UNFRIEND

In an Aesop fable three bulls grazing in a meadow, were keenly watched by a Lion, who longed to eat them. However, he was being resisted by the strategy of the three bulls who kept together; whenever he came near they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way he approached them he was met by the horns of one of them.

So he began by spreading rumours to cause distrust among them. This method worked so well that at last, the bulls grew cold and unfriendly towards each other. Finally they began to avoid each other and grazed in isolation. Sensing his opportunity, the Lion attacked them one by one and devoured all three.

The moral of the story is simple. The quarrels of friends are the opportunities of foes. However, it is pertinent to note that a friendship that was built over a period of time could be undone by flimsy reasons. It takes considerable time and effort to build a friendship but it is so easy to ‘unfriend’ the relationship.

On social networking sites, virtual friendship is often undone by the act of unfriending. Here, the foundation of the friendship itself might be on weak ground. The connection may be based on presumed commonalities or sometimes the friendship is accepted without any serious application of mind or heart. In the virtual web, connections are superficial.

However, in the real world friendships are real. So often, we allow frivolous talk to trigger the collapse of a relationship that took time to build. The very relationship, that united us to positively impact our lives, is prone to disruption because we stop continuous communication and togetherness actions.

Relationships thrive on the constant exchange of hopes and worries, dreams and doubts, impressions and expressions. Unfriending happens because distance creeps in the connection. Hence, it is important to keep in touch and unite to impact like the three bulls kept in touch to thwart the lion. It is said so well that ‘not keeping in touch is injurious to friendship’.

The gaps lead to the careless unfriending act

 ‘Unite to impact’ to keep a friendship intact!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Poetry Circle

From 30^th November 2010, Goa celebrated the centenary of its prolific poet, B B Borkar. Lovingly called Bakibab in Goa and Babha Borkar in Maharashtra, Poet Borkar impressed with his compositions in Marathi as well as Konkani. A lot of poetry readings were organised right through the year. The Department of Art and Culture supported the economic needs of all such events.  

At one such event, a group arrived from Kankavali, Maharashtra to participate in the poetry reading. They were preceded by a panel discussion on the plight of poetry among the younger generation. One panellist suggested that the Government allot more funds to promote the love of poetry among the students. One of the poetry lovers from Kankavali stood up to insist that the primary responsibility lay with the readers of poetry.

He mentioned the example of his team, which would meet regularly to involve in a poetry circle. Borkar came alive in the readings of his poems by the ones who were touched by his poems. Individual impressions united to impact the collective consciousness of the lovers of poetry. He emphasised that it was pathetic to want to read poetry only under the patronage of money.

Indeed, so often, so many ‘wants’ of the heart and mind are hostage the ‘needs’ of the paying pocket. What does it really take to celebrate poetry? A poetry circle needs basic space, some persons to recite and others to listen. The space could be indoors in someone’s home or some hall. In fact, basic space, shorn of all its fancy aids, is the best.

Money as a resource is a distant second to proactive participation in, not only, the poetry circle, but other activities of life. Human resource is primary for the success of every collective. It brings along innovative ideas and backs them with appropriate actions. When persons come together to connect in a focussed and consistent way, they unite to create the right impact.

When lovers of poetry ‘unite to impact’...

A Poetry Circle rises to dynamic effect!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Seeds of Hope

‘The D D Kosambi Festival of Ideas’ is organised every year in Goa. Different speakers share their ideas. One of the speakers this year was the environmental proactivist and author, Vandana Shiva who shared her vision and mission through her presentation on the topic ‘Diversity & Pluralism: the foundations of Indian Civilisation’.

Her ideas seemed lofty as well as grounded as they are already being implemented through ‘Navdanya’ – a movement born of a perspective of an Earth Democracy in which every species and being has a future, every farm and all food is free of toxins, and no one goes hungry. The action plan involves the conservation and exchange of indigenous seeds in a sustainable, community centred and decentralized manner.

Vandana Shiva urged the audience to actualise the idea by planting the seeds of hope in the fields of action. Every possible space could be transformed into a garden of hope by cultivating organic crops, free from toxins. The gardens at home, the spaces in the school compound and even the balcony at the apartment could become a garden of hope.

When the seeds of hope unite a garden of hope is formed. Many such small gardens of hope unite to create a positive transformational impact on our collective predicament. But it is important to ensure the diversity of the seeds or the diversity of the methods is not sacrificed for the lure of illusory goals that seek toxic shortcuts.

So often, in other spheres of life too, choices are made which derail diversity. In a plural, interdependent world we cannot walk the selfish path that ignores the common good. So often, we embrace toxic negativity to get shortcuts to success but eventually we end up killing the rights of the others to live with dignity. The seeds of hope must celebrate the diversity paradigm.

The seeds of hope will ‘unite to impact’...

When the common good guides every act!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Long Live

‘The King is dead... long live the King!’

In medieval times, the above line was said on the death of one king and the declaration of the new king. It symbolised the continuity of the ruler as the void created by the death of the incumbent leader was filled by the quick confirmation of the next occupant of the top position. It took away doubts of instability and ensured no confusion reigned in the minds of the people.

In Gadag, India, there exists a modern day version on the same lines. The Junior Chamber chapter at Gadag Betageri was finding it difficult to carry on. JCI membership is fixed at the age spectrum of 18 to 40 years. Rangu R Odugoudar and his colleagues were worried that the chapter would not live beyond them. They chose to ensure that Jayceeism would long live in Gadag.

In 1985, they founded the ‘Institute of Individual Development’ based on the philosophy of JCI. In 1987, they decided to start a Jaycee English School with emphasis on developing the personalities through training of soft skills. In 2007, a full-fledged Personality Development Training (PDT) was started for the students of Std 9. Sessions included discover yourself, public speaking, etiquettes, communication, leadership, goal setting, etc.

Top Coaches, G Balachandran from Calicut and S Sachidanand from Chikmagalur helped to put together the syallabus as well as a committed team of trainers from all over India who were ready to be part of the selfless initiative. An important part of the training team, Shiv Kumar passed away in 2013. But the program continued.

Rangu and his team were empowered to live their dream by all those who joined in the mission. The locals who joined into bring in resources as well as the others from elsewhere who gave their time and efforts... all united to impact and build on an enduring legacy. The inspirational initiative ensures that Gadag Betageri Jaycees lives long after its organisational death.

When we ‘unite to impact’ to build a legacy...

Dreams live long when we combine our energy

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.