The Creator has bestowed each one of his creations with some capabilities, resources and talents. This is true of any item we come across, whether living beings or non-living things. Non-living things do not realise these and are only a tool in the hands of a living being. Other living beings also often do not appreciate this to the fullest extent and have very limited use of even their own capabilities or faculties. Man is one living being endowed with multiple capabilities and talents, and also having the power to use, channelise and harvest these multiple talents. Man is not only able to use his own faculties and resources but also put to use other resources, be it physical, mental, living or non-living. This distinguishes him from all other creatures. This special competency provides him opportunity to put efforts to achieve his goals, after deciding about the goals themselves. Being a social being, he also desires to be recognised for his efforts and accomplishments. Mere recognition is not the ultimate desire for many for putting forth efforts in a given direction; they also yearn for rewards for the efforts put and the recognition made by the society of their efforts. The concept of "Nishkaama Karma" is indeed beautiful, but does not always find acceptance in a materialistic world.
What is the real meaning of these three words - efforts, recognition and reward? Dictionary gives many different meanings, but the most common and acceptable meanings provide a beautiful link to these three words. Effort is defined as "exertion of physical or mental power" or the "amount of exertion expended for a specific purpose". Efforts are required to reach a pre-determined goal; otherwise the goal only remains in the mind or paper. It is well-known that a lion has to identify and hunt its prey; the animal does not come and fall in the mouth of a sitting lion. As regards a man living in a structured society, recognition of such efforts to realise a goal becomes important. Recognition is defined as "the acknowledgement of achievement, service, merit etc." or "expression in the form of some token appreciation" by others around him. Does some token appreciation suffice? It may be so for some minor efforts and trivial goals. What about an appreciable quantum of efforts put in and a reasonable harvest of results? That requires something more than a mere token appreciation; it deserves a reward. A reward is defined by the dictionary as "something given or received in return to recompense for service, merit hardship etc." Thus there is a bond between the three, which is a means and ends relationship in a civilised society.
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When we glance around us in the context of efforts, recognition and rewards, it is often seen that some get rewards for the efforts of others. Some others who put a lot of efforts do not even get the recognition they deserve. There are many instances where efforts are put in by someone, recognition goes to someone else and the fruits of rewards reach yet another! This is all the more true when we scan through the tributes paid to a departed soul by the leaders of the society. Sometimes it sounds funny while at other times it hurts. "He will always be known as a poet who richly deserved the Jnanapeeth Award, but never got it", is an example of one such comment. The one paying such tribute would have even worked very hard to deny the award or reward to the concerned person! Luck does play its part when extraneous issues come to the forefront pushing behind real merit or deserving credentials.
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The post of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha in our country is held in high esteem. Many distinguished personalities have occupied this prestigious post and set very high standards in conducting the business sessions of the august house. It is normally reserved for one of the senior most member of the house as the belief is that a senior member knows the rules of functioning of the house well. Other experiences as well as the respect they command from the other members are of vital consideration. Sometimes Politics also plays an important role for selection of such candidates. It is used as an alternative post to someone who should have been given a rightful place in the Cabinet, but the leader is uncomfortable in having the person there. It has also been used to accomodate a representative of a friendly party in the give and take game of politics.
Many names were making rounds as to who would be the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha when the house was constituted recently after month long general elections. Press, Media and Political Pundits gave the post to many persons with lengthy justifications. Ultimately the one chosen as Speaker was Shri Om Birla, who was elected to the Lok Sabha only for the second time! Not many had heard of him though he had a distinguished political career thus far.
In the background of our discussion on Efforts, Recognition and Rewards above, the election of Shri Om Birla makes a very interesting case study. What are the special qualities of Shri Om Birla that have catapulted him to this distinction?
- Shri Om Birla, born on 23rd November, 1962, in Kota, Rajasthan, worked as student leader during his educational career and was known as a good organiser.
- He won his first major election to the Rajasthan Assembly form Kota in 2003.
- He won the next two elections to the Assembly as well, in 2008 and 2013, each time with bigger margins.
- As three times member of the Rajasthan Assembly he worked tirelessly for bringing Chambal river waters to his area.
- "Paridhan" is a program run by him that provides free books and clothing to students/people in his constituency.
- He runs a free blood supply group in his area.
- An arrangement for providing free food to the poor is available under his guidance.
- A free medicine bank is established to provide medicine to the needy.
- Special relief is available to Cancer and Talassemia, a disease associated with low red blood cells count.
- He is involved in providing artificial limbs to the Physically challenged.
- A nutrition and employment program is run for the tribal people.
- His team of volunteers did excellent relief work in the 2001 Gujarat earthquake victims.
- This is his second stint in the Lok Sabha. He has worked in the Parliamentary Committees assigned to him with distinction.
- Average participation of members in 16th Lok Sabha debates was 67. For Shri Om Birla it was 163.
- He raised 671 questions in the house as against a house average of 293 per member.
- He has a remarkable reputation in the house; when he gets up to speak, everyone knows that he is going to ask for something to his constituency. He does not end it by asking; he follows up and gets it done.
People outside his area of work probably did not know much about him. He was like the proverbial fruit behind the leaf. He has now received the rewards and recognition for his long service to the society. Now that he has become the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, we may hear about him more often. Good luck to him!
