देश में हालात ख़राब थे। आतंकी घटनाएं बढ़ रही थीं। बम फट रहे थे। जान माल का नुकसान हो रहा था। सैनिकों पर हमला किया जा रहा था।

ओ गॉड…ये क्या हो रहा था !!!!

नागरिकों का गुस्सा सातवें आसमान पर । सभी जगह सिर्फ बदला,पड़ोसी देश को सबक सिखाने और आतंकियों को जड़ से ख़त्म होने की चर्चा। पान ठेलों पर रक्षा नीति विशेषज्ञ अचानक उग आए थे। फेसबुक,ट्विटर और वाट्सएप अचानक युद्ध की मांग से गूंज उठा। ललकार,हूंकार,तलवार सब एक साथ खिंच गए नीली घाटी के मैदान में।

अब पड़ोसी देश को सबक सिखाना होगा।
बहुत हुई शांति वार्ता। अब सिर्फ जंग ही उपाय है।
सेना…मोर्चा सम्भालो। टूट पड़ो दुश्मन पर । कर दो खात्मा एक एक का। हमें तुम पर गर्व है।

किसी मूढ़ ने एक कमेंट किया-
“तुम लोग तो एक सैनिक के मरने पर भी इतने दुखी हो जाते हो। उनके परिवार की चिंता में तुमसे रोटी नहीं खाई जाती। उनके बच्चों के रोते चेहरे देखकर तुम्हें रातों को नींद नहीं आती। युद्ध में तो हज़ारों सैनिक कुर्बान होंगे। तुम कैसे चैन से रह पाओगे?”

“भगाओ साले को। देशद्रोही है कमीना।हमें जंग चाहिए।हम कुछ नहीं जानते।” ( वे सचमुच नहीं जानते कि यह वाक्य वे सत्य बोल रहे हैं। वे न सेना के बारे में कुछ जानते ,न आतंकवाद के बारे में और न रक्षा या विदेश नीति के बारे में। लेकिन ये हर विषय मे पी एच डी हैं क्योंकि सोशल मीडिया विश्विद्यालय के पास-आउट हैं । )

युद्ध…युद्ध…युद्ध। बस युद्ध।

आखिर जनता की चुनी हुई सरकार थी। जनता की आज्ञा शिरोधार्य। सरकार ने निर्णय लिया कि युद्ध किया जाएगा। लेकिन साथ में आदेश निकाला कि-
“सेना में सैनिकों की संख्या अपर्याप्त है और युद्ध में जीत हासिल हो इसके लिए अनिवार्य रूप से प्रत्येक घर से एक वयस्क व्यक्ति को सेना में सिर्फ युद्ध के लिए आना होगा।युद्ध के बाद उन्हें वापस घर भेज दिया जाएगा। अगर जीवित लौटे तो सबको मेडल मिलेंगे और मर गए तो शहीद का दर्जा। राजकीय सम्मान के साथ अंतिम संस्कार भी होगा।सबको यह छूट होगी कि दुश्मनों के जितने सर काटकर लाना हो,ला सकते हैं। ”

आँयं… ये क्या ? लोगों ने आंखें मल-मल कर दोबारा आदेश को पढा। लेकिन दस बार आंखें रगड़ने पर भी इबारत नहीं बदली।
अब हर घर से एक वयस्क सेना में अनिवार्य रूप से भर्ती होगा। एक साल के कठोर प्रशिक्षण के बाद युद्ध पर जाएगा।
बस एक छोटी सी शर्त थी जो लोगों को घोर अंधेरे में आशा की किरण बनकर राह दिखा रही थी-
सेना में उन्हीं लोगों को लिया जाएगा जो मेडिकली फिट होंगे। इसके लिए सरकारी डॉक्टर से फिटनेस सर्टिफिकेट लेना होगा ।

अगले दिन से –

1-वीर जवानों का देश अचानक से लूलों,लंगड़ों,अपाहिजों,अंधों,रोगियों का देश बन गया।18 साल के जिम जाते लड़के अचानक अस्थमा,दिल के रोग,हड्डी रोग,डायबिटीज,मिर्गी के पेशेंट बन गए।
2-सरकारी डॉक्टरों के दिन एक दिन में फिर गए। हर एक को सी ए की आवश्यकता पड़ने लग गयी।प्राइवेट डॉक्टरों ने याचिका दायर की कि उन्हें इस नेक कार्य से वंचित न रखा जाए।
3- शांति का टापू कहलाने वाले परिवारों में भाई-भाई के झगड़े हो गए।
“तू जा भाई सेना में ,अभी तेरी शादी नहीं हुई। मेरे बच्चे पढ़ रहे हैं। ”
‘जा बे भाईसाब, तेरी @##$$$ …शादी नहीं हुई तो मर जाऊं क्या ?’
तू जाएगा
नहीं ,तू जाएगा
खून खच्चर मच गया।लठ्मलट्ठी , चिल्लमचिल्ली हो गई ।घमासान हो गया।
4- फेसबुक हट्टे-कट्टे नौजवानों की कूलती कसकती बिस्तर पर बेदम पड़ी तस्वीरों से भर गया ।
5-अभी अभी 18 पूरे कर समस्त एडल्टोचित कार्य करने का लाइसेंस पाए नौजवान कलेक्ट्रेट के चक्कर काटने लगे कि कैसे भी ले-देकर दूसरा बर्थ सर्टिफिकेट बन जाये।

अचानक सब गांधी भक्त हो गए। तभी एक संकट मोचक फेसबुक पोस्ट आयी-
” युद्ध किसी समस्या का समाधान नहीं। शांति से बैठकर हल निकाला जाए तो ही जड़ से समस्या दूर होगी। ”

दस हज़ार लाइक,बीस हज़ार कमेंट और शेयर की संख्या लाखों में।

जिव्हा वीर फुस्स हो गए। सोशल मीडिया पर सनाका खिंच गया ।

इस वीरता परीक्षण के सातवें दिन सरकार ने आदेश वापस ले लिया और आतंकवाद से निपटने पर मंथन करने लगी.

(copy pasted from Social Media/WApp)

Like a large percentage of secular Indians, I have an incident to share which may awaken the conscience of some of my fellow men.

The incident goes back to nearly a year, and even now evokes poignancy in my heart.

Last November I was driving back to Dehradun from Chandigarh – a fascinating four year journey, with the added attraction of visiting paonta Sahib Gurudwara. I had to break on my way to give myself and my car some rest. And what better than entering the abode of Guru. Besides, the soothing kirtan, it is the langar that one savours, seated on the floor among a multitude of people from all walks of life. Some partake in all meals as they have no means to satiate their hunger.

Breaking bread with them gives an indescribable spiritual high, and to experience this, one doesn’t have to belong to any one religion. I, too enjoyed the Langar and came out to get on with my journey.

I stopped to buy some knick -knacks from a kiosk outside the Gurudwara. Just then, I spotted  a family of gujjars (Muslim nomads who rear cattle in semi mountains and sell milk) in an intent discussion in front of a tea vendor. The family comprised an elderly couple, two middle aged couples and four children. Three women were partially veiled. They seemed poor as the eldest gentlemen (probably the father) counted coins and some crumpled notes.

Undoubtedly, the issue was how much they could afford to buy. They asked for three cups of tea and four samosa (popular Indian Snack)

Gathering courage, I asked him “Kya aap sab khana Khayenge (would you all like to have food)” . They all looked at one another with a mix of surprise, apprehension and a hurt self -respect.

There was a silence. Sometimes silence can be loud. Innocent eyes of the kids were filled with hope. “Hum kha ke aye hain ” (we have eaten already) he responded.

There was an instant retort, “kahan khaya hai subah se kuchh bhi abba” (We have not eaten anything since morning, Papa)

Hearing that, a dull ache in my heart caught me by surprise. The stern look in the eyes of three men and the pleading moist eyes of the women said it all.

I insisted that they come with me. They agreed reluctantly. We entered Gurudwara (The abode of Guru )

A good feeling descended over me as I deposited their shoes at the Jora Ghar ( Shoe deposit room in all Gurudwaras). The elders were awed by the architectural marvel.

However, there was a fear in their eyes, which was understandable. They were entering a non-islamic place of worship for the first time.

But the children couldn’t  care less, their innocent faces single – mindedly focussed on food. Some onlookers flashed strange looks from the corner of their eyes. But then I followed the children, adopting their easy attitude as they excitedly chose head wraps of different colours (Everyone is supposed to cover their heads inside a Gurudwara).

Except for the eldest member, all accompanied me inside and emulating me, bowed their heads and touched their forehead to the floor. Many others must have noticed, as I did, that these children went through the rituals with utmost reverence.They took parshad (offering)  from the Bhaiji (the priest) who asked them if they needed more. The children gladly nodded.

We entered the Langar Hall and I took kids along to collect thalis(plates).

They did it with joy, like only kids would. Seated opposite us was a newly married couple. The bride with red bangles accentuating her charm, asked the children to sit beside her, and two of them sat between them. The way she was looking after them, I could tell she would make a loving mother.

Langar was served, and though I had already eaten, I ate a little to make my guests comfortable. One had to see to believe how much they relished it. The initial apprehension had vanished and they ate to their fill. I have no words to describe the joy, I experienced.

We had nearly finished when an elderly sikh and a youth with flowing beard(perhaps the head granthi and sewadar -helper ) sought me out.

I was overcome by fear, and more than me, my guests were scared. I walked up to them with folded hands.

He enquired, “Inhaan tusi le kea aye ho (Have you brought them in)”. I nodded.

The next question had me baffled, “Tusi har din path karde ho?” (Do you say prayers everyday ).  I almost blurted “yes”, but it would have been a lie. So, with utmost humility I said “No”

Expecting an admonishment, he surprised me, “Tuhaanu tha koi lorh nahin. Aaj tuhaanu sab kuchh mil gaya hai ji” (You don’t need to, Today you have got everything). I was flabbergasted. Was it an advise or sarcasm ?  He added “Inha nu Babbe de ghar lya ke te Langar shaka ke tusi sab kuchh paa laya. Tuhaad dhanwad. Assi dhan ho gaye” (By bringing them to Gurus Abode for Langar, you have got everything from God. Thank you, we are blessed).

Then with folded hands, he walked up to the elderly couple and requested them “Aap Jad bhi idhar aao to langar kha ke jaaiye. Ye to uparwale da diya hai ji”  (When ever you happen to pass through here, come and have food. It is Gods gift)

I escorted my guests out of the langar hall. Just as we were to pick our footwear, one of the children said, “Hamne aur halwa do na.” (get us some more sweet offering). We went in to get more parshad.

Finally, as they were to depart, the elderly lady whispered to her husband.

I enquired “Koi batt hai, Miyan Ji”

Almost pleadingly, he said. “Yeh keh rahin ki, kya app ke sar par haath rakh sakti hain?” (she is saying, can she keep her hand on your head)!! I bowed as she blessed me with tears in her eyes.

A wave of emotions swept over me.

Is it my imagination, or for real, that I often feel the beautiful hand of a muslim lady, wrapped in purity and love, on my head?

Courtsey: Maj Gen SPS Narang @FB

The ancient Chinese game Go, which has a very high number of possible moves, was considered almost impossible for a computer to beat humans two years ago. Last year Alpha Go (a Go programme designed by two Go players) beat the best professional Go Player Lee Sedol in a five game match. Machine learning had breached even the bastion of strategic thought.

Impossible Foods, a fourth industrial revolution technology company, makes a plant based food that smells, tastes, looks like real meat. It threatens the future of the $90 billion meat industry. If only 20% of world population switches from eating real meat to alternative proteins it would free up 12% of total fresh water, free 400 million hectares of land and 960 megatonnes of CO2 emission.

Traditional manufacturing and service oriented industries are being disrupted in a manner we have never seen before. The first industrial revolution was triggered by the invention of the steam engine, which led to mechanical production. The second industrial revolution, catalysed by electricity and the assembly line, made mass production feasible and was catalysed by the discovery of electricity and assembly line. The third industrial revolution, from the 1960s onwards, was driven by computers, digital technology and the internet.

The fourth industrial revolution is being driven today by ten technologies that are transforming industrial production: autonomous robots; simulation; big data and analytics; augmented reality; the cloud; cyber-security; additive manufacturing; horizontal and vertical integration; the internet of things and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies are impacting the entire production value chain from design to productivity, speed and quality of production.

There is widespread concern over the potential impact of the fourth industrial revolution on employment. A vast range of jobs are at risk of extinction and rapid scaling could lead to accumulation of job losses. The other fear is that new technologies would lead to increase in inequalities and lack of social cohesion. Elon Musk has stated AI represents an essential threat to humanity and has suggested tight regulations. Bill Gates has said that robots need to be taxed to compensate for greater efficiency compared to humans and suggested the pace of automation should be slowed down.

A McKinsey report estimates that 400-800 million people around the globe could be displaced by automation and will need to find new jobs by 2030, for which they will require new skills. There will be considerable need for re-skilling and training.

Let us look at what new technologies could do to enable India to technologically leapfrog. The two indicators holding ease of doing business in India back are enforcement of contracts where India is 164th, and registering property where India is 154th out of 190 countries. About 3 crore cases are currently pending in Indian courts. Two-thirds of all civil cases in district courts relate to registering land. Blockchain based smart contracts could radically reduce litigation, bring transparency in land registry and eliminate corruption relating to land. India has a billion biometrics on Aadhaar. We have a unique opportunity to leverage our public identities to have many applications on a blockchain network.

According to a PwC report, AI will contribute as much as $15.7 trillion to the world economy by 2030. Given India’s strength in technology, favourable demographics and structural advantages in availability of advanced data India can be an AI pioneer. AI has the potential to add $957 billion to India’s economy by 2035, lifting it by 15% (Accenture report). India’s data diversity is a big draw for global AI implementers. AI can be a game changer in government where “scale” and “quality” need to be addressed simultaneously.

What does India need to do to embrace technology, create new jobs and meet the requirements of the changed scenario?

Firstly, we must realign India’s education system to emphasise skills rather than mere degrees. We must move away from the Anglo-Saxon system of education with emphasis on academic degrees, toward hands on learning in practical subjects. A beginning has already been made by Atal Innovation Mission. By 2018 end, nearly 2000 schools will have Tinkering Labs with robots, 3D printers, additive machinery, Internet of things and mentors so that children from class 6 onwards can build and experiment rather than only imbibe.

Secondly, we must constantly upgrade skills. There is a severe shortage of skilled manpower. India needs massive upgradation programmes in new technologies. Our IITs and IIITs must redefine themselves as institutes driving cutting edge technologies for the fourth industrial revolution.

Thirdly, we must create a highly flexible, resilient and adaptive workforce which is multi-skilled and has the capacity to undertake digital tasks from anywhere rather than a fixed location.

Fourthly, we must initiate measures to ensure that Indians are fully prepared to embrace the new era of AI, blockchain, additive manufacturing and emerging technologies. India cannot afford to bypass this revolution. This requires a new mindset. Our policies must drive this change.

Fifthly, we must work across disciplines and institutional boundaries. We must break silos. Medical data is an example. Life saving opportunities can be utilised by sharing large sets of genomic data across different health providers and research organisations.

Sixthly, our focus must be on social sector – education, health, nutrition where new technologies will enable us to improve the quality of life and enhance our human development index. These are also the sectors where maximum jobs will be created. Countries are still navigating the early stages of this new industrial revolution. Can India jumpstart this transformation?

Source: Times Of India