Kanan Jaswal's Thoughts for the Days of May 2021

 01 May:     When China has refused to withdraw from Hot Springs and Gogra, and has continued to occupy our parts of Depsang Plains, it will be a monumental shame if India accepts medical or any aid from that country.

02 May:     Now a days, when the formal leadership seems to have faltered and will need time to regain its usual confidence, it is for each of us Indians to exercise self-discipline and act responsibly and compassionately.

03 May:     From tiny Bhutan to the super-power United States, no less than 40 countries are helping India tide over the acute shortage of medical oxygen and other means to fight COVID-19. This shows how much distance we have to cover before attaining our goal of Aatmanirbharata or self-dependence. 

04 May:     By only papering over cises, India will never be able to stand tall and look other nations in the eyes.

05 May:     China mocking India's new Covid cases in a day crossing 400000 should ignite in us a determination that never again, howsoever adverse the circumstances might be, we, as a nation, will be found wanting.

06 May:     Remaining free of COVID-19 is the new definition of happiness.

07 May:     One need not say inspiring leadership because leadership would be nothing if not inspiring.

08 May:     Blocking highways and thus greatly inconveniencing millions in a bid to force the government to concede your demands is not a civil right, it is a civil wrong!  

09 May:     When everything seems lost, we have to find courage and hope deep inside us. 

10 May:     By accepting some COVID-19 relief material from China, this about the most populous nation of the world has shown that it woefully lacks in self-esteem.

11 May:     In desperate times like these, genuine leaders are separated from fake.   

12 May:     Today is the first day of the rest of our lives, let us, therefore, do everything in our reach to make it special.

13 May:     A government should govern, not just rule, and should also be seen doing so.

14 May:     The cardinal principles of good governance are, first, describe the things as they really are, take responsibility to improve them to a certain level within a time frame, and then do that.

15 May:     When death is the end of all thoughts, of all sensations, hence, of all fear, why should it then be feared so much?  

16 May:     When a sesnse of achievement is stoked to turn into hubris, utter failure is never long in coming.

17 May:     Whatever be the circumstances, our happiness lies in trying to improve them.

18 May:     COVID-19 is serving as a cruel reminder that our time on this earth is limited and that we should not delay doing whatever good we can. 

19 May:    Having unimpeachable integrity is a necessary condition for doing good science. 

20 May:     Don't feel small in seeking help from others and if they forbid a repayment, just pay it forward.   

21 May:     Decide how you would like to be remembered then live the rest of your life in a manner fully justifying that.

22 May:     Admitting a mistake, small or big, should not be difficult. Does it not clear our conscience and add to our credibility?

23 May:While cheating others is criminal, cheating yourself is the descent into a living hell.

24 May:     In some situations, being paranoid helps in better preparing to face them, but being complacent is always harmful and, at times, might even prove disastrous.

25 May:     Helping others whenever we can and with whatever we can earns us a moral right to seek help when we ourselves need it.

26 May:     It all can go only downhill for us when our reputation becomes more important to us than our character. 

27 May:     It is really difficult to forgive a person who has attacked and condemned your values and principles.

28 May:     Want to get into the success habit? Never postpone doing something important even if it is not easy or agreeable.

29 May:     By not admitting our mistakes and showing contrition for them, we are making ourselves open to commit many more mistakes and even repeat some.

30 May:     If you miss an appointment with someone, it means either you do not value them, which is bad, or you do not value your own word, which is worse, or both, which, obviously, is the worst.

31 May:     If you are in the habit of showing great consideration for others, beware! There are bound to be some who would regard that as your weakness and would like to take undue advantage.