Book Review: Kanshiram

(Photo: cocktail dresses) Book: Kanshiram: Leader of the Dalits
Author: Badri Narayan
Publisher: Penguin/Viking
Pages: 265
Kanshiram was to Dalits what Narendra Modi is for Hindutva - an icon. Much like Modi, Kanshiram struggled from an early age to ultimately make a mark in politics. But the struggle was much harder for this sturdy 'Chamar Sikh' from Punjab with a Hindu name.
Unlike Modi, Kanshiram had no political party to lean on. After backbreaking efforts, he founded one, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which, in just a short period, ended up as one of India's major political formations, shaking up the Congress in the state which matters, Uttar Pradesh, and beyond. This book is the first major - and very rich - biography of Kanshiram, who, on the road to success, boasted: "Ambedkar collected books, I gathered people."
Unlike most political leaders, Kanshiram sacrificed everything he had for a cause he held dear: help Dalits lead a better life. A science graduate, he quit as a Class I officer in a government establishment in Pune after fighting to restore Ambedkar Jayanti and Buddha Jayanti as official holidays. He joined the Republican Party of India but quit in disgust despairing over its lack of militancy. Kanshiram was very clear: "Rights are to be seized, not requested for." It is a thinking that shaped his life.
The victory in Pune led Kanshiram to plunge into Dalit literature and Dalit politics in real earnest. Taking measured steps, he founded the Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF) to rally lower caste government employees. He also took a momentous decision - rare in politics - to cut off all ties with his family. He pledged never to return home, never to marry, never to take part in social gatherings, never to take up any other job, and "not rest in peace till Balasaheb Ambedkar's dream had been fulfilled". Kanshiram kept his word. When his father died, he didn't go home to perform, as the eldest of seven children, the last rites; these were done by a younger brother.
As an activist, he was humbleness personified. When he travelled to mobilize Dalits, he would eat at homes of fellow activists; not spend public money on hotels. With his chosen comrades, Kanshiram moved from place to place with just a bag containing a set of clothes and some items of daily use. He travelled on trains in general compartments, "enduring all the dirt, dust, heat and cold". If tired, he would put his slippers in his bag and use it as a pillow to take a nap. He dressed simply, in half-sleeve shirts and trousers, at times buying them from markets selling second-hand garments. He made his own slippers out of rubber tires. Once someone picked Kanshiram's pocket, leaving him with no money for a tonga ride from a railway station; so he walked 15 km to deliver election posters to a village. Kanshiram's devotion gave the BSP a solid foundation that survives to this day.
As his reputation spread, BAMCEF attracted tens of thousands of the best of Dalits - PhD scholars, scientists, doctors, government staff et al. Kanshiram held seminars and rallies. He re-created forgotten Dalit saints and heroes including from the 1857 revolt. He popularized Ambedkar in Uttar Pradesh like never before. BAMCEF (formally born in 1978) was followed in 1981 by the more political Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti or DS4, whose membership was open to all except Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Banias. A 1983-84 all-India cycle rally by some 300,000 DS4 activists was Kanshiram's first show of strength.
Kanshiram was no blind follower of Ambedkar. Unlike Ambedkar who stood for annihilation of caste, Kanshiram utilized the caste divisions to his advantage, building a broad platform of lower castes to derail traditional parties and sought to take control of governments. It was a bold move that paid great dividends. Again, unlike Ambedkar, Kanshiram never converted to Buddhism - probably he was afraid of offending the "Chamar Hindus" of Uttar Pradesh.
DS4 led to the BSP in 1984. In no time the new party outpaced both the Congress and the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Making use of opportunistic alliances, he installed Mayawati as the country's first Dalit chief minister in Uttar Pradesh. In 2001, due in part to growing internal differences within the party and to failing health (the feverish pace of work led to diabetes and high blood pressure), Kanshiram bequeathed the BSP leadership to the young Mayawati. In 2003, he suffered a brain stroke, and died three years later amid allegations that Mayawati had held him a prisoner.

Kanshiram succeeded where even Ambedkar failed: stitching together a fighting Dalit network. It was no easy task. It was a self-made man who aroused the Dalits. That the BSP has its limitations even vis-a-vis Dalits is another story. One does wonder if Kanshiram would be happy to see the BSP - and Mayawati's lifestyle and politics -- of today. This book must be read by every student of Indian politics. Read more here:backless prom dresses

Book Review: Kanshiram

(Photo: cocktail dresses) Book: Kanshiram: Leader of the Dalits
Author: Badri Narayan
Publisher: Penguin/Viking
Pages: 265
Kanshiram was to Dalits what Narendra Modi is for Hindutva - an icon. Much like Modi, Kanshiram struggled from an early age to ultimately make a mark in politics. But the struggle was much harder for this sturdy 'Chamar Sikh' from Punjab with a Hindu name.
Unlike Modi, Kanshiram had no political party to lean on. After backbreaking efforts, he founded one, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which, in just a short period, ended up as one of India's major political formations, shaking up the Congress in the state which matters, Uttar Pradesh, and beyond. This book is the first major - and very rich - biography of Kanshiram, who, on the road to success, boasted: "Ambedkar collected books, I gathered people."
Unlike most political leaders, Kanshiram sacrificed everything he had for a cause he held dear: help Dalits lead a better life. A science graduate, he quit as a Class I officer in a government establishment in Pune after fighting to restore Ambedkar Jayanti and Buddha Jayanti as official holidays. He joined the Republican Party of India but quit in disgust despairing over its lack of militancy. Kanshiram was very clear: "Rights are to be seized, not requested for." It is a thinking that shaped his life.
The victory in Pune led Kanshiram to plunge into Dalit literature and Dalit politics in real earnest. Taking measured steps, he founded the Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF) to rally lower caste government employees. He also took a momentous decision - rare in politics - to cut off all ties with his family. He pledged never to return home, never to marry, never to take part in social gatherings, never to take up any other job, and "not rest in peace till Balasaheb Ambedkar's dream had been fulfilled". Kanshiram kept his word. When his father died, he didn't go home to perform, as the eldest of seven children, the last rites; these were done by a younger brother.
As an activist, he was humbleness personified. When he travelled to mobilize Dalits, he would eat at homes of fellow activists; not spend public money on hotels. With his chosen comrades, Kanshiram moved from place to place with just a bag containing a set of clothes and some items of daily use. He travelled on trains in general compartments, "enduring all the dirt, dust, heat and cold". If tired, he would put his slippers in his bag and use it as a pillow to take a nap. He dressed simply, in half-sleeve shirts and trousers, at times buying them from markets selling second-hand garments. He made his own slippers out of rubber tires. Once someone picked Kanshiram's pocket, leaving him with no money for a tonga ride from a railway station; so he walked 15 km to deliver election posters to a village. Kanshiram's devotion gave the BSP a solid foundation that survives to this day.
As his reputation spread, BAMCEF attracted tens of thousands of the best of Dalits - PhD scholars, scientists, doctors, government staff et al. Kanshiram held seminars and rallies. He re-created forgotten Dalit saints and heroes including from the 1857 revolt. He popularized Ambedkar in Uttar Pradesh like never before. BAMCEF (formally born in 1978) was followed in 1981 by the more political Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti or DS4, whose membership was open to all except Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Banias. A 1983-84 all-India cycle rally by some 300,000 DS4 activists was Kanshiram's first show of strength.
Kanshiram was no blind follower of Ambedkar. Unlike Ambedkar who stood for annihilation of caste, Kanshiram utilized the caste divisions to his advantage, building a broad platform of lower castes to derail traditional parties and sought to take control of governments. It was a bold move that paid great dividends. Again, unlike Ambedkar, Kanshiram never converted to Buddhism - probably he was afraid of offending the "Chamar Hindus" of Uttar Pradesh.
DS4 led to the BSP in 1984. In no time the new party outpaced both the Congress and the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Making use of opportunistic alliances, he installed Mayawati as the country's first Dalit chief minister in Uttar Pradesh. In 2001, due in part to growing internal differences within the party and to failing health (the feverish pace of work led to diabetes and high blood pressure), Kanshiram bequeathed the BSP leadership to the young Mayawati. In 2003, he suffered a brain stroke, and died three years later amid allegations that Mayawati had held him a prisoner.

Kanshiram succeeded where even Ambedkar failed: stitching together a fighting Dalit network. It was no easy task. It was a self-made man who aroused the Dalits. That the BSP has its limitations even vis-a-vis Dalits is another story. One does wonder if Kanshiram would be happy to see the BSP - and Mayawati's lifestyle and politics -- of today. This book must be read by every student of Indian politics. Read more here:backless prom dresses

What women want at 'that time of the month'

(Photo: prom dresses) Here is a guide for men who are coping with that time of the month in their partner's cycle
It is the quiet before the storm and you can sense the inevitable ship commanded by Captain PMS slowly and steadily hit rocky shores. If you find your woman stacking up the refrigerator with chocolates and the drawer below the television with rented romantic comedies, chances are that she may be going through the premenstrual stress or what some people call, unfairly, the pissed-at-men syndrome. While you wear your shields and prepare to dodge the dynamites, do keep in mind that this monthly hormonal phase is no picnic for your female companion.
Some women undergo moodswingduring the ovulation period. Psychiatrist Dr. Anshu Kulkarni says general malice, sadness or happiness without reason is common too.
What to do
Do the dates you've been avoiding: Watch that romantic movie while snuggled in bed with her, if she tells you to. Take her out for dinner at her favourite restaurant, hold doors and pull out chairs for her. But try not to be obvious or imposing about it.
Be the guinea pig: Clinical hypnotherapist and psychologist, Dr Deepali S Ajinkya says,"Keep in mind that it is the physiological and hormonal changes that she is going through that is making her act out of her element." So try out the new dishes she might cook during these days. Wear that shirt at the back of your closet that you know she likes a lot. If she moves the furniture in the drawing room, let her.
Get her chocolates: If you ever find yourself in the situation of arguing with a woman who is PMSing, be sure to have a piece of chocolate on hand. Research shows that chocolate intake enhances the expression of MKP in the trigeminal ganglion that lowers the level of inflammatory chemicals, suppressing the symptoms of headaches and migraines.
Show sympathy: A woman, whether PMSing or not, simply wants to be assured of the fact that her significant other gets her. All she needs you to do is nod your head and say, 'Yes honey, I understand'. Ajinkya says, assuring your spouse of your presence is all that is needed. If you stand there and offer advice on how to change her mood, it will take you a while to get back in her good books.
Be patient: On an average, women have about six days of 'moody blues'," says Kulkarni. All you have to do is wait it out with more patience than you thought you ever had. Keep different cramping medication handy. This will let her know you care. Your thoughtfulness will heal her more than the medication will.
Take on some of her chores: Whether she's requesting you to run to the store and pick up sanitary napkins or help her with the cooking, if her chore list is within reason and physically possible, just do it.
What to avoid
Questioning: No woman likes being given the hint that she's acting like a raving lunatic. The worst thing a man can do is ask his partner if she is PMSing. This means that you have noticed her attitude change and are unwilling to deal with it.
Point out flaws: A very important thing to remember is not to comment. Don't bring up the fact that she looks fatter in some regions or that her cheeks look chubbier than usual. Women tend to eat comfort food when they are PMSing, regardless of their otherwise strict diet. It isn't up to you to monitor what she eats. Instead, accommodate her temporary diet changes. "It is important that the man is not critical and doesn't nag his woman during her hormonal phase," states Kulkarni. Blemishes and zits on her face, if pointed out, will add to the depression.

Arguing: Arguing and fighting with a PMSing woman is highly avoided as it adds to her frustration. Make an effort to calm her down and delay important discussions for a later time when she is not so agitated. Read more here:cocktail dresses london

How to deal with your pet's mood swings

(Photo:uk prom dresses ) Have you ever observed unexplained crying, excessive lethargy, depression, anxiety etc. in your pet? If yes, then your pet could actually be suffering from mood swings. Shocked that even pets could suffer from these difficult-to-deal-with syndrome?
Tanya Kane, pet behaviourist, feels that mood swings happen either due to hormonal imbalance or physiological reasons. She says, "When they enter a new environment, or there's a new pet on board or a new baby or they get separated with the owner they are attached to, or there's a shift of residence, a change in family dynamics etc, they start sulking, grieving or get destructive and disinterested in food. In a state of such mood swings, the pet needs to get active again to build back his/her confidence."
Dogs are the most fascinating animals in the world. With them around, it's tough to feel lonely or depressed. But on their days of emotional upturn, more often than not because of the lack of the power to voice, they start feeling lonely and behaving in a weird way. Pet owner Medha Iyer says, "My dog is very sociable. But, suddenly one day she stopped eating. Then she started biting and acting moody with us. She wouldn't even play with her favourite toys. When we took her to the vet, we realised it was because I'd just delivered. Obviously, my attention had shifted from her to the baby. She couldn't accept that."
Just like humans, animals have extreme days and unexplainable emotions. When this happens, owners should get more involved with them, communicate with them and, if required go for alternative treatments. Dr Vinay Gore, owner of pet care centre, says, "Generally puppies are not affected by mood swings too much since they are very playful and their needs are fulfiled. When they react weirdly if unwell, I don't call them mood swings. During mating or when the male sees a female passing by, they might get aggressive. But just like humans, even pets have mood alleviators like anti-psychotics and ayurvedic medicines called behaviour modifiers for their hormone related mood swings."
The reasons of mood swings could be gender related. If it's a female, it could be when she's going through her monthly cycle. If it is male, this could happen if there's a female in the periphery and they want to copulate. But another huge reason for mood swings is Diwali as they have high sensitivity to noise. Trainer and dog owner Vicky Sharma says, "Dogs get very sensitive, anxious and destructive during Diwali. They curl up under their beds or have mood swings. I know of many people who communicate amazingly with their pets. When this happens, the pets feel more secure and confident. Medication is not the solution always." Dr Jeya Bharath, a veterinarian, says, "Diwali is the time when most pets go through mood swings as they are not used to crackers. We need to understand that dogs are very adaptive, but take time to come out of a bad phase. Also, pets understand our moods very well. We need to understand them too. I always encourage my clients to speak to pets looking directly into their eyes. This way they understand things better. Be patient and try to understand they they they need your time."

If a dog owner, remember that male dogs are more aggressive than females and the female ones are experts at that dirty look! Though it does not make them any less lovable, try to communicate well, understand them and love your pet when s/he acts weird. As they say, love breaks all boundaries and has the power to heal. Read more here:cocktail dresses london

The metrics of hiring right

(Photo:short prom dresses uk ) Personality and behavioural assessments could be the key to avoiding wrong hires
A recent survey found that India figures in the top four countries of the world in making wrong hires! It costs Indian companies heavily (upto INR20Lakh in IT industry) for each bad hire that they make even at the lower levels of the organisational hierarchy.
Another survey found that 46 per cent quit within 18 months of their hire. Attitudinal reasons amounted to 89 per cent of such failures and only 11 per cent was due to lack of skill (which is anyway assessed in the regular abilities and skill assessments). The attitudinal deficits included lack of coachability, low levels of emotional intelligence, motivation and temperament. A bad hire wastes hisher as well as the company's time and resources. Such a candidate also causes an impact on the team's morale and achievements. More importantly it negatively influences the business in terms of revenue and productivity. The brand value of the organisation for probable aspirants also diminishes.
To tackle such issues, organisations are beginning to use psychometric assessments of behaviour and personality to facilitate better hires. Psychometric assessments can be used in their hiring process as a measure to get the best fit for their work culture and organisation.Whether it is the position of an entry level position or senior management, various types of scientific assessments are available to find the best fit for the organisation and its culture. In addition, for top management roles, competency based interviews measuring individual, managerial, interpersonal and motivational competencies provide tangibility to insights acquired by interviewers. Assessments also addresses the issue of attrition by identifying employees with low risk taking behaviour, high commitment to organisation and perceived job fit to help reduce attrition.
Further, occupational psychology also extends itself to the management of the life cycle of an employee at an organisation. It helps not only the recruitment process but can also influence promotion and career enhancement. Behavioural assessments relevant to work place can be used to effectively make informed decisions rather than promoting personnel based on previous work performance and supervisor feedback alone. There is no guarantee that an employee performing well in a particular role can transition to the next role equally well (eg: individual contributor to a team management role or internal team handling to contract team handling). A rating scale constructed on the job performance dimensions based on job analysis gives a clear and structured approach to evaluate performances. The results obtained can be further used for tracking performance, training purposes or for mere documentation.
Psychometrics plays a vital role in identifying employees who are dissatisfied with their job roles, are a misfit in the organisation and also identify the employees who seek stability and have a tendency to be low on risk taking behaviour. Personality development programmes aimed at enhancing a host of workplace competencies and tech-enabled training in workplace help employees achieve higher performance, groom high-potential employees and enhance team effectiveness.
Such high-potential employees are the future leaders at the organisations. There is a marked difference between management and leadership. Management involves administrative tasks and organising work environments dealing with complexity, planning, budgeting, staffing, controlling and problem solving while a leader typically inspires followers and works towards shared organisational culture and values dealing with initiating and adapting to change, setting direction vision, communicating, motivating and aligning people to shared goals. Psychometric assessments are once again effective in identifying these potential and effective leaders by measuring specific traits such as high intelligence, high self - motivation, high dominance, compassion, influential and persuasion skills.

Adopting psychology as part of everyday work life is now much needed. Read more here: red cocktail dress

Beauty benefits of curd

(Photo: purple prom dresses) Known to cure any kind of skin or hair-related problems, curd has a number of beauty benefits.
The wonders of curd are not just restricted to soothing your system and help digest food. Curd also works are a marvelous beauty recipe and is used by many women to treat various skin and hair problems at home.
So, before you decide to go in for all those expensive beauty treatments, here's why you must pick up the bowl of curd lying in your refrigerator.
Treat hair frizz: Those who have curly hair end up with a frizzy hair texture. To make it more manageable, consider using curd on your hair at least twice during the week, depending on how frizzy your hair gets. You can apply the curd on its own or also mix lemon juice along with it that will make your locks soft and silky.
Cures rough hair: All those expensive hair treatments during the dry winter months can make your mane look unruly. To make sure that your hair stays smooth and soft, use a curd pack once in every week to solve this problem.
Treat dandruff with curd and lemon: An excellent cure for dandruff, a curd and lemon pack applied once or twice every week will take care of your dandruff concerns.
Curd and besan for smooth, acne free skin: Curd and besan also helps reduce the occurrence of acne. In addition to this, it also helps keep your complexion clean and smooth.

Reduces tanning: A plain curd pack also treats tanning. Whether the tanning is mild or severe, you can apply a base of plain curd on your face and neck every day to keep your skin clear. Read more here: long prom dresses

Blankets and pillows put babies at death risk

(Photo: cocktail dresses uk ) Soft objects and loose bedding - such as thick blankets, quilts and pillows - can obstruct an infant's airway and pose a risk of suffocation, according to a research.
Nearly 55 percent of US infants are placed to sleep with bedding that increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), reveal the findings from a research campaign called "Safe to Sleep", which was conducted by the US National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other institutions.
"Parents have good intentions but may not understand that blankets, quilts and pillows increase a baby's risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation," said Carrie K. Shapiro-Mendoza, the study's first author and senior scientist in CDC's Division of Reproductive Health in the US.
Relatives may give parents quilts or fluffy blankets as presents for the new baby and they feel obligated to use them.
"But babies should be placed for sleep on a firm, safety approved mattress and fitted sheet, without any other bedding," Shapiro-Mendoza added.
"Soft objects, toys, crib bumpers, quilts, comforters and loose bedding should be kept out of the baby's sleep area," Shapiro-Mendoza said.
Based on responses from nearly 20,000 care givers, the researchers reported that although the usage of such potentially unsafe bedding items declined from 85.9 percent in 1993-1995, it still remained high at 54.7 percent, in 2008-2010.
As part of the survey, care givers were asked whether infants were placed to sleep on such items as blankets, bean bag chairs, rugs, sheepskin, cushions or pillows.
Care givers were also asked whether the infant was covered with bedding materials such as blankets, quilts, comforters, sheepskin or pillows.

The "Safe to Sleep" research campaign results advise against blankets or other coverings, recommend sleep clothing, such as one-piece sleepers, and keeping the room at a comfortable temperature. Read more here: sexy prom dresses