calmly refuses to be on her side and says, “agar election me khade hi hona hai toh aapke under kyun, aapke saamne khadi rahungi” and that creates a new journey of leadership for her. Of she has been leader so far in the movie, but now moving on to next level.

3. Play to your strength not to weaknesses:

When elections rally and promotions are commenced, madhuri plays to her strengths, scene is quite convincing at she promoting herself at a college whereas in fear, threat and survival juhi keeps plotting to bring madhuri and her support system down. Result is already known to people who have seen the movie.

4. Be clear of what you want and be clear when You ask:

Madhuri in entire movie is clear of what she wants… may be the paths keep changing from violence to being a political leader.
Similarly, even juhi is very clear of her goals. When you have clarity of goals, you know what to do, when is the right time and what is the right method.
Like knowing killing madhuri inside the village is threat to her. She is ok if she is killed outside her political boundary. Like madhuri knows that enough of violence for what she wants… she can achieve the goals by being a political leader too.

And so on.

Lessons from Percy Jackson

 

 

 

heroes-of-olympus-covers

 

 

I just finished reading Percy Jackson & Heroes of Olympus series and it still not out of my head. Rick Rordian is an absolute genius to have imagined and penned this entire series. And the idea of having Greek & Roman mythologies seems quite challenging at first thought, but bang on kudos to the author for such a brilliant delivery at the end. It’s extremely gripping. Coming to what lessons we can learn from this series (I might add some points from the Olympian series as well)…

  1. Each one of us is Uniquely gifted:

Firstly to begin with, no matter what you are, how you are, believe that you are special and unique. Percy is ADHD and Dyslexic, which is not his limitation but his strength. He has his own special talents and strengths that other normal kids do not have.

Uniqueness is not only for Percy here. It’s for every demi-god. Like Percy has special powers for when it comes to water, Annabeth has a wisdom that no other have, Jason to control wind and lightening, Hazel for underworld senses and powers, Leo for the fire and engineering, Frank to be whatever he wants to be, Piper for her charms-speak, Nico for his underworld powers, shadow travel, etc.

Perhaps not everyone is a son of Poseidon or any other god, but we all have God-given gifts: strengths, talents, that when the time comes can save us and others.

  1. Team Work and Trust:

Each character had its own part to play. 7 demi-gods on quest along with 2 other demigods (Reyna & Nico) and a Satyr. Any task or project needs a group of people with certain strengths. Imagine entire quest being managed by only Percy and Annabeth or Jason and Piper… They would have surely failed. Because to defeat Gaia (mother earth) there were series of quests. Each bits and parts were taken up who had the capability to complete it.

  1. Project Management:

Break one big project into small-small step-by-step projects. Like a Quest to defeat Gaia, the first thing to do was to unite Greeks and Romans and to that Hera needed to have some plan to do so. She planned it was a success. Then Greek camp had one Roman demigod and Roman camp had one Greek demigod. The very first step (quest) was to rescue Hera, then free Thanatos, then find mark of Athena, then close the doors of death and finally prevent Gaia to awake by bringing the mark of Athena to camp half-blood by a Roman Leader.

When you break the project into bits, it becomes easier to achieve the smaller milestones which finally leads to the achievement of the main goal.

  1. Time & Crisis Management:

I think here’s the mastery of the heroes in Rick Rordian’s series. Every quest has a certain timeline which if missed results to the end of the world. When the team goes for a quest, they are clueless of they are going to come across. At every step there’s a crisis. Me as a reader is thoroughly convinced, ok, now I think nothing can happen and then the author surprises. Even at the last fraction of a second a game can change.

What more I can learn about crisis management here is. To deal with any situation or crisis, it is a very easy option to give up. What allows you to continue to fight till your last breath is your future that motivates you. In this series, a motivation to fight till last breath could vary moment to moment, like to save your love, save your friends, to not let the sacrifices of your friends go in vain (like Bob and Damasen), to save the world, to live a life with your beloved, etc. Anything that you want to live for… forever… can help you in crisis management. It will give you strength, will-power, faith, possibility.

  1. Resource Management:

Resource Management and Allocation is the biggest challenge. Whether Hera chose the correct ones or not was to be revealed with the time. Why not Reyna, Clarisse or any other demigods? Why Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Leo, Hazel and Frank? Hera had very finely selected the 7 demigods of the prophecy, knowing their strengths and weaknesses. Preparing for it even before they were born.

Of course, we cannot do that, but yes, we can definitely have a hawk eye to identify a resource for a project. Imagine, Frank not one of prophecy demigods just coz he didn’t look like a quest material. Hazel, for being introvert and considering herself as inferior coz she didn’t belong to the same era. Every employee should get an opportunity to identify and play to their strengths. Never under-estimate their power. Respect and consider the introverts or employees who have not got an opportunity to showcase their talents and abilities.

It’s not the quantity of resource but the quality of resource that matters. It was 7 demi-gods versus entire world – Gaia, giants, small gods, titans, etc. 7 demigods, played and combined their strengths, didn’t felt egoistic or smaller to ask for help. It’s ok to ask for support. It’s ok to ask for help. You are not meant to be a super human all the time.

  1. Trust your instincts:

Your instincts are your best friends. Trust them. Not everything fits in logic, nor it is necessary for everything to fit in logic. Your instincts can save you 😛

  1. Choose your own path:

I learned this one from Jason. For most of the series Jason was confused.  He had been Roman all his life, but after coming to camp half-blood he realized how much he love the Greeks and their culture. Still, he wavered between the two worlds, unsure of what he wanted.  Finally he gets some great advice from one of the wind gods. He is told that “A wind that blows aimlessly is no good to anyone.”  When Jason decided to be Greek he took on a new identity, and with it came a new strength. He finally knew who he was and who he was meant to be.  It was this new foundation that gave him the courage to dispel his mother’s mania, and later give the Praetorship to Frank.  Jason proved that the fates can only govern so much. It is up to you to choose your path. “You can’t choose your parentage. But you can choose your legacy.”

Not only Jason, but all… Percy, Annabeth, Piper, Leo, Frank, Nico chose their own path.

Throughout the series (1 and 2) Nico was the dark character. In Blood of Olympus, however, Nico undergoes a transfiguration. In becoming friends with Reyna and encouraging her to share her secrets, Nico realizes his own hypocrisy. In the battle against Gaea when Nico finally shows all his underworld power, he is surprised to see that his friends still love him.  He realizes the truth: no mask can cover us forever, but even when our most unlovely sides are revealed we can still be fully loved.

Darkness earlier too was the path chosen by Nico and the new brighter side too was his choice.

  1. Laughter always helps.

I love how the author inserts humor into the book’s darkest moments. He seems to be reminding us that only joy can cast out fear. And yes, never to forget Leo when it comes to sense of humor. I never have any favorite character as such, but for Leo scenes, I always looked forward for some new inventions and his PJ’s 😀

Am sure you too would love Leo’s humor and entire series too. There’s much more I can write, but for the moment I would end for this article.

A Conspiracy Theory says that its Hitler, not Mahatma Gandhi who is responsible for Indian Independence

We all know that British were the rulers of India for close to 200 years. During this period India was the brightest jewel in the British Empire. At the end of the First World War, with the defeat of Germany, the British power was at its apex. No thoughts of granting independence to India existed in the British mind. But, when Hitler started World War II, he destroyed the economies of Britain and France to such an extent that they were no longer able to financially maintain their military forces, and were hence incapable of containing the burgeoning freedom movements in their colonies.

its Hitler not Gandhi who is responsible for Indian Independence

 

End of the World War 2 and Indian Freedom:

The war dragged on for 6 years and Great Britain had its resources stretched during the period. Though America helped but the price of fighting Nazi Germany ran into billions of dollars and reduced the homeland (Great Britain) to penury. Britain would have left India in 1947 purely for financial reasons, due to its wholly collapsed economy.

After WWII, Britain left India in 1947, Jordan in 1946, Palestine in 1947, Sri Lanka in 1948, Myanmar in 1948, and Egypt in 1952 and 50 other nations within years thereafter. For the same reason, France also had to grant independence to Laos in 1949 and Cambodia in 1953, and had to leave Vietnam in 1954 and other 30 nations within years thereafter.

world-war-2

 

When Gandhi, launched the “Quit India” movement in August 1942, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the British from India or face nationwide civil disobedience along with all other Congress leaders, Gandhi was immediately imprisoned, and the country erupted in small violent demonstrations.

Gandhi’s Non-violence movement had Zero effect on the British:

With Congress leaders in jail after quit India movement, attention turned to Subhas Bose, who had been ousted from the Congress in 1939. With Japanese support, he organized the Indian National Army, composed largely of Indian soldiers of the British Indian army who had been captured at Singapore by the Japanese.

During Quit India Movement Gandhiji spread the slogan “Do or Die,” which in fact Subhas had proposed in 1938. The British government arrested all the top Congress Party leaders and thus killed the Quit India Movement before it had a chance to gather steam. It fizzled out entirely within a matter of months.

As a result of the military activities of Netaji, British prime minister Clement Atlee granted independence to India. He said that Gandhi’s non-violence movement had next to zero effect on the British.

Credits goes to Adolf  Hitler:

The credit for reducing Great Britain to this dire strait must go to Hitler whose war greatly taxed the English. In fact if the second war had not taken place there is cent per cent chance that Great Britain would have never left India. Maybe the 21st century would have dawned with Great Britain still in control of India. This is not an airy statement but one that could have been very plausible.

Hitler thus deserves a large amount of credit for unleashing the Second World War, debilitating England and as a spin-off getting the English to leave India.

Article credits: All India Roundup

Making… Friendship

I read somewhere. Its easy to make friends. It needs a bit of “MEHNAT” to maintain that friendship.

I read somewhere, you may have or may not have friends in life….  but “ZINDAGI MEIN JAAN PHOOKHTI HAI DOSTI”.

I heard somewhere, “Har ek friend kamina hota hai” but “Har ek friend zaroori hota hai”.

I saw in dil chahta hai movie, without your friends there is something missing in your life.. no matter how best or amazing it is.. you still miss your buddies and the time that you spend with them.. even after 10 years of gap…. you can be you in front of them.

Chai ke liye jaise toast hota hai
Vaise har ek friend zaroori hota hai
Aise har ek friend zaroori hota hai

Koi subha paanch baje neend se jagaaye
Koi raat ko teen baje jaan bachaye
Ek teri kadki mein sharing kare
Aur ek tere budget me sneak in kare
Koi nature se guest koi host hota hai
Par har ek friend zaroori hota hai

Ek ghadi ghadi kaam aaye par kabhi kabhi call kare
Aur ek kabhi kabhi kaam aaye aur ghadi ghadi call kare

Gossip ka koi ghoomta phirta satellite
Koi saayh rahe to karde sab alright
Koi effortless, koi forced hota hai
Lekin har ek friend zaroori hota hai

Chat room friend
Koi classrom friend
Koi bike pe race wala wroom wroom friend
Shopping mall wala shopping friend
Koi exam hall wala copying friend

Movie buddy… grooviee buddy
Hi buddy… bye buddy
Joke buddy…. coke buddy
Gana buddy…. shana buddy
Chaddi buddy… yaarrr buddy…

Kuttey…. kaminey…
Everybody… sab buddy…
A to Z

Gin gin ke naam bheja roast hota hai…
Lekin har ek friend zaroori hota hai..
Every friend has a different flavor… enjoy and cherish each flavor.

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