A Case for Self-Regulation

There seems to be a great deal of talk these days on the growing importance of leading healthy and disciplined lives. Every newspaper, T.V channel, magazine, devotes at least a weekly/monthly feature on the same. As a result, a walk down the park and you will find both youngsters and elderly performing yoga in groups, having a loud laughter session or simply taking a quite stroll. It is heartening to note, thanks to the Swami Ramdev revolution in part and the growing health awareness among the masses that we are beginning to retrace our steps to the age-old remedies of good health and peace. These are welcome signs and indicative of the fact that we want to live healthy and happy.

Complexities of work and home take a toll on the families and relationships. Most of us live in nuclear ones and hence have a hard time balancing the time out evenly between demanding pressures at both ends. As such, it becomes imperative that we involve ourselves in some therapeutic practices that help in releasing some of the anxieties that modern lifestyle brings with it. Yoga is one such activity and so are other forms of exercises. However, there is more to it.

Our ancestors lived happier and contended lives even though they did not have access to all the resources that we have today. One sincere thought and you would know why! They followed strict rules with regard to their daily activites, ate simple food, walked a lot, depended largely on natural resources for everyday needs, and most importantly the division of work in families was such that allowed everyone ample time for themselves as well as for each other.

To imitate exactly what the past generations followed might not be possible or even practical to some extent in these times. However, I am sure you will agree that there are certain basic practices that each one of us, regardless of age, gender, religion etc. can follow to de-stress ourselves. These are not difficult to follow and, with little time management, fit within our daily chores. So get going for your own sake.

1. Practice meditation: This should be the first activity of the day and practiced everyday without fail. Choose any form that helps you focus on the Supreme. There is ample information around and you will need to pick one that works best for you over a period of time. Start with a convenient duration and then increase it to levels where you feel completely detached from the outside world (it’s possible, believe me!)
2. Draw up a timetable/list of activities: My wife often accuses me of forgetfulness and regrettably, it is one of those areas where I cannot defend myself successfully. Most of us remain unorganized despite the fact that there are tons of activities that demand our attention during the day or week. Draw up a list of such activities and check them off as you accomplish them. No more wild accusations!
3. Long walks: It is a divine pleasure to be able to walk in the wild, hear the birds chirping, smell the scent in the air, and most importantly admire the gift of nature in its flora and fauna. . Although, mornings are the best time to engage in it, choose any time of the day.
4. Turn off the news: If you are one of those who cannot start their day without a dig at the newspaper, you have company in millions. Consider replacing it with an inspirational or spiritual book for some days. As it is, news these days is more sensationalism than reality and usually fills us with remorse or sadness, one way or the other.
5. Get musical: It is said that music is the soul of life. We all enjoy it in one form or the other but often in the middle of our mindless routines, fail to appreciate its true power. Several researchers have concluded that music can not only divert your mind off tension and anxiety but also cure common problems associated with fatigue and exhaustion.
6. Sleep well: As per a recent study, we are getting more stress prone due to our tendencies to stay awake till late hours. Combine this with our crazy work schedules and you have a perfect recipe for a troublesome life. Discipline your sleeping patterns and cut unnecessary tasks from your schedule, if you have to, to get at least 8 hours of peaceful sleep.
7. Volunteer for social activities: When you engage yourself in the service of the needy and underprivileged, not only do you get a great sense of satisfaction but are also able to put your own problems in perspective. In spare times, do not hesitate to associate yourself with such activities individually or in a group.
8. Spend time with your family: You have heard this from everyone. It is a well known fact that those who spent more time with their family and close friends lead happier lives and are also more productive at work. Ensure that you provision for adequate time to stay connected to your loved ones.
9. Introspect: Although relationships help a great deal in making us aware of our shortcomings and strengths alike, do endeavor to spend some time alone as well. Visiting a quite park, museum, or library helps us get in touch with our inner selves.
10. Count your blessings: We are all fortunate or achievers in some way or the other. Rather than focusing on the negativity of life or things you could not achieve, focus instead on your successes. People who focus on positive energy experience a greater sense of well being and happiness.

Getting Real with Technical Writing

Ever since India woke up to an upsurge in Information Technology about a decade and a half ago, and subsequently became a hub of software exports to the whole world, millions of computer and engineering graduates have carved out great careers for themselves, bundling out software solutions day in and day out. However, in the early days, a software development company was happy to engage the services of engineers who could not just write several lines of code and test it but also create supporting documentation, interact with the client, and in extreme cases, even sell the software they created. Times have changed. These days, an integrated software solution, is the result of not just a lone stressed out engineer but the handiwork of programmers, testers, sales force, technical support staff, and host of other functions. But my interest in this write up is primarily a function that has grown with the industry, created great careers, managed a fair share of fortune in the IT goldmine (some highest paid professionals in the industry are technical writers, and yet remains elusive; Technical Writing!

Being married to it for some years now, I have delightfully observed it prosper. Though writing, with its different branches, has been well-known and respected since ages, the emergence of technical writers or technical communicators as some call it, is relatively new. I have always pondered about how technical writing or simply writing may have evolved through ages. The other day at the breakfast table with some of my esteemed colleagues (all technical writers), I accidentally triggered a similar discussion. In my usual boring and sometimes apparently contentious style, I leaped on every opportunity to suggest that we are writers first and technical afterwards. Hence, limiting our understanding only to the technology driven products, we were rendering extreme injustice to our own talents and skills. As writers, shouldn’t we aim at understanding everything under the sun that can be written about and then read? Aren’t we increasing our value and respect in this manner? As is customary to such discussions, I was confronted with several arguments debating the nuances of the trade.

Sadly, as it turns out, our vision appears shortsighted. The word technical has been taken so seriously or perhaps hyped that whenever we talk about a technical writer, it is assumed to be someone writing a user guide, install guide, white paper or something related, almost always for a software application (of course with very few notable exceptions). Note that elsewhere in US and Europe; writers cater to industries so diverse as health and medical care, manufacturing, education or academia, financial services, and insurance, among many others. That trend is yet to catch up here. If you can bring the same amount of versatility to your writing as is prevalent among these industries, you have carved a niche for yourself as a successful writer who is never short of opportunities and understandably money.

Ironically, it will be some years before technical writing comes to be recognized as a full-time and well-defined profession. Although almost every IT company (including big shots like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, and Microsoft) employs full time technical writers and comes out with open advertisements inviting them, it still isn’t a primary profession of choice. The roots of this dilemma are numerous; unlike the west where Universities have full time courses in technical writing (U.S by the way is the largest employer of technical writers employing over a lakh of them), Indian institutions of higher education have shied away from recognizing it as a highly sought after skill. The result is career wise confused technical writers who accidentally get into this profession by virtue of a degree in English (most of the cases) or an Engineering or Computers degree.

Another disconcerting aspect is the mindset. The managements (with a few exceptions) do not consider the job of writing documentation worthy of their respect. The standard argument being “Who needs a document?” Or “Anyone can do it! What’s the big deal?” However, fact is otherwise. I have had the opportunity to work directly with customers during one of my earlier assignments. The company I was working for did not supply a user manual for a new product that was launched in the market (why this happened is another story) and I remember several irate customers getting to the phone immediately on receiving their product and screaming “why didn’t your damn company bother to throw a decent $20 user manual for a $1000 product”. In the upcoming version, the company had to create a friendly user documentation to salvage the lost reputation. Also, users are genuinely concerned about the errors (such as grammatical and spelling mistakes) in documentation. A carelessly written manual immediately tells the reader that the product he has spent his hard-earned money on was improvised by a bunch of dawdlers in their spare time. This is often true; for the first impression— which is made by the documentation—is the best. Numerous other examples substantiate the need for efficient user manuals. The efficiency and acceptance of technical products lies in the amount of attention to details that has gone into their manufacture. Bad documentation is the shortest and the surest route to disrepute.

According to the figures furnished by the Society for Technical Communication (STC) there are roughly 1500+ technical writers in India. Almost every organization is waking up to the fact that documentation is an integral part of their products since it helps users understand and use an otherwise complex product.

All said and done, writing of this nature is here to stay and it is time efforts were made to project it as a truly viable, long term and profitable profession. I can bet my money on the fact that almost everyone, who accidentally got into technical writing some few years back have come to regard it as the most enjoyable, stable and rewarding experience.

The trick is to be well informed, well read and being flexible in learning new concepts, tools, and technologies.

The AXE Effect

You will be forgiven for thinking that this write-up is about tips and tricks on catching the attention of some blue-eyed beauty. Although, it is indeed about catching attention, the subject is far more serious and relevant. During the past few weeks, the complete stretch of trees along the road leading to my workplace has been systematically wiped out, supposedly to widen the roads.

It reminds me of a news story in the local newspapers some years ago, where the regulars at Sukhna (a spectacular man made lake in Chandigarh, my home town) vehemently opposed the cutting of branches of the oldest tree along the walking track. One of the many valid arguments put forth, being that generations had grown with it and that cutting it portrayed a complete indifference of the administration towards the sentiments of the community. Chandigarh Administration was quick to apologize. How sad then, that despite the massive scale of destruction over here (virtually the entire green belt along the road has been eliminated), no one even bothered to blink an eye. In the age of 24-hour news channels, where even the most irrelevant and ridiculous stories make their way into the news bulletins, this bare act just wasn’t sensational enough for a full blown coverage?

Not long ago, we were reminded that we have only a few years to save the earth from the disasters of global warming. Today, when climatic conditions are undergoing a rapid change globally and more and more nations are talking about conserving forests, here we are, witness to several trees cut mercilessly without any remorse or second thought.

While you may argue that cutting a few trees here and there will make no difference, this utter lack of sensitivity in bringing down several trees is surely shameful. Imagine the precedent that it sets. Wherever there is a possible traffic hazard or a commercial building coming up, eliminate the trees. As it is, the growth of residential areas in and around the tricity has consumed thousands of acres of forests.

It is agreed that with increasing population, more and more houses need to be built, roads constructed or broadened to tackle the increased volume of traffic. Yet, I wonder if we have already exhausted all other options so as to sacrifice trees and forests (some as old as two decades)? Can’t the governments or NGOs work on an awareness program that puts actual facts before the public, apprises them of the environmental challenges, and pushes the fact that they need to quickly figure out their role in tackling the crisis. Or is it that it suits the purses of our governments very well to indiscriminately allow the mushrooming of concrete structures?

Consider this; at the rate the population is growing, even these supposedly broader roads will one day become traffic nightmares. Then what? Will the administrations reach out to breach parts of our legitimate houses or land to broaden the roads even more? Trees cannot protest and hence are easy targets but I am sure that when our lands are invaded, we would create a ruckus. Has it even occurred to the residents (who I believe should have been at the forefront, leading the protests) in the affected areas that these trees have sheltered their properties for years and provided their present and past generations shade and fresh air? For their sake, had they united themselves, the government may well have felt the need to reconsider. Sadly, we saw none of that. It has somehow become our tendency not to bother about things that do not directly affect us. As long as we are breathing air or drinking water (no matter how polluted it may be), we have other important businesses of life to attend to.

So where are the solutions? Can the governments take it upon themselves to rectify the situation? The answer is yes and no. As I pointed out earlier, something as important as environmental conservation cannot be left entirely to the policymakers. An active public participation is mandatory. Change yourself and show the way. Drive less and smart, use public transport, walk or cycle to shorter distances, consider the carpool options to work or school, and work with your friends, colleagues, or neighbors to create awareness or share information. This remains our only hope.

As for now, the damage has been done. The least that we can do now is to make up for the overwhelming loss by planting as many trees and vegetation as we can. Perhaps Mother Nature will forgive us. If not, God help us for I am reminded of a Greenpeace slogan that said "When the last tree is cut and the last fish dead, we will discover that we cannot eat money". Think about it.

Food for Thought

The world has already witnessed a lot of debate on whether consuming vegetables or animals is good for humans. Fitness experts, dieticians, doctors, and even religious gurus have had their take on the subject and it is only logical to conclude that unanimity on the subject will remain elusive for some time. Lately, with movie stars turning vegetarian (though, I am not sure if this is out of serious compassion for the animal kingdom or publicity), and diseases like mad cow and bird flu doing rounds, the discussion has acquired a whole new meaning.

I had been an omnivorous myself before turning vegetarian. And although, I was convinced even during those days that vegetarian food was much healthier, my taste buds would occasionally drive me to savor my favorite Chicken Tikka (a famous north indian dish). Almost everyone who has grown up on non-vegetarian foods finds it difficult to develop a taste for vegetarian food no matter how sumptuous it may be. I was no exception until I began to observe the ill effects of fleshy food on my health. Quite athletic in school, I had developed obesity when I finished college. My digestive system had become inefficient, and my otherwise quick reflexes had become painfully slacky (basically I am using kind words when my actual state was that of a couch potato). As I began to investigate, it all zeroed down to my food and eating habits. When I was one hundred percent sure of the culprit, I eliminated all kinds of meat from my food plate.

As is obvious, my reasons for switching were purely borne out of concern for my health. However, there are several others like religious affiliations, doctor’s prescription, fear of bacteria and viruses such as bird flu, or quite simply affordability. Interestingly, a few of my friends who had been hardcore meat eaters completely relinquished it once they saw the miserable conditions in which the birds were kept and subsequently butchered. This syndrome affected me too to a certain extent.

It is also my personal experience that the reasons people stick to animal foods (other than taste) is because they believe that first, it is a source of strength and second, it has variety unlike vegetarian food. Although I am sure that the first reason is nothing but a false propaganda, the second does have some substance. With more than a million species of birds and animals inhabiting the planet, one can never have enough of them.
Non-vegetarians in our country are still conservative about what they feed themselves on, whereas their counterparts in other countries eat whatever comes their way (cats, dogs, rats, snakes etc.). If you have been a visitor to China, Hongkong, or Indonesia, you would know that there is literally a recipe for each and every bird or animal. So you see you can never fall short of variety.
As for the touting about it being a health food, consider this: It has been medically proved that in flesh, we consume what our bodies were never meant to. If a comparison was drawn between the anatomy of a meat eating animal and us, there would hardly be any match. They have teeth and claws designed to rip and tear animal flesh whereas we have teeth designed for grinding, not tearing. Our jaws move up and down as well as side to side, which a flesh-eater’s jaw cannot do. Flesh-eaters also have high hydrochloric acid content in their stomachs to break down and digest flesh, while humans do not. The digestive tract of the flesh-eater is short and designed to get the flesh out of the system before it has a chance to putrefy. The digestive tract of the humans is long with many twists and bends, which produce monumental problems for the colon when flesh foods are consumed. Is it a surprise then that our body takes an exceptionally long time to digest any food containing flesh as compared to any meal containing fruits and vegetables? In the present age where even human life does not command any respect or value, any talk of sympathy or compassion towards any other living specie feels like a joke. But I have come to believe that slaughtering animals for food simply because it appeals to our gastronomical senses is simply uncivilized and an act of cruelty.

Since the day I changed my food preferences, I have been experimenting with various combinations of fruits and vegetables and my body has never felt deprived. On the contrary, cooking has become much more fun, sans any guilt, all my tummy problems are gone, and though I can still afford to loose a few kilos here and there, the days of being a couch potato are history.

I certainly do not fancy that you will find this write-up inspiring enough to drastically alter your opinions on food, yet I sincerely hope that at the very least, it leaves you thinking.

The Flip side

Like many others, I admit to being addicted to the web. Initially when the Worldwide Web hit India and subsequently my city in India, I did not pay much heed to it. I had never been an IT enthusiast and had other pastime activities to engage in after my regular studies. Also, computers in those days (talking about the early 90s) were not easily accessible largely due to their high prices. I recall my best friend introducing me to Hotmail on his home computer. That day, I had my personal mail ID created and I still remember writing my first e-mail. What an experience it turned out to be!
Browsing in those days was expensive. Although, I loved spending more and more time on it, it turned out to be an expensive taste. Cyber cafes used to charge a whopping 40 to 60 indian rupees (depending upon the speed or how fancy the café looked) per hour and that was a considerable sum. So I had to restrict my urge to be online to once a week or ten days.

How times have changed! In the wake of communication revolution that India has witnessed in the last decade or so, I can browse from the comforts of my study room at broadband speeds and at half the cost that I talked about earlier. No wonder, the world has indeed become a smaller place.

However, the downside there is to every such phenomenon, the glory surrounding the Worldwide Web is also marred by an evil truth. Cyber crimes such as online frauds, pornography etc. have gently spread their wings. Although there are numerous illicit activities that can be performed in the disguise of a web site, blog or simply online chatting, the most offensive happens to be pornography.

The other day on the Oprah Winfrey show, the invitees were some teenage girls who had their personal websites hosting their titillating pictures and other obscene content. These girls, barely in their early 20s were stinking rich and obviously showed no signs of remorse or regret. Although when on a TV show, they could pretend that this was their need and that there is nothing wrong with it (we are not hookers, just posers being the argument), the fact is that moral values have degraded to such an extent that these girls barely out of school look for such easy means to make money and obviously attain perverted pleasure (and still not feel guilty about it).In India, this form of pornography is still unheard of but you do read about pimps involved in flesh trade show casing girls on cheap web sites or blogs to lure the prospective customers. Tons of such lewd websites act as references for our youngsters who are looking for some real information about a topic considered a taboo even today. Adding to the woes are cell phones with cameras and permission to use them in some schools and colleges. Then there are web sites selling pin hole or spy cameras (the kind that can be hidden) using which any pervert or peeping Tom would catch you in your most private moments.

The problems with tracking such crimes are that you cannot trace the identity of the individual or groups behind them. Everything is anonymous and the most you can do is track the IP address of the computer. Cyber laws are being discussed but sadly only within the confines of the news rooms when in reality, schools and colleges should be the realm of such discussions. The importance of sex education for the young can hardly be emphasized (by the way the touting about it started decades ago and still it is not a part of our standard school/college curriculum).

The Information Technology Act was passed by both the houses of Indian parliament in 2000 in recognition for a need to have cyber laws governing the use of IT and mainly to tackle cyber crimes. But success cannot be achieved unless we understand two things: One, that this is a problem which is only going to grow faster than we think (new porn sites are added daily) and second, that only we as parents, brothers, sisters, and responsible citizens can take the initiative to limit the menace, if not fully eliminate it. The key is awareness and observation. Watch your kids, spend time with them, educate them, and keep their raw mind engaged.

Let’s face it. Worldwide web is a reality whose positives far outweigh the negatives and it is here to stay. Censorship of the content on the websites, blocking them, registering the cyber cafes and punishing them if their premises are used to indulge in illegal activities are some measures that need to be undertaken in utmost sincerity.

So far, we have only concentrated on advertisements and shows on satellite television which frankly do not contain even half the objectionable content as is available on the Web.

That is the real threat and it is only getting bigger and smarter.