GIFT IT

A wise woman, who was travelling in the mountains, found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveller who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveller saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveller left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime.

However, a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. "I've been thinking," he said. "I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone."

The ability to share involves the varied dimensions from the joint use of a resource to giving away one’s possession as an outright gift. We find it easier to share joint use, but find internal resistance is asked to part with our valuables, be they resources, knowledge or skills. Also for many of us, sharing is a comparative and reflexive activity. We give gifts to only those who give us gifts.

But the real development of our personality happens when we shed our insecurities towards our possessions. Consider knowledge for instance. Those who readily gift knowledge to the others are more worthy than the greatest of scholars who refuse to share their knowledge. In my profession, the most admired trainers are not the ones who give excellent training programs BUT trainers who have "nurtured" other trainers. Ditto for our most admired leaders. Note that they share both their treasures as well as their spirit...

The ability to gift without any preconditions of transaction helps develop new dimensions to our personality. By letting go, we liberate ourselves. By sharing, we enhance our relationship with the other person. By gifting, we empower our attitude and abilities.

To grow we must let go of the insecurities of possession
Let’s share our valuable gifts and ‘Develop new dimensions’!

Regards
Pravin

ALTERNATIVES

For every ailment under the sun, there is a remedy or there is none.
If there is one, find it… If there is none, never mind it!

The above verse reflected my attitudes and approaches in life as a teenager. It was sure-fire way to escape stress by just running away from the problem, if it could not be solved. It also involved being slave to a singular dimension of problem solving.

However travelling and interacting with people, especially in the villages, brought me face to face with the reality that single answers often mask the appropriate alternatives. Our major problem is we do not get to the root of the problem. Worse we get stuck to the same static solutions.

Consider “development” for instance. Destruction of existing resources in scarce regard to the stakeholders’ needs cannot be termed development. It is necessary to identify the priority issues confronting the nation and devise effective and appropriate alternatives to solve them. The emphasis has to be to promote sustainable national development and disseminating the means for creating sustainable livelihoods on a large scale, and regenerate the environment. It involves the innovative creation of appropriate technologies, responsive institutional systems and environmental and resource management methods.

Hence the last line of the verse of influence needs to be unlearnt and revised as follows:
If there is one, never mind it; if there is none, go ahead and find it

Progress cannot be exclusive to the elite segments of society. It should be done keeping in mind the immediate needs of our people and the larger vision for a better future for all. Hence it is pertinent to explore the multiple dimensions of appropriate alternatives to create the right development that will be people friendly, people relevant and people urgent. The smokescreen of lip service won’t do! The true alternatives have to be chosen over fallacious concepts.

The same static approach needs to digress
‘Develop new dimensions’ for real progress!

Regards
Pravin

HUMAN RIGHTS

Today on Human Rights day, I remember the speech of advocate, Satish Sonak at a recent human rights workshop! Like a good mirror, it stripped the façade of an in-dignified world torn by riots, bloodshed and indifference. It is necessary for us to repeatedly remind ourselves that other human beings deserve the same dignity that we appropriate, nay grab, for ourselves.

The human rights watch word is 'right to live with dignity'. The marginalised, the ones who toil, the physically and mentally challenged must have equal claim on opportunities to learn and earn. Discrimination of all sorts has to be first unlearnt in our attitudes and then in our approaches.

Ironically, death does not kill the processes of prejudice. We have no respect for the living. We have no compassion for the dead. The mockery of human rights continues. We attack their dignity with all the weapons at our command. Our weapons are religion, caste and regionalism. The ‘right to die with dignity’ is compromised by our bigotry and intolerance. Rightful demand for non-discriminatory cemeteries and burial grounds are at best ignored.

Human rights are a much ignored value system in a world that is fuelled by a malicious hate towards persons who we think are part of the problems facing us. In fact, we are the problem ourselves. We generate the garbage and hate the scavenger. We grab the land and get furious when the sons-of-the soil stake rightful claim to it. We talk about equality irrespective of gender, caste, class and religion and yet we practice inequality.

The dimensions of progress cannot be exclusive to some and inaccessible to the others. We are all guilty of not having a guilty conscious. The world continues to suffer because we are incomplete human beings. Because the one half doesn't do its human duties, the other half doesn't get human rights. If we embrace our fundamental human responsibilities, our world will celebrate its human rights!

The right to dignity is not just about permitting free thought and expression
‘Develop new dimensions’ to restore natural Human Rights with compassion!

Regards
Pravin

Re:CONVERSIONS

“101 converted Hindus to undergo purification rites at Old Goa’
The newspaper item was baffling! Cleansing mechanisms, purifying filters, et al are the norm for products, systems… But how does one purify a human being? The question arises that what is the “impurity” that is being purified? Or is it just the change in the labelling of the product?

Hindus convert for many reasons, but surely, the most important raison d'être is to “hopefully” escape the discrimination based on caste! An oft stated Hindi quote says that “jo kabhi nahi jaati, usiko jaat kehte hai” (that which refuses to be cast off is called caste). A Dalit sister had a fine retort, “Jaat nahi jaati, toh main hi chali jaati hoon” (if the caste can’t be cast off, it is better that I cast myself off)

My friend, Mohandas Lolyakar had a simple poser to be asked… If the converted is reconverted to Hinduism, what caste would he/she belong to? Would they become Brahmins? Or would it be back to the earlier discriminatory label that was the original motive to get converted in the first place?

Fraudsters posing as God men have their own regressive agendas to continue the depraved segregation of one human being from another. It is a shame that the practices of discrimination continue in a land where great reformers like Kabir, Tukaram, Vivekanand and so many others have toiled to wipe out the blot of bigotry from our society. Conversions and reconversions have no meaning if the person is going to be treated as a lesser human being.

Conversions are required, but these need to be in terms of change in our own attitude towards fellow human beings. Casteism is our own form of racism that creates inequality and tramples upon the values of humanism. We need to purify and clarify our own prejudices. The dimensions of reform have to be first developed in our own minds and be reflected in our behaviour, too!

Let’s unlearn our prejudice and embrace the values of humanism,
May the spirit of universal brotherhood ‘develop new dimensions’!

Regards
Pravin

IN THE NAME OF GOD

Two films on the contemporary religious divide were screened at the International Film Festival of India, being held in Goa. The Urdu film, “Khuda kay liye” (in the name of God) tackles the contemporary subject of the inhuman acts done in the name of God. It is a story of the predicament of a modern liberal Pakistani family which bears the brunt of the communal dimensions of two different religions.

The movie is about two musician brothers – one of who gets sucked into the regressive world of religious extremism; while the other is brutalised by the racial profiling in the USA. It also handles other issues like the theological issues, suppression of women and the cultural contextualization of Islam. The last scene has a liberal and a radical competing for the Azaan. The contest for who speaks for Islam has begun!

The second film “Dharma” captures the use of religion to propagate hatred first within the Hindu community against the Dalits and eventually to unleash violence against the other religion. It is about a Pundit - a revered authority on the scriptures - who unwittingly adopts a Muslim baby, thinking him to be a Brahmin. When confronted with reality, he undergoes severe penance. But, he is liberated of his pain only when he finds that love for humanity is the real Dharma! And thus is born his courage to halt the violent rioters!

But the main learning is about the way, various groups are propagating different versions of their religions and the politics of hate. We grow up to learn that the underlying principle of all religions is love for humanity. However, the fact remains that the overriding dimension of religion ranges from suspicion for the other faiths to a violent war with them. In the name of God, the most heinous of crimes are being wrought and justified. Religions speaking about brotherhood and love for mankind are at war with each other.

It is not enough for a faith to be tolerant towards the other. We need to sift the grain (perception) from the chaff (prejudice) first in our own minds. The various dimensions of the philosophy of religions which clash with its practice need to be understood. The vengeful mask of religious identity cannot be allowed to mask our sense of perspective. In the name of mankind, we need to unlearn our prejudices and “develop new dimensions” of empathy, peace and social justice.

In the name of God, hate propels inflammatory actions,
In the name of mankind, let’s ‘develop new dimensions’!

--- Pravin

last monday's post (19 nov)

HABIT

In India, if you visit someone’s home a cup of tea will be served sans the formality of asking whether you want it. But it is a custom that agreed with me for I simply loved tea. Perhaps it was a habit picked up in childhood whilst going with my father for radio recordings of theatrical and music shows. By the time I was in college, I would down at least a dozen cups of tea in a day.

But, habits do hurt! A splitting headache would seize me if I missed my afternoon cup of tea. And my predicament was worst while on a trek in the Sahayadris. I would start off cheerfully but by afternoon my migraine would have developed deadly dimensions. There were two options before me: quit trekking or break the tea habit. I chose the latter.

It was traumatic: my nerves were on tenterhooks, my mood was edgy all day long and the withdrawal symptoms had turned me into a jittery mess! Over a month, I held my resolve and was able to get out of the habit. The liberation from the habit was a major learning. I realised that habits are born out of the conditioning of our psyche. And hence the habit needs to be divorced in the mind before the body can be freed.

More importantly, we need to stop becoming slaves of habit. I have now learnt to accept and enjoy tea with or without sugar, with or without milk, with or without flavours or coffee in all its variants or juices of all types or plain water, too. If we embrace the wide spectrum of plurality, habits have no space to form. So whether it is food, drink, music or any choices, choose not to be a victim of habit by keeping an open attitude toward every new thing that comes before you.

Whether it is things we like or technology we use, we must ensure that we do not become slaves of habit. Therefore we must try out the changing choices. We should break the conditioning of the mind and empower our self-belief. By exploring the various dimensions, we will develop a fuller personality that can adapt to every emerging change and challenge… because we will be habit free!

No habit can seize us without our compliance and permission,
Let’s break every conditioning to ‘develop new dimensions’!

--- Pravin
19 November 2007, Goa.

WHITHER DEVELOPMENT?

The Goa Bachao Abhiyan was formed to oppose a Regional Plan that went against the very laws of the land and in the name of development sought to adversely alter the environment of Goa. As an educator making presentations among the villages, I had to study the plan and realised that two disconcerting aspect of the so called development received very little mention in the plan. However, at the ground level, mining andSEZs were the greatest attacks on the constitutional rights of the people.

Basically, the issue is the debate over what is real“development”... that which is planned by a panel of“experts” and provides immediate benefits for a few...or that which rises from the needs of the people and looks at sustainable progress that benefits all...Development as a word encompasses a holistic and multi-disciplinary context of human development - the development of livelihoods and greater quality of life for humans. Hence its dimensions include governance, healthcare, education, gender equality, disaster preparedness, infrastructure, economics, human rights, environment and issues associated with these.

The human dimensions of development can be ignored only at the cost of negating the ideals as proclaimed in our constitution. Quite often, we fail to notice the growing social discontent going by the confrontations that build up against development that seeks to threaten the immediate future of people… To understand ground reality, we need to move out of our comfort zones and stand face to face with the truth.

A single day spent in a village affected by mining will fill our lungs with mud and clear our minds of our prejudice against those who complain against “development”... A visit to the furious pace of activity in an SEZ that is yet to be given final approval will convince us about the sheer illegalityof it all... it is an eye-opener to realise that the very Government, instead of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities is facilitating the advancement of irregularities...

Development that severely incapacitates our democratic processes and violates basic human concerns cannot be termed as progress. In fact, nowadays most “development” is actually a mask for land grab with the authorities helping clear the title of that land. We must understand the various dimensions ofdevelopment that range from the genuine to the ingeniously devious... Only then we can “develop new dimensions” in facilitating the progress of our land and its people!

At the crossroads of progress, let’s examine the hidden intentions...
Without involving human concerns we cannot ‘develop new dimensions’...

SEEKH LE

In the Hindi film, Munnabhai MBBS, the rich voice of Sunidhi Chavan belts out a melodious number called “Dekh Le… Aankhon mein aankhen daal seekh le”. (C’mon look into my eyes and learn…). It is a motivational song that is being sung by a dancing-bar-girl sensually provoking a terminally ill patient to look at the positive side of life. The song exhorts to enjoy the journey of life while it lasts instead of wallowing in the despair of an impending death. The lyrics are truly inspiring.

During unlearning workshops, I quiz participants about whether they have SEEN the song. If they have not, I show them the clip and ask the same question once again. Everyone says, “Yes, we have seen the song.”
So I say, “You have SEEN… you have done DEKH LE… now tell me what you learnt… tell me the SEEKH LE you have done…”

Very few attempt an answer… and even among those who do, most describe the beauty and the skill of the dancer… The meaningful words have not been absorbed… The glamour of the visual overpowers the powerful message contained in the song. Even while listening to a song, many of us get caught only in the melody and miss the message.

Although we possess the ability to simultaneously enjoy the multiple dimensions of countless beautiful songs, many of us pick up on only the most appealing and play blind to the rest. The conception of that song itself is a fruit of the many creative dimensions of different abilities. We must develop our ability to see and hear and understand all these dimensions. Otherwise we will only do DEKH LE and forget the SEEKH LE…

an open mind will help you connect to the connotations…
to enjoy every song we must ‘develop new dimensions’…

Regards
Pravin

CELEBRATING SPORTSMANSHIP

check out the AV – Gokuldas@ 50 by clicking the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYAwRRzzJNc

"The purpose of any athletic endeavor is to challenge human limits both on and off the playing field." -Anon

Last Saturday, we celebrated the fiftieth birthday of my brother-in-law.
While in primary school, he saw a football match and was fascinated by the person dribbling with the ball. He wanted to be like that… He wanted to run ahead with the ball and have the rest chase him in vain. The dream was crystallized. Despite disapproving rebukes at home, he continued to play. Punishments turned to patronage as his elder brother noticed the emerging talent.

At the age of 18, he went to Germany to learn social sciences, but ended up acquiring greater love and knowledge for the game. On his return, he joined Sesa Goa and began playing what is termed as the Goculdas style. His speed and skill won him numerous fans. He represented Goa State and was a proactive part of the Santosh trophy victory in 1983.

However, the same year he had a terrible accident on field that forced him off it. But as they say, winners don’t quit! Goculdas reinvented his role as a referee right up to the international FIFA panel. In 2002, he moved on to be Instructor for Referee’s. Thus Goculdas acquired the rare distinction of playing, refereeing and instructing in the game of football.

Goculdas Nagvenkar’s life provides three lessons. The first inspiration comes from his passion that saw him emerge as a player of the highest order. Secondly, when forced to quit he developed a newer role as a referee and there to he excelled. Thirdly and most importantly (unlike most sportsmen) he did not ignore education and is a senior accounts officer of Sesa Goa. The path to one’s dream is best built by developing newer facets to our personality and constantly measuring up to the emerging challenges.

At 50, Goculdas continues to develop new dimensions to his life. His journey reflects his enthusiasm and commitment towards his dream. In a highly competitive world, sportsmanship is not just about morality and habits on the field. Sportsmanship is essentially about the attitude and actions that make a person surge ahead and show the way for others, too.

Sportsmanship is about attitude, values and determination
On and off the play-field, let’s “develop new dimensions”…

Regards
Pravin

Revenge

An Aesop’s fable tells the story of a wolf who ran into a lamb. The wolf decided that he would find some good reason to eat the lamb. The wolf said to the lamb, "last year you insulted me!" but the lamb replied, "I wasn't yet born last year." So the wolf said, "You have eaten in my pasture." but the lamb said, "I don't eat grass yet." Then the wolf tried again, "You drank from my well." The lamb replied, "The only thing I drink is milk." At that point the wolf ate the lamb saying, "Well! You certainly like to argue!"

An exhibition highlighting the tragedy of the Kashmiri Pundits is doing the rounds in Goa. Successive governments in J&K and Delhi have paid only lip-service to their forced exodus due to terrorism. However, instead of creating the factual awareness of the situation, the organisers have chosen to provoke hatred. Posters of atrocities have statements like “if this does not make your blood boil, you are not a Hindu”. A film that is also shown on cable networks calls for armed squads in Goa to defend the faith.

Such calls for revenge are increasing amongst all communities. In the 1980s, the Sikh community was the victim of such malicious branding. Cries to “teach them lessons” resulted in the mass murders in Delhi and elsewhere. As usual the victims are innocent people who are not connected in any remote way with the crime. And the instigators of hatred from different religions share a common approach… that of the wolf who has pre-decided that he will kill the innocent lamb.

I remember a teacher who would strike the head of the nearest boy with his knuckles, every time he wanted to punish a naughty fellow sitting on the back benches. Does it make sense in any remote way to question the credentials of a person just because he shares his faith with a culprit, when we will refuse to be tagged with malicious minds from our own religion? The emotion of anger is natural in the face of injustice. But an attempt to present facts in the package of hate does no favour to the victims of terrorism. Worse, it often seeks to provoke revenge and that too, against innocent neighbours.

We must “develop new dimensions” that are just, fair and humane in our response to injustice. We must oppose and expose the infiltration of blind hatred that seeks to avenge the innocent victims by punishing other innocents. In a film called Sarfarosh, the hero tells the vengeful villain, “Partition has been a devastating tragedy for all of us… but while you chose to avenge a bloody past by killing more innocents, I choose to learn from the past and do everything to stop it from recurring!”

More often than not, revenge is a guise to carry out pre-decided intentions,
It is only true love for justice and peace that “develops new dimensions”!

Regards
Pravin

TOLERANCE

A Zen legend tells the tale of a great warrior, who though quite old, was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him.

One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village, determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.

Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours, he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. However, the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling ashamed.
Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How did you drive him away?" "If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"

Tolerance when combined with dignity and clarity of thought makes for strong character in a human being. Character is all about developing the dimensions of tolerance, dignity and an open mind. In fact, the absence of broad-mindedness, leads to an attitude of intolerance. Mahatma Gandhi has shown us the way of disagreeing without being disagreeable, protesting without insolence and speaking without shouting. Gandhi’s satyagraha showed that tolerance, courage and truth were far more appropriate tools for achieving political and social goals than hatred and violence.

Hey, wait don’t hurry to react, let’s choose responsive dignity…
Tolerance will “develop new dimensions” in our personality…

Regards
Pravin

SYNONYMOUS WITH SHAHEED

On 27 September 2007, he would have turned 100. But he died a martyr at 23.

The title – Shaheed (martyr) – has become synonymous with an inspirational icon born in the Khatkar Kalan village in Punjab. Bhagat Singh's family was passionately patriotic and had participated in numerous movements supporting independence of India. However, it was the Jalianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919 that deeply impacted young Bhagat's mind. At the tender age of 13, he turned freedom fighter. In his teens, Bhagat ran away from home to escape marriage, and enrolled with Naujawan Bharat Sabha.
Bhagat was a voracious reader and a very expressive writer. He read a lot of poetry and literature which was written by Punjabi writers. At the age of 16, Bhagat's essay grabbed the attention of the Punjab Hindi Sahitya Sammelan and professor Bhimsen Vidyalankar. At the latter's request, Bhagat joined the Hindustan Republican Association . He wrote for and edited Urdu and Punjabi newspapers . Along with Chandrashekar Azad, Ramprasad Bismill, Ashfaqulla Khan, Bhagat's revolutionary activities became the stuff of folklore.

In 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai succumbed to injuries inflicted by the violent lathi charge on a non-violent march. Bhagat vowed to take revenge. Along with Rajguru, Gopal and Sukhdev, he plotted to kill the police chief, Scott. However, in a case of mistaken identity, Saunders, instead of Scott, was shot. He quickly left Lahore to escape the police. To avoid recognition, he shaved his beard and cut his hair.

To counter the revolutionaries, the British enacted the draconian Defence of India Act. To voice their protest, Bhagat and Batukeshwar Dutt threw non-lethal bombs in the assembly on April 8, 1929 . Whilst shouting "Inquilab Zindabad!" they also threw leaflets stating that it takes a loud voice to make the deaf hear. Bhagat's leaflet stated that "It is easy to kill individuals but you cannot kill the ideas. "

While in jail, Bhagat launched a hunger strike advocating the rights of prisoners. His philosophical and political thinking is well documented in the diary he wrote in jail. When accused of vanity of not seeking salvation in the face of death, Bhagat wrote a pamphlet entitled "Why I am an atheist". On March 23, 1931, Bhagat, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged . He was just over 23 years then, but he had developed an immortal dimension of inspiration for the youth…
Bhagat Singh has shown that the length of the road does not matter…
We must "develop new dimensions" NOW, don't wait to do it later…

Regards
Pravin

TRUTH is INCONVENIENT

Last Thursday, I watched a very riveting documentary. Actually it was basically a filmed version of the PowerPoint lecture by an environmental advocate called Al Gore - the person who almost became the President of the USA. The film, directed by Davis Guggenheim, is poignantly called “An Inconvenient Truth”.

Gore impresses as an impassioned speaker with a mission, making a convincing argument for common sense and ethical intervention in reversing the harmful effects of global warming through personal and political accountability. “An Inconvenient Truth” makes the compelling case that global warming is real, man-made, and its effects will be catastrophic if we don’t act now.

Gore presents a wide array of facts and information in a thoughtful and compelling way. We see animations of ancient glaciers that have retreated entirely over the last hundred years, and the disintegration of today’s glaciers, literally before our eyes… disappearing rivers, disappearing species, disappearing rainforests, disappearing land… Hard facts from peer-reviewed scientific journals that deflate the humbuggery of oil-company-supported PR “think tanks” about “natural cycles”.

Gore insists that global warming is not a political issue at all… it is "a moral issue." He shows that the choice between economical and ecological well-being is a false dilemma. For those following climate sciences -- not climate propaganda -- little that Gore says will be news, but he puts it all together in such a devastating way that the impact is enormous. While the mainstream press may continue to insist that there is no scientific consensus on global warming, presenters like Gore and filmmakers like Guggenheim have shown the way to present the truth in all its dimensions.

An Inconvenient Truth accomplishes what all great films should: it leaves the viewer shaken, involved and inspired. However, it is not a depressing film. Though his forecast is scary, Gore does not leave us in despair. And that is the real truth… we can save our world… by embracing some inconveniences… by searching for alternatives… by developing new dimensions in attitudes and approaches towards our mother Earth!

the debate between economy and ecology is not about intellectual interactions…
“develop new dimensions” to initiate consciousness and appropriate actions…

Regards
Pravin

QUIZ

“The one who knows is the one who grows”….

The alumni of St. Britto High School, Mapusa –Goa call themselves Britto's Old Boys' Association. Yesterday, on a rainy Sunday, they organised a QUIZ QUEST where twenty-one schools participated. Each team had four participants and a chaperon. Eight teams made it to the semi-finals and four contested the finals. But all remained seated in the audience till the very end, and that undoubtedly was the success of the event.

Quizzing can be a very interesting and entertaining, because it provides the opportunity for even the loser (who cannot answer a particular query) to be an eventual winner (the knowledge base is widened once the answers are disclosed)… Quiz contests encourage the spirit of enquiry and discovery in the minds of the participants as well the audience… Rather than be mere tests to assess knowledge, Quiz Contests help nurture a questioning mind, a positive outlook and a wide-angle approach to developing new dimensions to our database of information.

Just look around at the persons who participate or attend Quiz Contests regularly. You will notice an extra zest for life and a proactive optimistic attitude. In fact, when we look at Quiz Masters like Siddharth Basu and Derek O’ Brien, we notice personalities who have been able to develop multiple facets in a multi-dimensional world… In fact, Quizzing in India has developed its own, unique flavour because it involves diverse genres of different geographical regions, cultural diversity, a colourful history and an emerging collective conscience…

Whenever, any parent asks me for recommendations to develop new dimensions to the personality of their child, I recommend three things… activity that involves Mother Nature (from sports to trekking), the Library Habit and developing team spirit through participation in team activities… and the best way to get the child to do all of these (and more) is to provide and support the opportunity to participate, attend and observe the infectious art and craft of Quizzing… and of course, I do mention, “Adults too need to connect to exciting activity of Quizzing…”

Inculcate the attitude of being inquisitive and proactive enquiry
“Develop new dimensions” through the process of discovery…

Regards
Pravin

DEBATE

“Indifference is a great sin than hatred”… so said the humanitarian advocate for the poor and helpless, Mother Theresa, who if alive would have celebrated her 97th birthday on Sunday 26th August. A day earlier Goanet – a debating group of the Goan Diaspora completed 13 years. Surely, the weekend that went by had two dates in history which underline the need to connect and communicate – a message of great urgency in an increasingly polarised and intolerant world.

Wikipedia defines debating as a formal method of interactive and position representational argument. In online debating on websites like Goanet, the exchanges travel the entire range from being researched to opinionated, angry to comforting, personalised to ganging-up, hurt to hope, old wounds to new dreams. The churning, created by the exchange of well thought out points and counterpoints, helps facilitate a broader understanding of an issue, situation or even an attitude.

There are so many dimensions to any issue. And more often than not, we stand positioned in a stationary manner and hence see a singular dimension. However when we share our opinion, somebody else can confirm or dispute our prejudice by sharing another dimension. Besides there is opportunity to shift one’s own position and perspective… and thus develop new dimensions.

It requires courage to allow people to differ on matters that are divisive, but initiates like Goanet have had moderators who have displayed the abilities and the attitude required in a thankless job. And to their credit, they have allowed the worst critics to have their say. Critics of the online debates point out that a lot of hate and anger gets thrown up as old prejudices indulge in name calling and abuse. But like Mother Theresa said “indifference” is an attitude we need to overcome to reach the hurdles of hatred which can be scaled by the approach of love and understanding.

A debate starts with differences but it can eventually move to becoming a discussion that explores the varied dimensions of the topic. The journey from conflict to consensus needs communication, not attitudes of indifference. We only, must ensure that we are not disagreeable when we disagree because the intent of every debate should be to “express” rather than “impress”…

Shed the indifference by sharing perspectives in the debate
“Develop new dimensions” to overcome prejudices of hate…

Regards
Pravin

THE FOURTH DIMENSION

My father, K. N. Sabnis would have been 90 years old today, if he were alive. Although a simple man with practically no riches, the generosity of his helping hand has ensured a legacy of goodwill for all of us. Over the past 13 years, since his demise, I learnt more about his behavioural traits from the various people he had connected to.

One such person is a college principle and a well reputed educationist. He told me about an incident when he took part in programs of All India Radio. My father was a program executive there. One day, while sharing ‘chai’, my father casually asked him about his family. Upon realising that he was the eldest child in a struggling family, my father advised him to skip the radio programs and instead concentrate on his studies and career. He said, “First afford, then indulge… family first, flair later… life first, lifestyle later.” The man followed his advice and did very well for himself.

It was the same with my brother who possessed exceptional playing skills as a cricketer. My father, though a cricketer himself, insisted that my brother concentrate on his earning career. My brother did exceptionally well for himself compared to his other equally talented playmates who tell him, “you, did the right thing at that time...” My father would say that the greatest gift that we can give some one (and ourselves, too) is not money or presents... it is the gift of time.

Time is considered to be the fourth dimension. We must develop this dimension, first by understanding its value and consequence and then by looking at the larger picture. When we complain about lack of time, more often than not, it is just a case of getting tangled in unnecessary or non-priority tasks… the first priority is family, the next is career and then comes community, which is actually the larger family …

A famous analogy compared the time of life to the passing of sand through an hourglass. The sand at the top is associated with the future, and, one tiny grain at a time, the future flows through the present into the past (the sand pile at the bottom of hourglass). The past is ever expanding, the future is ever decreasing… but the future grains become amassed into the past through the present…

Between the ‘urgent’ and the ‘important’, time is all about prioritising
‘develop new dimensions’… the future needs planned connecting…

CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE

The flag flying full mast on Independence Day, to the full-throated singing of our national anthem, ensures the further reinforcement the concept of freedom as an externalized concept. Eloquent speeches induce elevating thoughts in puffed up chests full of hollow cheer. It is emphasized that we are “free” today due to those valiant martyrs who laid their lives so that our nation could live. But, is that all what “freedom” is all about?

Being “free” is a personal prerogative. It is imperative that for the sake of freedom – and hence, not only, in body and mind, but more importantly, in behaviour, we must clarify our attitudes towards our nation. We may insist that we are a patriotic lot, yet our patriotism is reflected more often in our emotions during cricket matches than in our day-to-day actions as law abiding citizens. We can easily rattle off the problems but fail to be part of the solutions. The strewn garbage and disorderly traffic are just two parameters to judging patriotism. Once somebody remarked that we treat our country as “our father’s property”… I intervened to disagree, “we treat it as somebody else’s father’s property!”

Once at an interaction with a former foreign services officer, nobody was asking him any questions, so I set the ball rolling by asking, “How do you project the image of India to the foreigners?” If I were asked the same question, I would have waxed eloquently about our great heritage, history, culture, etc. etc. But his answer was an eye-opener… He said, “We project India as the land of the white revolution (milk), green revolution (agriculture), telecom revolution….”

We depend on the dimension of a distant past to justify our pride in our nation… But if we connect to the real achievements that are going on, then we will feel genuine pride in connecting to the present dimension developed by Baba Amte, Anna Hazare, Nasima Hurzuk, Kiran Bedi, P Sainath and so many others. Further on we need to identify our role in scripting the future dimensions of India 2020 as articulated by Kalam.

May every Indian be a role model for others as a sincere citizen, as an enterprising entrepreneur, as a sensitive and responsive human being, and as a leader who leads by example. On every surface we walk… to every person we meet… in every situation we encounter… may we develop new dimensions in our role in nation building!

Love for our country should never be an occasional intention…
India will be best served when we “develop new dimensions”!

Regards
Pravin

COMRADE BUDDHA

In Zen, a Buddha (Sanskrit: awakened) is any being who has become fully enlightened. I always look forward to anyone who shares my interest in Zen stories and values. One such person was a Marxist, yet a student of philosophy. A person with depth of knowledge and yet possessed an open mind and attitude. He was my Comrade Buddha!

Narayan Desai was forty-seven years older to me. 15 years, when I first met him, he was nearly three times my age, but it never mattered. His memory was sharp as ever, his reading was immense. His exuberance towards “experiential wisdom” would put a teenager to shame. He was a freedom fighter, teacher, journalist, socialist, thinker and distinguished author. He was multi-lingual, multi-skilled and multi dimensional.

Narayan Desai was born in Pernem Goa on 16 December 1920. He completed Curso de Letras (Portuguese Literature and Philosophy) and started as a teacher at Margao. It was here that he got involved with the 'Kisan Sabha' along with socialists like George Vaz and Shamrao Madkaikar. He was actively involved in the freedom struggle for Goa .

Post liberation, he remained active with the Communist Party of India. He travelled to Russia , Germany , Cairo , Iran , Berlin and other countries as a speaker. However, it is a writer that he received greater applause. He wrote more than twenty books, all well acclaimed, including Biography of Lenin, Swami Vivekanand in 21st century, Me - a socialist, Buddha – my companion and others. He books are available in Marathi, Konkani, English, Gujarati, and Hindi. He also compiled a Spanish-to-Marathi Dictionary.

Narayan never gave up being a student. As Director of Thinkers' Academy, Mumbai, he devoted his entire life to research and writing. He kept him self abreast with the global happenings. He was one who could see the bird’s eye view of the situation as well as the ground reality. He de-emphasized theoretical knowledge in favor of direct individual experience of one's own true nature. He would say that ‘thinking and experiencing’ was the only to live. That’s the way he lived, till he died on 5 August 2007. Now he lives through his writings and in the thoughts and actions of the people he inspired.

The whole world is our space to ‘Develop new dimensions’,
Narayan Desai inspires us to acquire experiential wisdom…

WHAT’s THIS?

One day five men lost their way and were forced to spend the night in the dark woods. One of them heard a twig snap, and went over to see what it was that was walking by. He walked right into the side of an elephant. He put out his arms to either side, but all he could feel was the big body of the elephant. He said, "I think I have walked into a wall.” A second man grabbed hold of the animal's trunk and shouted, "This isn't a wall. This is a snake!" The third man touched the animal's tail. "This is no wall, and this is no snake. You are both wrong. I know for sure that this is a rope."

The fourth man decided that someone should really get to the bottom of things. So he crouched down on all fours and felt around the elephant's legs. "My dear friends," explained the fourth man. "This is no wall and this is no snake. This is no rope either. What we have here… is four tree trunks. That's it." The fifth man was not so quick to jump to conclusions. He walked up to the front of the elephant and felt the animal's two long tusks. "It seems to me that this object is made up of two swords," said the fifth man. Suddenly, there was a stroke of lightning in the sky and the elephant trumpeted a fearful cry. Now, the five men could see and hear the strange object that they had difficulty in identifying.

Surely, we find ourselves in similar predicaments. It is pertinent to note that that our minds are so prejudiced that quite often we are cheated by our tendency to jump to conclusions. We need to open our eyes, ears and our mind… both literally and in spirit. We need to unlearn our prejudices and ensure an open approach to fresh learning. It is a human tendency to be “judgmental” rather than “developmental”… and it is this very tendency that obscures our vision, cloaks our listening and masks our learning. Before we speak or voice our “opinions” we need to ensure that we “understand” all the dimensions before we take a “stand”… a proactive examination of the situation will be prudent!

Plain voicing of opinion is being judgmental…
‘Develop new dimensions’ to be developmental…

Regards
Pravin

RUMOUR UNLIMITED

The easiest way to fool anybody these days is to spread blatant falsehood through e-mails or SMSs on mobiles. The rumour is given wings by the tendency to press the forward tab without even pondering about the veracity of the fact, forget about researching for the truth. Even professors of history plead for “saving” the Taj Mahal as one of the seven wonders of the world, because they are blind to the obvious reasons of commerce for the cellular provider who earn loads of money due to the habit of the gullible to help propagate anything that reaches them.

The latest rumour doing the rounds is about the danger of brain tumour being triggered by receiving mobile calls from certain identified numbers. The “believers” insist that the “frequency” of the mobile triggers the formation of the brain tumour. And they choose to ignore the fundamental principle that the frequency varies ONLY between different service providers, NOT between different mobile numbers.

It is also pertinent to note that this rumour is a recycled one that had come seven years ago. It was countered effectively then, yet it has now returned back with a vengeance. More than three years ago, a worldwide study initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO), has found that there is no link between cell phones and brain tumours. The experts looked at links between mobile use and the incidence of glioma, the most common kind of tumour found in the head and found none.

Using the latest technology does not automatically translate into a “modern” attitude and approach. The highest of qualifications do not certify the absence of irrational blind beliefs. The great rationalist B. Premanand lamented that “education is in the hands of the unscrupulous who propagate miracles, superstitions, and blind beliefs. Unless our people are educated in scientific temper we have no hope.”

The Indian Constitution declares scientific temperament as a fundamental duty of all citizens… all we need is to embrace rational thinking and develop a questioning mind… Otherwise, rumours will continue to exploit our fears and also leave us poorer… we must explore the dimensions of the message we receive, before pressing the “forward” tab!

With rationality at sea, rumour-mongering is dangerously tragic...
‘develop new dimensions’ to cultivate the spirit of enquiry and logic!

Regards
Pravin

USELESS !

National President of the Indian Jaycees in the year 2000, Mukhinder Singh uses humour in a most effective manner. One such speech drew great laughter and even greater learning.

A robust man called up the police to complain about a robbery at his house. The thieves were a couple of thin and rather weak men armed with only a small knife. The constable was amazed to write down a seemingly unending list of valuables burgled… In exasperation he asked, “Did they leave any valuable behind?” The complainant promptly replied, “my pistol worth Rs 80,000/-“

The cop was curious, “How did they miss the gun?” The beaming complainant said, “I was sitting on it.” The shocked officer asked, “Why didn’t you use it to stop the thieves?” The man sheepishly replied, “Oh, it never occurred to me? I was too worried that they might see it and steal it because of its expensive worth…”

It is pertinent to note that a thing intended for his protection was useless because it was not used. His “using” the gun would have saved him. We may laugh, but it is true that we could well be like the man who did not use what he had! For instance, our ability to smile can tackle a difficult situation. Nevertheless, it is in a difficulty that the smile is not used!

We possess knowledge and skills, a brain and a heart, our senses and our emotions. We possess a range of dimensions in terms of abilities and potential. However, if we do not use the dimensions that we have, then the most valuable of our qualities and our strengths are of no use. More importantly, it is not enough to only “use” but also to use “enough”. If you “use less” then our strengths are rendered “useless”!

Don’t grieve over what’s missing in your possession
“Use” what you have to “develop new dimensions”

Regards
Pravin

HANDS OFF!

While studying in Don Bosco School, we were stunned to read the news of a teacher being suspended for hitting a student. We could not imagine complaining about a similar thing. The reason was that most of the teachers who would hit an erring student, behaved as if the child was their own. The sentiment of concern and affection went hand-in-hand in most such cases.

One such student, who grew up getting punished, continued his mischief in college, too. Once a lecturer just suggestively raised his hand to halt his mischief, my friend cautioned him saying, "You have no right to touch me. Do anything you want, but don't touch me."

The right to touch another person is not a prerogative, it requires the consent of the other person. Touch is not one-dimensional, it can be a good touch and it can be a bad touch. Sex education in schools is making a significant difference to the child knowing its rights to resist a bad touch. However, some of us tend to treat the issue in a frivolous manner.

Recently, a lady lecturer accused her male principal of sexual harassment. Whether the accusation is true or not needs investigation, but our tendency to mock the victim is appalling. Some reactions have gone on to ask "what's the big deal?" and even accuse the complainant of being narrow minded.

Touch is a symbol of the many dimensions of love. In love it is okay to fight, it is okay to get angry, it is okay to sulk… but it is definitely, not okay to force your physical love on any body. To touch is not our exclusive right; it has to be exercised with great responsibility… To touch is a wonderful instinct but it should hold the same positivity for the one who receives it. Let's use it without the dimensions of misuse and abuse.

"Hey, keep your hands off me; it is not your prerogative
'Develop new dimensions', but exclude the offensive!"

Regards
Pravin

“SANGODD”

In 2001, at the International Goans Convention, the poet with the silver mane enthralled the audience with yet another golden speech. Manoharrai Sardessai was always an inspirational muse to scores of the loyal fans of his poetry, prose and philosophy. On that day, he was speaking about the Konkani quotation “Don Voddeani paim…” (feet in two canoes) which highlighted the futility of doing so. However, Manoharrai was unveiling a new dimension… the ancient Goan tradition of combining two boats to create a larger platform called “sangodd”.

Last Friday, recorded a full year since the demise of Goa’s most adored poets. But his take on things, both, Goan and global, continues to hold immortal inspiration. Manoharrai Sardessai’s poems and songs, speeches and talks, writings and musings continue to be a guiding light as we stand at the crossroads pondering over looming questions. Whether to go global with English in primary education or embrace the mother tongue, Konkani? Whether to stick to the Devanagri script or patronise the Romi script? Whether to pursue development or bother about the environment?

Sardessai’s message of the harmonizing dimension of “sangodd” assumes greater relevance in today’s times when every question arouses diametrically extreme viewpoints that spark off bitterness and hostility. His own life reflected the “sangodd”. Sardessai wrote mature political ballads as well as delightful songs for children. While he wrote extensively in Konkani, Marathi, Hindi and other Indian languages, he also indulged in the mastery of French, English, Portuguese and other international languages. He was a fine teacher who never gave up on studying. He would write about rationalism and socialism and simultaneously pen prayers to Shantadurga and Jesus. He initiated the publishing of his books in both Devanagri and Romi scripts.

Every fight is essentially started over a difference in perceptions. Many such perceptions are based on prejudices. An open mind is one that can combine diverse opinions to create a “sangodd” and develop new dimensions that will foster unity amidst hearts….

With a “sangodd”, it is possible to ride two boats
“Develop new dimensions” to cross every moat…

GOOD WORD!

Ram Puniyani - a Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology, Powai – was pensive. Apart from his teaching and research activities, Ram pursued a parallel track concerned with issues related to social problems, particularly the ones related to preservation of democratic and secular ethos in the country. His European friend who had come-a-visiting noticed his distress and inquired about the cause for his sadness. Ram held out the day’s newspapers and said that he was disturbed by the “communal” incidents in the country.

“Why should “communal” incidents worry you?” the European asked, “communal activities are always welcome”. Their further exchanges and ensuing debate established a serious divergence in what they meant by the word “communal. Ram obviously was talking about oppressive tendencies and actions based on religious fundamentalism and fascism. His friend from across the continent had a totally different meaning of communalism as a word that spoke of a force uniting people into a community.

In most parts of the western world, the word is a modern term that describes a broad range of social movements and social theories which centred on the community. It is about putting the interests of the community above the interests of the individual, and this is done on the principle that the community exists for the benefit of the individuals who participate in it, so the best way to serve the interests of the individual is through the interests of the community. Communalism is also associated with various branches of socialism. The term "communalism" is often used instead of "communism" to denote those communal societies that are not based on Marxism.

However in South Asia the word “communalism” has only negative connotations. The word is used dark shades to denote a force separating different communities based on some form of social or sectarian discrimination. Ram Punyani, who was down in Goa last month, shared the irony of how we have allowed an originally positive word to become part of a dreaded vocabulary.

Mere unlearning of the wrong meaning will not suffice… We need to first explore the dimensions of deep prejudices and negative perceptions based on religion, race, caste, gender and language. We must challenge divisive arguments and develop new dimensions that embrace humane values in our behaviour and talk, too... Only then we will be able to worthy of using the word “communalism” in its rightful context.

“Let’s unlearn the depraved context of the word ‘communalism’
‘Develop new dimensions’ to actualise the principles of humanism!”

Regards
Pravin

MILKY WAY

“Everything is possible, especially the impossible” – Remo (song – Bombay City )

When I was a child, milk was sold in glass bottles. An aluminum card identified the number of bottles every family was eligible for. However, due to shortage of milk, only one bottle would be given at a time and one had to come back in the queue for another bottle. People would start queuing up at the milk booth, as early as 4 am in the morning, since the early ones improved their chances of getting more bottles… Some started “fixing” their position in the queue by marking their position with a stone; so that they could do other chores till the milk van came… others would throw way these stones and “usurp” a “better” position in the queue.

My childhood was full of incidents of “gentlemen” and “ladies” fighting out, every morning… over missing stones at the milk booth. During those days, if somebody were to say that it was possible to have as much milk as one required, he would be considered a fool or a madman. However, today India is a world leader in the production, distribution and consumption of milk. Today, milk is available in abundance and more importantly at any time of the day, anytime of the year. All this transformation was possible due to the vision of V J Kurien.

Kurien and his team have taught us a very important lesson: nothing is impossible if you are ready to explore new dimensions to what seems to be an unsolvable problem. It is said so well that answers are found in the questions themselves. Kurien identified that the shortage of milk was not in dearth of milk collection. The problem lay with the manipulative exploitation by the private traders and middlemen who controlled the marketing and distribution system. The alternative dimension was developed of milk co-operatives where the farmers were the sellers, with no middle men in between.

Thus the success story of the White Revolution in India was scripted.
The neighbours still fight, but not over milk!

Do not be overwhelmed by the hopeless situation,
Unravel the question to “develop new dimensions”!

Regards
Pravin

DEADLY DIMENSION!

A week ago, IBN-7 telecast a macabre story about a faith healer claiming cure for any disease, performing surgeries with swords, using Handiplast as bandages and making patients drink his blood. Shockingly, quackery is not just a rural phenomenon; it is rampant in the by lanes of our cities, too. Why do people trust quacks, Godmen and the so-called faith healers? Is it the lack of adequate scientific and rational solutions or simply orthodoxy?

In a country where multi-specialty hospitals abound and medical tourism is a growing business, it is a grim fact that lack of adequate healthcare at the implementation level results in quacks exploiting vulnerable masses. However, healthcare and health infrastructure are not the only reasons. The quacks thrive even where doctors are abundant. The problem is political. All political parties shy away from legislating the anti-quackery bill. After all, numbed minds are more easily captured for voting.

So why is it that Indians are easily convinced of miracles? Tricksters in the garb of religious leaders influence city masses as much as their country cousins. Without any knowledge of medicine they say they can cure ailments like cancer, AIDS and what not. While quackery is one dimension of blind faith, faith healing seems to be the most popular one. Look around to notice the mushrooming of divine retreat centers.

The argument in favour of faith healing is that it can’t be written off completely since it could help create an aura of positivity to help cure – along with scientific methods – diseases like cancer. Faith and courage help in healing. It helps body to generate immunological and other mechanism to fight the disease. However, what goes on the name of faith healing is a humbug born of cheating and exploitation.

Faith is a mechanism of the mind. It is born of optimistic resolve undeterred by fear. But when this belief is based on external influences impressed by trickery or blinded by pseudo-sciences, then the owner of such beliefs is weakened psychosomatically. Such a person becomes uni-dimensional and can be easily taken advantage of… and thus be psychologically enslaved! The deadly dimension of blind faith has to be challenged and the liberating dimension of scientific temper must be empowered.

While faith and courage ameliorate, faith-healing is an impediment
“Develop new Dimensions” to become truly free and independent!

Regards
Pravin

RIGHT CHOICE

Goa is going to the polls. The air is heavy with electioneering. Candidates are promising the sky to the voters. Allurements range from a few notes of currency to printed sarees, wristwatches with the candidates face as a dial to packets of biryani, from intoxicating alcohol to cool motorbikes.

The dilemma is who to choose: the corrupt or the communal. If we look around, we notice that every corrupt politician misuses religion to cultivate his image of “actually-a-nice-guy” and every communal politician indulges in every possible illegal and corrupt practice. And ironically we fall for the choice limited to the difference between the frying pan and the fire.

The sad state of present day politics is that it is the politicians, and not the people, who decide the choice. Choices are limited when we look at only the dimension provided by the politician, pollsters and the press. And we tend to vote for the “lesser-evil” and “winnable” candidate. I see sincere, well-meaning activist-friends take the uni-dimensional choice between the corrupt and the communal and eventual share stage with the very electoral malpractices that they have earlier abhorred.

We must develop new dimensions in defining the agenda for our politicians, not just at election-time but also otherwise. When we vote, it is not for somebody to win, but somebody we feel is the right choice. That Mr or Ms Right Choice may lose this time, but we are laying the foundation for a deserving leader to take root. And if you feel no choice is good choice, reject all of them.

Choice is not what is offered by an overwhelming situation
Alternatives are unearthed when we "Develop new dimensions"!

LOST?

Once a traveller who was driving through the countryside, realised that he had wandered off his route. He had no clue as to where he was and how to get back to his original road. After going around in circles, he stopped his car and looked around to ask for help.

He sighted an old and frail villager. On reaching him, he exclaimed, "I am lost. Can you help me find my way?". The old man calmly queried, "Young man, do you know where you have come from?" The reply was in the affirmative. The next query was, "Do you know where you want to go?". The traveller nodded again.

The wise man smiled and spoke an eyeopening truth... "Young man, if you know where you have come from and where you want to go, then you cannot be lost. You just need to find a new road to connect you to your destination!" And he proceeded on to show him the way.

When ever we feel lost, all we need to connect to our path is to understand the co-relation of our present location and the new dimensions of a newer and different approach rather than just trying too get back to the old road. Getting lost is an opportunity to develop new paradigms and break the mindset.

Allow yourself the opportunity to lose your way
"Develop new dimensions" and seize the day!

Regards
Pravin

PASSION AS A PROFESSION

Prasad fell from a vertical height of 80 ft while mountaineering at the Dudhsagar waterfalls in Goa. He broke all possible bones in his body. 12 days later, when he gained consciousness, his doctors swore he would never climb again. A year and a half later, this young man went on to do what was considered impossible. He became the first Goan to scale Mount Kedardome at 22,410 ft… that too, in a world record-breaking time of 10 hrs 20 minutes for the final stretch.

Twelve years later, Prasad Joshi is Goa’s numero uno as an adventure activity trainer. The exploratory challenges of Mother Nature were always a passion for Prasad. A B.Com graduate, Prasad was an average student who excelled in sports and mimicry. The family ran a teahouse and a school canteen. While looking after the family business, Prasad made rapid strides in hiking, trekking and Mountaineering… as his passion turned into his profession.

Many mocked him… Prasad was ridiculed for relying on earning through his hobby. The voices of disapproval got shriller after his accident. Prasad says, “Nobody can conquer death. Life is a risk anyway so why not die doing something worthwhile. This view became stronger after my accident that proved to me that I had been reborn to do great things.” He underwent all necessary training to excel in what was initially just a hobby. He stood first in India for rock-climbing competition held at Tekhla. He underwent the instructors’ course for Rafting as well as Advanced Mountaineering Degree Course. With adventure tourism making good business sense, Prasad’s infatuation with his hobby is now fully justified.

Too often, we approach careers in a one-dimensional way, looking at what is available. Surely, we can draw inspiration from Prasad. But to transform our passion into a profession, we must be able to envision the various dimensions that it contains. We can develop new facets in our passion and transform it into a profession…Alternately we can develop new passion for our chosen profession.

“Develop new dimensions” in every personal passion
May it eventually connect to or convert into a profession!

Regards
Pravin

TOLERANCE

A Zen story tells about a great warrior who though old, was undefeated. His reputation extended far and wide and many students gathered to study under him. One day a notorious young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.

Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours, he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. However, the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling ashamed.

The students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How did you drive him away?" "If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"

It is pertinent to note that tolerance when combined with dignity and clarity of thought makes for strong character in a human being. Mahatma Gandhi has shown us the way of disagreeing without being disagreeable, protesting without insolence and speaking without shouting. Character is all about refusing to be affected by petty issues. Our response to every, stimulus should never be uni-dimensional. We must develop the ability to develop the dimension of tolerance and acquire the strength of dignity.

The consequence of tolerance is strength, not a limitation
Learn to “develop new dimensions” in every situation!

Regards
Pravin

SEIZE THE SKY

My childhood dream was to catch the sky in my grasp. As a child, I once tried leaping and trying to grab as much sky as I could in my outstretched palm. However, neither did I get the sky in my grasp, nor did I stay close to it for long… next moment I was down on the ground. As the dust cleared, I saw the trees around… The majestic trees got closer and closer to the sky by taking their roots deeper and deeper into the earth. The lesson was obvious. The deeper the roots, the taller one can be. If we look around, we find that the one who “knows” is the one who “grows”! However, our ability, nay, our attitude, to learn reduces as we grow. Many of us do not bother about even “looking at” information about our own careers leave alone other concerns. General knowledge is fast becoming a superfluous term. Education stops for many with the completion of their academic pursuits.

The roots of a tree are of two types: those that go deep in search of nutrition and those that spread across the breadth to hold the soil better. Both are necessary. We need depth of knowledge in our main areas of activity and breadth of knowledge in everything else. Interestingly, as you grow taller and get closer to the sky, you stumble on that ultimate truth… that there is no sky! There is no limit to how tall you can grow; there is no limit for how deep your roots can go!

Let us learn from the roots that dive deep and help transform a tiny seed into a tall tree. Our roots are in our environment, in our culture, in our people, in our world… in everything that concerns us. Our roots represent the multiple dimensions that create our personality. Each of these dimensions needs to be developed. For that we must step outside our comfort zones and discover the real world and unearth our true potential…

May our roots go deeper to connect to our earth
“develop new dimensions” to seize the sky’s hearth!

Regards
Pravin

YOURS OR MINE?

"No Presents Please"… The line was prominently displayed on the invitation card for my marriage ceremony. A couple of days prior to my marriage, a close friend came visiting with a huge gift. When I refused to accept the gift, he pushed it in to the hands of my two-year old niece. She was thrilled to receive the gift and immediately started tearing off the gift paper. When unpacked, her excitement disappeared for the package contained a big storage tin, which was obviously of no use to her. So she gave the gift to me.

I nearly fell off my chair with laughter when I read the inscribed writing on the gift. It was gifted by somebody else to my friend on his marriage! He had chosen to "forward" the gift to me without realising that the earlier person had inscribed their names along with the date, for posterity. To the embarrassment of my friend, I handed the gift back, saying, "Sorry buddy, this gift is yours, not mine!"It happens many a time that we receive opportunities as packed gifts. And, we pass these gifts to somebody else, without knowing that they are actually meant for us.

We speak about our wait for opportunities, yet we do not recognise them when we see them standing right before our noses. Sometimes, they are pushed to where we might not see them, sometimes they are thrown away and worse they are just passed on.

It is not enough to receive opportunities; it is far more pertinent to note what we do with them. Too often, opportunities come disguised as difficulties. We must recognise the value and the scope of every gift of opportunity that comes our way. There is nothing wrong in sharing opportunity or offering it to someone else, but first see the dimensions hidden within. Only then it will be possible to develop the dimensions offered by that opportunity…

Recognise the gift that lies hidden in every opportunity,
“Develop new dimensions” to make the most of even adversity!

Regards
Pravin

DEVELOP POTENTIAL

My favourite muse has been the poet-saint Kabir who wrote profound philosophy using very simple idioms and an even simpler vocabulary. My personal preferred verse of his (in Hindi) goes like this…
“Jo til mein hai tel, jo jagmag mein hai aag,
tera Sai hai tere andar, jag sake to jaag”
(Sesame seeds contain oil within, Flint stones hold potential sparks,
Your potential lies within you, wake up to this fact.)

Please note that sesame seeds need to be crushed by the crusher to be converted into oil. The oil is already within. Two stones when brought together and struck against each other will combine to create the spark of fire. Here too, the potential to create the spark lies inherent in the striking of the two stones. Similarly, Kabir says that every man’s potential lies within and we must first believe and accept that potential lies in us.

However, unlike the sesame seeds, humans do not need to be crushed to extract their inner potential nor do they need to be struck against another person. The first instance is of negative motivation while the second is of undue and unfair comparison. Too often, we do things only because we are forced to by the pressure of other people. Too often we assess ourselves wrongly by trying to measure up to somebody else’s standards.

We are owners to an inherent potential to do great things. We need to awaken and look inwards. We need to see what we are and what we can be. Talent needs to be first discovered by the one who possess it. Too often, we put ourselves down, because we fail to remove our blinkers of self-doubt while looking inwards and within. We must see the facets to our personality that lie unexplored and develop new dimensions.

It is the simple truth that our true potential is a promise that lies sleeping,
“Develop new dimensions” by first recognising and then performing!

Regards
Pravin

FOUNTAINHEAD!

While Lawrence was studying architecture, he went on a cycling expedition to Europe with his friends. The painful period that followed Hitler's occupation of Germany had unleashed a certain terror. Innumerable beautiful as well as painful memories of the tour enriched young Lawrence, who resolved that earning money would not be the motto of his life. He joined as a member of the surgical team of a religious group Quakers and went to China to serve the patients during the World War II.

Laurie came to India en route to England from China where he met Mahatma Gandhi who asked him to stay back to take care of leprosy patients. He travelled all over India helping repair leprosy homes and build new ones. He got exposed to indigenous architecture and was amazed at the way in which simple materials could be exploited to produce buildings with refined aesthetics and lasting qualities.

In 1970, Laurie Baker finally moved to Kerala and ever since became the fountainhead of alternative building technologies that would provide housing for the poor in a cost effective manner. Baker followed the principle that a house should seem to be owned by its owner and not be merely a statement made by the architect. Rejecting designs alien to the place he used local tiles and bricks in construction. A peaceful co-existence involving nature, man and home came across in his work.

Baker's architecture was always a reflection of his thoughts. He did not have any property other than the house he lived in. He did not like to have more than four sets of shirts and trousers, all made from khadi. He was continuously engaged in the quest for new ways to use any kind of waste, from paper to vegetables. And he inspired and motivated many to harness their creativity in creating appropriate architecture. Laurie built no big monuments, but yet he is regarded as one of the greatest architects because of his high values and simple style.

“Padmashree” Laurie Baker passed away on 1 April 2007. But his legacy continues to be a guiding light for a world staggering along the blind path of environmental destruction and misplaced development. The real alternative lies in the basics. For that we have look beyond our limited perspectives. We must recognise our responsibilities to our people, our land and more importantly to our profession. We must see the real dimensions to development and then develop new dimensions that use contemporary technology with traditional resources and help build a sustainable future.

The fountainhead of alternative architecture has shown us the solution,
Laurie Baker continues to inspire us to “develop new dimensions”!

Regards
Pravin

TAKE OFF…

Jerry Pinto lives up to his name. Jerry means a “spear warrior”… “somebody carrying a pointed weapon”. In my friend’s case, he has displayed very pointed persuasive skills. Like the time when a summer beach party got undone as unexpected rain send the guests scurrying for cover… Jerry grabbed the microphone and motivated the guests to come back to enjoy the “rain party”! A focussed sense of purpose has always been the hallmark of everything that Jerry does.

Well after over six eventful years of a successful association with the Taj group in Aguada, Goa, Jerry has chosen to move on. Last Saturday, his proteges, Prasad Joshi and others organised a send-off party for him at (very interestingly) the helipad… literally wishing Jerry the best of take-offs in his career ahead. Colleagues, vendors, associates … everyone that Jerry’s touch had transformed were there to wish him well. It was a touching moment for Jerry to see the immense goodwill that he had managed to acquire.

Jerry deserves all the adulation he gets. It is not his gift of the gab or talent for creativity or managing skills that make him popular. It is his ability to help people connect to their potential that make Jerry much admired. A good manager is one who gets things done, but the best manager is one helps his team members develop newer facets that lie dormant in their personality. Jerry has made a habit of nurturing the attitude and aptitude of the people he works with.

All this is easier said than done. In today’s competitive world, we choose to focus on our own selves, rather than others. We are swayed by the logic that we could be creating our own competitors by helping develop others in our team. Hence we may be selective and restrictive in our “aid and support” to others in our team. And therefore, we will never surround ourselves with the adulation, admiration and sheer benevolence that Jerry was able to witness on that evening at the helipad…

On life’s helipad, the fuel of goodwill helps you soar higher…
Help “develop new dimensions” in very person you encounter!

Regards
Pravin

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Steve never graduated from college. He dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months because he couldn't see the value in it. But he stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months. Steve slept on the floor in friends' rooms, he returned coke bottles for the deposits to buy food with, and he walked 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. It was pretty scary, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions he ever made. And much of what he stumbled into by following his curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on.

The minute Steve dropped out, he could stop taking the required classes that didn't interest him, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting. Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. Throughout the campus every poster, every label on every drawer, was beautifully hand calligraphed. Steve decided to take a calligraphy class. He learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great.

None of this had even a hope of any practical application in his life. But ten years later, when they were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer. And they designed it all into the Mac. If Steve had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, it's likely that no personal computer would have had them.

Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when Steve was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later. We can't connect the dots looking forward; we can only connect them looking backwards. So we have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in our future. Every thing we learn adds a new dimension to our life. And life is best served when we develop new dimensions.

Different things that we do are dots that await connection…
Every new experience does “develop new dimensions”…

Regards
Pravin

A NEW YEAR… ALWAYS!

In India, workshops, seminars or meetings are generally inaugurated with the lighting of the traditional lamp. A lit candle or single wick oil lamp (match boxes & lighters, too) is used to ignite the multiple wicks of an impressive brass lamp. However, this simple ritual sometimes turns difficult for the "inaugurator" when the wick of the lamp does not light up despite the best of efforts. Whenever such a stalemate occurs, the "wise" in the audience offer solutions.... "Put the fan off", "check whether there is oil in the lamp", etc. etc....

My instinct is to check whether the wick has been soaked adequately in oil... whether it is truly absorbed by the oil... Just like the cotton wick needs to be "connected" by the oil, we too require to be "connected" to the opportunities around… We must immerse ourselves into understanding the multiple dimensions of opportunities. The more we are soaked, the greater will be our glow of our success. But too often, we wait for occasions to connect to opportunities.

A young man built a beautiful bungalow as a gift of love to his parents. Although it was ready he waited over two months for the auspicious day of Gudi Padwa to move into the new home. Sadly, his mother passed away a week before. The man still rues the fact that his mother never stayed in the home built for her, due to his unnecessary emphasis on waiting for the auspicious day!

New Year is when we do new things! Every moment can be the beginning of a new year in our lives only if we choose to add new dimensions to our attitude and approach. It is not the occasion that decides the action… it is the action that defines the occasion. If the action is good… so is the moment. So immerse yourself in oil of opportunities, develop new dimensions and initiate new actions…

Don’t wait for the coming of an auspicious occasion…
Create it yourself and “develop new dimensions”

Regards
Pravin

CELEBRATE LIFE

Last week, one of my favourite persons turned 50. His family and friends organised a get-together aptly called “Celebration of Life”. True, Ashrafali Nizari’s life has been a dynamic festivity of making the most of every moment!

Ashrafali is a fine example of developing every dimension of one’s personality. As a leading businessman involved in hotels and real estate development, he is an integral part of many trade and tourism organisations. Actively involved in the organisation of Jaycees since 1976, Ashraf went to head Indian Junior Chamber as National President in 1992 and furthermore to be the Executive Vice President of Junior Chamber International. His handsome debonair looks may have won him many admirers, but it is his golden heart that makes Ashraf special. He is involved in schooling for “special” children and arranging “special” Olympics. And yet he finds time to be with his family, friends and his Jamaat!

The question is how one finds time to wear so many leadership hats and be passionately involved in such a wide spectrum of activities. The answer of course is that life is to be lived to its fullest or else it will be dwarfed in mediocrity. Isn’t it interesting to note that it is the busiest people, like Ashraf, who can make time for something extra! The same time is available to everyone, but it is all about the choices we make… whether we entangle in the singular vagaries or indulge in celebrating the multiple dimensions of our life.

When we go to sleep at night, millions did so too… But, all don’t wake up next morning… Some die in their sleep. Let’s ponder whether we recognise the biggest opportunity of them all – being alive. If we don’t, we may only end up existing. Every new day brings along a new dawn that invites a fresh resolve to add meaning and purpose to our lives! When we celebrate the many dimensions of life, life celebrates us, too!

Don’t merely exist… May every moment be worthy of many celebrations…
Engage every occasion and opportunity to “develop new dimensions”

Regards
Pravin

LET’S TALK!

Last week, at a public interaction at the Xavier Centre for Historical Research, Remo Fernandes put forth his views on various subjects. Goa’s leading music maker was articulate and candid. He chose to look at various concerns from the perspective of introspection… by looking inwards. One of the issues he dwelled upon was the collapse of intrapersonal communication.

Remo cited his own example to explain how divergence in view points with his father did not result in a disconnection in their relationship. As a teenager, Remo was a rebel… a non-conformist… keeping away from Church, growing his hair, trying out all things frowned upon… Nevertheless, he would talk across the table to his father about what he did and why he did it. They would have massive disagreements and fights. Remo stated that it was dialogue that sustained the bond between them, never mind the tension created by the conflicts.

Problems that are kept hidden don’t heal… they fester. Too often, we steer clear of discussion when we know that it will result in confrontation. Actually, this crisis of confidence in our relationships is seen to directly increase with the nature of intimacy. Which means it is easier for us to be honest in our interactions with a relative stranger than with a close relative. But then, every communication is about sharing personal perspectives… individual dimensions of the situation.

If two people share two different dimensions, both are exposed to two diverge aspects. They may not become agreeable, but knowing the other person’s viewpoint helps sustain the relationship. And more often than not, the persons involved develop new dimensions to their association. Every time, I argue and fight with my wife, mother, daughter or friend, I get to learn about, not only, their viewpoints but also discover other dimensions to their thinking… and the same hold true for them, too!

Don’t you shy away from the conflicts concealed in communication
Speak your mind and listen as well, to “develop new dimensions”!

regards Pravin

SILVER LINING

In today's fiercely competitive world, innovation, although crucial for personal and organic growth, is found to be difficult to sustain. Difficulties arise because most persons and organizations tend to view deviations from institutionalized organizational practices as mistakes that can only detract from overall organizational performance. Yet, to sustain innovation, some deviation is definitely required.

Spence Silver, a scientist at 3M, was busy doing his work when he stumbled upon a strange substance – a glue that did not stick. Most would have considered this to be a mistake, but not Silver. Looking at the substance under the microscope, Silver thought that the material was beautiful, and, so, decided to pursue its commercial application. Upon being asked if he had made a mistake, Silver responded that he had stumbled upon a "solution looking for a problem".

Indeed, it is to 3M's credit that it allowed Silver to carry this strange glue forward. The celebrated Post-it Note pads were invented on the idea of a glue that does not stick, and they turned out to be the 3M Corporation's most successful product. This vignette illustrates that quite often we stumble on creative solutions much before we are confronted by yet to come problems.

Creativity is all about visioning questions before they get asked and applying the solution that already lies besides us. We must see the potential in what may seem to be a mistake. We must develop our tolerance for ambiguity, by seeing the unseen dimensions to a situation that seems a dead-end, but is in reality just a cul-de-sac. We need to notice the "silver" lining that borders the dark cloud!

Mistakes are quite often problem-searching solutions
Look beyond the obvious to "develop new dimensions "

MAN OF STEEL…

Jamsetji Tata wanted to make textiles in Nagpur in the 1800s with the cotton grown there. Nagpur had no textile industry then, and in Manchester Jamsetji was told that Nagpur's weather was not suitable as it was too dry. He said, 'Alright, I will bring the Manchester weather to Nagpur.' He imported humidifiers and started India's first textile mill in 1874.

Jamshetji started the Tata Iron and Steel Company and wanted to export steel rails to Britain. A Britisher called Sir Frederick Upcourt scoffed, 'If Tatas make steel rails to British specifications, I will undertake to eat every pound of rail that they make.' History stands testimony to the fact that Tatas did manage to make steel rails and export them to Britain. No accounts are available about Upcourt’ tryst with gastric challenges. In fact, World War II British tanks were called Tatanagars because the steel was made in Tatanagar.

Jamsetji pursued his dreams, put together a team, raised the capital, created a product, and mainstreamed it. He did it sitting in India 125 years ago when India's technical capabilities were far less than they are now. When you dream a big dream, surely some of it gets translated into reality. If you do not dream at all, what do you finally get in reality? A century ago, Jamsetji took some foreign visitors to the Majestic Hotel in Mumbai but was denied entrance because he was an Indian. Jamsetji simply resolved to build a hotel that was even finer, and which would not discriminate against people based on colour or race.

Say ‘tata’ and ‘bye-bye’ to the same old way,
“develop new dimensions” to seize the day!

Regards
Pravin

STEP AHEAD

There are three kinds of people in the world:
Those who are movable.
Those who are immovable.
And those who move.

Since the first Monday of 2004, the Monday Muse series has been dedicated to the annual themes of the National Presidents of JCI-India. Yours truly has been fascinated by the various dimensions that are inherrent in the themes and the multiple possibilities for use in training programs. However, my first effective tryst with the themes came in 2002, with Harish Kumar's theme: STEP AHEAD.

Along a night journey from Khed to Goa, Harish explained me the three dimensions of his theme. The first dimension was obvious: of progressive action. The second dimension he explained as the STEP that lay AHEAD: of visioning of the future and thus preparing for it. The third dimension was STEP-A-HEAD: of the appropriate sharing of the various steps of responsibility as well as authority between the members of your team.

All these dimensions are inspiring and help one plan our actions, articulate our vision and develop our teamworking skills. Yours truly benefited immensely from putting to use the multiple dimensions in such themes, first in my own life, then as a HRD trainer and now as a motivational writer. We are surrounded by many motivational slogans and quotes. We need to see the various dimensions and use them to develop our attitudes and approaches.

the best of slogans are not incidental innovation
use them to the fullest to "develop new dimensions"

BURY ADVERSITY!

An old farmer had a mule that fell into his unused well. The water was not very deep, so the mule was able to stand on the bottom. After assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth saving. The farmer called his neighbours together and told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul mud to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially the mule was hysterical, but as the farmer and his neighbors continued to shovel mud on his back, a thought struck him. It dawned on the mule that every time a shovel load of mud landed on his back he would shake it off and step up. This he did, blow after blow of mud hitting his back. Shake it off and step up...Shake it off and step up... Shake it off and step up. The mule repeated this act repeatedly to encourage him no matter how painful the blows or distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept on shaking it off and stepping up. It was not long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped over the wall of the well.

What had seemed would bury him actually saved him because of the manner in which he handled his adversity. Ditto with life. If we face our problems, respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness or self-pity...the adversities that come along to bury us often have within them the very real potential to benefit us.

Every adversity is actually an opportunity in disguise
“develop new dimensions” to overcome and arise

THE POWER OF ONE

On December 1, 1955, Rose Parks was seating on a bus-seat secluded for blacks. However, the driver demanded that she relinquish her seat to a white passenger. Parks refused and her subsequent arrest and trial for this act of civil disobedience triggered the Montgomery Bus Boycott, one of the largest and most successful mass movements against racial segregation in history, and launched Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the organizers of the boycott, to the forefront of the civil rights movement. Her role in American history earned her an iconic status in American culture, and her actions have left an enduring legacy for civil rights movements around the world.

On November 18, 2006, in Goa, Patricia Pinto stood firm in her resolve to save the unwarranted felling of trees. Very few rushed to her support and when the police threatened arrest, barring lawyer Satish Sonak, the others too moved away. The next day’s pictures carried pictures of a defiant and determined Patricia standing next to the trees. That image struck a chord in the collective consciousness of Goans. Stung by a sense of shame and indignation, people from all walks of life got together to take on the nefarious nexus between the corrupt politician and the avaricious land grabbers who had resorted to large scale cutting of mountains, mangroves and sand dunes, in blatant violation of the laws of the land. The “Save Goa” movement was born.

Too often, we insist that “an individual cannot make a difference”. And we ignore that in this land of ours walked a man called Mahatma Gandhi who did not wait for people to follow him. A person who had the courage to stand up for what he believed in. A leader who could move against the tide of what his followers believed in. However it is pertinent to note that he did not rest with his individual actions. He moved beyond to gather and consolidate a people’s movement and yet maintain his own vision and perspectives. Gandhi, Parks and Patricia have taught us a significant lesson: the power of one… the power of individual initiative. And when they become the fulcrum for connecting others the initiative becomes multi-dimensional.

The power of one does not remain a solitary intention
when people get together to “develop new dimensions”

Regards
Pravin

Super-30!

Every year, over 2,00,000 Indian youths appear for the intensely competitive entrance exam to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) -- the seven prestigious schools that train India's top-notch engineers and entrepreneurs. After the grueling test, only 5,000 students are offered a place in the IITs. Most come from middle-class backgrounds and prepare for the exams through private coaching. But in the past few years, a small group of desperately poor, talented students have made it into the IITs, thanks to the Ramanujan School of Mathematics.

The school, named after the famous Indian mathematician, is even more intense than the IITs themselves. Located in Patna, Bihar, one of India's least developed states; it trains just 30 students a year to take the IIT exam. Anand Kumar, a local mathematician, and Abhayanand, Patna's deputy director general of police and a lover of physics, founded the school in 2003 to help promising locals get ahead in the caste-based society. They searched Bihar's least privileged communities for 30 bright students to coach for the exam, providing free lessons and housing. They call their group the Super 30. In the first year, 16 of the group made it into the IITs. The next year, 22 made it.

Anand Kumar, himself, was hailed as a child prodigy and had an invitation from Cambridge but did not have the money to go. He ran from pillar to post for help but none came forward. He resolved to do his best to help the talented that were throttled by poverty. He was joined by Abhayanand who believed that "Intelligence is not birth-specific". Interestingly the students from less-privileged backgrounds who made it to the IITs thanks to nurturing from the now-famous Super-30 Institute, are now involved in talent-spotting among child labourers so that can be trained and prepared for IIT.

Through silent but significant actions, the Ramanujan School is involved in empowering our nation by making success accessible to those with potential by providing proactive motivation and guidance. Nations rise when citizens take on the responsibility to change the situation. Thinking about self is being one-dimensional; thinking about the other person is being two-dimensional, thinking about the larger picture… of the future of our nation is being truly multi-dimensional.

Talent is tempered with technique and temperament…
“develop new dimensions” to aid achievements

Regards
Pravin
22 January 2007, Goa.