Incoming call for Working to Death

Voice calling, Manager calling, friends’ calling, Mother’s calling is very common to hear and our emotions and facial expressions changes accordingly. When the Manager calls, the thoughts pop up as “why is he/she calling me” “Oh no!.... Probably I am screwed”. Similarly friends and parent’s calls are the time of emotional bonding and sometimes an invitation for taking out all the grudges and get relaxed. Only time, we reach out to manager is when we need sick leave or holiday.

Now a day’s people know the price of everything whether its car, house, dress or anything but value of such things are not known. Time is limited to 24 hours for every individual. Within this limited time, spending time with family is more important than spending money on them. These days, working in private companies or own business is very tough. Working overtime is considered part of daily office life. Logging out at 6pm gives a feeling to the managers and colleagues that someone didn’t do his work properly. These days, working overtime doesn’t make you rich but definitely make you sick.  Situation in offices demands that “to be the best and successful, you have to work overtime”. 

Falling in the trap of being successfully, people work overtime. Have you thought the price you pay for overtime?

1.      You would have missed eating healthy food and would fall sick. You would have missed spending time with your loved ones

2.      Your children would be gone to the next grade without your knowledge

3.      No contribution to your child education

4.      You might have bought a house or car but you forget to make it a home or lovely possession for your family

5.      Your loved partner may have missed your kiss or hugging and your child would have grown up without your affection

6.      Sometimes due to regular overtime work ,one might get admitted to hospital due to some illness like body pain, heart attacks

Why do we have 8 hours’ work days?

In 18^th century companies started to maximize the output by making people work for 24/7. Initially the average person was not working for himself but he was working for the business of the employer. During the industrial revolution in Britain, a concept of the  8 hour working and 40 hour a week was introduced. Later giving importance to social and family life in 1817, slogan was changed to “Eight hours' labour, Eight hours' recreation, Eight hours' rest". Karl Marx advocated for short working days. He argued that longer workdays not only harmed the worker 

but they harmed the employer because workers were less productive. It’s like robbing the physical and moral development of a human labor power.

Now we are in the 21^st century where technology, human development, business and industries are prospering. We know our rights still we are forgetting and working as a forced labor. Without falling in the same trap, it’s time to work efficiently for the company, devotion towards the family and taking proper rest so as to bring back positive energies for the very next day.

We have to accept that we are humans and not machines. Human needs 4 energies to manage every day

Your physical energy – how healthy are you?

Your emotional energy – how happy are you?

Your mental energy – how well can you focus on something?

Your spiritual energy – why are you doing all of this? What is your purpose?

Symptoms of Overtime work load:

Usually the employees who work overtime tend to ignore the symptoms of ill health and don’t seek medical help. Later it becomes the cause of death.

1. Psychological distress – it comes with depression, anxiety, don’t get proper sleep and talk about work in the sleep

2. High or low blood pressure which can damage the heart due to work related stress. It is also one of the rising causes of young age heart attacks.

3. Body and joint pains due to sitting or standing for a long time related to the work conditions. Many software engineers get finger and back pains due to continuous working on computer.

4. Sick leaves are common where work pressure is high

5. Common stress symptoms are headache, not feeling hungry, tension, frequently checking mails in mobiles, obesity, rude, car or bike accidents as brain stops working due to work over load

Comparing world’s working cultures

Sweden

Sweden made headlines recently that country is moving to a six hour work day. Employers at Toyota noticed that impact of shorter duration made staffs happier, less attrition, better productivity and profit went up. Meanwhile, there are many job flexibility options such as flexible work time management, sabbatical leaves, paternal leaves are also shared.  After 5pm, Swedish employees go home to take care of the families. Working overtime in Sweden gives an indication of poor time management and poor planning.

United States of America

Work timing occupies the most strictly defined time in offices. Mostly Americans work for 8 hours a day. Most people have a tendency to finish work on the agreed deadlines. Working more than 8 hours demands overtime pays. Work is just a part of life and not Life.

Germany

German works 35 hours per week but maintains high level of productivity. Germany is the Europe’s industrial powerhouse and the leading good manufacturer for exporting. In German business culture, an employee at the office must concentrate only at work and shouldn’t be gossiping with co-worker or facebook. Work hard and Play hard suits Germans. Employees don’t hang out together after work as they maintain separate family and work life. The German government is currently considering a ban on work-related emails after 6pm so that there is no work pressure and connectivity between employer and employee after working hours. Germans are extremely punctual and even, a minute delay can offend them. Germans demand utmost respect from ever individuals and any unethical behavior can diminish any future negotiations.  

Japan

After Second World War, Japanese worked the longest hour to revive their country. In the post war era, men worked with sense of purpose and psychologically motivated to bring growth the economy. Later same enthusiasm brought dark glory. The Japanese coined a new term for death due to overwork known as “Karoshi”. Conditions for Karoshi is also laid out in Japan- victims must have worked more than 100 hours of overtime in the month before their death – or 80 hours of overtime in two or more consecutive months in the previous six. When we are talking about 40 hours a week, here victims would have worked double hours- 16 hours a day. Deaths of youngster, engineers, middle age man are rising at an alarming rate.  

So next time when you go to office - Decide what you want in your life. Be an excellent achiever in office by working really long hours or be a good employee, lovely parent and darling partner at the same time.  Please be aware that work never gets over. How you manage your time matters at the end of the day!

Caste System in India – Confused and Misunderstood

Varna is a Sanskrit word which remains as an unraveled mystery related to the Indian history. Varna term refers to the social classes. As per Hinduism, All Hindus should follow individual duties according to one’s capacity. It’s as per the qualities one possesses’. Over a period of time, people started to misunderstand and made it birth based instead of profession based. Many rulers and foreigners used this concept to divide communities in India.

Basically Four Varnas are common Professions existed during the ancient times: 

1. Teachers, scholars, physicians, judges, and priests (Brahmins)

2. Kings, soldiers, administrators, city planners (Kshatriyas)

3. Businessmen, traders, bankers, agricultural, and farmers (Vaishyas)

4. Laborers, artisans, blacksmiths, (including wealthy landowners) (Sudras)

Every human who is born must work. There should be a proper division of labor so that people work based on their possessed skills such as:

1. Brahmins – Sole responsibilities were to provide education to the society. This will help the society to develop all the ideal qualities required for an ideal living such as honesty, knowledge and wisdom.

2. Kshatriya – Generally these refer to peoples who were strong and who could fight back if someone invades the society.  So Kshatriyas were the protector. They are very brave and protect their citizens from any harm especially to women, elders or kids. Brahmins will guide them in any concerns relating to the welfare of the society.

3. Vaishyas – Only providing education and protecting a society cannot make a country prosperous. The society also needs people who can do business and cultivate food for its countrymen so that they create wealth and prosperity in the society. Thus, these groups of people were usually the farmers and business man.

4. Sudras – These categories of people who rendered services for others.

According to our epic Mahabharat, Yudhisthira, who always supported Dharma, defines Brahmin as one who is truthful, forgiving, and kind. He clearly points out that a Brahmin is not a brahmin just because he is born in a brahmin family, nor is a sudra a sudra because his parents are sudras. It is one’s education, qualities and upbringing that make him different.  If someone acquires knowledge, he acquires the status of Brahmin; similarly if one acquires fighting skill is a Kshatriya.

In close context to our epic Vedas and  holy books, Varna was designated as per one’s proficiency, quality rather than just birth alone. Every society has certain morals to follow so that there is a peaceful environment to live in. Nobody is superior or inferior. Everybody should work hard to bring prosperity. All mankind carries special responsibilities and are interdependent on others. 

Such as without farmers, there won’t be food to eat and Brahmin and Kshatriyas will be of less use. A boy/girl born of a Brahmin but drinks liquor, misunderstand culture, doesn’t understanding the real meaning of education can be called a Shudra. A boy/girl born of a  Shudra but he/she is intelligent, knowledgeable is automatically called a brahmin. If people don’t acquire knowledge and skills, they tend to serve others and are called Shudras. Thus it might act as a motivation factor to rise above this level or you serve others to earn a living. 

Examples – Caste is not by birth

Pandavas and Kauravas were the descendants of Vyasa(Brahmin) and Satyavati(Fisher woman), were well known as Kshatriyas on the basis of their occupation. Vidura, wisest and intellectual man in Mahabharat was respected for proficiency in every sphere of knowledge. He was born of sage Vyasa and Sudri (woman servant at palace). Valmiki was shudra by birth but became a sage and author of Ramayana. Janaka a known for his wisdom attained the rank of Brahmin instead of Kshratriya by birth. King Ashok, was the son of maid servant, is known as Indian emperor of the Indian Sub-continent. Kalidasa was a Brahmin by birth but originally an unintelligent person and after challenged by his wife, he left the house in the search of education and learning and ultimately known as the greatest poet.

Comparing with other countries

Many countries have their own the social division.

Please refer the below chart related to Spain:

Japanese Caste System:

 Britain Caste System

US Caste System

Divide and Rule:

In Ancient India, though the classes were defined but system was not rigid. A person born in any caste can choose to be part of the other class by acquiring new skills or getting educated.

Over a period of time, far away countries wanted to trade with India because of its prosperity and its growth. Soon it became the backbone of international trade.  Major plunder started when British, French and Portuguese reached India for trade agreements. In the process, European powers saw gold and silver richness in India. Slowly British people took control of the country by breaking down the backbone of the nation that is replacing the ancient education of divide and rule based on caste. It was a new concept for them and they used it as a tool to bring low self-esteem among people so that people fight against themselves and these foreigners can rule as dominated nation. During the end of British rule, India was unable to feed its countrymen; literacy rate was at its lowest, no income, and no industries.

After 70 years of Independence, the educated youths are moving away from approaches related to caste. Due to rapid industrialization and economic growth there is not much differences among people related to caste in the urban areas. Inter caste and inter religion do exist in India though we are at a stage where we can’t say that the caste system is disappeared completely.  Our Government introduced reservations in colleges and jobs to give a chance to the weaker section to develop them. Youths are aware of social status prevailing in India. These days youths are educated and are open minded. Youths are challenging the thoughts with the older generations and are working hard to bring the best talent in the society.  New generations are evolving out from the social stigma.  Many youths believe that one will become rich based on his profession and not by his caste system. These generations provide a sense of dignity and respect to those who are educated, knowledgeable without any reference to caste.

America - A voice of Rebels against Red Coats

Today everyone on this earth is familiar with a country called as “America”. America was discovered in the 15^th century by the sea adventurers. It emerged as super powerful compared to the countries discovered much earlier.  America is known for its super dominance in the world; gives recognition and awards to the talented people, open to new ideas, good at sales and building rapport.  Most of the Americans are independent. It’s a place where government invests huge funds in research and technology. Every thought that represents the countrymen has a history behind it. Let’s understand it in detail.

American’s Independent style of thinking started to emerge

Today’s America is the efforts of Europeans who left their luxury life styles and customs in Europe to bring a new country into existence. The Colonies of America were initially started by a group of Englishmen, French, Dutch, American Indians, German and Sweden. Many emigrants left their homeland for sea adventure, opportunity for profit or to escape from religious oppressions. During the 16^th century, it was an age of mercantilism. That pushed all Europeans to acquire various colonies possible to increase political power and private wealth. In early years, Christian religious group had an influential role in the British Colonies. Strict religious rules were imposed and were obliged to pay taxes. Because of difference in thinking, there was continuous struggle between Catholic and Protestant in Britain. Many emigrants started to leave their homeland as they wanted political and religion freedom and economic opportunities as many couldn’t find jobs during 1620-1635.

Many sailors started to voyage and lost in storms, many died of disease, children rarely survived and finally a handful of people reached the shores, full of dense forest. Several colonies started to settle down near shores of the sea and rivers. There were no utensils to cook, no proper clothes to wear, less food to survive, disease spreading and many had lost their loving family members. People who haven’t done farming previously started with farming, fishing, and building house. Everyone was having equal status and respect for each other as there were only a few people around them.  So they became more independent and accepted democratic views. Due to human shortage, they started inventing more tools which will help in cutting trees, fishes and cooking.

Under these circumstances, there was a new school of thoughts started emerging where people believed in working hard to make their living. Many came in contact with American Indians, who taught them to how to grow food in a barren land? Thus there was a sense of willingness to help each other and less burdensome and strictness related to religion. With abundant supply of land, soon people started to grow a variety of crops and tobaccos. There was agricultural development in the region, sufficient wood, and grassland for cattle contributed to the growth of several colonies in America. The desire for learning didn’t stop. Schools were started sometimes at home to teach the younger generation and then slowly schools were built to promote reading and writing. 

 American war of Independence

Many Europeans had established colonies in America. They were away from Great Britain still they had tied to Britain in terms of trade and followed the tax regime imposed by Britain.

As there were colonies of France and Britain in America, these major powers engaged in the war to extend the expansion of territory in the world. During 1755, Many English leaders and their troops travelled across the continent in order to win against France. Throughout the course, British officer trained the Americans who had completely no experience in the war. This training benefitted American in bringing a revolution. The war ended with Great Britain’s victory and Britain gained 13 American colonies and French territories. Unfortunately, war result bought seeds of trouble in the American colonies. War was an expensive venture and so Britain government decided to recover the war expense from the American colonies. So Britain started imposing high taxes on the good which angered the American colonies. Many colonists saw that there was no need of soldiers to stay in colonies after the war. The Boston tea party of 1773 dumped the tea in Boston Harbor as they realized that the colonies had to pay extra taxes for importing goods and Americans refused to pay. Many colonists realized that law was passed in England and not by their own government. So they protested and resisted by boycotting the British Goods.

The idea of independence started to spread rapidly. British Parliament was unwilling to respond to American’s demand for change. Many colonies gave a deep thought on how Britain is trying to impose laws on them and in future it might bring more trouble to the colonies. Finally London declared that colonies have become rebellion and instead of peace talk, war began in 1775.

A group of colonies fought against British Army in the battle of Lexington and Concord. Later Army from 13 colonies united to fight for their rights. The American volunteer Army was conducting military campaigns to fight against Britain. George Washington was chosen as Commander in chief as he had past military experiences. He guided the military to fight against Britain and finally he made harbor space unsafe for British ships. By March 1776, British men were forced to leave Boston and evacuated to the city.

A delegation of 13 colonies was formed which became governing body of the United States was known as Continental Congress. On 2 August 1776, formally Declaration of Independence took place as a new nation. British used their military experience to capture coastal cities but gradually troops were decreasing. Again in early 1778, war took place between France and Britain .Over two years, Spain and Netherland joined the French army which led to surrender of British army at Yorktown in 1781. Treaty of Paris in 1783 brought territory boundary and recognized the sovereignty of United States and brought an end to eight years (1775- 1783) fight.

Thus suppressing a rebellion in America posed a threat to Britain. Americans used local sources of man power, food and military equipment and were well known about the territory while Britain lacked human resource and troops in a foreign land. The rise of revolutionaries, thinking about own Independent nation, motivation and uniting several colonies for an unified country gave rise to the name of new nation – United States of America.

Know which Ghost hunted you in India and China

Various cultures and traditions in a country led to imagine Ghosts in a certain form. An Indian imagines a Ghost as someone wearing long white dress with fiercely teeth, white weird eyes and mostly it will have long tangled hair who dares to come only in the night. While Chinese people imagine Ghost as someone who dwells in banana tree appears in the night. Chinese usually expect a long red tongue sticking out of the mouth. Mostly ghost takes revenge if it had experienced some injustice while alive. Looking very closely, we will find that there are lots of similarities in ghosts which are influenced by other Asian cultured and their beliefs. The funny and the major difference is that Ghost in India looks like an Indian and while Chinese ghost looks like a Chinese.

Ghosts in India

A few famous words used in India are Chudail, Daayan, Preta and Pretni, Rakshasa. Sometimes people use these words to curse someone or use it as slang.

Let understand a lit bit about these Ghosts:

Chudail-It’s a term used for unhappy woman spirit. It’s believed that they would have faced a lot of trouble in life during pregnancy, childbirth or due to negligence of the family members and died unhappy. Their unrest soul takes revenge by sucking the blood of the victim.

   

Dayaan-Basically it’s one step ahead of Chudail. Daayan comes from word “Dakini” which refers to female spiritual being. It is believed that Daayan prefers to suck blood and feast of human flesh. Dayaan worship Goddess Kali. They prefer handsome men with whom they fulfill their sexual desires and typically hunt young men at night.

     

Preta and Pretni-In spirit world, Preta and Pretni exist are love couple ghost who died unmarried or either one is dead by committing suicide or due to some unfortunate reason.

Pishacha-These ghosts are huge built, dark complexion and bulging red eyes. They have power to alter human thoughts and can become invisible. They haunt in cremation grounds and graveyards. Female version is known as “Pishchini”.

Rakshasa-It’s a very common term used in India which usually refer if someone eats too much without any burden. Rakshasa can used for both good and evil spirits. It’s believed that wicked human being dies to become evil spirits. Usually they are gigantic, huge and strong monster.

A lot of time Indian women are killed in the name of witch hunting.  

A few popular Ghosts in China

Hungry Ghost (E guǐ )-The spirit takes the form of a ghost if death is caused by negligence. According to tradition, it’s believed that Hungry Ghost souls are reborn. Reason for death was because of misery, greed, anger and ignorance of other people. Thus they take shape of Ghost to bring an end to the evil deeds.

Ghost women (Nǚ guǐ)-Typically a depressed woman commits suicide while wearing a red dress and return to the land to take revenge from its lover or any family members. Red is a sacred color however it also represents anger and vengeance so dying in red color is inauspicious. Usually Ghost wears a white dress with long hair and will take revenge by seducing man and finally kill them.

Water Ghost (Shuǐ guǐ)-These spirits drown the people in the water bodies. They wait for the human to cross a certain point usually the place where they died. Then they drag the victim underwater and drown them thus spirit gets a new life in the victim’s body and tries to control the victim’s body.    

New Year Beast (Nián shòu)-These creatures come out during Chinese New Year. They attack villages once in a year and create havoc by killing many people.  It’s in the shape of a lion but has single horn on his head. It is believed that Monster is scared of 3 things - Red Color, fire and loud noise like fire cracker. Thus in New Year, Chinese people will decorate the house with red color and burst fire crackers to keep away from monsters or evil things.

Chinese Zombies (Jiāng shī)-Chinese Zombies are known for hopping with its arms stretched. They are known as vampires too. They are depicted as stiff corpse and wear garments from the Qing Dynasty. Either recently dead person returns to life or long buried person body doesn’t decompose. They kill a living being to absorb the soul out of the victim’s body. 

Indian Rituals related to Spirits

In Hinduism, It’s believed that a dead person soul hangs around for 13 days. Detaching Soul from Body is a gradual process as it was attached with it for a long period so various rituals are conducted to depart the soul in peace. Food and water are offered in the name of dead person known as “Pinda” for 10 days to satisfy the hunger of the spirit. On the 10^th day, Pinda offerings are divided into 4 parts:

1.       Two parts build up a new body for the dead

2.       One part goes to Lord Yama’s messenger

3.       One part goes to Preta basically refers to the spirit of the dead person.

Disembodied spirit of the deceased to obtain a new body for reincarnation happens in the next 3 days and it develops hunger which can be satisfied by offering some delicious food which includes non-vegetarian food as well.   On 13^th day, soul begins to depart by the servant of Yama and regrets for its evil actions. 

Ghost Festival in China

It’s popularly known as “Hungry Ghost Festival” and is one of the traditional festivals to worship ancestors. It’s usually celebrated during July or August every year based on the lunar calendar. It’s believed that Hell gates open to allow ghost to go back to the living world. Because they are trapped for a long time, they might be hungry. So families offer delicious food to their deceased ancestors. People pay tribute and also visit the graveyards to offer prayers and distribute food in all directions so that ghost can eat food from any directions. Some taboos are also related to it such as people shouldn’t wear red color dress, shouldn’t swim or cry near water bodies, shouldn’t move or renovated house, complete no no to open umbrellas and whistling and finally no birthday celebration on that day. On last day of Hungry ghost month, gates are again closed up.