Let’s Ignite the Mind, again!

It was 2009 when I was in 7th grade, my English Activity teacher, Suvashri Ma’am, recommended me a book called – “ignited minds”.
For the purpose of the project, I read the book, reviewed it and also scored an ‘A’. I had absolutely forgotten about the book that I ever read, only recently, a week back I discovered the English Notebook with an A, a red circle around it and Suvashri Ma’am’s initials on it. That moment when I re-read the review I had written, I was taken aback and was made to think, what as a seventh-grade student, I wanted to aspire and where I am here today (I didn’t mean, I regret any of my decisions! But my aspirations back then were patriotic. So this also, questioned my existence – Have I started belittling the people in the society who are on the backstage where the nation is showing its show? But let’s get this more clear, what followed next).

So, a week back, upon this great realization, I switched off my social media handles – WhatsApp and Instagram and got my eyes from an eight-inch screen to a book. I took this book, the one recommended which was also personally signed by the Former President APJ Abdul Kalam Sir.

The story behind getting this signed copy is altogether very special and today’s blog is not for that. Today’s blog is about what I learnt from the book, which still aspires me even after eleven years, where so much has changed. As a thirteen-year-old, I read the book only for the purpose of the project. But as it was countrywide lockdown, I re-read this book with greater perspective and open-mindedness.

So, here’s the thing, I promise to share twenty-one life aspects that I learnt from this book. In return, I want a favour from you all – to follow at least one thing, from the bunch. And forward this to three of your friends, not a Salman fan but Jai Ho movement can be initiated as this is what is genuinely required.

So here are my learnings from the book:

1. Leadership must lead us all to prosperity.
2. Scarcity of resources is not the cause of our problems, our problem originates in our approach towards them.
3. There are more reviews that views available.
4. Knocking at others’ doors will be futile. Instead of importing theories and transplanting concepts, we need to grow our own solutions.
5. Triumph is a peaceful kingdom.
6. Happiness and bliss are two important components of godly life on Earth. Perhaps there is so much conflict between people and nations because, in our pursuit of prosperity and power, we have lost sight of ethical values.
7. Spirituality must be integrated with education.
8. It is no wrong to feel that it is somehow shameful or non-spiritual to desire material things.
9. Our country has a unique characteristic – to belittle our capabilities.
10. Role models can help us focus on what is correct for us as individuals, as groups, and, of course, as a nation. They can also lead us to great success. We seem to have got carried away with the success of a few in the field of information technology. But that is indeed nothing compared to what we can and should achieve. Ancient India was a knowledge society and a leader in many intellectual pursuits, particularly in the fields of mathematics, medicine and astronomy. A renaissance is imperative for us to once again become knowledge superpower rather than simply providing cheap labour in areas of high technology.
11. India needs proper representation of young professionals and farmers because without their involvement India cannot succeed and with their involvement, she can’t fail.
12. Our civilization is rich, which leads to forward-thinking, harmony, and better understanding. With such a great nation and people, why are there communal clashes? It is simply because, when a nation doesn’t have visions, small minds take over its affairs.
13. For great men, religion is a way of making friends; small people make religion a fighting tool.
14. Is it not in our national interest to demonstrate to the world that we can think of a world beyond Pakistan, that we are a qualitatively better, more mature and secular country with a greater commitment to the values of democracy and freedom?
15. We need three factors for a strong nation: a collective pride in its achievements; unity; and the ability for combined action.
16. The central theme of any religion is spiritual well-being. Indeed it should be understood that the foundation of secularism in India has to derive from spirituality.
17. The question the young need to raise is not who would allow us, but who can stop us?
18. Unless development is directed towards state-based industries, working on huge national missions through centralized planning will not do much for real prosperity.
19. We need to realize that missions are always bigger than organizations, just as organizations are always bigger than the individuals who run them. Missions need effort and the mind provides the purpose.
20. No ideology is above the security and prosperity of our country. No agenda is more important than harmony among the people.
21. All we need as of now is – teachers, saints, politicians, scientists, economists, and industrialists with VISIONS.

I have no idea, why I was away from such thoughts all my life lately. It is, therefore, very imperative to note that, instead of news media, we need to read visionaries, who actually contributed towards the nation-building. All of a sudden, the entire world has stopped reading books!

START READING BOOKS.