This year i wished a merry Christmas to many people. Just like any other year. But this year, i just wished them well from heart, without expecting anything from them.
I did not wish someone, because he or she is important for business. Nor with an intention of reconnecting with them to ask for work or leads.
To everyone out there, lots of unconditional Love & good wishes.
Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavanthu
In one of my previous organisations, we had a senior management workshop to discover what our core values were and to make efforts to communicate and institutionalize it.
We were using the services of a very well-known trainer & facilitator. Let me call him M.
I had interacted with M earlier when I started working for a private sector Bank. He was one of the external trainer who was part of the induction team of HR. He taught us the basic business etiquette and we had a really nice session getting to know the right ways to present the business card and the correct method of handshake. I had pleasant memories of this session and I was looking forward to the workshop.
Let me briefly describe what we did – We were a group of about 10 people from all functions . We started of with a small story which involved many tricky situations and we were supposed to individually analyse and judge as to which of the characters involved was the worst in terms of moral standards. This was followed up by another exercise where in we had to do the same analysis , but now in a group. Subsequently, we did a very interesting exercise wherein M asked us to list down our priorities and focus areas as they were 20 years ago, 10 years ago and in the present. The list then was to be numbered to arrive at a graded list starting with the highest priority item in each phase at top. The idea was to arrive at 3 qualities/focus areas that have remained consistent across the 3 time periods. These were then the core of our nature as they were not changing even though the circumstances changed.
I really liked the concept and was enjoying it but 2 things disturbed me. Firstly, I found that the top most person in the organisation, also the part owner, did not participate in the activity. He left within 5 minutes saying he had important work to do and this was basically meant for all of us. This set me thinking if the whole workshop was really meant to achieve something or not. If we were trying to build an organisation culture around our core values, shouldn’t the top guy be the person driving it?
Secondly, i overheard M making a comment to the CEO ( 2nd in command). He was discussing one of his previous workshops and said something like “I am amazed at how many young people are putting spirituality or human values as their core values. it is ridiculous and stupid” . The CEO agreed and made fun of such people.
It left me wondering as to what we wanted to achieve through this workshop if this was the way my top two bosses thought.
Anyways , we went about doing the job. The second day more and more people opened up and voiced their frank opinion about the organisation and the way things were being done. And at the end of two days after lot of honest feedbacks & soul searching we did arrive at some factual conclusions.
The following day ( after the workshop finished), the ceo called us all and virtually blasted everyone who had voiced concerns and had raised questions on current practices
The biggest disappointment came when we realised that, that the whole program was stage-managed. There was no serious intention from the top, at any time to achieve anything. Whats more, the participants who thought they were doing a great service to the organisation by being honest, were made scapegoats and cornered in many ways in the days to come.
Why did we spend 2 days enacting this whole drama? Who gained out of this ( other than the consultant who got his fee)? How could we have done this better ?
Its been a long time since i have written something. There are a lot of unfinished posts lying in the drafts section.
It is like the situation where clouds gather giving a false indication of rain and then just move away. Or like a territory where the rain Gods have forgotten to finish the job , after having strated and therefore left it with a deficient rainfall.
Many a times , I have sat down to give expression to a thought that has been wanting to come out and then, within a few minutes felt incomplete or indifferent. This is not a drought of thoughts, nor of the ability to express, but more of the willingness to do so. It is a strange feeling.
Mumbai voted in the India Loksabha elections on 30th April. the voting percentage ranged from 39 to 49% across various constituencies. So much for our anger & anguish and the candle light vigils…
I tell you, It is very easy to be the part of a problem.
For one, there is no dearth of problems. You can pick and choose from so many depending on your taste and appetite.
They come in different sizes and dimensions. some of them have the potential to take the whole nation by storm, some others can have strong local influence and many others which can shake communities across the continents.
Then there are problems that have different colours and shades. Religion, polity, business, startdom, private lives of public figures, public lives of private figures, non-sporting activities of sports persons. This is a material good enough to fill tomes.
and if you do not find one suiting your taste, you can always create one. How ? just make a unthoughtful comment on some sensitive subject. If not a big one, you can surely achieve a local turbulence.
We love problems, especially those that we do not want to solve. And those that are not relevant to us. This is one area where we can speak with all the detachment and can be most unbiased. And by claiming to be better judges, and by sermonising on the length & depth of these issues, we very much become a part of the problems themselves. As someone said, if you are not the solution, you have to be the problem!
why do we love problems ? Because for that we just have to point the finger at some one else. Its so easy to blame and put all the burden on someone else. It just requires us to look out and judge others. And as the majority of people around us do the same, it is convenient & safe for us to do it too.
And why not solutions? Simple. it requires us to look inwards. at our own self. it requires us to investigate and introspect. it requires us to take bold and brave decisions, to go against the tide. to awaken our conscience.
We are afraid of ourselves. we are the problems and we have the solution in us. if only we could look within and dig deep.
It has been raining here for last few days. The weather this time seems to be spreading a gloomy feeling and not the joyous happiness that comes along with the wet season.
The gloom is not because it is raining. It is just that the overcast skies induce some feeling of sadness. and then you start relating and recalling so many other unhappy things happening around. This is the external locus of control that steven covey talks about in his best seller 7habits.
It has rained less than last year, and very erratic too. it was same the last year. The breeze is very cold and unfriendly. you dont feel like cuddling up and having a cup of hot tea. something is missing.
Some reports suggest that the drinking water being used by people in mumbai contains e-coli bacteria. That indicates contamination of ground water. There was a time when bottled water used to be luxury. we may have to use bottled air in few days. and that would be necessity.
Bihar is having too much water. everyone is cursing river Kosi and praying to her at the same time. reminds one of kipling’s ”the Bridge builders” where the Ganges wants to take revenge by bursting a bridge.
Then there is Gustav and Ike, friends from overseas, who relish and rejoice bending structures and demolishing lives.
In Jammu, people are fighting over a piece of land that no-one was bothered about till some time back. As a reconciliation package, the government has decided to give the state a Coal based power plant. They themselves admit that there is no coal even for the existing plants.
There is a front page photo in today’s Hindustan times showing a child sitting alongside her injured father. this photo is from the Delhi Bomb blast site. some political parties have grabbed the chance and criticised the Government. Probably they have a solution for such things but will not disclose it till they come to power. The country is run by the Government. opposition by its very name & nature cant help in the process.
People are today afraid of the Police, the lawyers, the government offices, the tax collectors. You never know which side they are on.
There are fights over one religious group converting the other into their own. Some others want to build many more temples and are fighting over the location for these. I have seen many people cleaning their house and throwing the garbage in front of neighbours house. They are also keen to know everything that happens in other houses while their own state of affairs may be in shambles. Do we see similarities ?
Today is Ganesh Visarjan day. end of 10 day festivity associated with lord Ganesha.All the idols will be immersed in water. There will be voluntary groups cleaning the beaches tomorrow as the immersion ceremony leaves behind lots of reminders of human capabilities.
Whatever one may say, a good rain washes away the dirt. The sky looks clean and the leaves look fresh and green. Ready to be smudged again with fresh gloom
Everyone wants to change. it would have been good news if they wanted to change themselves. The funny thing is that everyone or at least a large number of us want to change others and everything else but ourselves. As John Naisbitt points out in “Mindset”- what we do, has rarely changed in ages, how we do it keeps changing.
change itself is one thing. Its direction is another. and that is the worrying part.
I have dreams,
lovely and at times lonely, crowding my thoughts
creating colours and dissolving them,
like the morning dew,
hiding its face, as the sun appears
I have dreams,dull and dreary,
shaking me up from my slumber,
pushing me, where? i don’t know
for they vanish,
as i awaken, and knock agin as I sleep
I have dreams,
that i dread.
they hug me and wish to befriend & stay with me
They stare at me from the mirror,
and laugh at my misery
I have dreams,
that i want to realise,
and as i reach out, they recede
like a mirage
near yet far, real yet dream.
It is like getting woken up from a bad dream. We have woken up, all worked up, frightened and sweating. For a while we have to stay awake, to come to terms with the reality, to understand the nightmare.
But like every other night, there is a chance that the sleep might engulf us all again. Especially if one is tired.
But then if you are tired after a satisfying hard worked day, you tend to sleep well, without bad dreams. its quite a confusing loop.
one thing is clear though, someone or should I say, most of us have been sleeping our sleeps without a honest hard working day behind us. and then we blame the dreams for disturbing our sleep. May be we haven’t earned that sleep.
For a change , lets look at earning our sleep, honestly, by working hard. and stop blaming the unreal characters of our dreams for the disturbance. This is the solution…
there is quite a lot of dark – both inside and outside. That’s why, when I saw the candle light vigil, i wondered if all that light will be enough to dispel this vast darkness. I only hope that all the people who came to light those candles and to participate in that demonstration had cleansed their own hearts of all hatred and anger. if not, then their efforts have been wasted.
i know, most of the readers will say it is easy to be philosophical. But in a real sense, the process of cleansing the society, the world etc cannot happen unless it starts from inside and this is the toughest part. and thats why it looks so unrealistic and bookish.
a friend called me after reading my earlier note with similar title. he chided me for being an impractical moron and questioned me if i had done what i was asking others to do.
No, i admitted. I have not ; and in my effort to do so i keep failing and falling back. But impractical, I am not. The path is difficult but not impossible. and I am not afraid of trying again and again till the very end…
Efforts may not get rewarded elsewhere but in a spiritual domain, i am sure they do.
He further questioned me if i had thought of the time it would take for my advice ( for want of any suitable identifier, i am using this pronoun “my”, even though this has been the advice of many sages & seers earlier) to take effect. even if everyone thought of following what i wrote.
Again i agreed that this was a long drawn process and probably many of the reformed will not stay in their physical forms that long. but then, some things don’t have shortcuts. it still takes between 7-9 months to be born and you grow only one year annually, thought travelling is still not prevalent. so time it will take and that is one of the riders.
But how can you achieve the global harmony through a few say thousand reformed beings. This one was a little easy. to get a material with the right property, we just need to take care of the atom. To get a tree, the seed is the key. after all our DNA determines how we look, talk and behave.
it has to start at the very basic level. at the core.
I had received this as a forward from a close friend. I found this today while sorting my mails and felt a compelling need to share. Do not know who is the writer or if this is true. But ther is no denying the truth in this
ONE BEDROOM FLAT…
As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in Software Engineer and joined a company based in USA , the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA , it was as if a dream had come true.
Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India .
My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat.
I wanted to do some thing more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald’s and pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.
Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight. Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I spent home one week going through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate.
In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I will not get anymore holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to USA , after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbours to look after them, we returned to USA .
My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing. After two more years we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they can see their grand-children.
Every year I decide to go to India . But part work part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day I got a message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn’t get any holidays and thus could not go to India . The next message I got was my parents had passed away and as there was no one to do the last rights the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grand children.
After couple more years passed away, much to my children’s dislike and my wife’s joy we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA .
My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in India . My 2 children and I returned to USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.
Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my son was happy living in USA . I decided that had enough and wound-up every thing and returned to India . I had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom flat in a well-developed locality.
Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode.
Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this? My father, even after staying in India , had a house to his name and I too have the same nothing more.
** I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM. **
Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing. This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these children are losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my children asking I am alright. Well at least they remember me.
Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbours again who will be performing my last rights, God Bless them.
** But the question still remains ‘was all this worth it?’
I am still searching for an answer…………….!!!!*
This was one of the most regularly used term in last 10 days. Anyone who chose to talk or even look rational about the mumbai attacks, was labeled as being in a self-denial mode. Starting from Pakistani Premier, journalists, mediamen and on to any other national ( including Indians) who tried to reason or to stress on addressing the problem, rather than jumping on a warship to bomb our neighbour, were in the self denial bandwagon as per some of the TV channels.
And our dear anchor/newsreader, was aggressively cleaning up ( “i will come back to you” or ” we are running short of time”) all such people effortlessly while the loud mouths and the firebrands were awarded extended coverage.
While it is reasonable and fully justified to feel the anguish and anger at our own failure, where is the justification for inciting speeches calling for wiping out the government and bombing pakistan. I am sure that these channels did not have any personal agenda ( other than the TRP, which would have been low if they had continued showing the rational people) but why aggravate the misery by bringing people who would only talk aggressively on TV and then would not even bother to take the victim to the hospital, if they were involved in a hit & run.
Some speakers were upset by remarks made by a MP in UP. A wise guy rightly pointed out that it is the media which went to him to get a statement; and if media could find only such low level people to get comments on serious issues then you have to accept such low level comments. why complain?? This time , it is media’s turn…
Very rarely do accused have courage to accept their fault. Why bother, when self-denial is the best policy.
This was received as a forward .
GREAT INDIANS…
ARYABHATT (476 CE) -MASTER ASTRONOMER AND MATHEMATICIAN
Born in 476 CE in Kusumpur (Bihar), Aryabhatt’s intellectual brilliance remapped the boundaries of mathematics and astronomy. In 499 CE, at the age of 23, he wrote a text on astronomy and an unparallel treatise on mathematics called “Aryabhatiyam. ” He formulated the process of calculating the motion of planets and the time of eclipses. Aryabhatt was the first to proclaim that the earth is round, it rotates on its axis, orbits the sun and is suspended in space – 1000 years before Copernicus published his heliocentric theory. He is also acknowledged for calculating p (Pi) to four decimal places: 3.1416 and the sine table in trigonometry. Centuries later, in 825 CE, the Arab mathematician, Mohammed Ibna Musa credited the value of Pi to the Indians, “This value has been given by the Hindus.” And above all, his most spectacular contribution was the concept of zero without which modern computer technology would have been non-existent. Aryabhatt was a colossus in the field of mathematics.
BHASKARACHARYA II (1114-1183 CE) -GENIUS IN ALGEBRA
Born in the obscure village of Vijjadit (Jalgaon) in Maharastra, Bhaskaracharya’ s work in Algebra, Arithmetic and Geometry catapulted him to fame and immortality. His renowned mathematical works called “Lilavati” and “Bijaganita” are considered to be unparalled and a memorial to his profound intelligence. Its translation in several languages of the world bear testimony to its eminence. In his treatise “Siddhant Shiromani” he writes on planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, mathematical techniques and astronomical equipment. In the “Surya Siddhant” he makes a note on the force of gravity: “Objects fall on earth due to a force of attraction by the earth. Therefore, the earth, planets, constellations, moon, and sun are held in orbit due to this attraction.” Bhaskaracharya was the first to discover gravity, 500 years before Sir Isaac Newton. He was the champion among mathematicians of ancient and medieval India. His works fired the imagination of Persian and European scholars, who through research on his works earned fame and popularity.
ACHARYA KANAD (600 BCE)- FOUNDER OF ATOMIC THEORY
As the founder of “Vaisheshik Darshan”- one of six principal philosophies of India – Acharya Kanad was a genius in philosophy. He is believed to have been born in Prabhas Kshetra near Dwarika in Gujarat. He was the pioneer expounder of realism, law of causation and the atomic theory. He has classified all the objects of creation into nine elements, namely: earth, water, light, wind, ether, time, space, mind and soul. He says, “Every object of creation is made of atoms which in turn connect with each other to form molecules.” His statement ushered in the Atomic Theory for the first time ever in the world, nearly 2500 years before John Dalton.. Kanad has also described the dimension and motion of atoms and their chemical reactions with each other. The eminent historian, T.N. Colebrook, has said, “Compared to the scientists of Europe, Kanad and other Indian scientists were the global masters of this field.”
NAGARJUNA (100 CE) -WIZARD OF CHEMICAL SCIENCE
He was an extraordinary wizard of science born in the nondescript village of Baluka in Madhya Pradesh. His dedicated research for twelve years produced maiden discoveries and inventions in the faculties of chemistry and metallurgy. Textual masterpieces like “Ras Ratnakar,” “Rashrudaya” and “Rasendramangal” are his renowned contributions to the science of chemistry. Where the medieval alchemists of England failed, Nagarjuna had discovered the alchemy of transmuting base metals into gold. As the author of medical books like “Arogyamanjari” and “Yogasar,” he also made significant contributions to the field of curative medicine. Because of his profound scholarliness and versatile knowledge, he was appointed as Chancellor of the famous University of Nalanda. Nagarjuna’s milestone discoveries impress and astonish the scientists of today.
ACHARYA CHARAK (600 BCE) -FATHER OF MEDICINE
Acharya Charak has been crowned as the Father of Medicine. His renowned work, the “Charak Samhita”, is considered as an encyclopedia of Ayurveda. His principles, diagoneses, and cures retain their potency and truth even after a couple of millennia. When the science of anatomy was confused with different theories in Europe, Acharya Charak revealed through his innate genius and enquiries the facts on human anatomy, embryology, pharmacology, blood circulation and diseases like diabetes, tuberculosis, heart disease, etc. In the “Charak Samhita” he has described the medicinal qualities and functions of 100,000 herbal plants. He has emphasized the influence of diet and activity on mind and body. He has proved the correlation of spirituality and physical health contributed greatly to diagnostic and curative sciences. He has also prescribed and ethical charter for medical practitioners two centuries prior to the Hippocratic oath. Through his genius and intuition, Acharya Charak made landmark contributions to Ayurvedal. He forever remains etched in the annals of history as one of the greatest and noblest of rishi-scientists.
ACHARYA SUSHRUT (600 BCE) -FATHER OF PLASTIC SURGERY
A genius who has been glowingly recognized in the annals of medical science. Born to sage Vishwamitra, Acharya Sudhrut details the first ever surgery procedures in “Sushrut Samhita,” a unique encyclopedia of surgery. He is venerated as the father of plastic surgery and the science of anesthesia. When surgery was in its infancy in Europe, Sushrut was performing Rhinoplasty (restoration of a damaged nose) and other challenging operations. In the “Sushrut Samhita,” he prescribes treatment for twelve types of fractures and six types of dislocations. His details on human embryology are simply amazing. Sushrut used 125 types of surgical instruments including scalpels, lancets, needles, Cathers and rectal speculums; mostly designed from the jaws of animals and birds. He has also described a number of stitching methods; the use of horse’s hair as thread and fibers of bark. In the “Sushrut Samhita,” and fibers of bark. In the “Sushrut Samhita,” he details 300 types of operations. The ancient Indians were the pioneers in amputation, caesarian and cranial surgeries. Acharya Sushrut was a giant in the arena of medical science.
VARAHAMIHIR (499-587 CE) -EMINENT ASTROLOGER AND ASTRONOMERA
renowned astrologer and astronomer who was honored with a special decoration and status as one of the nine gems in the court of King Vikramaditya in Avanti (Ujjain). Varahamihir’ s book “panchsiddhant” holds a prominent place in the realm of astronomy. He notes that the moon and planets are lustrous not because of their own light but due to sunlight. In the “Bruhad Samhita” and “Bruhad Jatak,” he has revealed his discoveries in the domains of geography, constellation, science, botany and animal science. In his treatise on botanical science, Varamihir presents cures for various diseases afflicting plants and trees. The rishi-scientist survives through his unique contributions to the science of astrology and astronomy.
ACHARYA PATANJALI (200 BCE)- FATHER OF YOGA
The Science of Yoga is one of several unique contributions of India to the world. It seeks to discover and realize the ultimate Reality through yogic practices. Acharya Patanjali, the founder, hailed from the district of Gonda (Ganara) in Uttar Pradesh. He prescribed the control of prana (life breath) as the means to control the body, mind and soul. This subsequently rewards one with good health and inner happiness. Acharya Patanjali’s 84 yogic postures effectively enhance the efficiency of the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, digestive and endocrine systems and many other organs of the body. Yoga has eight limbs where Acharya Patanjali shows the attainment of the ultimate bliss of God in samadhi through the disciplines of: yam, niyam, asan, pranayam, pratyahar, dhyan and dharna. The Science of Yoga has gained popularity because of its scientific approach and benefits. Yoga also holds the honored place as one of six philosophies in the Indian philosophical system. Acharya Patanjali will forever be remembered and revered as a pioneer in the science of self-discipline, happiness and self-realization.
ACHARYA BHARADWAJ (800 BCE)-PIONEER OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY
Acharya Bharadwaj had a hermitage in the holy city of Prayag and was an ordent apostle of Ayurveda and mechanical sciences. He authored the “Yantra Sarvasva” which includes astonishing and outstanding discoveries in aviation science, space science and flying machines. He has described three categories of flying machines: 1.) One that flies on earth from one place to another. 2.) One that travels from one planet to another. 3.) And One that travels from one universe to another. His designs and descriptions have impressed and amazed aviation engineers of today. His brilliance in aviation technology is further reflected through techniques described by him:
1.) Profound Secret: The technique to make a flying machine invisible through the application of sunlight and wind force.
2.) Living Secret: The technique to make an invisible space machine visible through the application of electrical force.
3.) Secret of Eavesdropping: The technique to listen to a conversation in another plane.
4.) Visual Secrets: The technique to see what’s happening inside another plane.
Through his innovative and brilliant discoveries, Acharya Bharadwaj has been recognized as the pioneer of aviation technology.
ACHARYA KAPIL (3000 BCE)-FATHER OF COSMOLOGY
Celebrated as the founder of Sankhya philosophy, Acharya Kapil is believed to have been born in 3000 BCE to the illustrious sage Kardam and Devhuti. He gifted the world with the Sankhya School of Thought. His pioneering work threw light on the nature and principles of the ultimate Soul (Purusha), primal matter (Prakruti) and creation. His concept of transformation of energy and profound commentaries on atma, non-atma and the subtle elements of the cosmos places him in an elite class of master achievers – incomparable to the discoveries of other cosmologists. On his assertion that Prakruti, with the inspiration of Purusha, is the mother of cosmic creation and all energies, he contributed a new chapter in the science of cosmology. Because of his extrasensory observations and revelations on the secrets of creation, he is recognized and saluted as the Father of Cosmology.
Dawn to Dusk, and after
toil & turmoil,
a tussle, an attempt to break free
a feeble cry
there’s curtain of silence
as i feel (and fumble)
for a path
that is in sight, yet unseen
easy yet demanding
like a bird new born,
each day, i die
and live the misery
of the first flight that didn’t succeed,
weighing down with every try.
the hand extends but doesn’t hold
as i wait, for ages, for homecoming.
(Modified version; Original published by self on Poetry.com)
yesterday, while shopping for groceries, I saw this gentleman. He took a cover from one of the rolls (the ones that are kept on sides of the racks which people can tear away and use to pick vegetables/fruits etc). I kept on watching as he tried to open it with his fingers, then using both hands and even trying to blow air to get the opening. somehow he could not get it . Exasperated, he dropped it and took another one which opened easily.
Just a moment later, a boy , about 15-16, came and incidently picked up the same (dropped) cover and opened it in a jiffy. Only difference was that he opened it from the other side.
So, while the earlier gentleman focused all his strengths, they were directed in the wrong direction,literally. I wonder if this is the state of affairs with many of us. Are we mis-directing our energies?
“it is not important as to who is right, what’s more important is what is right” Says Naisbitt in his book Mindsets. Simple.
If only everyone can understand this statement and work together, imagine what it will be like.
Welcome
the year 2009 is here, almost.
Lets say goodbye to all the thoughts that troubled us,and welcome the comforting ones,
Lets not be sad over the unfulfilled goals of past, but renew our pledge to try all over again,
Lets not be disturbed by all the bonds that we broke last year, but promise to re-tie many knots,
Lets not feel guilty over what we did not do, but remind ourselves that we have another chance,
Lets not feel angry over all the doors that closed on our face, but resolve to knock on more,
Lets not be distressed over the time lost, but ensure that we live every moment to the fullest,
Lets not be jealous of those who raced ahead, but be grateful that they showed us the way,
Lets not relax on the milestones, Lets take the next step forward…
When the morning sun,
dispelled my slumber
and the temple bells
said the early prayer, I remembered you.
When I opened my eyes
and bathed in the light
and as i got off, and felt the chill that touched my feet
I felt the warm sun on me, I remembered you.
I spoke my words
and they were your poems
and as I ate , out of your hands,
I wrote down your stories
I played and shared my joys
and scolded my self for not loving you enough
But I remembered you.
And then it was dusk
as the sun drowned
in the dark, you glowed
showering blissful moonlight
and breathing cool breeze
It was time to shed life
and hug the sleeping night
I remembered you.
I always used to think that I am a good writer. The notion probably got etched in my school days. My mother used to teach small children at our home. and she would ask me to chip in whenever they needed to write an essay or a speech for the republic daye etc. We also had a History teacher who used to think that the best answers are those that fill more sheets of paper.
I actually started writing when I got admitted for MBA at Puttaparthi. Away from home , for an extended duration, for the first time in 25 years, I started writing on & off . Mostly to impress others. and my elders would invariably appreciate my writing. Then I took courage and submitted my first poem for the hostel journal and as most of us were in the same boat, it got printed too.
In the later years as i took up a job, my writing became more personal and used to reflect my moods. they were all about me and my complaints. at times it was in form of long lectures and sometimes as poems. I used to feel philosophical while writing them and many times used to read them again and again.
I got introduced to blogging very recently. I wrote my first post a few months ago and as usual, asked one of my friend to check it out. He responded with lot of appreciation and encouraged me to write more and on varied topics. Thanks Ramnath for encouraging me
When I look back and read that post now, I know it was nothing great. And I also realise that most of the posts i have written till now, are again preaching types and very philosophical. But, I am slightly wiser now and realise that i am writing to express myself not to get appreciation form others. So, let me write whatever comes to my mind.
I read ramnath’s blog only about 2-3 days back and was highly impressed by the style of writing and the way it caught my attention and got me interested right from the first few lines. I have included the blog in my “like to read” list.
It feels good to write when there is no burden of expectation. It is like taking the heavy load off your head and using it as a seating stool.
I look into the mirror everyday while combing my hair. It is more of a formality as my hands move automatically and just by touching my hair i know whether they are in order or ruffled. It takes hardly a few seconds . at times slightly longer as i check if my clothes are in order and well ironed. but that’s it. I have never spent time looking at myself. That, i realised yesterday, has been a mistake. and this realisation came , not while combing my hair, but while reading a book, more of a compilation of personal experiences of many people like me.
This set me thinking that, may be , it is good at times to study ones reflection, not necessarily in the mirror, though that too is not a bad idea. Probably, there is no better way than self- inspection and analysis as most of us still preserve the courage to speak truth to ourselves at least. and mirrors too don’t lie…
Recently, I was reading an essay from a very well known scientist titled ”quest for infinity” . I could not proceed beyond the very first page. Not because the language was difficult or the concepts esoteric. But because the thoughts were so neatly placed in such a simple manner that every sentence made me think.
Talking about the Universe, he started by describing the night sky and wrote -
“The sky is so beautiful, is it not? And we can see it for free, without buying any tickets or making any advance reservations! Yet, how many of us take time to do this? That is the tragedy of modern times! We all know the nursery rhyme that starts with the words:
Twinkle, twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are!
We also delight in making our kids repeat this rhyme before visitors, in order to impress them. But do we wonder about these stars anymore?”
Two things struck me in these words. One, that we miss out on small things- nature’s gifts- around us while running after complex ones. and Two, there are so many things that we say and do without meaning them or understanding their significance.
When I was a small boy, I used to love watering the plants. It was fun to let the water in from one end and to watch it flow through the long flower bed. At times i would create small depressions to change the course and at other times the water would itself find a new path. Very often, small insects would come out of the soil and run up the small plants.
Some times, especially in summers, the leaves would become dusty and dry due to intense heat and the dust storms Or “Aandhi’s” that blow in the areas where my house is. It therefore became a duty to give e nice bath to all the plants and some small trees that we had in our Garden. It was like the plants used to wait for this treat . After the washing, they would all be nice & fresh ready to sleep in the warm night.
It would be very hot inside in night and so we would sleep in the open either in the lawn or on the terrace. Believe, me the beauty of the sky especially when you see it lying on your back is indescribable. I had read in books about various planets and constellations and would fall asleep trying to locate them.
In those days, we did not have a geyser or water heater and so my mother would use large vessels to heat water required for bathing, as the winters are very severe. I would sit by the side of the makeshift tripod heater and watch the wood pieces and small logs catching fire. I used to be surprised to see that while one end of a log would be burning, the far end would sort of sweat or give our some water drops. and then when pushed into the fire would hiss and crackle. On holidays , I would fill my sweater pockets with groundnuts and other eatables and go to the terrace and enjoy the sunshine and the biting cold breeze. In January, there would be kites all over the sky and watching them fight with each other used to take away a lot of time. In evenings, we would play cricket or any other game in the small ,then empty, plot opposite our house.
Cycling was another favourite as it would allow me to roam around at my own pace and look around. I would explore the small lanes and by-lanes and experiment with various speeds. that is when I learnt the art of turning around with smallest possible turning radius.
As I grew older, I became serious about my studies and would be with my books till late in night. I would be treated to the murmurings and songs of the insects and the mewing of the cat on the prowl. This was like the background music and used to give me some strange comfort. Silence used to be a little disturbing.
All this seems so long ago now. We can hardly see the night sky now as there are too many lights around and of course the pollution. We live in a high rise and so we have to do with a few plants in the balcony. How little time do we spend in looking around and in allowing the the natural happenings to sink in. I can’t recall when was the last time I let myself enjoy the rain. It is definitely quite some time since I sat on the green grass and experienced the cool touch. Simple things in life are still free. Unfortunately, unless we pay for it, we don’t value anything
this thought just came out of the blue. Why not demarcate a day as Angerless day ? No, I do not have any intention of popularising one more “day”. My thought came out of my own struggle to discipline myself. Theoretically, I understand many of the profound truths and also know that if followed they will lead to fulfilment, the challenge is to implement it practically in one’s own life day in and day out.
So I decided that I will ensure that Mahashivratri on Feb 23, 2009 will be an angerless day for me. What does it mean to be angerless. The true success will be when I remove anger from every thought, word and deed- even if it is for a day. It is a marathon task and literally needs preparation of the type one does before running a marathon. So it will have to start with an hours capsule every day when I just banish anger, irritation, dis-pleasure from my presence. Well, if not banish, at least postpone the angry thoughts and words and definately the deeds .Yes, that will be right. And then it stuck me that if we can postpone the angry thoughts, words and deeds (the reactions basically), we may actually not need them later as an hours gap may calm the mind and soothe the excited nerves.
So i tried this starting from the place which I promise is not the best place to start practising this- the streets of Mumbai. As I drove home, I tried not to be angry at the taxi drivers who almost knocked the others off the road or at the impatient luxury car drivers who want to exhibit their car’s horse power by honking the horn & flashing the lights or at the daring road-crossers who practise the 100 mt sprint on the eastern express highway. I did not score very high. but i am happy that everytime i cursed someone, i reminded myself that i should not have done it. Thats a good beginning, i say.
I plan to carry this on and make it a success. Just Imagine-One day without anger. If the whole of humanity just spends one day without being angry at anyone or anything, without being critical, without pointing fingers, without getting irritated and everyone decides to postpose their irritations/anger by 24 hours….
That will be a heavenly day. And if this can happen- by the end of day, we would have many broken knots re-tied, many failing relationships mended, many neighbours will bring down the dividing walls, many accidents would be avoided and many broken hearts would be full of love again and most of all, people wont be afraid of each other.
Just one day. It is worth a try. Let me begin…
The question most often i have had to answer in last 6 months have all been related to how DIFFERENT i felt after leaving my job and being on my own. A similar question today, finally prompted me to write this.
Initially, I used to give long answers, more often trying to justify my decision rather than trying to do justice to the question. Half a year later, I am a little wiser. My answer has now become smaller and precise.
I firmly believe the core difference is in decision making, and in all its aspects. the ownership, timing, outcomes, accountability and most of all the actual process. I can say this with confidence that no other job but being on your own can open up ones mind to holistic thinking and improve the ability to take decision multifold. It is like living the laws of Karma in a super-fast mode.
I think i need to write more about this, now that this topic has taken birth. It already seems to be kicking and crying for more attention. so , more, there will be.
Twitter :after resisting for many days, i finally signed up for Twitter. The only resistance was that i would be creating one more account when I am not able to justify my current memberships. Its like creating more relationships and bonds (which bind) when you are theoretically aware of the implications of getting caught in the Web ( literally). Secondly, i feel once caught, i would be exercising my fingers much more and doing physical exertion even lesser. As if Internet was not enough, now i can bore people with my messages while being mobile.
Well, a friend send me an invite and so i am in. It was not easy though and while i could sign in quite easily ans also post through web, I am still unable to figure out how i can send message through my phone ( device, they say). Before you jump to advice me on my technological backwardness, let me submit that i have done the registration part and also sent the verification code to the number specifies. I even received a message saying my number has been verified etc. and then another message saying this service is not enabled. tut tut twitter.
Voter Registration : I had not voted in the last general elections and the others that followed as I did not have any permanent place of stay. My job kept taking me to various places . I have always wanted to vote and I am a strong supporter of all of us exercising our franchise. Having settled down finally at one location in last 4 years, I though it was time to get my voter registration transferred to the current location. The Jaagore Campaign ( www.jaagore.com) further pushed me out of lethargy.
So i finally prepared the application, took all relevant documents and went to the appointed place and person. 3 attempts later I am frustrated and just 1 day away from the last day of submission. The biggest pain is still the lacklustre attitude of the people sitting there to collect the application.
1) they will never answer you more than you ask for . So unless you know all the questions, you have to keep going back .
2) The answers they give are standardised – so even if you try and explore further, you will still get the same answers.
3) They will never help you with the explanation of their answer – Possibly because they are not aware and because they have been told to follow the book – even if common sense may point in the other direction. ( eg, I was told to get all my documents attested by ACO or school principal. I asked them what/who was an ACO and where i could find one- they did not know, will any school principal do ?- will have to check )
So with just 1 working day left, I am still searching for ACO or trying to figure out as to which prinicpal can verify and attest my documents. Can the Govt. please help ? Jaagore…
Update ( 30/3/09) – Succeeded in one of the above. Twitter is ok, ACO still not found.
Had gone to Andheri (e) for a meeting yesterday. Had to go to Mulund from there and was trying to flag down an Autorikshaw. A few declined and finally one stopped. 6.15 in evening from Andheri to Mulund would take anywhere between 1 hr to 90 minutes.
As we turned around Seepz, the Auto driver made some comment. I did not bother to know what he had said as i rarely get into a conversation with Auto/Taxi wala’s . Especially after the disturbances last year relating to Insiders and Outsiders in the city. As we moved further, he again remarked- this time about a new signal that has been installed near the Seepz chowk. He wondered as to why that signal was needed. I replied saying that there was a bus stop and offices on both sides. He said it was a funny explanation as he thought that there was no connection between the signal & bus stop.
we took the link road ( JVLR- Jogeshwari Vikhroli link road which starts at Jogeshwari and ends at LBS Road near Kanjur marg flyover). This road has been in making since the day I have been in mumbai, which was sometime in 2004. The traffic was not much today and we reached L & T Flyover and crossed over into Powai ( situated on Powai lake, famous for IIT-B campus).
The road widening work is going on here and as we moved ahead, he told me that he was coming on this road after quite some time as there is always a jam near IIT. I told him that the road has become considerably better and that the traffic movement was better now. He agreed after a few minutes.
” when they really want to work, they do a good job”- he said.
I showed him on both sides where the work was on. He was quite happy to note that the road will be very broad and there will be no problems in future.
” But i think it is going to take some more time”- he remarked
” why do you say so”- i asked.
He pointed to a small temple which was on the roadside and looked at me in his rearview mirror knowingly.
Just ahead of the Kanjur mrg flyover, work is in full swing.
“They are trying to reduce the incline”- he says,” as many vehicles find it difficult to climb”
He asked me if I wanted him to take Left at the junction ( so that we take LBS road) or to go straight ( in which cae we would take the eastern express highway). I asked him to take left.
We quickly crossed Kanjur marg and were soon near Bhandup where many large Malls have come up in recent times. One of them had a Large Frontage reading “Metro”. He asked me if the Metro had started in Mumbai. I told him this was not the Metro train but a large wholesale shop called Metro.
“Is it similar to D mart ? “
” Actually, this is meant only for shop-keepers and merchants etc . normal public can’t buy from here, while they can from places like D mart” I said.
“Ok, so if Dmart needs some items, they can come and buy from here”- he concluded. I did not contradict him.
Another large Mall on the right-it is being claimed that this is the largest in Mumbai. It is yet to open.
“There will be parking problem once this Mall opens”- he felt.
I told him most of these malls have parking inside them.
” But still people will park on road as they don’t want to pay parking charges”.
I said most of these Malls do not charge parking fee as they want to attract customers.
” Arrey, then everyone will park in this only, even people who do not have work in Mall” he laughed
” Yes, to some extent that will happen and you can’t stop it” – I commented.
” There is a large shopping centre that has started in Vikhroli”-he continued.
I asked him how was it. He said he had only seen it from outside and did not go in.
” You know, In mumbai, there used to be flooding only in Kurla earlier. But all these malls are causing flooding whenever it rains , at all places now” he noted. How was that so ? , I asked.
He said, the Malls were all taking up the open space and even the space meant for drains is covered up to create parking, so where will the water go.Pretty Obvious explanation.
Into Mulund Now. Lots of Buses parked on the side. I explained that these were contract buses used by office goers and schools.
“it must be expensive”, he felt. I said i was not aware.
“Now , there are passes even for buses”, yes, I was aware of that. He said it was better to take a monthly pass rather than pay everyday. I agreed and told him that the cost of monthly was lower that the daily amount added up. He said that was not the only reason. What else, I asked.
” Many people who use the bus, may not have money in their pocket some days , especially during month end, But they still have to go to work. so If they take the pass, they are sure about going to work so that they can earn that months salary.” What an amazing logic!
We were almost reaching my home. I asked him since how long he had been in Mumbai. ” Since 1980 , but I have taken up Auto only about 12 years back. Till then I was working in a company but that closed down”. He asked me if I belonged to Mumbai. Sensitive question. I said I was born in Rajasthan and my work has taken me to many places across India.
He told me that he belonged to Jalgaon and that Jalgaon was like Rajasthan. Very hot and not much rain. We were now entering our building where additional towers are being built and some garden work is on. He asked me if the Garden was being built by Builder or the residents. Builder, i said.
Reached.
I thanked him for the converstaion and told him that I did not realise how 1 hour passed. He replied that he always tries to talk to his passengers, some respond, some do not. ” I still keep trying”, he said. I asked him his name. Atmaram – he said and smiled.
It is so easy to get angry.
I guess most of us get angry when someone calls us something, that we feel, we do not deserve. Or because some one asks us to do something that we feel is unfair. or because something happens that we feel is not right and so on
there is no dearth of reasons. and every-time we get angry the culprit is our feeling or perception of a person, event, word, picture etc. The anger is a reaction , a response stimulated by this feeling. our involvement or attachment as you may call it, makes us perceive as we like or want everything to be.
The truth is that we all want everything thing to be “right”. the problem is that our definitions of this right/ wrong gets tainted by the colours of pleasure & pain.
Our anger is only an expression of this inconsistency. The moment we choose the filters of Right/Wrong instead of pleasure/pain to respond to a person, situation etc, this inconsistency vanishes. by this one choice, we eliminate the me Vs you and thereby extinguish the flame of perception.
Written
on December 25, 2011