5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Inherit College Education from your Parents

Right from the time a child is born, parents start worrying about their education. More often than not these worries are laced with desires to carry on the family legacy of studying in a particular college. However, in today's time of choice both parents and children should be increasingly more conscious about the available options before choosing. Are you about to start college and are being pressured by your parents to choose a college of their era and their choice? Or are they insisting on you getting into the college that they studied at? Read on to know why you should stop right now and rethink.

1. Old may not be gold - The college that your dad went to used to be the best at its time. Agreed. However, yesterday's best may not be enough for today. With increasing private investment in education there are so many more institutes that have come up which are offering world class facilities.

2. Courses on offer - Unlike dad or mom, children today don't aim to be just doctors and engineers. Colleges from yester years catered to the aspirations of the youth back then. However, aspirations have evolved today to include off beat career choices and dad's college is unlikely to offer you that.

3. International exposure - Internet has made the world a very small place. Which means that today's youth needs to be prepared for the world and that is only possible if you get to mingle with the world. Colleges today like Lovely Professional University provide first hand exposure as students from different countries and cultures form part of the campus. This surely isn't something you'll find in dad's college.

4. Extracurricular Activities - World class facilities to encourage sports among the students are being stressed upon in new private universities unlike your mom's college from the 80's. And you'll agree all work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy.

5. Campus - College is where life's best memories are made and it makes for real colorful memories if the backdrop is beautiful. It's an added advantage if the college that you choose has a green, beautiful and modern campus. Hence, #thinkBig and make a wise choice while picking on a college for your future.

About friendships and hugs

I am sure almost all of us cried on our first day of school. That feeling of being snatched away from your mom, your first friend in this unknown world, must have brought hysteric tears to your eyes. Then slowly tears gave way to a big smile in the ensuing days – all thanks to the tiny hands of a friend who held yours and together you were able to make that bond called friendship. These most special bonds become a source of myriad of experiences over the years making us smile, laugh, cry, shout, celebrate and get into trouble all the time. Some friendships last an hour, some a few months or maybe a few years and some last a lifetime. Recently, I got back in touch with one of my first real friend (we studied together in class 1 and 2) after 22 long years all thanks to a common friend and of course Facebook and Whatsapp. Two people who met briefly right at the beginning of their journeys, remembered each other through the thick and thin of life. I plan to visit her soon in Switzerland and have loads of fun - something that we missed out on all these years. But yes, we will remember to celebrate responsibly. Wink!

I would like to share a small story from my school life. A story that reflects that fire makes the gold shine brighter or tough times make friendships stronger. Sample this - we were 2 friends in class 8 (well within our teens and senses), convent school in a small town. Both of us enjoyed our time together in class, lunch and play. Neither of us were into big school gang etc. Then came a third friend in the picture. We started off as common friends but slowly the friendship between my friend and this third friend started to become stronger and jealousy started to creep into me. One fine morning I went to my 2 friends and said something nasty. The third friend pushed me hard (so much so that I fell down on the playground). Anger rose in me and I scratched the face of my friend (some blood could be seen). I was angry that how did she let the third girl hit me and didn’t do anything about it. I also saw a slight smile on her face when I fell. Before either three of us could get the sense of what had just happened, another girl from our class saw me scratching and immediately complained to the teacher. What followed was a huge lecture and a forced patch-up attempt by the class teacher.

Obviously I was crest fallen and ashamed of myself by the end of the day. Kept thinking about what I had done and fearing that I have lost my one real friend forever. Then came the most difficult morning of my life – the morning after. I reached school reluctantly and saw my friend at the assembly. I couldn’t muster enough strength to go to her. The only thought in my mind was to run away. Then I saw her walking towards me. She came to me, hugged me tight and murmured a sorry. That’s it. It was enough to wipe away all the bitterness, anger and awkwardness. The slate was clear. The bond was stronger. Forever. Three years back, the two of them made it to my wedding, flying in from different parts of the country – my only two friends. Moral of the Story - share a hug. It’s the only thing needed in the most difficult emotional situations. It strengthens the yaari dosti of friends and makes them last a lifetime. 

P.S. This blog is intended for audience above the age of 25 years.

Clean India, Green India – Renewable Energy Perspective

Considering India's recent notable policy reforms in the renewable energy sector, Bloomberg New Energy Finance has ranked the country at fifth place on a list of 30 countries on ease of doing business in the renewable energy space. $52.5 billion Total clean energy investments (2009-14) in India. However, it’s a long journey that we as a country have to cover to reach the goal set by Modi government to reach the target of 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022. And most of this has to do with the awareness about the various renewable sources of energy available.

Let us take up the case of wind energy. Wind energy is a free, renewable resource, so no matter how much is used today, there will still be the same supply in the future. Wind energy is also a source of clean, non-polluting, electricity. Unlike conventional power plants, wind plants emit no air pollutants or greenhouse gases. However, lack of widespread awareness among the masses has prevented governments from using this clean energy source to its fullest.

To this effect IndianWind Turbine Manufacturers Association has launched Windergy India – a unique digital platform to create awareness about the Wind Energy sector in India. Windergy India, is slated to be the voice of the Wind Energy industry. Windergy India aims to create wider public awareness on the benefits of wind energy, and the sector’s efforts in India. Its mission is to develop recommendation for Wind Energy among the general public and to establish wind energy as a viable solution to India's energy crisis and its impact on global warming and climate change.

States like Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan have already embarked on the wind energy bandwagon and have ordered or started working on projects installing wind energy plants within their states. At 7.4 GW, Tamil Nadu has more wind installed than any other state. Thanks to years of efforts spent in increasing awareness about the usefulness of wind as a renewable and clean energy producing source and advancements in technology, the industry is finally running catching up on investments and quick approvals from governments. In a measure to promote clean energy generation, the Indian government has exempted parts and components used in wind-operated electricity generators (WOEG) like tower, rotor and blades from excise duty.

Update: The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference has strengthened the resolve
of clean energy crusaders like never before. The attention that the sector has received by the 
heads of various countriesincluding India and USA is going to go a long way in bringing 
renewable energy sources such as Wind Energy to the centre of action for most governments.