Destino.

'Hindutva'; 'Yuva' & Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh, It is the state that i was born in and the one that will host IC 2005, India. The state/ region is the dominant 'Hindi - speaking' region which is often incorrectely referred as the 'heartland' of India. The State has ancient sites of Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Allahabd etc. which are closely related to Hindu Mythology and History. Uttar Pradesh takes pride in referring itself as the 'spiritual state' where thousands of national and international travellers visit to learn yoga, meditation, visit 'dharamshalas' and explore faith and freedom. Read more on U.P as stated by Minni who was in India a few months back: http://minni.nomadlife.org/2004/11/minorities-only.html

However, the reality is stark. U.P. has the largest population of any of the state in India, the illiteracy rates are high, the women are not empowered, corruption is amongst highest, migration from villages to small towns and cities is high & the politics is around trivial matters that arouse sentiment than any development in the state. The level of development of towns is poor, people learn more by seeing soap operas & movies, which have low education value and high 'cheap entertainment' value. Uttar Pradesh, and Aydhya was also  the center of rioting and religious division between Hindu's and Muslims. I remember the day the riots started 6th December 1992. Buses from schools were returned and all major cities in India were under Curfew within a day, the stories of horror are vivid amongst most people.  See the Ayodhya Dateline:  http://www.ganashakti.com/old/1998/981130/feature.htm

What is more appaling and dangerous is the continues demand by VHP (World Hindu Org.) and Bajrang Dal for 'Hindutva'; and Aydhya. http://www.hinduunity.org/bajrangdal.html. This is disturbing for me to see, as being a hindu I do not agree to the approach or manner in which education on 'Hindusim' or religion is imparted. Religion is becoming more impulsive and something to adorn on your forehead, show around, rather than internal.. exploring and faith based. Youth are getting engaged in similar organizations all around the world, and the young minds with hope & aspirations are not engaged in development of the state and nation, but disintegration.

There is a lot of content on the VHP+ allies websites that claims to promote 'Hinduism' but it is done in such a reactionary and absolute manner that it has become a propoganda to arouse sentiment,  than educate and enlighthen, possibly that is what their role is.  If someone may want to know what the Hindu Fundamentalist perspective is, then read this:
http://p081.ezboard.com/fhinduunityhinduismhottopics.showMessage?topicID=22938.topic

The Identity of being Indian is more important than being Hindu. The country and blended culture of each state is what to a common man is more dear. Muslims speaking marwari, bengali, gujrati, kannadiga; Hindus using more urdu in 'Hindi' than hindi.

The VHP and Bajrang Dal propoganda in no way can make Uttar Pradesh more developed, advanced or cohesive, at the end of the day. Their own understanding of religion and tolerance is shallow, their intentions are hollow and vision questionable (if they have one).

I am writing all this, because this is a tough question to explore, a real tough one for many of us, & I can't stand the plight of U.P.

Vaibhav Khandelwal

John Kay on Fiorina.

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/fd91fdd4-7ebc-11d9-9c86-00000e2511c8.html

"Great businesses depend on the talents of thousands of people, not just one. Their management requires a multiplicity of incompatible talents: both vision and attention to detail, both emotional intelligence and analytic capability, both self-confidence and self-criticism. The most effective managers possess an idiosyncratic balance of attributes appropriate for the situations they face, and the range of abilities successful companies require must be sought across a team rather than in a single personality. Rows of suits are less photogenic than Carly Fiorina but they are what really makes modern business work."

IPM 2005 is here!

Almost Surreal.

The AI Team is in Bucharest, International Presidents Meeting 2005 is almost here, the first set of delegates have arrived and the conference starts in 3 days now. The excitement is building up!
Intelligent Candidates,Challenging Agenda & Wonderful CC promise to make IPM a Remarkable event. We see so.

Like any other conference, what people will remember later will not necessarily the conference objectives, session outcomes & global planning.. but what will live for much longer are the conversations, spirit and energy created here; funny how it is the 'fluffy' stuff that stays in memory of people longer.

I am looking forward to  the Last ILM for me. Though agenda is fairly full with AI partners at the conference, a few questions i want to explore at this conference are:

On AIESEC:
- When do we stop learning in AIESEC, when do we turn cynical?
- What if AIESEC suddenly have large reserves and surplus? How will be put them to use?
- How do LCP's / MCP's manage the aspirations and learning of their team while achieving the 'AIESEC - Organization Goals' ? Are the two different or same? Possibly both.
- AIESEC Experience? Do I hear what you say? Do we hear what you say?

On the world:
- Can Profit & Planet meet in the short run? Can they live together?
- Does democracy mean Freedom? What is 'being free'?
- Are we getting education for 'life' or to 'raise a living'?
- What are similarities & differences in which AIESEC & UN Operate? what can we learn?

All the above questions go to connections time at IPM on 21, 22, 23 & 25th Feb.

It is 2005 and each day of the year is bringing something vigorous, something new, something exciting. Can only hope for aspirations and this vigorousness to not die.

I will post more from IPM 2005.