"Being educated and being literate are two different things" - Ranjit Patel, a young student and eSports Commentator exhales.....

Changes, resilience and reforms cannot materialise without young minds. It is my vivid observation as a teacher, that young people, a students or not, have a definite views. Every generation has its own ideas and own original views and a perspective on the problem…..and often, they are right.

Ranjit Patel, is a student of computer engineering in Surat. He is like any other young person….full of youth and enthusiasm. What makes him different and special is, his choice! Apart from being a student, he also is eSports Commentator (Shoutcaster) and a Host. In simple terms, he is a commentator and anchor, for gaming competitions for computer games – not an ordinary carrier. And different thought, lead to different solutions. Pasting his views, as they were sent, here....

"Surat is one of the finest cities in this country and one of the best cities to live in. But a lot of things could've been way better if people were a bit more considerate and the planners put in a bit more thought into some of the projects that have been developed in the city."

"First of all, BRTS is a really good concept, but the problem with it in a city like Surat is the fact that surat hasn't really been "Planned" and the BRTS project in that sense hasn't really been planned at all. Now, obviously all the feasibility tests have been conducted for the project, but planning in the sense that if it should be carried out in a certain region or not has surely been poorly done."

"If you go beyond Minibazar towards Katargam, there are hardly roads with two lanes, and the fact that more than one lane has been occupied for BRTS services just doesn't make sense to me. The only route which has been properly planned for BRTS in my opinion is the Udhna Magdalla road and the canal road which goes towards Sarthana because it's probably the only road which was developed keeping BRTS services in mind."

“And the Reason why I'm heavily critisizing the planners/designers is because if you go to Gaurav Path, it is still wide enough even after the introduction of BRTS, but the problem is, the overhead bridge. It just goes on to show how much "Planning" (I'm being sarcastic with this one) has been put into it and how much Municipal Corporation and SUDA Lacks coordination.
The foot over bridge was built before the work for BRTS was started, but that doesn't mean they weren't aware about the plan for BRTS (unless I’m completely wrong. Which I really hope I am). Because of the foot over bridge, the foot path on the left couldn't be widened at the point where the bridge has it's support and the base, which in simple words creates a bottle neck."

"So you have the whole Gaurav Path from Kargil Chowk to Lal Bhai stadium with two lanes, but at the point where the foot over bridge has it's base, there's only one lane due to the bottle neck, which literally throws all the "Planning" out of the window."

“Then comes my second point, civic sense. I currently live in Surat’s one of the finest areas, i.e Vesu. But even though it is one of the finest areas in terms of facilities and amenities, the mentality of people still remains the biggest hurdle. I live in a society with 13 Buildings and a huge campus, but the fact that people still throw garbage out of their window most of the times still infuriates me. Because it's not just the garbage at times, I've literally seen milk coming down from a window, because I've been the "Victim" of it (Yes, Milk was quite literally showered on me while I was on my way to attend my classes)."

"This is one thing that will not change immediately, it will take one or maybe two whole generations to change, but this change will only be possible if the educational institutes start from the grass root level. Putting education first rather than literacy."

“And this brings me to my third and the last point."

"Being educated and being literate are two different things that a lot of people don't realise."

"And let's just say that 95% of the population which has been to school is just literate and not educated. The reason why I'm saying this is because, I've seen this, and I've been through this. I picked up a non-conventional approach to my career which a lot of people might not understand at first and that is totally understandable. The problem starts when you try and explain it to them but they still do not want to change their views about it."

"I'm not going to use the big words that "the system needs to change and blah blah", but rather it is on the institutes to take necessary steps to cultivate the talent and the passion that the children possess."

"So I'll conclude by saying that reforms are necessary and that too major ones. It will take time, but the changes will have to start now. Because let's just face it, schools and colleges put in a lot of emphasis on marks/placement (more than necessary) and fail to realise that there is a lot more to the students than only these two things."

"My appeal to the institutes would be: Let's start off by making better humans first rather than making better students."



"If we succeed in doing this, the solutions to the problems will come automatically."



Thank you, Mr Ranjit. We look forward for more interaction....,




Himanshu (Arjun) Padhya

Celebration, Yes, Resilience.....?? It's a long way.....

Thick cloud of smoke hovers over the major roads of the city as this is being written....mainly in the area of Piplod and University road......decreasing the visibility if the road to a considerable extent, demanding that extra attention from the driver.....

And its not some early winter fog...its the smoke from Diwali crackers.....the effect of this pollution will remain for many days and Surtis will keep on breathing this polluted air.....health issues will follow.....it will again demand those 'extra' efforts from the authorities to bring the city to its usual pace. Not to mention the noise pollution and solid waste issues also.....

A lot many people who have contributed to this blog have repeatedly appealed and insisted for 'celebration with responsibility'.......we must sustain....we must celebrate and conserve our environment at the same time, so that our future generations can celebrate like we do......

Picture taken on Diwali 2016 night. Click on the picture for HQ resolution.

Surat had spirit like no other city. We are the city that got up on its own after the floods of 2006. And Sutis, do understand. But it's just that the time demands we understand more. Not a little more....a whole lot more. 

And there was this interesting sidebar. I was able to speak to some rag-pickers who were busy collecting the boxes and other debrief from fireworks. They would sell these at 08, eight rupees a kilo to some contractors..... This was not the case before a few years.....this will definitely help in cleaning the streets and roads mode effectively and rapidly..... 

Rag-pickers earning their minimum wedges were seen active. An interesting sidebar.

Once again, it's time we showed that Surti spirit for our city, our environment.  A lot has been said and written. We already have enthusiasm for the celebration, and now we need that 'sense of belongingness' that seems so lost......

Wishing a very happy new year to all reader and Surtis....lets make that change, let's make it NOW...!

Himanshu (Arjun ) Padhya

Wishing Happy 'Resilient' Diwali and a very Happy New Year to all.......

‘Diwali’ is not just a celebration of light….as we all know it is a celebration of victory of good over evil. It is the celebration of the day, when Shree Ramji defeated Ravan, and returned home to his parents’ blessings.

A lot of readers, almost all readers and concerned citizens have already expressed their views on celebrating our festivals with more concern, and more sense of belongingness towards our Surat, and our environment.

So let us, one more time, get together, for a celebration that is more environment friendly. Let us all seek blessing from Shree Ramji, to make our city more ‘resilient’, more environment friendly, and a better place to live.

Happy ‘Resilient’ Diwali and a very Happy new year to everyone…..

Team,

100 RC

Surat

Diwali 2016 

Surat Speaks - Ms Mimansa Shastri, a dynamic post graduate from PRL, ISRO in Space and Atmospheric Science, stresses on methodological changes in our way of life......

“The recent prediction as presented by a Times of India report says that 2016 will be the hottest year among 2014 2015 and 2016. I am little perplexed. Am I the only one who is feeling this ever existent – more than required warmth in the urban areas? Or am I the only one who has read so many things about man made global warming and can relate to it? Why are the well-educated and well aware people not speaking a word about conservation of environment. Is this one issue which everyone is missing out?? Why people of India are afraid of sensationalizing this extremely important issue which the whole world is talking about?” Writes Ms Mimansa Shastri, on her blog. Her concerns, though expressed a year ago sound still very much contemporary…..and that’s the reason why they are important.

Ms Mimansa Shastri, is one of those ‘different people’…..she has her M.Sc in Applied Physics from SVNIT and post graduate diploma in Space and Atmospheric Science from Physical Research Laboratory – PRL, (mother institute of ISRO), Ahmedabad. Her expertise in these fields, with background of internationally acclaimed institutions, adds the gravity to the concerns and issues she has raised…...

“During the PG Diploma course work I got interested in atmospheric science and started researching on the atmospheric aerosols. During the research work I came across research papers which showed how festivals impacted negatively on the environment which ultimately lead me to a conclusion that we need to start making common people aware about the present scenario and how by implementing simple changes in the way of our celebration. We can bring lot of positive change in the society. I strongly feel that some methodological change is required in the way we celebrate Ganesha festival and Diwali. For instance installing eco friendly Ganesha which can be immersed in water at home and reused as soil for home plants/ using alumn as material for building Ganesha idols…..” Shastri further adds.

“With some of my friends I’ve started an initiative under our group ‘Rayzz of Hope’  for spreading awareness regarding the eco friendly way of celebrating festivals. I try not to lose a single chance for speaking against the issues of air/ water/ land/ noise pollution which citizens generate in the unnecessary activities.  I feel that since we have started finding eco friendly alternatives for so many other day to day activities then why festivals should be excluded.  We need more voices to make our voice stronger. I plead Surtis to spread the cause as much as possible.”

Participation of common people is most vital in bringing solution to any such issue. This blog, aims in becoming a platform for like minded people like Ms Mimansa and bringing their voices on one common platform.

One cannot agree more with Ms Mimansa. When the concerns are coming from experts like herself, it is important for every citizen to think, and rethink our way of life – ‘lifestyle’. If we wish to maintain our way of life, we must improve it for better….!

Sincere thanks, Ms Mimansa…….

Himanshu (Arjun) Padhya