1. School Teacher – 40,000 to 80,000 2. Teaching Assistant – 50,000 to 60,000 3. Assistant Professor – 90,000 to 110,000 4. Associate Professor – 130,000 to 150,000 5. Tenured Professor – 175,000 to 195,000 6. Doctor – 225,000 to 275,000 7. Specialist Doctor – 250,000 to 400,000 8. Lawyer – 250,000 to 400,000
These are the average salaries varying from $40,000 to $400,000.
Does it have any relation to the beginning of inequalities in our society?
Does it have any relation to modern caste/race system in framing?
A young man in his mid-twenties knocks on the door of a renowned Guru. He says: “I’ve come to you because I wish to study the Vedas.”
“Do you know Sanskrit?” the Guru asks.
“No,” replies the young man.
“Have you studied any Indian philosophy?”
“No. But don’t worry. I just finished my doctoral dissertation at Harvard on logic. So now, I would just like to round up my education with a little study of the Vedas.”
Article: Published on June 1, 2020 Amazing story of ‘what is the right problem?’
A young man in his mid-twenties knocks on the door of a renowned Guru. He says: “I’ve come to you because I wish to study Vedas.”
“Do you know Sanskrit?” the Guru asks.
“No,” replies the young man.
“Have you studied any Indian philosophy?”
“No. But don’t worry. I just finished my doctoral dissertation at Harvard on logic. So now, I would just like to round up my education with a little study of the Vedas.”
“I doubt,” the Guru says, “that you are ready to study the Vedas. It is the deepest knowledge ever known. If you wish, however, I am willing to examine you in logic, and if you pass that test I will teach you the Vedas.”
The young man agrees.
The Guru holds up two fingers. “Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face; the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?”
The young man stares at the Guru. “Is that really a test in logic?”
The Guru nods.
“The one with the dirty face washes his face,” he answers confidently.
“Wrong. The one with the clean face washes his face. Examine the logic. The one with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks his face is clean. The one with the clean face looks at the one with the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty. So, the one with the clean face washes his face.”
“Very clever,” the young man says. “Give me another test.”
The Guru again holds up two fingers. “Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face and the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?”
“We have already established that. The one with the clean face washes his face.”
“Wrong. Each one washes his face. Examine the logic. The one with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks his face is clean. The one with the clean face looks at the one with the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty. So, the one with the clean face washes his face. When the one with the dirty face sees the one with the clean face wash his face, he also washes his face. So, each one washes his face.”
“I didn’t think of that,” says the young man. It’s shocking to me that I could make an error in logic. Test me again.”
The Guru holds up two fingers. “Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face; the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?”
“Each one washes his face.”
“Wrong. Neither one washes his face. Examine the logic. The one with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks his face is clean. The one with the clean face looks at the one with the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty. But when the one with the clean face sees the one with the dirty face doesn’t wash his face, he also doesn’t wash his face. So, neither one washes his face.”
The young man is desperate. “I am qualified to study the Vedas. Please give me one more test.”
He groans, though, when the Guru lifts two fingers. “Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face; the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?”
“Neither one washes his face.”
*“Wrong. Do you now see why logic is an insufficient basis for studying the Vedas? Tell me, how is it possible for two men to come down the same chimney, and for one to come out with a clean face and the other with a dirty face? Don’t you see? The whole question is nonsense, foolishness, and if you spend your whole life trying to answer foolish questions, all your answers will be foolish, too.”*
That’s why having wisdom is more important than having logic…
One of the greatest creations of humankind is language. Language is by itself complex, comprising multiple grammatical rules, writing techniques, and different writing styles such as poetry and prose.
Language is the outcome of wonderful design. The greatness of its design is that it is sustainable and indeed, future-proof. An apt example of such sustainable timeless designs is that of the Indian languages. They are quite extraordinary and unique when compared to the other languages spoken across the world.
#design #designthinking #sodt
Article: Published on May 7, 2020 Codifying language
Bringing order to sound
One of the greatest creations of humankind is language. Language is by itself complex, comprising multiple grammatical rules, writing techniques, and different writing styles such as poetry and prose.
Language is the outcome of wonderful design. The greatness of its design is that it is sustainable and indeed, future-proof. An apt example of such sustainable timeless designs is that of the Indian languages. They are quite extraordinary and unique when compared to the other languages spoken across the world.
Language groups in the Indian subcontinent
The languages spoken in this subcontinent, especially their written form, can be grouped into two broad categories. Devanagiri script, that is popularly seen in languages such as Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi and other languages, has its origins from the Brahmi script. Interestingly, it is said to be visually similar to the script of South Indian languages that are said to be based on Nandinagari script.
If you observe any language closely, you would notice that they consist of several vowels and many consonants. For example, almost all Indian languages have vowels such as A, Aa, E, Ee, U, Ooh and consonants that include Ka, Kha, Ga, Gha and so on.
An interesting pattern
Have you noticed an interesting pattern here? This is about grouping certain consonants in one sequence and grouping few others in the next. This grouping is done based on what parts of the vocal chords are used to utter the consonants.
For example, the first sequence involves consonants such as Ka, Kha, Ga, and Gha. A major effort here involves the usage of the epiglottis only and not the tongue.
The next sequence involves consonants such as Cha, ChCha, Ja, and Jha. To utter every consonant, you have to hit the tongue to the roof of the mouth. The next sequence involves the consonants Ṭa, Ṭha, Ḍa, and Ḍha. A substantial effort will involve using the epiglottis as well as the tongue to hit the roof of the mouth hard. The next sequence is Ta, Tha, Da, and Dha. All of these consonants require more or less similar effort. The final piece involves the consonants Pa, Pha, Ba, Bha, and Ma. Here there is a need to open and close the lips each time to utter these consonants.
The creator of the language system has observed this carefully and placed similar consonants together so as to improve the receptivity of the learner.
Indian languages were developed thousands of years ago but imagine how a simple design phenomenon of patterns has gone into its genesis! Languages have not only flourished for ages, but have helped in the creation of timeless literature, novels and epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana and holy books like the Bhagwad Gita, to name a few.
For anything to become sustainable and flourish for ages to come, design is critical.
The author is also a deep researcher of culture, tradition and social fabric that shaped the thinking of different communities and faith systems. He works closely with the Gram Panchayat system to bring a design mindset for sustainable change. His years of research work in connecting Design Thinking elements in various sectors is now captured in a comprehensive book UnMukt: Science and Art of Design Thinking which can be downloaded for free
Today, I was conducting a Design Thinking Workshop for one of the top law firms in Mumbai. In Design Thinking, we identify 5 frictional forces that need awareness for effective problem solving – DCAFE – Doubt, Conflict, Anger, Fear and Ego.
We define Conflict as
A. Difference of Opinion
B. Difference of Perspective
C. Difference of Expectations
We also understand that for any creativity, we need all the above three ingredients in a team.
Thus, creativity and conflict are two sides of the same coin.
Then why should we call it Dispute Management Practice, when it accentuates a ‘win-lose’ mindset in both parties.
Why can’t we call it ‘Creative Solutioning for Managing Differences’?
Today is a significant day as we celebrate the National Panchayati Raj Day to commemorate the historic Constitution Act (73rd Amendment) passed in 1992 which came into existence a year later on April 24, 1993. The launch of the e-GramSwaraj portal and app today makes this a doubly important day. The portal shows us the vastness of India’s local governance framework.
We have over 2.66 lakh Gram Panchayats across the length and breadth of our country. This is where ‘the rubber hits the road’ and this is where, as Gandhiji said, India lives. On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, we at #MissionSamriddhi launched the India Panchayat Forum (IPF) at Gandhi Ashram, Sewagram in Wardha. I felt that the 73rd Amendment that provided a Constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institution is yet to realise its full potential.
On this significant day, let us work with them and help them achieve effective local governance, and become examples to the world.
#ruralindia #IndiaPanchayatForum
Article: Published on April 24, 2020 National Panchayati Raj Day
Today is a significant day as we celebrate the National Panchayati Raj Day to commemorate the historic Constitution Act (73rd Amendment) passed in 1992 which came into existence a year later on April 24, 1993. The launch of the e-GramSwaraj portal and app today makes this a doubly important day. The portal shows us the vastness of India’s local governance framework.
We have over 2.66 lakh Gram Panchayats across the length and breadth of our country. This is where ‘the rubber hits the road’ and this is where, as Gandhiji said, India lives. On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, we at #MissionSamriddhi launched the India Panchayat Forum (IPF) at Gandhi Ashram, Sewagram in Wardha. I felt that the 73rd Amendment that provided a Constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institution is yet to realise its full potential. The need for the India Panchayat Forum stems from this gap and is envisioned to promote the Gandhian vision of Panchayat Raj. This upholds the constitutional values, social justice and the highest standards of governance with a special focus on Antyodaya.
In our federal structure, our Gram Panchayats are the unsung heroes. Devolution of power to local government continues to be a contentious issue, but the launch of this portal ensures transparency, and thereby a level playing field. Each Panchayat has different challenges, and most do come up with innovative solutions.
On this significant day, let us work with them and help them achieve effective local governance, and become examples to the world.
Today is a great day as Tamil Nadu celebrates Tamil New Year, Kerala celebrates Vishu and Punjab celebrates Baisakhi. The day is also celebrated as Pana Sankranti in Odisha, Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal and Bihu in Assam. Some of these States also celebrate the harvest festival today.
When we think of festivals and celebrations, the thought of food cannot be far behind. However, in this time of national lockdown due to the global pandemic, food sources have become scarce. While for many people, this period allows them to spend quality time with their families, it has also increased the efforts of women who ‘work for home’ and ‘who work from home’, and thus juggle their time between the kitchen and the laptop.
I am reminded of a wonderful Design analogy that I have shared in my Design Thinking workshops. In the current context, this analogy seems appropriate to be shared with you again.
Let’s start with a question Can we utilize constraints for a positive outcome? I believe we definitely can! Design Thinking advocates see constraints as friends when leveraged effectively.
Much of South Indian food is based on flour-based batter that ferments pretty soon due to the temperature. However, South Indians have come up with a unique process of using batter across extended periods just by changing the design of food around this.
Make friends with fermentation!
Let me expand this further.
What are the possible design objectives of the food chain? It should have (a) Nutrition (b) Variety in taste (c) Ease of cooking (d) Easy to digest and (e) Minimum wastage.
A deeper look at South Indian food Let’s examine some food varieties such as dosa, idli, utthapam, different varieties of rice and gravies such as sambhar, in the light of the above parameters. There are insightful observations that revolve around interesting innovations and design elements.
The Dosa batter has the right mix of proteins and carbohydrates with pre-mixed portions of 1/3 dal and 2/3 rice as input/ingredients and this gives the essential nutrition
In Sambhar, one can mix any kind of vegetable from potato, tomato, pumpkin to okra along with spices. These items not only impart taste to the food but also provide essential nutritional value.
Variety is the spice of life, right? The same dosa batter can later be used to create other items, such as idli, utthapam, paniyaram and so on, based on the fermentation level – and as the days go by.
Simplicity is component based cooking. For example, when you cook rice, you can make multiple varieties of flavoured rice, such as curd rice, tamarind rice, sambhar rice, coconut rice, lemon rice, etc. The major part of cooking is done once in the morning and for each serving of a meal, very little work is left to be completed.
Easy on digestion: Pre-fermentation of proteins and carbohydrates help in easy digestion. The job is already half done even before it enters the mouth!
Almost zero wastage: The dosa batter can be used for multiple days till it is exhausted. Boiled left over rice can be used for multiple recipes including recipes for the next morning. One can even just add a single okra into Sambhar without it getting wasted.
The chances of so many design elements coming together cannot be a part of the evolution of food chain. Initial thinkers, who simplified many elements in human lives, must have applied their thinking in simplifying the food chain.
Food is essential to sustain life. In the current scenario, where food is scarce, leveraging batter-based foods like idly, dosa and utthapam helps in cutting down on boredom by bringing variety and helps the women at home.
Have you relished any food or heard about any cuisine that has an interesting design aspect to it? I would like to hear your thoughts
And people stayed home and read books and listened and rested and exercised and made art and played and learned new ways of being and stopped and listened deeper someone meditated someone prayed someone danced someone met their shadow and people began to think differently and people healed and in the absence of people who lived in ignorant ways, dangerous, meaningless and heartless, even the earth began to heal and when the danger ended and people found each other grieved for the dead people and they made new choices and dreamed of new visions and created new ways of life and healed the earth completely just as they were healed themselves.
Kathleen O’Meara, pen name Grace Ramsay, was an Irish-French Catholic writer and biographer during the late Victorian era.
This poem appeared in her second novel ‘Iza’s Story’, which was about the struggle of Polish patriots against Russian, Austrian and German occupation. The book compares the Polish-Russian situation to the Irish-British situation and praises the revolt of a small nation against a great neighbour.
1. Must think about perpetuity… Many a times, we don’t think from that perspective. 2. Any initiative should be self-propelled by the community, perhaps after an initial catalysing effort. 3. For it to be self-propelled, the initiative should have an overarching purity of purpose that is inclusive. 4. So, it is very essential to identify those forces that propel the initiative. There are 3 forces that drive human beings: a. Economic returns b. Social contribution/Recognition c. Spiritual/Compassion. 5. This ‘purity of purpose’ is what is of a higher nature because it addresses a greater problem that affects the majority. 6. Finally, such a perpetual initiative and self-propelling are embraced by all because its impact strikingly touches everyone – beneficiary and contributor alike.
Our purpose gets clearer and more relevant every day.
Just three years ago, armed with compassion and a massive transformative purpose, Mission Samriddhi set out to learn and understand the patterns, gaps and opportunities for holistic community development in rural India.
That was Mission Samriddhi 1.0. We are happy to say that we are now ready for Mission Samriddhi 2.0 where we are looking to scale.
Welcome to Mission Samriddhi’s Summit 8 on ‘Design for Scale’
Article: Published on January 29, 2020 Our purpose gets clearer and more relevant every day.
Just three years ago, armed with compassion and a massive transformative purpose, Mission Samriddhi set out to learn and understand the patterns, gaps and opportunities for holistic community development in rural India.
That was Mission Samriddhi 1.0. We are happy to say that we are now ready for Mission Samriddhi 2.0 where we are looking to scale.
Welcome to Mission Samriddhi’s Summit 8 on ‘Design for Scale’ with 4 distinctive sessions.
We kick off with an Expert Workshop where stakeholders from the government, social impact organisations and individuals will deliberate and work out a potential roadmap for each of the following tracks: India Panchayat Forum, Cluster Development Programme, Livelihood and Agri allied, Integrated Education, Healthcare, SHG and Rural Entrepreneurship.
The outcome of Expert Workshops will be discussed in Panel Sessions along with Expert Speakers.
A Sarpanch Roundtable with inspiring leaders from around the country will be part of the event to celebrate The PoleStar Awards honouring winners in the social impact space.
The need for networking time indicated in Summit 7 is being met with a Power Breakfast Session.
Some of the experts who will be part of these sessions are stalwarts in rural transformation in the region. Shri. Sunil Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayat Raj, Government of India Shri S. M. Vijayanand, IAS, Former Chief Secretary, Govt of Kerala, Chairman Sixth State Finance Commission, Kerala Dr W. R. Reddy, IAS, Director General, National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Mr. Siddharth Tripathi, IFS, Commissioner, MGNREGA, Government of Jharkhand Mr. Bala Murugan D., IAS, CEO of BRLPS Jeevika,Government of Bihar Mr. Tausif Ahmed Quraishi, Senior Manager, Ultra-poor Graduation Programme, BRAC, Bangladesh
We look forward to each of the sessions with positivity in the hope that we will build a more prosperous India together!
छत ने कहा – ऊंचा सोंचो पंखे ने कहा – दिमाग ठंडा रक्खो घड़ी ने कहा – समय की कदर करो कैलेंडर ने कहा – वक्त के साथ चलो पर्स ने कहा – भविष्य के लिए बचाओ शीशे ने कहा – अपने आप को देखो दीवार ने कहा – दूसरों का बोझ बांटो खिड़की ने कहा – अपने देखने का दायरा बढ़ाओ फर्श ने कहा – जमीन से जुड़ कर रहो
The above thoughts are not mine, thus I didn’t translate it. I just contextualised it to Design Thinking.
The English translation Roof said – Think high The fan said – Keep your mind cool The clock said – Appreciate the value of time The calendar said – Adapt with time Purse said – Save for the future Mirror said – Reflect on yourself Wall said – Distribute the burden of others Window said – Increase your vision Door said – Leave negativity outside Floor said – Stay connected to the ground.
Hello, my name is Arun Jain. I am a design thinker living in Chennai, India. This is my blog, where I post my thoughts, technology trends and tips about the fintech world and many more.
