BPO’s FIASCO!

It has been widely debated whether the growth of Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) industry has been good for our country and more importantly for our culture. The subject has not been adequately addressed in a manner that will provide an insight to our youngsters, especially those who are most often lured by the seemingly lucrative packages that the industry puts out.

Considering the economic prosperity and massive employment that the BPO has brought, it surely makes BPOs one of the most sought after industries. But let us see what happens once an individual lands up working in a BPO? First he is stripped of his identity. Krishna becomes Chris, Janardhanan becomes John and Saraswathi becomes Sara and so on. They are trained in an accent that belongs neither here nor there. In short the individual’s identity is robbed and replaced by a convenient one to satisfy the economics of the trade.

Secondly, We also need to ask if our teenagers are being robbed of their youth to work like mechanized robots in a demanding industry. The age group of 18 to 25 is the crucial time in a person's life in which he/she acquires skills that will sustains him/her on the long run. The lure of easy money can deprive them of acquiring skills that are more sustaining and meaningful in life.

Thirdly, the industry has encouraged the growth of synthetic westernization which has adversely affected our cultural and traditional outlook. Our oriental values lay great stress on the principles and values of Karma. Karma emphasizes on a value system that puts duty above the considerations of material benefit. It underlines the principle of altruism in its purest form. The hefty pay packages offered by the industry to lure youngsters, kills this spirit and is the classic example of synthetic material values creeping into our culture.

It is often being argued that BPOs provide opportunities for those who do not have anything else to sustain themselves in life. With some basic English speaking skills a financially strained person can earn up to Rs, 20,000. Undoubtedly, BPOs have come as a savior for thousands of unemployed youngsters and has also helped considerably in raising their standard of living. What concerns me the most is that this opportunity is misguiding our youth. In many ways it has killed initiative and creativity by languishing in a vacuum like environment called call centres.

Last but not the least, the amount of freedom that a night working schedule bestows, is more often than not misused. Practices like drinking, one night stands, and drugs have become a part and parcel of their life style. And at this tender age it becomes almost impossible for them to discern the difference between right and wrong.

The need of the hour is to provide proper guidance to youngsters by creating awareness about a larger more meaningful world with great opportunities for creative skills, improvisation and higher education. They must be made to understand that there are various other creative areas to develop one's personality and call centres are only a short cut to mediocre wealth. This initiative should be made by parents and teachers alike.

While BPO’s may offer some hope in a country with great unemployment, one must remember there is a life and scope beyond this instant moneymaking profession.

WRITTEN BY :PRIYANKA CHAUHAN

BOOK REVIEW: The ALCHEMIST
I recently read Paul Coelho’s ‘The Alchemist’. The very title of the book has scientific connotations. Alchemy is a science which transforms lead into gold; symbolically the book captures the transformation of dreams into reality.

The book urges to believe in dreams, personal myth. It’s a symbolic combination of medieval mysticism and the song of the desert.

The tale revolves around Santiago, the central protagonist of the book who is a shepherd. But unlike his kin’s and community members he has an earnest faith in his dreams. One night he sees a dream in which he is to find treasures in the pyramids of Egypt. He immediately sets out on a journey to find treasures embedded in the pyramids.

On his journey he meets a King, an Alchemist, the shopkeeper and a desert girl. While traveling he gets enriched with various experiences. He relates his circumstances to his shepherd’s life. Thus, Santiago’s character till this point in the plot proves to be a persona of immaculate intelligence who can decipher his past life in the light of his present.

The journey totally transforms his perspective towards things, people in particular and life in general. He realizes that the real treasure is “where your heart belongs”. The knowledge, wisdom, invaluable experience that Santiago acquires becomes his ultimate treasure.

The novel is optimistic which reaffirms the fact that “simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them”. The central philosophy of the novel is: if one really wants something to happen then the whole universe “conspires” so that h/she can achieve it. The book underscores another point though indirectly that those who do not follow their dreams are bound to feel emptiness ahead in life.

The Alchemist is a kind of book that everyone can relate to it. After all life is about dreams, aspirations and desires.

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Written by : Priyanka Chauhan
Book: The Alchemist
Author ; Paul Coelho

The 2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS -------A GRAND OPENING !

The 2008 Beijing Olympics was inaugurated with illustrious performances by the Chinese. It was surely a night to remember for years to come. It seemed as if the amazing fire shots were demonstrating to the world that China is no less than any other developed country.

The event has laid out an international stage for China to showcase their rich culture, achievements and developments over the past few years. It's time for them to make their presence felt across the world. The 29th Beijing Olympic Games were initially clouded by various controversies like Tibet unrest and the issue of human rights violations. But China has managed to kick start the grand event with great pomp and show. The event was a dazzling display of chinese ancient history and culture.

India must fasten its belt for 2010 Commonwealth games. In Asia, China has set the standard for taking an international event to new heights. Will India be a potential competitor in this respect or a loser? Let time answer this question.