WITH FOCUS AND PERSEVERANCE YOU CAN FLOURISH ANYWHERE

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.”

In the present times, both the fields of education as well as profession have become revolutionary. Students are exposed to a plethora of opportunities and options. While this gives them the freedom to explore their potential and talents, at the same time they are inclining towards the tendency of making a switch from one option to another without much speculation. The moment they face difficulty or discomfort, they try to look for more “achievable” options instead of trying persistently and patiently. Perseverance is a quality which is hard to find these days. It is time to talk about qualities like ‘repeated and tireless efforts and focus on a particular and well-thought goal’. Many millennial aren’t goal-oriented. Of course, there are exceptions. Some have done well. But the big picture is less promising. I watch kids paying more attention to their smart phones and social media instead of developing career skills and face-to-face relationships. They lack a sense of identity and fulfillment. Exploring one’s potential isn’t wrong but it should not be done, keeping the sense of pertinence and stability at stake. Isn’t it ironical that the present generation is more focused on finding balance and inner peace in this overwhelming world and yet they somehow cannot focus when it comes to career and job opportunities?

“Our access to information is unprecedented and ever-increasing. The Attention Economy notes that one Sunday New York Times edition contains more factual information than the entirety of written material that 15th-century readers could access. Their problem was not “finding time to read, but finding enough reading to fill the time.” Our new wealth of information has created “a poverty of attention,” as political scientist Herbert Simon put it. But there’s another, maybe bigger, reason we’re distracted: what’s important for modern humans and society has changed, and it’s now instinctively hard to recognize and prioritize. Our attention problem is due to both lack of focus and focus on the wrong things.” I cannot stress this more that the present generation requires to set goals and prioritize the significant things in life.

So, it is time to take inspiration. In this article I would cite the examples of the intellectually prolific minds who teach us exemplary focus and persistence, a tendency to work incessantly till the goal is achieved. I am talking about none other than the Indian scientists. Our scientists working at ISRO, DRDO, CEERI and many more such research institutes have revolutionized the way people look at the scientific calibre and power of a developing country. The remarkable scientific achievements that our country proudly celebrates wouldn’t have been possible without their single-minded dedication and commitment to their work. I extend a heartfelt gratitude these gems on behalf of every Indian. They have sacrificed their youth and the comforts of personal life to give us a worthy standing on the world map. All this has been possible due to their undeterred and indefatigable focus and devotion.

India scripted history when it successfully put the Mars mission in Mars orbit. With this, India became the first and the only country to pull something of this magnitude leaving China and Japan behind. Many of scientists involved in this humongous achievement weren’t interestingly from the renowned institute of technology- the IITs. Now, being an IITian is a matter of great pride and accomplishment but in this article I would like to mention the scientists who did not study in these so much sought after chain of institutions. The reason behind this is that their focus and dedication towards their purpose made them no less of a hero than the IITians present in the ‘Mangalyana team’. They have the same professional and social standing and intellect that is required to be where they are.

P. Kunhikrishnan (born 30th May 1961) is a space scientist from India, currently the Director of U.R.Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), in Bengaluru, India. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Payyanur College in 1981 and later completed BTech in Electronics&Communication engineering from College of Engineering, Trivandrum in 1986. He joined Indian Space Research Organisation in 1986. As Mission Director, he was was responsible for 13 consecutive PSLV launches including the launch of India's prestigious Mars Orbiter by PSLV-C25. Dr. S. K. Shivakumar was an Indian scientist who was part of the team that developed the telemetry system for Chandrayaan-I, India's first lunar exploration mission. A native of Mysore in the state of Karnataka, he completed his B. Tech and M. Tech from IIS Bangalore. He was responsible for designing the deep space communications equipment.  He has served as director of ISAC and ISTRAC, two centres of Indian Space Research Organization. He departed for the heavenly abode on 13^th April 2019. M.Y.S. Prasad is an Indian scientist and the former director of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota Range (SDSC-SHAR). He is currently serving as the Vice-Chancellor in India's one of the top private university, Vignan University located in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. He completed Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics and Communications) in 1974 from Government College of Engineering, Kakinada, Ph.D. from BITS, Pilani in the subject of "Interference in Satellite Communications" in 2005 and holds 39 years of experience in Indian Space Program, steering various activities and programs in different Centres and Units.

Another feat of the Indian Scientists is India's unexpected launch of an anti-satellite missile which sparked surprise (and some alarm) among international and aerospace-industry experts. The test's success makes India the fourth country capable of destroying an enemy satellite, after the U.S., Russia and China. In an operation called ‘Mission Shakti’, the Defence Research & Development Organisation demonstrated India’s ability in offensive defence capability. Now, if I talk about, Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO; he graduated in Electronics and Communication Engineering from JNTU, Anantapur and received his M.S & Ph.D from JNTU Hyderabad. He joined Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad in the year 1986 and subsequently joined Research Centre Imarat (RCI), the brain child of Dr Kalam, after its formation. From a young navigation scientist and System Manager he rose steadily and after his multiple significant appointments and decades of sustained contributions to Defence R&D, was elevated as Distinguished Scientist in Sep 2014 and was appointed as Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister in May 2015. So, even the Chairman of DRDO doesn’t hail from IIT as the other noteworthy scientists mentioned above. The only reason I mentioned the accomplishment of the non-IITians here is just to throw light on the fact that if you are focused and determined you can write your own destiny. Of course IITs have contributed a lot in the field of education but we should not forget the other institutions which are producing youth, equally capable of creating history.

I ask the parents to remember that to become a distinguished scientist or eminent businessman, your child doesn’t have to be a dummy student for two precious years of his school life. The need of the hour is to inculcate the sense of focus and dedication and most importantly a sense of affinity and responsibility towards the career choices the youth is making these days. Once they learn to explore their potential and dedicate themselves towards it they are going to do well in life. As the Boards results are about to be declared soon, many students would be aspiring to get enrolled in the renowned colleges and universities. My advice to the parents would be to decide the course based on the aptitude and interest of the child. Do not run after a brand name when it comes to future and career.

 At the end of the day it’s their achievement that the world is going to remember and not the college they went to. Always remember kids, “You control your future, your destiny. What you think about comes about. By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be. Put your future in good hands - your own.”