Welcome to the Smart World!

Today we are in a smart world. If we explore the origins smart refers to devices that are able to perform certain functions independent, owing to advanced technology, without direct user intervention. Some are a great use of technology improve health awareness and home security. And some are mediums to improve our life experiences. Let's look at a few options to better elaborate the current #SmartRevolution

Smart Wearables

Do you remember older sci-fi movies, like James Bond and our own Indian version Captain Vyom, where the protagonists carry communication devices on their arms? Well smart wearables are basically that dream becoming reality. These are devices that can be worn on the wrists like watches and bracelets. They serve their regular purpose of showing time or decoration, but in addition they have also added features like gps navigation, heart rate monitoring, body activity and email as well as phone services. With these devices on you, you will stay healthier, never get lost and will be able to stay connected to anyone anywhere. 

I myself have recently bought myself an apple smartwatch (Flipkart Link) and I wear it on my all day long. I helps me stay connected with my phone and emails. I also monitor the numbers of steps and activity I need to stay healthy. Join me and let's #GetFitWithFlipkart!!

Smart Home and Smart Lights

While the smart wearables are to help us #GetFitWithFlipkart, the current #SmartHomeRevolution aims to enhance our luxury and home experience. This is the next evolution of the home theater system where you can directly interact with your electronic devices with voice commands. And what if you can also have lighting which can be tuned? I have just installed these set-up at my place in Netherlands and I can say you that I love it. I believe this will be even more benifitial to me back home in India. I wouldn't need to brave the traffic, book reservations and get irritated by bad restaurant services. Rather I can spend quality time with my beautiful wife in my own home with complete control over the environment (light, sound and content), and be able to really wind down.

Smart Camera

According to me this is the most important innovation to hit Indian markets. How often do we hear of robberies and break-ins at the darkness of night? Safety and security, I believe is the single most important point of concern to all of us. This is where Flipkart has brought to us smart security cameras so that we all contribute to catch the criminal elements and make our societies secure. For the past 9 years I have been staying in Europe, where this is common in all households. I would like to provide you with some suggestions that will help you better use your smart cameras. When you buy these cameras, please place it in a lighted and visible place to preemptively discourage thieves from breaking into your houses. These no use of having a camera after one is dead so better to warn and than hide it. I would recommend you to in fact add it to your entrance so you can see who is standing at your doorway and be prepared for all eventualities. Dismantling these smart cameras are much more difficult that standard cameras as they are encrypted via much advanced technology. I hope you stay safe and really benefit from these smart innovations.

From my travel around the world I can confidently state that we are much more aware of technology  than other countries  and definitely are not afraid of experimenting with it. But we are still far from achieving the levels of usage as the developed countries have at the moment. I am not surprised to read that Flipkart sells 40% of small wearable, homes, cameras and lights in India. I believe these innovations will soon become household nature in all our homes and Flipkart will enable this happening, so #ThankYouFlipkart. I hope all have a pleasurable and safe 2019 ahead! 

Brussels Diaries - La Cycliste

As I was exploring Brussels' beautiful artistic culture, I bumped into (literally) this fit cat lady on her bike standing patiently among the barrage of selfies and photo-hungry tourists like me.

As I researched more, I found out that she is called La cycliste, created by French artist Alain Séchas. She is made of fiber polyester and metal, costing the city of Brussels 100 000 euros. Considering, the interest it is generating among the tourist, I would say sound investment Brussels! 

Nest time you are visiting Brussels, go check this out!

Caste System - Origins, Changes & Current Situation

When I moved to Germany for pursuing higher studies, I many times get questions related to caste system. I am sure many of you too also get queried about the caste system that was, and in some interiors still is,  prevalent in Indian subcontinent. I say subcontinent because it's not a India only phenomena but is also prevalent in differing forms among our neighboring countries.

Also, this is not Hindu religion specific as well; other religions have their own ways of defining hierarchy in the society.  I have no intention of hurting any sentiments, the idea is to propose a research based description of the origins of caste system, how it changed over the years and what are the various controversies surrounding this topic. If you would like add or modify certain aspects then please let me know via the comments section.

Ok here we go....

Origins

The origins of Caste system dates back to ancient India. It is proposed that when Aryan races from Central Asia invaded South East Asia and introduced caste system to control the local indigenous population. Each individual were born into, worked, married, ate and dies within their particular caste as defined by the Aryans.

It's interesting to note that above Aryan theories started to come into being in the 19th centuries when Arya, spoken by Aryans, as a linguistic form was explained to describe similarities between Indo-european languages and was theorized by European scholars to have been the origin of all cultures. However, recent scholars have disproved this theory proposing in fact that the Aryans originated from South Asia and they spread elsewhere.

Wherever, the origins of Aryan's may have been it has been proved that Aryan's alone were not responsible for the cast system. And the caste system has been for many millennia,  and until 20th century, its form staying almost unchanged. Over the years this system has evolved into the current forms after significant influences from the past Indian kingdoms, Mughal empire and British Raj.

Classes: Varna and Jati

In ancient India, the society was divided based on type of occupation, leading to what were called Varnas.

Within the varnas there existed certain hereditary occupations which were known as Jatis.

The varnas originally were not racial groups but rather classes associated with occupation based on the following:

Barhmins - were the spiritual leaders and teachers

Kshatriyas - were the nobles and warriors

Vaishyas - were the merchants and producers

Sudras - were the laborers

Apart fro these four there was a firth class called avarna or Untouchable who were social outcasts who were forced to do all the miserable tasks like cleaning up after funerals, dealing with sewage, and working with animal skin.

The varna system is discussed in Hindu texts, and understood as idealized human callings. The concept is generally traced to the Purusha Sukta verse of the Rig Veda.

Jati refers to the group in which a person is born in. The surname may be taken as a jati to which the family belongs. Among Muslims the equivalent refers to Qom or Biradri.

Changes over the years

The collapse of the Mughal era and the Bitish Raj period the society created the caste system as it exits today. This time gave the rise of a few powerful families and tribes which started discriminating upon the majority and caste system became a tool that was applied for this purpose. These powerful took onto themselves the titles of nobility and priesthood and started dividing the society strictly on the basis of caste. British administration furthered this division by supporting this rigid caste based divisions.

Until 1920 1920, the British segregated Indians by caste, granting administrative jobs and senior appointments only to the upper castes. However social unrest during the 1920s led to a change in this policy leading to the beginning of the current policy of positive discrimination by reserving a certain percentage of government jobs for the lower castes. After Indian got its Independence in 1947, Dr. Br. R. Ambedkar, drafter of our constitution, continued this practice and adopted this and provided reservation to the outcasts and lower castes so that they can return into the main stream.

Current Situation in India

Since 1950, in independent India various socio-economic benefits in the name of reservations are being provided to listed castes and tribes based on three buckets - (1) Scheduled Tribes, or ST (2) Scheduled Castes, or SC and (3) Other Backward Caste, or OBC. There is today reservations in all stages of education, colleges and universities. There are also reservations in jobs and promotions.

Today, discrimination against lower castes is illegal in India under Article 15 of its constitution, and India tracks violence against Dalits nationwide.

First Birthday Together!!

This year you came into my life, bringing so much happiness. Everyday has been special. A few pictures from our first birthday together Dibyaranjan Mekap (December 5) and Pratyasha Sharma ( December 1). :)

Brussels Diaries - A Wintry Sunset!

As the Autumn comes to a close, and winter creeps in, the fountains around Brussels stop flowing. As if, the earth itself is setting up for its long slumber through the Winter! A snap taken in Brussels to capture this....

Brussels Diaries - Wall Art!!