In Simla's DAV public school, students were promoted to class XI before the board exam results were declared. When they were announced, some boys were sent back to class X. Surely; a worse form of humiliation did not exist. However, Anupam was confident of scraping through in his class X exams.
One Friday, right in the middle of the class, his father suddenly arrived to take him to Balji's – a restaurant the family would visit once in six months. At Balji's, Anupam wondered about the reason for the party as his father ordered his favourite dishes. After lunch, his father confided, "Son, you have failed your class X. This celebration was to prepare you for failure so that you are never scared of it." This priceless nugget of wisdom was indelibly etched in young Anupam's mind. He worked on himself and vowed to be optimistic.
Eventually, it turned out that his father had seen the wrong roll number. Moreover, although the noted thespian, Anupam Kher managed was a mere 38 per cent for his degree, his life has by no means been a failure. He has made a success out of it not merely in terms of achievement of goals, but, more importantly, as a human being. For he believes, that happiness was the only way to live.
Failure has to be seen in a totally different dimension. Losers are not ones who fail… losers are ones who succumb to failure and give up. Actually, failures and failings are very much a matter of perception. Too often, we let everyone's opinion matter and herald the beginning of the end. Anupam says it so well, "My deep conviction is that everything turns out just right at the end, and if does not, then you can be sure it is not the end."
Celebrate your efforts, every time you crash,
"Develop new dimensions" to rise from the ash!
Regards
Pravin
Monday, January 15, 2007
Monday, January 8, 2007
OUT OF THE BOX
In Std IX, we encountered Professor JAM (short for J.A. Menezes) who threw us a mental challenge. If three points were to be placed at an equal distance from each other, they would have to be the nodes of an equilateral triangle. The professor’s query was: what geometric figure would make possible for four points to be at an equal distance from each other?
The solution was immediately blurted out – a square! The professor had a merry chuckle while pointing out that although the square had equal sides, the diagonals were not the same length. Hence, all the nodal points would not be at equal distance to each other! We kept on churning alternative answers: a circle, a rhombus, a parallelogram… the professor kept exposing the flaws in the answers. Just as we chose to give up, the professor taught us the lesson that I never forgot.
He said, “You are still moving around the two-dimensional plane of thought. Move out of the plane… think out of the box… Since X and Y-axis are not enough to solve the problem, use the Z-axis… go to the third dimension.” The riddle was unravelled easily, now… the four nodal points of a pyramid (with equilateral triangles as its sides) are at equal distance to each other.
Too often, we give up on finding solutions because we do not think out of the box. We live in a multi dimensional world and need to approach it in a multi dimensional way. We must “develop new dimensions” in terms of our beliefs, attitudes and approaches so that we can better adapt to new challenges.
Thinking out of the box will scale every obstacle
“Develop new dimensions” to solve every puzzle!
Regards
Pravin
08 January 2007, Goa.
The solution was immediately blurted out – a square! The professor had a merry chuckle while pointing out that although the square had equal sides, the diagonals were not the same length. Hence, all the nodal points would not be at equal distance to each other! We kept on churning alternative answers: a circle, a rhombus, a parallelogram… the professor kept exposing the flaws in the answers. Just as we chose to give up, the professor taught us the lesson that I never forgot.
He said, “You are still moving around the two-dimensional plane of thought. Move out of the plane… think out of the box… Since X and Y-axis are not enough to solve the problem, use the Z-axis… go to the third dimension.” The riddle was unravelled easily, now… the four nodal points of a pyramid (with equilateral triangles as its sides) are at equal distance to each other.
Too often, we give up on finding solutions because we do not think out of the box. We live in a multi dimensional world and need to approach it in a multi dimensional way. We must “develop new dimensions” in terms of our beliefs, attitudes and approaches so that we can better adapt to new challenges.
Thinking out of the box will scale every obstacle
“Develop new dimensions” to solve every puzzle!
Regards
Pravin
08 January 2007, Goa.
Monday, January 1, 2007
TODAY TAKE FLIGHT
“Subvert the paradigm” – C K Prahlad
In the late 1800s, a renowned bishop was on the move, speaking to religious and academic leaders. At one of his visits, he was invited to have dinner with the local leaders. During the dinner he was asked, “What do you think the future holds for us?” The bishop spoke, “The future is bleak, and in my opinion, we have discovered all there is to discover, created all there is to create, and invented all there is to invent.” One of the leaders commented, “I think someday, man shall learn to fly like the birds.” To this, the bishop replied, “You are mad; flight is only reserved for the angels.” With that statement he stormed out of the room.
It is interesting to note that the bishop’s last name was Wright! Years later, his two sons Orville and Wilbur who made possible the dream of man flying in the air. Never under rate your own idea or that of someone else. Those who ridicule and laugh at new ideas do so because they fail to connect to the new dimensions… the new paradigms. If you believe you can fly, you will!
We live in a world full of riches in terms of ideas… but more often than not, we fail to see them. We have to be open to the idea of change. What is needed to tap into the vast potential of this world are new and better “ideas”. We must develop fresh attitudes and approaches in terms of thought, technique and most importantly, temperament. We must unlearn the old paradigms and develop new dimensions. Yesterday you were poised for great things, today take flight!
New Year is when we go for new ideas and insights
“Develop new dimensions” to take a lofty flight!
Regards
Pravin
In the late 1800s, a renowned bishop was on the move, speaking to religious and academic leaders. At one of his visits, he was invited to have dinner with the local leaders. During the dinner he was asked, “What do you think the future holds for us?” The bishop spoke, “The future is bleak, and in my opinion, we have discovered all there is to discover, created all there is to create, and invented all there is to invent.” One of the leaders commented, “I think someday, man shall learn to fly like the birds.” To this, the bishop replied, “You are mad; flight is only reserved for the angels.” With that statement he stormed out of the room.
It is interesting to note that the bishop’s last name was Wright! Years later, his two sons Orville and Wilbur who made possible the dream of man flying in the air. Never under rate your own idea or that of someone else. Those who ridicule and laugh at new ideas do so because they fail to connect to the new dimensions… the new paradigms. If you believe you can fly, you will!
We live in a world full of riches in terms of ideas… but more often than not, we fail to see them. We have to be open to the idea of change. What is needed to tap into the vast potential of this world are new and better “ideas”. We must develop fresh attitudes and approaches in terms of thought, technique and most importantly, temperament. We must unlearn the old paradigms and develop new dimensions. Yesterday you were poised for great things, today take flight!
New Year is when we go for new ideas and insights
“Develop new dimensions” to take a lofty flight!
Regards
Pravin
Monday, December 25, 2006
HAND-SOME?
Vinda Karindikar, the Jnanpith award winning Marathi poet, wrote a lovely verse
“Denarreani det zaave, Ghenearani ghet zaave…
Ghenearani gheta gheta… Denarraiche haat ghyave!”
The verse has a wonderful meaning that goes like this…
"May the donor continue his giving, May the recipient keep on receiving…
May the recipient eventually acquire the “Hands” of the donor!”
We receive so many gifts from so many people, each and every day. They are the ones who make life easier for us… the newspaper boy who wakes up before we do… the traffic cop who stands in the hot sun and facilitates the smooth flow of traffic… the farmer who toils to provide us with nutritious grain… the security officer who ensures our welfare… the garbage collector who ensures a healthy environment… the cobbler who mends our shoes… the cowherd who rears cows so that we can drink milk… these are faces of effort that make our day.
Rarely do we acknowledge the service and generosity of our benefactors… and when we do it is more often in words and sometimes in reciprocal actions. We must move beyond to emulating the attitude and actions of those who help us in a greater or lesser way. We must acquire the heart (spirit) and hands (actions) of those who help. May all of us become like Santa Claus who spreads happiness through not only decorative gifts of words born of love, but also through actions born of sincerity and sensitivity…
Keep smiling as the festival of Santa is here…
“Speak through action” to spread the cheer!
Regards
Pravin
“Denarreani det zaave, Ghenearani ghet zaave…
Ghenearani gheta gheta… Denarraiche haat ghyave!”
The verse has a wonderful meaning that goes like this…
"May the donor continue his giving, May the recipient keep on receiving…
May the recipient eventually acquire the “Hands” of the donor!”
We receive so many gifts from so many people, each and every day. They are the ones who make life easier for us… the newspaper boy who wakes up before we do… the traffic cop who stands in the hot sun and facilitates the smooth flow of traffic… the farmer who toils to provide us with nutritious grain… the security officer who ensures our welfare… the garbage collector who ensures a healthy environment… the cobbler who mends our shoes… the cowherd who rears cows so that we can drink milk… these are faces of effort that make our day.
Rarely do we acknowledge the service and generosity of our benefactors… and when we do it is more often in words and sometimes in reciprocal actions. We must move beyond to emulating the attitude and actions of those who help us in a greater or lesser way. We must acquire the heart (spirit) and hands (actions) of those who help. May all of us become like Santa Claus who spreads happiness through not only decorative gifts of words born of love, but also through actions born of sincerity and sensitivity…
Keep smiling as the festival of Santa is here…
“Speak through action” to spread the cheer!
Regards
Pravin
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
THE JOY OF BEING FEARLESS
The young lawyer, Murlidhar walked the path of Mahatma Gandhi, Vinobha Bhave and Rabindranath Tagore. He organized lawyers to represent jailed leaders during Quit India Movement and for this, he was thrown into prison. In his village he began to eat with his servants and dug wells for the Dalits. He gave up his law practice, his involvement with his family estates and started a working place for inter-caste living and manual labour.
One rainy night, he saw a leper with rotting mass of flesh… with holes in place of a nose, without a trace of fingers and toes with worms and sores where there had been eye sockets. The " Abhay Sadhak" (seeker of fearlessness) - a title awarded by Mahatma Gandhi (because of his fearless stand against a Britisher's attitude towards an Indian bride in a train) fled! Later, feeling ashamed he returned, picked up the leper, gave him food and took care of him until he died.
Baba Amte has devoted his life to the care and rehabilitation of leprosy patients, even allowing his body to be used for experiments to grow leprosy germs. His dream for having a place that was full of joy established 'Anandwan' – an institution, recognised and respected around the world for dispelling prejudice against leprosy victims… where patients and volunteers work together in the "Shramik Vidyapeeth" (University of service). He launched the Bharat Jodo (Unite India) movement with the mission of establishing peace and raising environmental consciousness.
Born in a family of jagirdars, Baba Amte gave up on his riches and lucrative law practice… to earn the respect and recognition all over the world, by his actions… first to dispel his own prejudices and fears … and then later those in the minds of others. His words say it so well, "I have cured the leprosy of the body, now I must cure the leprosy of the mind." Fear has to be overcome first in the mind and the way to do it is take action instead of allowing our spoken apprehensions to halt our actions.
Fear takes a grip, makes us wince and flee
"Speak through action" to set yourself free!
RegardsPravin
18 December 2006, Goa
One rainy night, he saw a leper with rotting mass of flesh… with holes in place of a nose, without a trace of fingers and toes with worms and sores where there had been eye sockets. The " Abhay Sadhak" (seeker of fearlessness) - a title awarded by Mahatma Gandhi (because of his fearless stand against a Britisher's attitude towards an Indian bride in a train) fled! Later, feeling ashamed he returned, picked up the leper, gave him food and took care of him until he died.
Baba Amte has devoted his life to the care and rehabilitation of leprosy patients, even allowing his body to be used for experiments to grow leprosy germs. His dream for having a place that was full of joy established 'Anandwan' – an institution, recognised and respected around the world for dispelling prejudice against leprosy victims… where patients and volunteers work together in the "Shramik Vidyapeeth" (University of service). He launched the Bharat Jodo (Unite India) movement with the mission of establishing peace and raising environmental consciousness.
Born in a family of jagirdars, Baba Amte gave up on his riches and lucrative law practice… to earn the respect and recognition all over the world, by his actions… first to dispel his own prejudices and fears … and then later those in the minds of others. His words say it so well, "I have cured the leprosy of the body, now I must cure the leprosy of the mind." Fear has to be overcome first in the mind and the way to do it is take action instead of allowing our spoken apprehensions to halt our actions.
Fear takes a grip, makes us wince and flee
"Speak through action" to set yourself free!
RegardsPravin
18 December 2006, Goa
Monday, December 11, 2006
Despite Babasaheb!
"Ours is a battle not for wealth or for power. It is a battle for freedom. It is a battle for the reclamation of human personality." - Dr BR Ambedkar
Consider why so many - sometimes up to a million - human beings come to observe his death anniversary each year at a function not organised by any political party or forum. For them, undertaking this journey means both hardship and hunger. And yet they make the trip — driven by their emotions and drawn by the hope of a noble vision as yet unfulfilled - a casteless world!
No other national leader commands this respect 50 years after his death, let alone when alive. Consider why are there more statues of Babasaheb Ambedkar in India's villages than those of any other leader. His statues are not government installed (like those of many others); the poor put them up at their own expense. Whether in Tamil Nadu or Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra or Orissa, his portraits can be found in the humblest of huts.
Bhimrao Raoji Ambedkar with a Ph.D from Columbia University returned to lead what is today the greatest battle for human dignity on planet earth. He could have launched a violent struggle for freedom. Instead he asked his people to find dignity, strength and prosperity by converting to Buddhism and its tenets of rationalism and humanism. 50 years after his death, Ambedkar’s vision of a radical, non-violent revolution for reclaiming the human personality remains far from being accomplished. And the reasons lie with the rest of us. We speak about equality yet we do not practice it.
One of Goa’s most dynamic Dalit personalities is Dadu Mandrekar – a man of many talents like poetry, science enthusiast, photographer, environment, adventure, trekking, etc. He once went to lunch on being invited a friend, only to realise that he was being asked to fulfill a role laid in the scriptures that a “low caste” had to be fed. This has not been an isolated incident for Dadu and Dadu is not an isolated case for Dalits. Self proclaimed progressive persons see proactive Dalits as only representatives of their communities, not as part of society. The talk is alright, the walk is all wrong.
So what if you talk about equality and humanism on my face?
“speak through action” to be part of a casteless human race!
Regards
Pravin
11 December 2006, Goa.
Consider why so many - sometimes up to a million - human beings come to observe his death anniversary each year at a function not organised by any political party or forum. For them, undertaking this journey means both hardship and hunger. And yet they make the trip — driven by their emotions and drawn by the hope of a noble vision as yet unfulfilled - a casteless world!
No other national leader commands this respect 50 years after his death, let alone when alive. Consider why are there more statues of Babasaheb Ambedkar in India's villages than those of any other leader. His statues are not government installed (like those of many others); the poor put them up at their own expense. Whether in Tamil Nadu or Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra or Orissa, his portraits can be found in the humblest of huts.
Bhimrao Raoji Ambedkar with a Ph.D from Columbia University returned to lead what is today the greatest battle for human dignity on planet earth. He could have launched a violent struggle for freedom. Instead he asked his people to find dignity, strength and prosperity by converting to Buddhism and its tenets of rationalism and humanism. 50 years after his death, Ambedkar’s vision of a radical, non-violent revolution for reclaiming the human personality remains far from being accomplished. And the reasons lie with the rest of us. We speak about equality yet we do not practice it.
One of Goa’s most dynamic Dalit personalities is Dadu Mandrekar – a man of many talents like poetry, science enthusiast, photographer, environment, adventure, trekking, etc. He once went to lunch on being invited a friend, only to realise that he was being asked to fulfill a role laid in the scriptures that a “low caste” had to be fed. This has not been an isolated incident for Dadu and Dadu is not an isolated case for Dalits. Self proclaimed progressive persons see proactive Dalits as only representatives of their communities, not as part of society. The talk is alright, the walk is all wrong.
So what if you talk about equality and humanism on my face?
“speak through action” to be part of a casteless human race!
Regards
Pravin
11 December 2006, Goa.
Monday, December 4, 2006
SHUT UP! (4 Dec 2006)
SHUT UP!
“If you want to be understood...Listen”
(Tagline of Babel – closing film of IFFI 2006)
In Jamie Sam's "Earth Medicine", the animals gathered to sort out the problems caused by the latest migrations of their northern neighbours that were affecting their food supply. While some were chattering away, others would intervene to make suggestions and offer solutions. Only the bear had not said a thing. Finally, asked why he was so silent, the bear replied, "I'm listening and learning. I don't need to talk; I already know what I know."
We spend a large portion of our waking hours conversing and listening… more of the former and less of the latter. In fact we are conditioned to believe that effective speaking leads to success. But the reality remains that good listening skills are the pre-requisite to good communication skills and subsequent successes. It is pertinent to note that good listening is victim to not only external disturbances but also to internal “noise”. We must learn to shut up this “noise”.
A good listener will not be one who swears that he is one. Rather a listener will display tolerance, patience and an open mind. At its best listening involves understanding the information, understanding the emotions, checking our understanding, seeing it from the person's viewpoint, without necessarily agreeing. We must learn to “shut up” our prejudices and seek to understand afresh, each time.
In our quest to escape the omni-present “misunderstanding”, we seek to explain, educate and emphasise our position. However, we need to listen and understand, before we can be understood. For others too are like us… we may be equipped to hear, but we may not have learned to listen…
Learn to listen … and listen to learn
“Shut up” and “speak through action”!
Regards
Pravin
4 December 2006, Goa.
“If you want to be understood...Listen”
(Tagline of Babel – closing film of IFFI 2006)
In Jamie Sam's "Earth Medicine", the animals gathered to sort out the problems caused by the latest migrations of their northern neighbours that were affecting their food supply. While some were chattering away, others would intervene to make suggestions and offer solutions. Only the bear had not said a thing. Finally, asked why he was so silent, the bear replied, "I'm listening and learning. I don't need to talk; I already know what I know."
We spend a large portion of our waking hours conversing and listening… more of the former and less of the latter. In fact we are conditioned to believe that effective speaking leads to success. But the reality remains that good listening skills are the pre-requisite to good communication skills and subsequent successes. It is pertinent to note that good listening is victim to not only external disturbances but also to internal “noise”. We must learn to shut up this “noise”.
A good listener will not be one who swears that he is one. Rather a listener will display tolerance, patience and an open mind. At its best listening involves understanding the information, understanding the emotions, checking our understanding, seeing it from the person's viewpoint, without necessarily agreeing. We must learn to “shut up” our prejudices and seek to understand afresh, each time.
In our quest to escape the omni-present “misunderstanding”, we seek to explain, educate and emphasise our position. However, we need to listen and understand, before we can be understood. For others too are like us… we may be equipped to hear, but we may not have learned to listen…
Learn to listen … and listen to learn
“Shut up” and “speak through action”!
Regards
Pravin
4 December 2006, Goa.
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