Self-help

Points: Self-help and success go together — Lack of self-help among Indians: Japan, a contract — Importance of self-help.

             “Heaven helps those who help themselves. This is a proverb that sums up the experience of men of all ages. Samuel Smiles in his book Self Help has given us hundreds of examples of self-made men in different walks of life. Successful men are usually those who make their own careers by sheer will power and personal effort.
             Long years of political subjugation have largely damped the spirit of enterprises in our people. We want that somebody will Provide US with food and shelter, give us jobs,’ and make things easy for us. An utter lack of initiative and a general spirit of defeatism’, have caused our economic backwardness and stagnation’, On the other hand, Japan, our Asian neighbor, has become the world’s major producer of steel, and leader in ship-building and Electronics, Even after the experience of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan stands once again on her own legs. India, sadly enough, presents a contrast. She stilt suffer from poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy. The only thing that can change all this is the cult of self-help.
            A Sanskrit proverb says that ‘the preys do not enter into the mouth of a sleeping lion.” Like the lion, man also has to be energetic and active in order to achieve success. One should depend least on others and most on one’s own self.

Punctuality

Points: Value of time in life—Punctuality means discipline—The disastrous effects of unpunctuality.

             Time is an important part of our life. Time doesn't wait for anyone it follows it's own way. What is most remarkable about time is that it brings opportunities. For a man it may be the chance of a lifetime. Punctuality makes us time-conscious.
             A punctual man disciplines himself to work according to schedule. He thus gains self-confidence and inspires confidence in others. The lazy man is usually unpunctual. He keeps others waiting and fails to keep his own appointment. Such a man is doomed to failure in life.
             One of Napoleon’s secretaries used to be very late. He always blamed his watch for it. “Either you must get a new watch,” said Napoleon bitingly, “or I must get a new secretary’ Napoleon valued ‘punctuality’.
             Unpunctuality may create all kinds of bottlenecks. It may cause stalemate in business and industry. If goods are not delivered in time, both buyers and sellers will suffer. If appointments are not kept announced, there will be only chaos. Students, in particular, should be conscious about time. They should go by the watch in everything— study, rest, play and exercise. This will give them strength and discipline and build their character.

Superstition

Points: What It is — Accidental origin — Its evil effects and how to eradicate it.

             Superstition, which is belief without reason, is common and widespread. It thrives on ignorance.
             There are various kinds of superstition prevailing in different parts of the world. A Large number of superstitions must have originated from accidental coincidences. Thus ‘13’ is an unlucky’ number; if someone sneezes or calls from behind, it is bad omen; the cry of an owl or a raven or the mewing of a cat is inauspicious; a comet is a portent and so on.
             Before the vent of modern science men were more superstitious. Superstitions destroy our self-confidence. They damp our will to work. Man could never have built up civilization if he relied entirely on irrational beliefs. Only by spreading education can we fight superstitions like untouchability or caste hatred. But once it becomes a habit of mind, it persists. A superstitious man does not know that he is superstitious.
             Sometimes superstitions are modernized under scientific terms. The quacks use medical jargons and cheat people. We have to form a really scientific attitude and encourage the power of reasoning if we want o remove all superstitions.

Tourism and Joy of Travelling

Points: Travelling past and present — Tourism as an industry — Travelling as education.

             Travelling in the past was different in many ways. In those days there was no tourist lodge or holiday home. There were a few wayside inns, but hotels or motels were out of the question. Cars were unknown and people would go on a pilgrimage either by boat or simply by slogging on.

             In this jet age, the old concept of travelling has changed radical. People now go round the world at supersonic speed with only a few stop-over’s en route. Modem travelling is less risky and more organised. It takes far less time. It is a modern industry. There are spots that attract travelers—we call them tourists— from all parts of the world. The Taj in Agra, the Kanchanjangha in Darjeeling, Stratford-upon-Avon in England where Shakespeare was born and the Niagara Falls in America are such world-famous spots.

             Travelling is both for pleasure and for education. It removes many of our narrow prejudices1. It also strengthens our patriotism. We get a fair idea of our beautiful country and its people. We realise that India is a land of unity in diversity. It also assures us that mankind is one and indivisible.

A Cultural Function

Points: Time and occasion — Early preparation — Some highlights of the function.

             The rains were over. It was autumn, and our local Club was active planning for its annual social function. We were happy when Mr. Dey, the famous musician, accepted our invitation. But just then an awkward thing happened, an anonymous letter came threatening our musical soiree. We went to the local police. When we invited the O. C. personally, he assured us that his men would see that the function went off smoothly.
             On the day of the function, the dais was carpeted and seats were marked for ‘members’, ‘guests’, ‘press’ etc. The microphones were tested and the entire locality was echoing with incessant “hello, hello hello.” The musical soiree was a tremendous success. Mr. Dey sang quite a few songs, and each was a ‘super hit’. The boys and girls of the local schools presented folk songs’ which were acclaimed. There was no disturbance and we heaved a sigh of relief.
             The last item was a film show. The chief guest Mr. Mukherjee introduced it with a neat speech. He said that film was a new form of art and demanded new awareness. A taste had to be created for it. One of the world’s most famous films ‘Battleship Potemkin’ was shown after that. It kept the spectators spell-bound. I was thrilled by its vast canvas and grand presentation. It climaxed the success of our cultural function.

A Country Fair or Mela

Points: Time and place of the fair — A bird’s eye view of the site — Some of the fun and enjoyments.

             I had an invitation to the Paus Mela at Santiniketan. My sister stays there. But I had never visited the place. This time I wrote I was coming. My little nieces were greatly excited. I reached there on the opening day of the Mela.
             In the evening we all went to the Mela ground. From afar we saw the merry-go-round. There was a tempting array of wooden toys and clay dolls. My niece Pinky would give me no peace till I bought a big rocking-horse for her. The housewives crowded round the stalls selling pots, pans, pitchers and kitchen utensils. Hand-loom stalls were also heavily crowded. The greatest attraction of the Paus Mela was the assembly of the Bauls from different places. They sang Baul songs one after another. We liked Puma Das Baul and his group very much.
             Pinky’s friends came running to say that a magician was running a little booth in one corner and we should go there. He would let in only ten persons at a time and charge one rupee per head. A showman was announcing startling items like a two-headed calf and a talking goat. He was collecting a lot of gate-money. From there we came to a coffee-stall and sat down drinking coffee. Pinky bought chocolate bars for everybody.
             When we returned, we were tired but happy. It was a hectic day. But everyone enjoyed it in full. May be next year also we would come and enjoy.

Achievements of Science

             At first man was little better than an animal. As reason developed in him, he began to discoveries and invention to make life more and more comfortable. It is science that is at the root of this progress.

             Let us first take the case of food, the most essential of all things. Primitive people did know how to grow food. Gradually people learnt to cultivate lands with the plough drawn by bullocks. But science has been teaching them how to produce more and better crops at lesser labour with the help of tractors and fertilizers and high yielding varieties of seeds. Scientists are trying to grow food even in deserts. They have discovered various substitute foods. The population of the world has been increasing steadily, and but for these achievements, there would have been chronic famines in many places. 

             Science has made home life comfortable and enjoyable. The electric light and fan, the electric cooker, the refrigerator, etc. have freed life of much of the drudgery and discomfort our forefathers had to go through. In the rich countries of the West, there are many other labour-saving gadgets in almost every house.

             Science has given us improved methods of transport and communication. Formerly there were only bullock carts and boats. Now we have railways, steamships, motor cars, airplanes, etc. These have enabled us to travel even to the farthest end of the world within a very short time in comfort and safety. Science has given us the printed book which is our main source of knowledge. The telegraph, the telephone, the radio and TV. The latest addition in this list is computer. It has changed the world.

             Science has also greatly helped the improvement of health. We have now good medicines for many diseases which were so fatal only a few years back. Modern surgery also has been doing wonders in the surgical field. Scientist have succeeded in sending up artificial satellites and have already landed on the Moon and except to reach Mars within a short time.

             All these are wonders of science and we do not know what further wonders will be achieved by it in future. But it is to be deeply regretted that the power of science is being used for evil purpose also. We all know how books are used for propaganda purpose, what damage and destruction were caused by airplanes in Europe and how whole cities were wiped out by atom bombs in Japan during the last Word War. We also know what a mad race is going on the production of deadlier weapons for destruction. This is certainly deplorable. But that is the abuse of science, and because a  good thing is abused, the thing itself is not to blame. In fact, there is a not good thing that cannot be abused. We should use science only for that good of mankind. 

An Unlucky Day

             We were just about to board the plane when a loud blare of announcement terrified us. “All passengers about to board Flight 129 should immediately rush back to the waiting hail. We have to search for a time bomb. The flight is cancelled.” It went on repeating. We were all shocked and disappointed. We, Anil and I, had no alternative but to take a taxi for home.

             It was 11 o’clock. The airport road was dark and lonely. I was thinking of my mother. She had earlier forewarned, after consulting our family priest, that the day was unlucky for a journey. Suddenly we saw a man in the middle of the road flailing his arms desperately like windmills, and we stopped. He was bleeding from a cut in his cheek. He said, “If you could give a lift…..’ and got into the back and sat by me.

             From the little conversation we had, I could guess he was a total stranger in the city. In his right pocket, near my side, something was bulging out. It looked like a pistol. I became suspicious. I wanted to test him. I referred to the police patrol on the road. His voice pitched higher, he grew tense, he seemed uneasy. That clinched it.

             I suddenly saw a way to handle the whole thing. Earlier on his request we had agreed to put him up for the rest of the night. So we had to inform home. I stopped the car near a telephone booth and went to phone. He also came up and stood close to me. I knew where my father was for a special night inspection on that day. On the phone, I told him’ to make arrangements for a man to stay there. He was surprised, ‘Here of all places!’ I said, “Yes, you will be glad to have him.” I took the seat of the driver on the pretext of giving him some rest. I took a different route and drove directly into the police station.

             Five policemen came running with the stenguns ready. I said hoarsely, “Quick he is armed.” They dragged our passenger out and got his pistol. Then everyone began to relax. My father, the Superintendent of Police of the city, presently appeared and patted my back, Well done, my son!” He showed me an old newspaper. There was the man’s photograph with a note: Rupees 50 thousand rewards to help in catching Jhambir, a dreaded criminal charged with over 10 cases of murder and dacoity.

             I again remembered my mother. Did she say the day was unlucky for a journey?

The Autobiography of a Dog

             A wonderful career has been mine from the time I left my mother’s side and began a life of adventure in this little village of Midnapore. I am called Jimmy. I was born in an opening in a wall in one of the dark and dingy lanes of the village. A year after my birth, my mother left me alone and I lived upon the craps thrown by the people in the neighborhood. I do not recollect having met with any accident in my childhood, and the first six months of my life, after my separation from my mother, passed peacefully. I grew up to be strong, handsome and swift. I believe that was the happiest part of my life. I had no work to do, and could run about anywhere I liked. But that could not last long.

             One day a man, riding a donkey, came into the village and saw me eating a loaf of bread which I had stolen from a house. He seemed to take a liking for me at once and ordered one of his men to fasten a leather collar round my neck. My kidnapper then sold me for fifty rupees to a gentleman in a neighboring village. He, as it happened, was a man of means, took me home and gave me a good meal. I was very faithful to my new master and many a time saved his house and property from burglars. In course of time his children grew so fond of me that they would take me out for a walk and send me after a ball which they threw at a distance. When they fondled and patted me, I wagged my tail as a sign of gratitude. I never snapped at them even though they sometimes beat me.

             At last this good old master died, in a very advanced old age, and then I became the property of a certain Christian gentleman. This gentleman, giving me the name of Bob, took little notice of me. Luckily for me, his wife was a benevolent woman, who treated me with the same kind care and consideration us my previous master.

             After a few months’ stay I ran away and embarked on a life of adventure. One day I was crossing the main road, when suddenly there was a loud hoot and I had hardly time to spring for safely when a large and a silent motor car just grazed my tall. How careless!

             Now I am growing old. They say that a dog lives up to 12 years. I have no time to worry about death. The only thing that is worth worrying about is food. I have grown weak and helpless. I remain hungry all the time. I go about smelling the backyards of big houses. I get only kicks and stones. If by chance I lay my paws on a piece of bone, the younger and stronger dogs snatch it away. My old muscles avoid fighting. I now really lead a dog’s life, as the saying goes.

The Autobiography of a Rupee

             I was born in a building called The Mint. My parent was a metal strip from which we were made round. Thereafter we were embossed with two ears of corn and the figure with the words ‘Rupee’ and ‘1991’, to indicate the your of birth on one side. On the other side, the Lion Capital and the words, ‘Bharat in Hindi and ‘India’ in English were embossed. Each disc was given a milled edge too. After finishing they called us, ‘rupee coins’. In shining metal and with the figure and letters very beautiful and distinct, I was very proud of my smart appearance.
             My active life began when I was removed from the Mint and paid ova the counter of a bank to a gentleman who cashed a cheque. He put me into a leather bag: but I was not there for long as he gave me to a confectioner. The confectioner was so pleased with me that he shut me up in a greasy drawer. I continued to be there a close prisoner for many months, till at last I was exchanged for two 50 paise pieces. My new master, to my unspeakable grief was a miserable old fellow. He clapped’ me into an iron chest, where I found five hundred more of my own species lying in the same confinement. The only relief was that we were carried now and then into the fresh air and counted and placed in different heaps. After an imprisonment of several years, we were taken out by a young man. He gave me to a young lady, who put me in her purse. She soon handed me to a servant to pay the grocer’s bill. I thus rambled merrily from pocket to pocket till I was worn out. The corn plant became faint and the lettering on my back became almost rubbed out. I was deemed useless for the world and every one turned up his nose at me. Eventually I was given away in charity to a blind beggar. The beggar bought tea in exchange for me and I was placed in the tea dealer’s box, only to be extracted by his son who took me to a pedlar as he wanted to buy a few toys. The pedlar banged me on the ground to see if I was genuine. He looked at me closely, made a few insulting remarks about my battered condition but in the end accepted me with great reluctance, At last I was sent back to the Mint.
             There were many more of us there—all time honoured old fellows, but in bad shape now. It was being whispered around that we were to be cast into a furnace and turned again into the base material of our bodies—only to be recast again.