Is Hard Work Worth It?

When deciding if something is worth the effort, whether you have already exerted yourself or face the prospect of work changes the perceptions. 

When you consider a future effort, more work makes the outcome less appealing. But once you have completed the work, more effort makes the outcome seem more valuable. Our relationship with efforts are not simple. For many people, there is a sweet spot – a little effort might make something more valuable, but push too far and the value drops. It is like drop in interest in a proposal of 2 hours of easy workout in exchange to a 30 minute of moderate or strenuous one. At the same time, a beautiful movie 30 minutes away may entice more than an average movie just around the corner from home.

The question is - Why should timing even matter for effort? It is because the world requires “resource rationality” – optimal, efficient use of limited physical and mental resources, balancing the benefits of actions with the required effort. This is also very beautifully captured by the classic psychology of “Law of Less Work”, which basically talks about the idea that given equivalent outcomes, individuals prefer easier options. Anything different would seem irrational or, in plain language, stupid.

To draw a counter argument, why does then the mankind, even animals reward things that require hard work for no additional payoff? Anyone who has labored hard for anything knows that investing effort makes the final prize sweeter – whether in love, career, sports, or most things in our lives.

We need to investigate, and understand better how effort shapes different aspects of value: monetary value, hedonic value, and the aesthetic value.

My Name My Pride

There are many people who are bothered about their names. Most of these are although just caused due to perceived, external locus of identity and societal image. People perceive their names to either not match their social image, persona and personality or they have names that do not suit them, so they get laughed at. Let us understand and always remember that a name is a very personal thing. It is a powerful piece of our identity and who we are to the society at large. While some people have names because there is a clink to it, there are others who have names with meanings, in various languages, at times not even in the native language. For me, my name is my identity and I really love to be called by that - RAKA.

 Among the many reasons why I love my name is because it is unique and also because it was given to me by my late paternal grandfather. My name is an unique identity which makes me feel proud. When I was young, for obvious reasons I asked my parents the meaning of my name (more so as it had a resemblance to the name of a villain in a famous comics). They told me it is a Sanskrit name which means a "FULL MOON", which also has the same meaning in my native language - Bengali.

The relevance of your name stems from the fact that it is the subconscious effect that this word has on people - this is what people perceive unconsciously when they hear this word. This is the unconscious perception of most people when they hear this word. 

The omniscient Google talks about the personality and characterizes people with the name "Raka" as: You are also stable, disciplined, practical, reliable, hard-working, and frugal. Being impulsive is not your style. You think things through carefully before embarking on a course of action. Turning ideas to reality is one of your best traits. Your heart’s desire is peace and harmony above anything else. When people hear the name Raka, they perceive you as someone who is gentle, sensitive and intuitive. Predatory individuals see you as an easy target. You attract the opposite sex with your passion and attentive nature. The exquisite sense of beauty and excellent taste you show makes others admire you. You are patient and understanding when listening to other people’s problems. You have a deep well of feelings and intense inner world. Energetic, thorough, kind-natured, and perfectionist are some of the words that can describe you. You have an excellent work ethic.

Today after when I read all this, I found that how much and apt your name and its meaning actually affects you and your personality. All these personality traits and characteristics, in some or the other way is defining me as a person.

While there have been times, when people not conversant in a particularly aligned language, mispronounce my name -- "Rakha", "Rekha","Racca".... which is irritating, but still I prefer correcting them unless I am doing it over and over again. Anyways, the most important thing is that I love my name, 

It is my Pride, my Identity.

Pursuit of Simpler Life

In today's world, where a plenitude of social obligations and boundless digital distractions nearly drown out the voice of simplicity, it is even more prudent to connect with the inner voice and identify with who we truly are. everything in our lives takes up space, from mental to physical to even calendar, but unfortunately, we only have so much room to accommodate.

As another year unfolds itself and we look forward to new beginnings, opportunities, and forethoughts, it is opportune to retrospect and introspect the different elements of our lives. While there are plethora of ways to either simplify or complicate our objectives, inspire or be in despair about being able to follow up on the new year resolutions. While the extent to which our efforts bear fruit results in the emotions, it also decides our level of enjoyment or exhaustion for putting in the efforts.

The life that is spread out too far and wide, why not narrow it down and answer the questions -- 

a) What do I want more of in my life? 

b) What do I want less of in my life?

The answers to these questions will provide a direction to where to begin.

There are small changes in routine and perspective, so rather than committing to daily journaling, we could adopt a simpler approach, like reflecting on our day using the Rose-Thorn-Bud analytic method periodically, whether nightly, weekly, fortnightly or monthly. These small incremental steps hold immense power in contributing to the improved life, we aspire to have.

It is more important to get started than to get it perfect at the beginning. Consistency is the key to building a sustainable relationship, even with the self. By taking these manageable steps, we pave the way for a simpler, more fulfilling life.

Happy Independence Day

Being aware of our legal rights as an Indian citizen is also a fundamental duty we have towards the empowerment of the society and eventually the nation. While we may be familiar with some of our legal rights, either through schools, literature, conversations, they better not be hearsay and knowing them can make a significant difference in our daily lives. This Independence Day, let us explore these rights and conclude how they can be instrumental in our interactions and decision-making.

1) Right to File an FIR: The most recent one covered through media, movies, and other mediums; police officers cannot refuse to register an FIR. This right ensures that the complaints are taken seriously and investigated, instead of being ignored and a lesser number of crimes reported in the area by the force.

2) Right to Claim a Refund: It guarantees a full refund in case of dissatisfaction at the consumers' end with a purchase or delivery of a paid service, due to any acceptable criteria for faults or deviance from specifications. The vendor cannot deny such a provision.

3) Right of Maintenance: Indian CrPC provides for the maintenance of the wife, children, and parents - including adoptive and step, by an adult on whom they are dependent upon, and thus ensures well-being and financial security.

4) Right to Legal Action Against Traffic Police: If a traffic police officer unlawfully snatches the vehicle key, by force or otherwise, a legal action can be taken against the said officer. This ensures fair treatment and accountability on everyone's part in law enforcement.

5) Right Under Police Act: Police officers are always considered on duty, irrespective of the fact whether in uniform or not, but what is noteworthy is this law ensures due delivery of duties even if they are officially on leave, in terms of helping the victim or citizen instead of undue and unjustified exhibition or use of power to exert benefit or for an ulterior motive.

6) Right to Free Legal Aid: The Indian Constitution provides for free legal aid to those who cannot afford legal representation.

7) Right to Life and Personal Liberty: A couple who are lawfully consenting adults in a relationship (marital or live-in) could live together, and no person has the right to interfere in their peaceful living. If the persons living in a relationship have children, then each of their children will also get a part of their parent's self-acclaimed property.

8) Right Against Cheque Bounce: The Negotiable Instruments Act makes bouncing a cheque a punishable offense. If a cheque received has bounced against payment, legal action can be taken for this criminal offense to recover the due amount.

9) Right Under Maternity Benefit: No pregnant woman can be denied maternity benefits or be terminated from employment by any company, during the sanctioned maternity leave.

10) Right to Information: Right to information is a basic right of all Indian people. Any Indian citizen may seek information from public authorities, and the authority is required to respond at the earliest possible to an extent of maximum 30 days from the filing of petition, with a special provision of having the information furnished within 48 hours if the petitioner's life or freedom are at stake.

Knowing the legal rights empowers everyone to make informed decisions, stand up against genuine injustices, and demand fair treatment through the right channels. By ensuring that the appropriate legal system is abided by all stakeholders in the country, it helps design a better society, uphold the dignity, equality, and justice in the country and shape up a brighter future for our beloved motherland.

Me or S/He?

“Bhala uski kameez meri kameez se safed kaise?"

Hidden within this famous tagline is the existence of an essential component of our lives-COMPARISON. This may have both a negative as well as a positive connotation.

- My Life, My Friends, My Acquaintances

- My Job, My Salary, My Designation

- My Home, My Car, My Leisures & Pleasures

- My Education, My Certificates, My Social Connect

- My Family, My Children, My Relatives

... so on and so forth

While the above list can go on and on, the magnitude of comparison and heartburn is endless too. These comparisons can also impact us differently according to our outlook and attitude. Many a times these comparisons motivate us to push ourselves, it does also come with its fair share of dejection.

As there is a high urge of people these days to update the social media accounts with minutest details of their personal lives, the situation is growing graver and taking turns for the worse. While our own situation and privileges, howsoever great they may be, the accomplishments of others lead to newer desires and greater goals, as the wants of man are unlimited and easily overshadows the needs of man. This sense of competition, comparison, and urge to outdo others makes people slog it out more, while compromising on their health, family, friends, and most of all, peace of mind. It is rightly said - "Success Leads to Pride, Failure to Agony"

The epitome of this behavior in the Indian society - Sharma Ji ka beta graduation mein har semester mein 90% score kar raha hai. Now you want your child to score better and get a higher grade. This leads to us creating undue pressure on our child, disregarding the fact that the child is still in secondary school!

Do not confuse your path with your destination. Just because it is stormy now does not mean that you are not headed for sunshine. Be thankful for what you have, and you will end up attracting more of it in your life. If you are obsessed with what you do not have, you will never ever in your life have enough to satiate your wants. Life is not a race; it is a journey. We should contemplate why we need or want to compare ourselves and try to fit in, when we are born to stand out. Do not compare your first chapter of the first part, with someone else's second chapter of the third part. Gratitude develops faith, and the surest path out of a slump is marked by the road sign that reads - "Thank You God".

I sign off by saying - The tragedy of life is that we grow old too soon and wise too late.

Please share your thoughts, anecdotes, and wisdom on this beautiful journey called LIFE.

My School: My Past, Present & Future

A Lot of Who I Am is Because of My School. 

I spent 12 years of my early life there. Spending eight long hours every day at the same old buildings filled with delightful and exuberant children of different ages is not as easy as one thinks it to be. What is more, is the never-ending homework that accompanied only added to the hatred of many towards school. Undoubtedly, school is annoying and boring with a lot of effort going towards attaining good grades. Nonetheless, school is highly important; hence, the reason why our parents pressurized us to work so hard. Giving school a miss would have meant missing out an important stage of our life. Thus, out of the few negatives that come across going to school, it definitely has several positives as well.

School is the basic foundation of knowledge being imparted to a child. It gives a chance to children to acquire knowledge on various fields of education, such as people, literature, history, mathematics, politics, and other numerous subjects. Gone are the days when school meant just learning the events given in a history chapter or solving tough mathematical problems or reciting poems and sonnets!

Nowadays, school has become the first stepping stone in the life of a child, wherein he/she learns a lot more than just rote learning. Developing hobbies, refining them, learning basic etiquettes, getting skilled at multi tasking, developing social skills are some of the many things that a school equips a child with.

Having said this, schools especially in India are given little credit for their contribution to one’s success and no mention in the success stories because they largely ignore their alumni asset. Many progressive school managements are now rising up to claim what is rightfully theirs. It is rather surprising how the schools are literally in the dark about most of their alumni and how engaging with a subset through sporadic occasions like annual reunions seems to be the trusted mantra, and this in an age, where literally anyone can connect across the globe and deep relevant engagement is possible. Schools need to start engaging with their alumni beyond nostalgia. This network can then surpass the utility of other networks for employment, entrepreneurship, personal growth, life skills, and networking.

Everyone knows that the newly appointed Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal is from IIT Bombay but nobody knows the school he is from. Satya Nadella of Microsoft, on the other hand has spoken about his school Hyderabad Public School on multiple occasions. 

True outcome for a school is a student’s journey after school. No better ambassador for the school than its Alumni. While IIT/AIIMS admission can be one such measure, it surely is not the only one. Diversity in career choices, corporate achievers, entrepreneurs, sports accomplishments are a few others. It would be great to have more Indian achievers attribute some credit to their schools in addition to the IITs/NITs/Med Schools they graduated from.

I am a proud Tiny Tot, St. Josephian, DAVian, Chinmayite and DPSite (well.... father was in a transferrable job, so had many great institutions contributing to shaping me to what I am today)

Reflections of 2021

The end of the year is a wonderful time to reflect upon what has been, where we are, and where we are going. Anybody who could have predicted this year that unfolded would have been called crazy, as who could imagine the pandemic with its consequent lockdowns, quarantines, loss, change of lifestyle, and on and on.

Much has been made about counting our blessings as we close out the year. Psychologists believe that expressing gratitude, particularly writing gratitude lists, can be very beneficial for people’s state of mind and soul.  There is nothing wrong with gratefulness, yet that seems to cut the real possibility of reflection short.

As the current year winds down, the new year brings exciting plans and opportunities. Going forward, I have made it a habit to take time to reflect during the month of December, assessing the previous year by reviewing what went well and what could have gone better, and how I can grow and change to meet the needs of future challenges. This reflection sets the stage for my personal and professional “New Year” goals.

What went well: There is a lot to be impressed with in 2021, but for me, at the top of that list are the COVID-19 vaccines, recoveries, and resilience witnessed world-over. Well, personally too I came back from the hospital with some minor physical attributions from almost a near-fatal condition.

What I wish went better: I can’t remember when we stopped listening to each other, and by that, I mean listening to those who do not think exactly like ourselves, be they our friends, parents, siblings, or kids.

I have no illusions that 2022 is going to be easy. I know that the pandemic will not be gone soon, but will eventually do, all of them do, our societies may struggle with the philosophical, and psychological polarization driven by perspectives, and the workplace will continue to be redefined, yet, I can’t help but be optimistic.

While I work on my 2022 “New Year” goals, I am pretty sure they will revolve around making the world a better place, investing in people, and being ethical and transparent.