Different

On Saturday, Republic Day was celebrated at the Kala Academy, Goa with a Jugalbandi of Tabla, Djembe and Sarangi. The program was organised by the Samraat Club Panaji and Rotary Club of Panaji under the Horizon series of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

The artists included Tabla Maestro, Ustad Wasi Ahmed Khan, his talented sons, Faraz Khan (tabla) and Wajid Khan (djembe) along with Arish Faisal on the Sarangi. After an engaging jugalbandi, the Ustad performed a unique presentation on national integration.   

Ustad Wasi Ahmed Khan played the tabla in different ways to create different beats from different parts of India. He transformed the tabla into different percussion instruments from different parts of the country. The instrument was the same but the sounds made it seem different.

Our ethnic identity arises mostly from the nurturing we receive and the cultural ambience of the place we reside in. We notice that we are different from others. But when we open ourselves to align to intricacies of other identities, we discover that we have a capacity to be similar.

This capacity to be analogous is inherent to the reality that we are the same species. Never mind the diversity of different appearance, habits or beliefs, we are eventually just Homo Sapiens. Despite the difference, we can create similar sounds of humanism!

We must learn to connect as human beings like the amazing musicians connect with music from across the diverse spectrum. Difference styles and different approaches coming from diverse cultures will not (and should not) prevent us from noticing the common reality!

Heed the sounds that are different to hear

Not just tool, for the player music is dear!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

Zero Waste

Two young green entrepreneurs were speakers at a panel discussion organised at Don Bosco College, Panjim. Jonah Fernandes and Eldridge Lobo run Eco Posro – a store that sells daily necessities. However, the difference is that all the items are sourced, transported and packaged without plastic and other harmful packaging. 

When you shop here, either you carry your own jars or pick up their glass jars and bottles and refill them every time you shop there. Fruits and vegetables are displayed in baskets to pick from without being wrapped in wasteful packaging. Jonah and Eldridge eliminate the need for waste management by embracing the practices of Zero Waste!

Zero Waste refers to approaches which focus on waste prevention as a contrast to end-of-pipe waste management. It aims for a paradigm shift in the way materials flow through society, resulting in no waste. It moves ahead of the concepts of recycling and reuse. It focuses on restructuring production and distribution systems to reduce waste.

Eliminating waste decreases pollution, and also reduces cost due to a reduced need for raw materials. The aim is to ensure no trash is sent to landfills, incinerators, or the ocean. Through their implementation of the zero-waste policy, Jonah and Eldridge are showing us the value of the famous motto - prevention is better than cure.

                             

Carry your container and eliminate a need

The zero waste choice is the best indeed!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

MONDAY MUSE is written for over 15 years (since the first Monday of 2004) by Goa based Experiential Life Coach, Pravin K. Sabnis. Send your feedback to 91-8698672080 or unlearning.unlimited@gmail.com

Ride the Horse

In a Zen story, a man is riding a horse galloping down the road. A person standing by the roadside shouted out to the rider, ‘where are you going?’ The man on the horse replied, ‘I don’t know… Ask the horse!”

The horse is a symbol for a vehicle that we are at the mercy of. This vehicle is crafted not by our intentions but by the conditioning of our mind. This may be due to peer pressure, impact of associations, influence of surroundings or plain mindless activity.

The horse is pulling us along, making us rush here and there. We are in a hurry and we don’t know why. We are moving but we don’t know where we are headed. We are at the mercy of the horse. It is the horse that is actually riding the rider!

We need to stop and ask ourselves: Why are we running around? What is our destination? Are we on the right road? Are we in control of our horse? Or are we hostage passengers? The answers will help us know on where we want to go and how we want to live our lives!

Ride the horse to purpose known

Lest it drag you to the unknown!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

Not the same

On Saturday, artist-poet Dr Guruprasad Kapadi showcase his paintings works in a two day solo exhibition. He dedicated his exhibition to his friend, philosopher, guide, Satish Sonak. He likened the departed personality to a generously giving and flowing river.

To explain his varied artistic interpretation of common situations, Dr Guruprasad quoted the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus: 'No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.'

This awareness that the waters of a river are always changing, even if the river looks the same, can be applied to life. Ditto for the person stepping in the river. People are never the same, changing in some way from our day-to-day experiences. It is the same with society. 

Heraclitus was known for his espousal of the doctrine of change being central to the universe. And this principle helps us overcome the burden of experience which limits (and colours) our understanding of the same situation in a different timeframe.

Every day, we evolve with new experiences. So do others. If everyone and everything is in a state of flux, we must first note and embrace that change. We must be open minded to see and respond to the situation or the person who seems to be the same… but is not the same!

The river that flows is not the same…

A person that grows is not the same!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

Touch To Transform

Monday Muse completes 15 continuous years today. It all started as a series of articles on the JCI India National President (2004) Rajesh Chandak’s theme ‘Touch to Transfrom’. Here is a poem on the theme written on the first day of 2004.. 

let go of the past… and those moments old…
cast yourself afresh… in a brand new mould!
get set to rise… on newer horizons…
“touch to transform” future generations!

Yes! we can do it… “touch to transform”…
first ourselves within… and every person along!
don’t wait for later, who knows if things remain…
”touch to transform” with your love… again and again!

“Touch to transform”… sure this is true...
life is an opportunity… with moments few!
don’t let it waste…lest you regret later…
now while you breathe, may your roots go deeper!

The luxury of a palace cannot buy you sleep…
oceans of wealth cannot quench a thirst deep!
greed pulls you down, happiness sets you free…
peace of mind transforms adversity into luxury!

“Touch to transform” the differences around…
through sincere sustained efforts, real treasures are found!
it is said so well, that time will not wait…
and that fortune favours feet, that cross failure’s gate !

Yes! we can do it… “touch to transform”…
first ourselves within… and every person along!
Don’t wait for later, who knows if things remain…
”touch to transform” with your love… again and again!

~ Pravin K. Sabnis

Side-lines

Ball boys and Ball girls are aspiring sports-persons who do duty on the side-lines. They retrieve and pass on the balls to the players or officials in sports like football, tennis, cricket, basketball, etc. Their involvement helps to speed up play by reducing the inactive time.

It is pertinent to note that this role is a huge opportunity. They get a close-up view of the play and the players. They get to see and learn the intricacies. Successful sports-persons disclose the invaluable inspiration and instruction imbibed while doing duty on the side-lines.

Besides, fitness and stamina, applicants for ball-boys or ball-girls are required to possess abilities to concentrate and remain alert. Focus is linked to passion for the game. Conversely, the passion for the game leads to focus when on the side-lines.

Not all who learn from the side-lines get opportunity to grow and glow as players. But they will make good coaches, support staff, sports journalists, commentators, score-keepers, administrators or an enlightened audience … who learnt the lessons on the side-lines.

Aspiring sports-persons must do duty on the side-lines. Aspiring performers must do duty at the side-lines and backstage. Aspiring leaders must do duty at the side-lines. What may seem non-essential activity provides the best view of the action... from the side-lines!

For the greatest learning opportunity
The aspirants must do side-line duty!

~ Pravin K. Sabnis

Hand on Rail

 A few months ago, a training interface was organised for rural students at the Nestle plant by Rotary Club of Ponda. It was impressing to note the importance given to safety norms by Nestle’s. One such insistence was to hold the hand rail while moving on the stairs. 

It seems like a needless guideline but if we consider it closely, we find it to be a life-saver. A slight slip on the steps can turn fatal. However if our hand is on the rail, we would be in control and recover our balance.

A handrail provides stability and support and prevent injurious falls while ascending and descending on stairways and escalators. Nevertheless, the handrail would be useless if our hand is not on the rail.

The analogy is apt as a lesson for life, too. Our ethics should be the hand rail that we hold on to while ascending or descending in our life. We may slip or trip on the stairs but if we hold on to our ethics, we will be safe and in control of our response to the implications of our actions.

Hand on the rail will ensure a safe day…
Hold on to ethics while moving the way!

~ Pravin K Sabnis