Eye

 Nowadays at various events, we see a common sight of enthusiasts, standing in an awkward pose, back bent backwards and forefinger on the trigger... all set to capture the ongoing scene on cameras of different types. Never mind that the professional photographer is blocked out of view by these over excited, trigger happy camera-men.

 Earlier the camera was meant for the ones who could afford it or the ones who could use it. Now it is easily affordable as well as usable. It comes as an add-on with other tools like mobile phones. It has empowered the needs of photo documentation. Journalism and even activism has found its uses to capture, chronicle and transfer visual information.

 However the fundamental focus of the camera’s real potential is lost on its many converts. More often not, the furious frenzy of such enthusiasts, displays that they are only interested in clicking the shot rather than experiencing the activity. They rush from shot to shot, observing nothing. For some, the motive is to upload the photograph on Web 2.0 before someone else does.

 It is akin to W H Davies’ poetic lament, ‘no time to wait till her mouth can... enrich the smile her eyes began’! We need tolerance for time so that our eyes can notice the minute detail as well as the larger vision. The camera is a highly useful invention, but it remains secondary to the human eye and its capacity to observe beyond the scene... a necessary trait for every photographer.

 It would be better for us to use our eyes before we use the camera. The personal experience and the understanding that comes from it help empower the photographer’s penchant for perfecting the skill... like so many passionate photographers so well display! Alfred Eisenstaedt said it so well that ‘The important thing is not the camera but the eye!’

 May we employ the eye to capture the activity...

Instead of a hasty clicks for needless posterity!

 - Pravin K. Sabnis

 

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Sift

Multi-faceted poet Vishnu Wagh's birth anniversary was celebrated by Samraat Club Dongri and Azamane High School. On the occasion, students recited his poems, enacted scenes from his plays and danced to songs written by him. 

Speaking on the occasion, writer Shailendra Mehta urged the students to emulate the reading habit of Wagh who grew in his knowledge by reading deep and wide. 

However, he had a caution based on the old quote, 'Hamsa Ksheera Nyaya'. The quote is based on a myth associated with Hamsa (swan) being able to separate the milk (Ksheera) from any adulteration with water.

It basically suggests that we must sift the good from the bad. Mehta was underlining the importance of reasoning while reading.

So often, so many of us consume single prejudices and ignore the diversity of reality. We are conditioned by selective reading and often accept the words without questioning.

We must sift the grain from the chaff and then the good grains from the rotten ones. We must be open minded to embrace wider reading and develop a discerning mind.

What you feed on will become your lead

But sift the chaff from what you read

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Initiative

 A famous Buddha quote identifies two mistakes while walking the road:

One is not starting and the second is not going all the way!

 Initiative is the first in a series of actions. However, the last step is as important as the first step. So many good starts are reduced to nought because the person gives up the initiative before it is actualised.

 Initiative is all about taking charge and not letting go. It involves a personal quality that shows a willingness to get things done and take responsibility. We must sustain a continuous commitment to get things done and take responsibility.

Initiative is a first step play…
We must go the entire way!

 - Pravin K. Sabnis

 

Mentor

In Greek mythology, Odysseus entrusted his friend Mentor with the full care and education of his son, Telemachus. Because of Mentor's near-paternal relationship with Telemachus, the term Mentor has been adopted as a term meaning a parent-like teacher.

Mentors provide expertise to less experienced individuals to help them advance their careers, enhance their education and build their networks. Many teams organise mentoring programs in which newcomers are paired with experienced people, who act as friends and guides.

A major contribution that any person can make to his team and organisation is being a mentor to others.

The qualities of an effective mentor include risk taking, trustworthiness, a depth of knowledge and above all being emotionally strong. They engage in showing concern for the development of team members, giving good counsel when required and motivating the necessary struggle of their protege towards progress.

While we see glowing examples of successful team persons who have grown through mentoring, it is true that too few, among us, are ready to devote time and initiative to the task of mentoring.

The reasons range from an inability to share to the lack of patience to cheer from the sidelines. However, if we seek to leave a legacy in our lifetime, we must choose to be better at mentoring.

First we must make the choice to give time to share our experience along with care, concern and participation in the protege’s progress. However, the mentor is not a back seat driver or just a how-to-do lecturer. The mentor too moves to higher planes as he mentors mentorees.

Don’t just be an occasional tutor

Choose to being a consistent mentor!

- Pravin K. Sabnis