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In today’s dynamic environment educational institutions require students to work together in teams. Working in teams helps the students learn interactively. Teamwork might be the key to success in doing any activity in the case of limited time and resources. However, I do not think this is a good way to learn as there might be either no communication or miscommunication amongst the team members. Working with people from different cultural background was a bit hectic as we could hardly understand each other due to communication barriers.

Communication is one of the most important skills to sharpen. Being able to communicate effectively in your own surrounding may seem to be a challenge but it raises rapidly in different culture. In this day and era, globalization is thereby unavoidable and therefore being able to communicate in the pace of cultural diversity is more important than ever. Verbal and non-verbal communication are the two parts of communication that are usually used in any other culture.

Specific duties were shared amongst individuals of my team. At the beginnig, the duties were not as equally difficult. Being the only girl in the group it was quite challenging for me cause men have a tendency of delegating work to the female species as in the society that we live in women are referred to be more vulnerable as compared to men. Doing most of the work was a bit hectic cause I did not know if they would like it or not, and also I had to do my other courses work that I think was too much for one person.

I felt so over-worked however I was doing it to earn my points because I was not ready to put my grades at stake. Most of the teams’ work was however not equally distributed as initially planned. Proper delegation of responsibility and the development of a proper plan for the completion of the goal is the major objective of a team. I felt as if I was an introvert as compared to the extrovert person that I am usually.

Although the familiar saying ‘two hands are better than one’ might be true in most cases, it appears that there are situations when this saying is not truthful.
Later on, I spoke to one of my team members about the incident and he suggested that we talk to the others together about it. He did assemble the rest and I did express how I felt and they looked quite shocked because I did not talk about it until we were graded on the teamwork. We all decide to discuss the essence of teamwork and they assured me that they would help in the upcoming team works.

Looking back at this incident I think I should have acted fast to make everyone in the team participate in the work. I can also see that my inaction did put me at risk of losing my mind. And nowadays I consider myself a balance between an introvert and an extrovert. However, in the future, I will develop my assertive skills when working with team members so as to ensure the well-being of everyone is maintained.

Agriculture is known to be one of the most significant economic activities. It involves the production of plants, livestock, fiber, fuel and more by utilizing natural resources such as water and land. The term agriculture is broader than it is commonly anticipated to be. It includes forestry, fishery, livestock and most importantly crop production. Agriculture sector is also one of the largest employers across the world, mainly in developing and under developed nations. Millions of people around the world, directly or indirectly depend on agriculture sector for their livelihood. It is an activity which provides our everyday requirement of food, vegetables, fruits, spices etc.

Long and Short Essay on Agriculture in English

Here are essay on agriculture in English of varying lengths to help you with the topic in the exam.

These Agriculture Essays will let you understand the meaning of “agriculture” and the significant role it plays in the overall economic growth and prosperity of a nation.

After going through the following Agriculture essay you will be able to understand the advantages of agriculture.

These essays will be helpful during several of your school assignments. You can select any agriculture essay as per your need and interest.

Agriculture Essay 1 (200 words)

Introduction

Agriculture is basically the cultivation of plants for the production of food, fuel, fiber, medicines and many other things that have become a necessity for the mankind. Agriculture also involves the breeding of animals. The development of agriculture turned to be a boon for the human civilization as it also gave way to their development.

Agriculture is said to be an art, science and commerce all at the same time as it suffices the factors involved in all three.

• Art

It is said to be an art as it involves the growth, development and management of crop and animal husbandry. It requires patience and dedication to yield good results in this field and only someone who possesses this art can achieve it.

• Science

The knowledge of breeding and genetics is employed to come up with new improved methods of agriculture. Several inventions and explorations are being made in the field. It is ever evolving and thus qualifies as science.

• Commerce

Agriculture supports the economy like no other sector and thus undoubtedly falls in this category too.

Conclusion

With around two-third of the Indian population dependent directly or indirectly on agriculture, it is considered to be the basis of the country’s economic development. It is not just known to be a source of livelihood in India but a way of life.

Agriculture Essay 2 (300 words)

Introduction

The term agriculture comes from the Latin word ager which means field and cultura that means cultivation. Agriculture basically involves the cultivation and production of crops and livestock products.

History of Agriculture

The history of agriculture dates back several centuries. It began in different parts of the world independently about 105,000 years back mostly by the collection of wild grains for the purpose of eating. Here is how different countries were involved in this activity:

• In Mesopotamia, pigs were domesticated around 15,000 years ago. They began domesticating sheep around 2000 years later.
• In China, rice was cultivated around 13,500 years ago. They eventually began cultivating soy, azuki beans and mung.
• In Turkey, cattle were domesticated around 10,500 years ago.
• Beans, potato, coca, llamas and alpacas were domesticated around 10,000 years ago.
• Sugarcane and certain root vegetables were cultivated in New Guinea around 9,000 years ago.
• Cotton was domesticated in Peru around 5,600 years ago.

Similarly, the domestication of various plants and animals is being done in many other parts of the country since thousands of years.

Impact of Modern Technology on Agriculture

The development in the field of science and technology led to the use of modern techniques in agriculture. While it has contributed a great deal to the development of the agriculture sector, the modern technology has also had certain negative repercussions on the sector. Here is the kind of impact it has had:

• The use of fertilizers and pesticides as well as the use of technologically advanced equipments for the cultivation of crops has increased the yields drastically however it has also been the cause of ecological damage and impacted the human health negatively.
• Selective breeding and the use of other modern practices in the rearing of animals has increased the supply of meat however it has raised the concern about animal welfare.

Conclusion

Like every other sector, the agricultural sector has also evolved over the centuries and its development has brought about certain positive and negative repercussions to the society.

Agriculture Essay 3 (400 words)

Introduction

Agriculture is a vast subject. It encompasses the production of crops, animal husbandry, soil science, horticulture, dairy science, extension education, entomology, agriculture chemistry, agri engineering, agri economics, plant pathology and botany. These subjects are taught in various universities across the world to train people in the field.

Different Kinds of Farming

Here is a look at how the agricultural field has broadly been categorized in our country:

1. Subsistence Farming

One of the most widely practiced technique of farming in India. Under this type of farming, the farmers grow grains for themselves as well as for the purpose of sale.

2. Commercial Agriculture

This type of agriculture focuses on high yield with the aim to export it to other countries to generate profit. Some of the commonly grown commercial crops in the country include cotton, wheat and sugarcane.

3. Shifting Agriculture

This type of farming is majorly practiced by tribal groups to grow root crops. They mostly clear the forested area and grow crops there.

4. Extensive Agriculture

This is more common in the developed countries. However, it is also practiced in certain parts of India. It focuses on the use of machinery to grow and raise crops.

5. Intensive Agriculture

This is a common practice in densely populated areas of the country. It is focused on generating maximizing output of the land by employing different techniques. A good amount of investment in terms of money and huge labour force is required for this.

6. Plantation Agriculture

This type of agriculture involves the cultivation of crops that require a good amount of time and space for growing. Some of these crops include tea, rubber, coffee, cocoa, coconut, fruits and spices. This is mostly practiced in the states of Assam, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala.

7. Wet Land Farming

The areas that receive heavy rainfall are well irrigated and these are apt for the farming of crops such as jute, rice and sugarcane.

8. Dry Land Farming

It is practiced in desert-like areas such as the central and northwest India. Some of the crops grown in such areas are bajra, jowar and gram. This is because these crops require less water for growth.

Conclusion

With the advancement in technology, agriculture has come a long way. It is not limited to just growing crops and rearing of cattle. It includes a whole lot of other subjects and someone who is interested in getting into the agricultural field can choose to specialize in one.

Agriculture Essay 4 (500 words)

Introduction

Agriculture basically involves the cultivation of crops and the domestication of animals for the purpose of generating food and other things necessary for the mankind. While it is being practiced since centuries, it has evolved over the time and has become one of the major factors in the development of our country’s economy.

Significance of Agriculture

Here is a look at the significance of agriculture:

1. Major Source of Food

It goes without saying that the food we eat is a gift of the agricultural activities that take place in the country. The country has seen times of acute food shortage before independence however the problem was resolved with the advent of the green revolution in agriculture in the year 1969.

2. Major Contributor to National Income

Statistics reveal that, the national income from primary agricultural activities was about 59% in the year 1950-51. While it has come down eventually and reached around 24% about a decade back, the agricultural sector in India is still one of the major contributors to the national income.

3. Development of the Industrial Sector

Agriculture plays a major role in the development of the industrial sector by providing the raw material. Industries such as the cotton textiles, sugar, jute, oil, rubber and tobacco are majorly dependent on the agricultural sector.

4. Employment Opportunities

The agricultural sector offers numerous employment opportunities as a large labour force is required for the smooth functioning of various agricultural activities. It does not only open a vast arena of direct employment opportunities but indirect as well. For instance, the agricultural products need to be transported from one place to another and hence it supports the transport sector.

5. Boost in Foreign Trade

Foreign trade relies majorly on the agricultural sector. Agricultural exports form a good 70% of the total exports. India is an exporter of tea, tobacco, cotton textiles, jute products, sugar, spices and many other agricultural products.

6. Generation of Government Revenue

Excise duty on agro-based goods, land revenue and taxes on the sale of agricultural machinery make for a good source of government revenue.

7. Formation of Capital

The surplus income generated from agricultural activities can very well be invested in banks for capital formation.

Agriculture: A hazardous Industry

While agricultural sector is of great importance to the country, we cannot deny the fact that is a hazardous industry. Farmers across the globe have a high risk of work related injuries. One of the common causes of agricultural injuries is tractor rollovers and other motor and machinery related accidents. Due to the nature of their job they are also prone to skin diseases, lung infections, noise-induced hearing problems, sun strokes as well as certain types of cancers. Those exposed to pesticides may have serious illnesses and might even have kids with birth defects. 

Conclusion

However, that said, agriculture does play a significant part in the development of the human civilization as a whole. As Booker T. Washington said, “No race can prosper till it learns there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem”, agriculture sector is an integral part of the country.

Agriculture Essay 5 (600 words)

Introduction

Agriculture is one sector that has been in place since thousands of years. It has developed over the years with the use of new equipments and techniques of farming and domestication. This is one sector that has not only seen immense growth but has also been the reason for growth of various other sectors.

The Growth and Development of Agricultural Sector

India is one such country which is largely dependent on the agricultural sector. Agriculture in India is not just a means of livelihood but a way of life. The government is continually making efforts to develop this sector. Let us learn how this sector has evolved with time.

Though agriculture is being practiced since centuries in India, it remained under developed for a pretty long time. We were unable to produce sufficient food for our people and foreign export was simply out of question. On the contrary, we had to purchase food grains from other countries. This was because agriculture in India depended on the monsoon.

In case, there was enough rain, the crops fertilized properly, when there wasn’t enough rain the crops just failed and most parts of the country were hit by famine. However, things changed with time. After independence, the government planned to bring about improvement in this sector. Dams were constructed, tube-wells and pump-sets were set up, better quality seeds, fertilizers were made available and new techniques were employed.

With the use of technologically advanced equipment, good irrigation facilities and with specialized knowledge about the field things began improving. We soon started producing much more than we required and subsequently started exporting food grains and different agricultural products. Our agricultural sector is now stronger than that of many countries. India stands first in the production of groundnuts and tea and ranks second in the production of sugarcane, rice, jute and oil seeds across the globe.

However, we still have a long way to go and the government is making efforts in this direction.

Negative Repercussions of Agriculture on Environment

As much as it has helped in the development of the human civilization and the growth of the country’s economy, agriculture has also had certain negative repercussions on the people involved in this sector as well as the environment as a whole. Here are the negative repercussions of agriculture on environment:

• Agriculture has led to deforestation. Many forests are cut to turn them into fields to cultivate crops. The negative impacts of deforestation and the need to control it is hidden from none.
• Not many of you may be aware that the building of watersheds and draining of water from the rivers for irrigation of fields leads to drier natural habitats.
• The runoff from the fields into the rivers and other water bodies results in that water getting poisoned owing to the use of excessive nutrients and insecticides.
• Topsoil depletion and groundwater contamination are some of the other issues that the agricultural activities have given way to.

Agriculture has thus impacted the soil and water resources negatively and this has had a major impact on the environment.

Agriculture is also considered to be a hazardous occupation. Those involved in farming are constantly exposed to different chemical based fertilizers and pesticides and the continual use of these can lead to several health hazards such as skin diseases, lung infections and certain other serious illnesses.

Conclusion

While agriculture has given so much to our society, it comes with its own set of cons that cannot be overlooked. While the government is doing so much to bring about growth and development in this field, it should also take measures to tackle the negative impact it is creating on the environment and those involved in the field.

According to a survey in 2011, over 26 million people in India defecated in the open. Around 60 percent of Indians did not have access to safe and private toilets. Such overwhelming majority of those without access to sanitation facilities posed a formidable obstacle in the development of the nation.

In this backdrop, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Mission to address the challenges of water, sanitation, and hygiene on October 2^nd, 2014 at Rajghat in New Delhi. This flagship programme of the Union government aims to realize the dream of a Clean India by October 02, 2019, the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Here we are providing you some useful articles on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan under various categories according to varying words limits. You can choose any of these as per your need:

Swachh Bharat Mission Articles

Article on Swachh Bharat Mission 1 (300 words)

Introduction

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) on October 2^nd, 2014, the 145^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The ambitious programme aims to make the streets, roads and infrastructure across the country clean by October 02^nd, 2019, the 150^th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation. It is India’s biggest ever cleanliness drive.

The relevance of the Swachh Bharat Mission

Sanitation has emerged as a key issue since the 2011 Census highlighted the glaring data on lack of toilets in the country by stating that over 26 million people in India defecate in the open. Launched with an estimated cost of around Rs 62,000 crore, Swachh Bharat Mission aims to achieve the elimination of open defecation in the country. Among its other objectives are conversion of insanitary toilets to pour flush toilets, putting an end to the inhuman practice of manual scavenging and carrying out Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM).

Involvement of Eminent Personalities

Launching the mission, Prime Minster nominated nine famous personalities for the campaign. They joined the campaign and nominated nine more people. Thus, the momentum had been built with people from all walks of life joining it. Eminent personalities such as Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Kailash Kher, Priyanka Chopra and leading sportspersons like Sachin Tendulkar, Sania Mirza, Saina Nehwal and Mary Kom were part of the SBM initiative.

How far we have come

As per the government data, till November 2018, around 25 states and more than 5 lakhs villages have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) and 96.55% rural household have now access to toilets. There have been around 89 million toilets built since 02^nd October, 2014 and the work is still in progress.

Conclusion

Though the government is putting forward its best efforts, but what matters the most is the behavioural change of its citizen which is very important to keep our country clean. There is a need of an attitudinal change on the part of all citizens to fulfill the mission of a clean India in its true spirit.

Article on Swachh Bharat Mission 2 (500 words)

Introduction

Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 02^nd, 2014 with an estimated cost of around Rs 62,000 crore, Swachh Bharat Mission aims to cover 1.04 crore households, provide 2.5 lakhs seats of community toilets, 2.6 lakhs seats of public toilets and solid waste management facility for all towns.

How it is being managed

The urban component of the mission is being managed by the Union Ministry of Urban Development. Around three million government employees and school and college students of India participated in the event in its initial phase. The rural component of the mission is being handled by the Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

Historical Development:

The Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC)

In 1999, the Union Government rolled out the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC). Its objective was to spread awareness among the rural people and generation of demand for sanitary facilities. The scheme was implemented with emphasis on community-led initiatives. The government provided financial incentives to the families which were Below Poverty Line (BPL). The government assistance was also extended for construction of toilets in the primary schools, the ‘Anganwadi’ Centres and the Community Sanitary Complexes (CSC).

The Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA)

The Government of India also launched the Nirmal Gram Puraskar (NGP) to recognise contributions in this field. NGP became a success which prompted the Government to rename CSC as the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA). Its objective was to accelerate the sanitation coverage in the rural areas. This scheme was handled by the Ministry of Rural Development.

Under Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, the government adopted the community-centric strategies. The demand driven approach continued highlighting awareness creation and demand generation for sanitary facilities in houses, schools. It also emphasised on a cleaner environment.

Emergence of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

However, programmes like the Total Sanitation Campaign and the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan failed to achieve the desired targets due to planning weaknesses, wastages, and irregularities. According to the CAG estimation, more than 30 percent of individual household latrines were defunct/non-functional for reasons like poor quality of construction, incomplete structure, and no-maintenance.

It states that though the conceptual framework keeps changing from supply driven to demand driven and finally to ‘saturation and convergence’ approach, the lessons learned and experimentations do not seem to have made much impact on the sanitation status in the country. We need to learn from the previous mistakes.

With the introduction of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in 2014, the Government restructured the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) with two sub-Missions: Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). The focus now is to achieve a clean, defecation-free India by the year 2019.

Conclusion

It would be a befitting tribute to the Father of Nation on his 150^th Birth Anniversary, if we can improve the levels of cleanliness in the country and make it Open Defecation Free. But the success of Swachh Bharat Mission depends on the society as a whole with every citizen of the country required to contribute towards improving the levels of cleanliness in the country.

Article on Swachh Bharat Mission 3 (600 words)

Introduction

As per estimates, poor hygiene and sanitation facilities cost India 600,000 lives annually due to diarrhea and other such diseases. As per government data of 2011, India is home to 450 million people who do not have access to toilets and they defecate in the open. Not only this, lack of toilets also exposes one third of country’s women to the risk of sexual assault.

Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) or Clean India Mission was launched by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi on the 145^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, 2014, at Rajghat in New Delhi. This national campaign, initiated by the Government of India, covers 4041 statutory towns across the country and aims to make the streets, roads and infrastructure clean by October 2, 2019, i.e. Mahatma Gandhi’s 150^th birth anniversary.

How it is being Managed

This mission to clean India’s cities and villages is estimated to cost around Rs. 62,000 crore.  It’s the most celebrated scheme of the recent time which aims to combat dirtiness and generate awareness among the citizens of India about the importance of sanitation and hygiene. Millions of people, celebrities, politicians, academic institutions, NGOs, and local community centres across the country joined this cleanliness initiative of the government by organizing cleanliness drives across the country. From Bollywood actors to the sportsperson, government officials to Armymen, industrialists to spiritual leaders, all are willingly contributing towards making India clean.

The Union Ministry of Urban Development is managing the urban component of the SBM, while the Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation is handling the rural component of the mission. Students of schools are also organizing frequent cleanliness campaigns to spread awareness about hygiene through plays and other modes.

Historical Perspective:

The Government of India launched the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) with effect from April 1, 1999. To provide a major fillip to the TSC, the government launched an incentive scheme in June 2003 in the form of an award for comprehensive sanitation coverage, preservation and protection of   environment and open defecation-free panchayat villages, blocks, and districts namely Nirmal Gram Puraskar. The TSC was further renamed as Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA). On October 2, 2014, the campaign was renamed and launched as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Mission (SBM) to fulfill Mahatma Gandhi`s vision of ‘Clean India’.

The Main Objectives of the SBM:

The mission aims to eradicate open defecation by 2019. Prime Minister while launching the SBM, called for making the goal of Swachh Bharat as a mass movement, with people taking a pledge to neither litter, nor let others litter.

Citing a World Health Organization estimate that an average of Rs. 6500 per person was lost in India due to lack of cleanliness and hygiene, the Prime Minister emphasized that a clean India would make a significant impact on public health. It would safeguard income of the poor, ultimately contributing to the national economy. He underlined that sanitation should not be seen as a political tool, but as manifestation of patriotism and contribution towards nation-building.

The mission aims to eliminate open defecation by constructing toilets for households, communities; abolishing manual scavenging; ushering in advanced municipal solid waste management practices; encouraging private sector involvement in the sanitation sector and last but not the least by bringing about attitudinal change with regard to sanitation.

Conclusion

Though the government has greatly publicized this mission, yet there is a lack of adequate awareness about making India clean, which is a major cause of concern. If each and every person starts making efforts for keeping their surroundings clean, we would definitely see the positive results soon.

Article on Swachh Bharat Mission 4 (800)

Introduction

India has registered a sustained economic growth in the last few years. But it still faces a huge economic loss due to poor hygiene and sanitation. A recent World Bank report has highlighted that India loses 6.4% of GDP annually because of this particular reason. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India aims at ‘total sanitation’ by 2019. It means every household in India will have a toilet by the end of the year 2019, the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission

Objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission are – elimination of open defecation, conversion of insanitary toilets to pour flush toilets, eradication of manual scavenging, 10% collection and scientific processing/disposal, reuse/recycle of municipal solid waste, to bring about a behavioural change in people regarding healthy sanitation practices. The programme aims to generate awareness among the citizens about sanitation and its association with health. It also calls for strengthening of urban local bodies to design, implement and operate systems to create conducive environment for private sector participation.

Menace of the Open Defecation

One of the major causes of lack of cleanliness in the country is open defecation. It refers to a practice whereby people go out in fields or other open spaces rather than using the toilets to defecate. This practice is quite rampant in India. A UN report also said that India was home to the world’s largest population of people who defecate in the open and around 65,000 tonnes of excreta was added into the environment each day.

The Open Defecation Free (ODF)

To become Open Defecation Free (ODF) is an uphill task for a country like ours. The age-old practices and a lack of awareness among people are posing severe challenges to health. However after the launch of Swachh Bharat Campaign, 25 states have been declared as Open Defecation Free till November 2018. Sikkim was the first Indian state which was declared ODF state under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

In October 2016, Himachal Pradesh was declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) state under the SBM. After Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh got this status to have toilet for every individual household. As on November 2018, there were 89 million toilets built since 02^nd October 2014 and more than 5 lakhs villages were declared Open Defecation Free. There is still a long way to go for the completion of this campaign and most important thing will be the behavioural change which is very important for the successful completion of this mission.

Funding of the Swachh Bharat Mission

This mission is one of the leading centrally-sponsored schemes for which cooperation of all the states is quite important. The SBM receives funds through budgetary allocations, contributions to the Swachh Bharat Kosh and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It also receives funding assistance from the international organisation like the World Bank. The Government of India introduced Swachh Bharat Cess (SBC) in 2015 which is used for financing and promoting the Swachh Bharat initiatives.

It is applicable on all taxable services. It is levied, charged, collected and paid to the Government of India, independent of service tax. It is charged as a separate line item in the invoice. SBC has been introduced for financing and promoting Swachh Bharat initiatives and became effective since 15 November 2015 at the rate of 0.5% on all taxable services. SBC is collected in the Consolidated Fund of India.

The Union Government had announced Swachh Bharat Kosh (SBK) in 2014. Its Governing Council is chaired by Secretary, the Department of Expenditure, and Ministry of Finance. Secretaries from several ministries are part of it. Its instruction is to procure Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from the corporate sector and philanthropists. It accepts contributions from individuals also. The Kosh is used to achieve the objective of improving cleanliness levels in rural and urban areas.

Conclusion

Though people have started to pitch in to help spread the message of ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’, we still have miles to go. The government needs to work on the entire sanitation value chain including water supply, safe disposal and treatment of waste, and maintenance of infrastructure. The construction of toilets as well as awareness campaigns needs the backing of the state for regular monitoring of the toilet use. Not only this, there is a need to engage the community also to address the age-old practices in the rural areas.

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has started showing its results in the current times where 25 states have been already declared Open Defecation Free and efforts are already in progress to make other state join the club of ODF.  At this juncture, every countryman should take a pledge that he/she will contribute towards making India clean in the true sense of the term and then only we can pay tribute in real sense to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150^th birth anniversary in 2019.

It is rightly said that work is equivalent to worship. People who dedicate their entire lives to their work surely get rewarded. But in addition to the toil and perseverance, one needs to enjoy what they do. Those who find their jobs dull and dreary, look forward to the days when they get a holiday. While on the other hand, those who enjoy what they do are on a holiday on every day of their lives.

Choosing the job of one’s dreams can often prove to be a predicament. One must be really inclined toward his or her dream job and pursue them with dedication. Running behind profitable jobs may not always prove to be the best idea. One should have interest in a particular job else, he may spend the rest of his life regretting his choice of job. It is a famous saying that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. This means that we should also focus on having fun rather than be slaves of our profession for eternity.

Sometimes, pleasure in a simple job may be derived when the worker gives it a lofty meaning. A story is told of three men working at a construction site. Somebody approaches them and asks them what they are doing. One says that he is just working there; another says that he is building a wall, but the third closes his eyes and says that he is building a cathedral. Here the third builder realized the joy of working at a worthwhile project, which for posterity will contain a part of him. Whereas the other people were doing their jobs grudgingly and thus they were regretting it. Similarly, a gardener can count the days to pay day and grumble at the lot in his life or count the number of trees and tell his grandchildren proudly that in his life, he had planted a few thousand trees to help beautify the earth.

Some times when we are travelling to a certain place and by mistake we take a wrong path, we would not reach our desired destination. Now we have two options before us. We can either take a U-turn or continue on the same erroneous path fearing that we have wasted too much time in accomplishing this journey. If we linger on the wrong path our final destination will never be the desired one. It will be a compromise with the circumstance. The wiser option is to take the challenging U-turn and start the journey afresh. In life too we can make the wrong choice in our career. A seemingly lucrative career may not be the one cut out for us. At that time we must have the tenacity to restart our race, else we will be imprisoned in a suffocating career forever. This will not only limit our success but also make us perennially despondent.

Quite often the gratification of a job may not depend solely on the worker, it can involve his boss, co-workers and the ethos of the organization. This can be ensured by the management by providing a conducive work environment. If the management realizes that workers work better when they are happy and that they produce better results, then it must create a favorable work culture.

It is true that leisure loses value without work. A person feels a sense of joy when he is on holiday because he has earned it but that holiday should not be extended to a never-ending spree. Moderation is the key factor. A person’s work output escalates when he takes his leisure seriously and on time. Likewise, life seems meaningful with some quality work. Hence, we must balance our work and leisure judiciously and lead a harmonious life.