Prakash Kumar

Excerpts from the Diary: November 13, 2014, 6 PM Contemplating the Art of Balancing Desires Struggling with the tumultuous waves of unwanted lust and desire, I find myself at a crossroads where these impulses significantly impact both my professional and personal realms. Despite considerable knowledge and practicing self-control, I am perplexed as to why mastering this aspect remains elusive. I suspect that my tendency towards extremes might be the root cause. It's either complete immersion or total abandonment, with no middle ground. I lack the skill to navigate responsible, manageable desires—a critical aspect of a balanced life. The challenge intensifies when, after abandoning something entirely, I return to it for some reason. The resurgence of lust and desire at such times is overpowering, surpassing previous levels. This cycle of departure and return exacerbates my struggles. The key, it seems, lies in mastering the delicate art of balance. But how does one achieve this equil...

From the pages of my old diary, dated 1.05.2014, 22:23: I find myself traversing a critical juncture in my life. Having completed 50 vibrant years and on the brink of turning 51, I am acutely aware of a palpable sense that something vital is missing. The exact nature of this absence eludes me, casting a restlessness and causing a noticeable dip in concentration. Life in Patna is relatively settled, with a fulfilling job soon marking its fourth year. The passing of Cecilia dealt a profound blow, a lingering sadness that calls into question the purpose behind our toil in navigating life's intricacies. There's a tug between embracing more of life or seeking solace in spirituality. The path is unclear, and the motivation sporadic. Restlessness sometimes reaches such heights that I yearn for refuge, leading to irritations that take weeks to dissipate. I grapple with deciphering the signals—lust, an inner desire to find meaning in halting meaningless work—confused by the jolting of ...

Throughout history, civilizations, communities, and individuals have sought to uncover the true purpose of human existence. Rationalists, scientists, spiritualists, and religious leaders have all contributed their perspectives, resulting in a vast array of literature on the subject. Yet, a universally humane definition of the purpose of mortal human life remains elusive. Each entity endeavors to define it in its own unique way, varying widely across regions, communities, and individuals. Amid this diversity, a unifying thread has often been missing, leaving the multitude of definitions on the purpose of life seemingly disconnected. Recently, I came across the thoughts of Nick Cave, a multifaceted individual—a musician, songwriter, screenwriter, novelist, and actor—whose reflections seemed to serve as a connecting point, shedding light on the fundamental purpose and meaning of our existence. Cave delineates two essential pillars that lend meaning and purpose to our brief sojourn on this...

Throughout my life, I have found myself intrigued by some of the pivotal choices I have made almost on a whim, leaving them to fate and chance. This tendency is not limited to me but it is a common thread among those close to me and in general in the society at large—friends and family alike. We often plunge into decisions without much thought, especially the big ones like education or marriage or career which has far reaching consequences in one's own life, family and society. Recently, I have noticed this pattern among those I know quite well, and the swift outcomes surprised me. It led me to ponder life's unpredictable twists and turns. Yet, despite introspection, I haven't quite found clarity. The debate about fate versus our own thoughtful action in crucial moments lingers. Some advocate for relying on education and intellect,for clear thinking, taking opportunities, and having a definitive life vision.This viewpoint dismisses leaving things to chance or tradition, urg...

It was a pure joy, fun on wheel on a 15-year-old Zen Estilo from Dwarka, Delhi to Patna on 5th Feb 2023. My beauty and most trusted car Zen Estilo turned 15 on 6th Feb 2023. As per Delhi rule, I have to dispose of the car or bring back to Patna for a further lease of life of five years to my "Basanti". I was so attached to this car so I decided to bring it back to Patna to apply for a 5-year extension by paying road tax at Patna with Bihar number. I got NOC online in December at Delhi and then looking for a time to go to Delhi and bring back the car. In any case I have to bring back before 6th Feb 2023. My friend and his wife were returning to Delhi on 2nd Feb with car so I decided to join them. His car was new Kia sonet. It was a new car with less than 10000 km run. We started at 6.15 am precisely from Patna and took Patna-Bihta-Koilwar-Buxar-Purvanchal Eway-Lucknow -Agra Eway -Yamuna Eway -Sarita Vihar-Outer ring road-Dwarka with leisurely 3 stops and two fuel stops. ...

BHAVYA (Hospital Information Management System) comprehensive training on all modules for all types of user’s kick started from 20 th   January from Sadar Hospital Muzaffarpur and Referral Hospital Sakra, Muzaffarpur. The training includes classroom teaching sessions, hands-on training sessions on computers and assessment. The entire training will be conducted in 264 batches at 17 locations over 45 days with more than 1000 sessions across Muzaffarpur district at Sadar Hospital and 16 blocks HQ at RH/CHCs. It will impart training to 1500 + health officials of Muzaffarpur from Sadar Hospital, RH, PHC/CHC, APHC and HSC in 45 days. It is being led by a team of 31 trainers, 14 local trainers supported by training coordinators and a team of observers/monitors to ensure quality of training meeting as per the schedule and timeline. The attendance sheet will capture the presence of trainees in each session and their feedback and assessment matrix. The training team is working closely with ...

Change Management for Hospital Information Management System (HIMS) The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress. Charles Kettering Health transformation through digital means is not about technology but about people, changing the mindset and embracing the change. In this context it is most important for any digitally enabled health transformation project to ensure that the change through HIMS implementation is sustainable across all user groups. Core users, such as doctors and nurses, need to understand why the change is happening, how it can benefit them individually, and how it will impact their day-to-day activities. Additionally, it is important to communicate how integrated HIMS will make their work easier. Clear communication and training can help ensure a successful implementation and adoption of the new system. The ADKAR model for change management is a widely used framework for managing change and can be effective in digital transform...

Since last few years Grant Funding for climate and broader environment areas is decreasing and in all probability post COVID it will be further decreased.  In 2020 US Grant for this area was in % terms as below, 1.Air, land and water conservation :19  2. Environment education,justice and resource rights :19  3. Sustainable Fishing and agriculture : 16 4.Energy resources and access :18 5.Forestry :1 6. CLIMATE CHANGE: 23 7. Waste management :4  To Restrict warming to 1.5 degree c requires major GHG reductions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. This requires trillions of dollar of capital spending and more funding to improve resilience against physical hazards. Apart from this lot of funding is required for developing scalable low carbon technologies such as  -Renewables Solar/Wind  -Green Hydrogen -Carbon capture , utilization and storage -Natural Climate solutions (NCS) such as reforestation to achieve 1/3rd reductions  -Battery-electric vehicles ...

Some time back I read an article on improving productivity and came across a fine definition of personal thinking  which all leads to the loss of productivity and slowly affects other sphere of life. To improve productivity we need to understand  and stop these unwanted mind games and idle thought making.  1. Procrastination " I will do it later." 2. Low Confidence " Will I actually succeed." 3. Perfectionism "It is just not good enough." 4. Judgement "What will my network think of me." 5. Competing commitments "If I do this ,will it get in the way of my other Goal."

            Year 2020 is a silver jubilee year for mobile phones in India. It was started in 1995 by a call between Sri Jyoti Basu, CM, WB with telecom minister Sri Sukhram. Since then this sector has not looked back and immensely contributed for the transformation of India in several sectors after 1991 liberalization. It is growing leaps and bounds and currently having more than billion users. But the last 25 years was full of a coaster ride in mobile telephony in India.  Large numbers of companies were involved in providing mobile telecom services because the sector presents a new opportunity but haphazard planning and monitoring, too many players, small and big alike, spectrum allotment and absence of clear enforceable guidelines and lack of capacity of DOT and TRAI in managing the growth has fare share of controversy as well. The sector was marred by lot of controversy and the most notable one was 2G scam and which become one of the reason...

     The tussle between democratic minded Hong Kong citizens and main land Chinese government has increased to new level in last one year. The life at Hong Kong got affected with regular barb and clashes with pro mainland Hong Kong government and freedom loving Honk Kong citizens. Last year marked too many protests almost every week with some very violent clashes with the police  by pro democracy people against increasing control of Hong Kong by Main land China.  And finally a new bill has been passed to curb several such freedoms granted to Hong Kong people.  It means slowly Hong Kong will replicate Mainland China in terms of curbing people’s freedom and their social/civic rights. Same restrictions will apply here .This is not a good news for the Hong Kong and its people. It will lose its status of one of the busiest World financial center  and also an open cosmopolitan, multicultural, democratic society as Special Administered Region (SAR) of China...

The new education policy (NEP) 2020 has surprisingly removed Mandarin from the foreign language option and won’t be available for students anymore. One can understand the current border stand-off between China and India which precipitated such action. May be Confucius institute around the world teaching Mandarin under cloud but omitting Mandarin from the foreign language list in India is certainly a over reaction. I am sure closing the door all of a sudden on Mandarin is not a futuristic decision. Mandarin is also one of the UN language and spoke by more than 150 crore people. It is not a small number. Language always provide us an insight to the peoples thinking, its culture and deep sensibilities as a communication medium directly one to one rather than getting it translated. Translation loses the soul out of it.        We cannot redraw the boundary with China and we will remain a neighbor  either as friends, enemy or none, it actually should depends on pe...