” Be a  ‘Rama’  at home ;  and be a  ‘Krishna’  outside ”  is how every individual should strive to live in life.

          ” Rama is our model of family and values ;  Krishna is our model of knowledge and application “.

          Today, as we celebrate Lord Krishna’s birthday, we should sharpen our knowledge and application too in any endeavor.

          When individuals, specially youth, take on active role in their learning by recognizing they are as accountable as knowledge imparters, administrators, or leaders in any field for their success ;  and demonstrate that responsibility by making their own choices and actions leading towards their overall life goals – it may well be admitted that they have performed their Duty exceptionally well. This is what is emphasized by Lord Krishna and expected of every individual in this new age.

          An ideal individual/citizen is one with full awareness of his/her duties – during early years at home,  in school,  in the community that he/she is part of, and in the nation of which he/she is a responsible citizen. He/she alone can reform the System and Society ;  its ethical/moral behavior ;  its principles and practices ;  even while finding ways for the betterment of themselves and all other individuals/citizens. This is  ‘karma’.

          Let us, today, resolve that  “Honesty,  Fairness,  Courage,  Accountability, Compassion,  and  Respect ”  form the crux of character of every individual on this auspicious day.

To quote from Bhagavad-Gita  –  ” Samo damas tapah saucam ksantir arjavam eva ca, jnanam vijnanam astikyam brahma-karma svabhava-jam ” ( Chapter 18,  Text 42 ).

          Lord Krishna explains  :  ” Peacefulness,  self-control,  austerity,  purity,  tolerance,  honesty,  knowledge,  wisdom,  and religiousness ” – these are the natural qualities by which, specially, brahmins work and live.

          By worship of the Lord, who is the source of all beings, and who is all-pervading, a man can attain perfection through performing his own work.

          Lord Krishna advised Arjuna not to be inactive,  but that he perform his ‘prescribed duty’ without being attached to the result. Krishna neither says ‘you do the action’ nor says ‘you act’ .  He  only  says   “let action happen”,  ‘don’t think of yourself as the doer’.  Doing only takes place by Lord’s play. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 of Baghwad-Gita is against doership. Things only happen through individuals “when God plays the game ”  and we as individuals need to stay focused and centered on our tasks while letting things happen.

          This is how every system works – the prime lesson that every individual,  every student,  every manager,  every administrator,  every judge, every politician,  every faculty,  and every leader in this universe should understand, follow, and practise in life.

          This is the key principle/ideal that should be ringing in the ears of every individual on earth on this auspicious day.

   ” Dieu avec nous “

   Saturday,  August 24, 2019 –  7.49 a.m. (IST)

   Tidbit :  ”  About 5.2 million individuals in the world share Lord’s birthday today “.

If the Democratic Presidential Primary Debate in Miami (June) will be remembered for some sorepoints, the Debate in Detroit (July) will be remembered for its strong points specially from the different constituents in this group. The Debate tonight will be marked for not throwing open any clear hero/winner keeping the Democratic Field Still wide open.

          Joe Biden, former VP ;  Senator Kamala Harris, (CA) ;  Senator Cory Booker, NJ ;  Julian Castro, former HUD ;  Andrew Yang, Entrepreneur ;  Rep Tulsi Gabbard, (Hawaii) ;  Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) ; Gov Jay Inslee, (Washington) ; Mayor Bill de Blasio, (NY) ; and  Senator Michael Bennet (Colorado)  were the 10 candidates on stage tonight.

          CNN’s Dana Bash, Don Lemon, and Jake Tapper moderated the event.

          Here’s how I  wil present my perspective :  1.    Contrary to general expectations Joe Biden was not aggressive but kept his pace normal with clear and pointed answers to critics. Except for Michael Bennet and Tulsi Gabbard, everyone on stage at one point or another seemed eager to score points trying to put Joe Biden’s head on backwards.  Senator Kamala Harris, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and Gov Jay Inslee in the first half hour to a large extent succeeded in putting Joe Biden on the backfoot with attacks on his plans.  Joe Biden’s composure was not affected but his self possession seemed to have been shaken to the extent of losing his fluency at times. Biden discombobulated, no ;  disturbed, yes.

          2.  Senator Kamala Harris’s healthcare plan received stringent scrutiny. She failed to strengthen her mathematics, even while volunteering to answer that, except stating that $ 72 billion had been amassed by the pharmaceutical giants that actually came from the tax payments of the common people.

          3.   Democrats’  chief platform comprising vital ideas come from three elements as shown in the Figure below :

Healthcare, Immigration, and Economy in the order of its priority constitute the key elements of the platform for 2020 election. Nothing new except that new proposals, with changes in existing, have been planned to be  proposed. 

          4.  Tulsi Gabbard, Michael Bennet, Jay Inslee, Bill de Blasio, Kirsten Gillibrand made their presence clearly felt at the same time enhancing their participation, while Cory Booker seemed to have gained somewhat in rating.

          5.   What each said :  Joe Biden – Restore the soul of the country, we’re strong because of our diversity.  Kamala Harris – This is the moment to fight who we are.  Tulsi Gabbard – I’ll bring patriotism to White House,  justice and equality for all.  Michael Bennet – Kids belong in classrooms, not in cages.  Jay Inslee – Climate Change to protect our children and future generations.  Kirsten Gillibrand – Nothing is impossible.  Julian Castro – Public service is about people and families, not about just politicians.  Andrew Yang – $ 1000 per month for every American.  Cory Booker – Heal the nation and move forward. Common cause and common purpose is what is needed now. Bill de Blasio – Take care of ‘voter suppression.

          July debate – well organized, well moderated, clear agenda of issues raised, got the participants to follow the rules of debate conscientiously, emotions of everyone well controlled, and provided an orderly and stimulating discussions but one could not escape the feeling that  ‘something’  has been glaringly missing. I am unable to elaborate further.

   “Dieu avec nous”

   Thursday, August 1, 2019 –  9.29 a.m. (IST)

   Tidbit : ” Automation/loss of jobs and Donald Trump are the same “. –  Andrew Yang.