The Navratras are a time for worship, abstaining from the good things of life ( read non-veg and booze). Two days, Ashtmi and Navmi also witness young girls carrying themselves from one household to another decked up in their finest. They are the 'kanchaks', representing the Goddess. They are worshipped by the lady of the house and thereafter served delicious food and sweets and sent off with Rs11 as a parting gift.
During one such Navratra, I happened to be at my parent's place. My mother had called some of these little girls. 5-10 year olds. As it turned out, there being no kids of that age group within the colony, the caretaker mobilised the children of housemaids and from a nearby 'basti'.
The girls came. Shy. Tentative. The younger ones holding the hands of their elder sisters. A few of them got their little brothers too.
After the customary 'puja', my mother made them sit down to eat.She served them the traditional fare. Puri, chana, aloo sabzi and kheer and laddoo in the paper plates. What happened next really amazed me.
The girls had a bite and then folded their plates with the food inside. My mother asked," Khana achcha nahin laga?". "Nahin Aunty, yeh ham ghar ja kar sabke saath khayenge", pat came the reply from the eldest. She was all of about nine years. We were amazed at this display of concern and the ethos of sharing imbibed by these kids.
And this was not all.
One girl, about four years old piped up. "Aunty, muzhe ek aur laddoo dijiye. Meri friend ko koi nahin bulata, uske liye le jaoongi". My mother asked, " Kya naam hai aapki friend ka?". "Nasreen", came the reply.
We were deeply touched. My mother made them sit down and eat and then packed all the food that had been prepared to be taken by them to their homes. And the four year old got all the laddoos which she carefully held in her little hands.
I could not help wonder how many of us have been able to instill this feeling of sharing amongst our kids?
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Save Nationalism
An article by Lewis M Simons, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, in a recent issue of Newsweek magazine on the ascendancy of Islamic fundamentalism is extremely alarming, to say the least.
Simons, who has co-authored a book-“ The Next Front: South-East Asia and the Road to Global Peace with Islam” elaborates his observations made during his recent travel to the South East Asian region. He has observed that 40 years ago, the Muslims of SE Asia were renowned for their moderation. Today, there is a subtle shift towards radicalism. Fundamentalists, slowly but surely, are getting to impose a greater role for Sharia, or religious law, not just in family life but in the affairs of the nation.
Simons goes on to point out that he found the drift throughout the region’s five major Islamic cultures; Indonesia, Malaysia, the southern Philippines, southern Thailand and Singapore .
With Pakistan, to our west in a state of deep turmoil, and these conditions to our east, India is under a real threat of being caught in pincer by radical Islamism. How are we as a nation preparing ourselves to meet this clear and imminent danger. While the government of the day may evolve policies, it is our duty as citizens of the country to observe certain basic tenets to ensure that nationalism is not subverted by any form of fundamentalism.
Let us all safeguard indiscrimination by implementing it in our respective spheres of influence. Let us not fall prey to the parochialism being propagated by political bigots.
We have to ensure that the voice of moderation is not allowed to be suppressed and the fundamentalist voice is not given the amplification it seeks.
Let us all vow to keep our religious beliefs confined to our personal realms. And this would hold true for members of all religious denominations. Let us acknowledge and practice the primacy of nationalism in letter and spirit.
Let us also see through the diabolocal shenanigans of the political parties which encourage casteism by way pseudo-secularism and expose them for what they are.
Simons, who has co-authored a book-“ The Next Front: South-East Asia and the Road to Global Peace with Islam” elaborates his observations made during his recent travel to the South East Asian region. He has observed that 40 years ago, the Muslims of SE Asia were renowned for their moderation. Today, there is a subtle shift towards radicalism. Fundamentalists, slowly but surely, are getting to impose a greater role for Sharia, or religious law, not just in family life but in the affairs of the nation.
Simons goes on to point out that he found the drift throughout the region’s five major Islamic cultures; Indonesia, Malaysia, the southern Philippines, southern Thailand and Singapore .
With Pakistan, to our west in a state of deep turmoil, and these conditions to our east, India is under a real threat of being caught in pincer by radical Islamism. How are we as a nation preparing ourselves to meet this clear and imminent danger. While the government of the day may evolve policies, it is our duty as citizens of the country to observe certain basic tenets to ensure that nationalism is not subverted by any form of fundamentalism.
Let us all safeguard indiscrimination by implementing it in our respective spheres of influence. Let us not fall prey to the parochialism being propagated by political bigots.
We have to ensure that the voice of moderation is not allowed to be suppressed and the fundamentalist voice is not given the amplification it seeks.
Let us all vow to keep our religious beliefs confined to our personal realms. And this would hold true for members of all religious denominations. Let us acknowledge and practice the primacy of nationalism in letter and spirit.
Let us also see through the diabolocal shenanigans of the political parties which encourage casteism by way pseudo-secularism and expose them for what they are.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Understanding the client's needs
I was watching a movie on Julius Reuter, the news agency pioneer. He was the first one to use telegraph for transmitting news. He established the Reuters News service and approached the leading newspapers of the day in London to buy the news from him. A couple of the papers agreed to carry his news when he offered it free for a month on a trial basis. The Times scoffed at the idea. They said that it difficult to put the credibility of the newspaper into someone else's hands.
It so happened that towards the end of the Crimean War, the King of France was to make the announcement of a cease-fire. Reuter met the King and conviced him to give a copy of his speech in advance. He got it translated from French to English and while the speech was being delivered by the King, Reuter was having it transmitted over the wires to London. Moment the King finished delivering his speech, Reuter was handing over the copy to all his subscribers in London.His news agency was the first one to break the news of a ceasefire.
Now what Reuter did is a lesson in building relationships for all businesses. He gave a copy of the speech to The Times,whose editor had insulted him, also. He dismissed this action of his saying that it would have made a great paper like The Times look small if they did not carry the news. The concern for The Times' reputation greatly endeared him to the Editor and they went on to become great friends.
Lesson for all businesses is that we have to understand not only the tangible but the intangible needs too of our clients.
It so happened that towards the end of the Crimean War, the King of France was to make the announcement of a cease-fire. Reuter met the King and conviced him to give a copy of his speech in advance. He got it translated from French to English and while the speech was being delivered by the King, Reuter was having it transmitted over the wires to London. Moment the King finished delivering his speech, Reuter was handing over the copy to all his subscribers in London.His news agency was the first one to break the news of a ceasefire.
Now what Reuter did is a lesson in building relationships for all businesses. He gave a copy of the speech to The Times,whose editor had insulted him, also. He dismissed this action of his saying that it would have made a great paper like The Times look small if they did not carry the news. The concern for The Times' reputation greatly endeared him to the Editor and they went on to become great friends.
Lesson for all businesses is that we have to understand not only the tangible but the intangible needs too of our clients.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Enabling Environment
I wish to express my views about the fact that an 'enabling environment' brings out the best in people. I was discussing this in the context of a leading school with my sister.
She was telling me of this school which has a primary wing, a junior school from the IInd to the VIst standard and the senior wing.
The primary wing comes across as one full of fun where, the teachers despite having to work even at home to complete the school tasks are ever ready to take on new projects. They have great team work and understanding amongst themselves. Playing the blame game is not known to them.
The management felt that the 'life' which was there in the primary section was missing in the junior wing. The teachers were not 'charged' enough. So one teacher was shifted to the junior wing from the primary.
Now this lady who was a 'livewire' in the primary, has become 'earthed' in the junior school. She has lost that sense of 'joi de vivre', which was her forte. The management is now contemplating shifting a couple of teachers from the primary wing to junior school to achieve critical mass for enforcing a change.
I was sharing with my sister that it is the 'enabling environment' provided in the primary section which has led to teachers taking ownership of various aspects of school activities and driving them. While their boss drives them hard, they are free to vent their disagreements and it is taken in the right spirit and the boss also joins in the fun & banter. The teachers enjoy their work. The students don't want to miss school.
The atmosphere in the junior school appeared to be stifling. And hence over a period of time the spark had disappeared. The teachers were shy of taking ownership.
In my opinion, the management would do well to understand what makes the primary section 'tick'. Was it only the teachers or their head also. Or was it the fun environment/culture that had been created over a period of time. Or, was there a case for identifying the distinctive attributes required in a teacher for each level of classes and building a team accordingly.
To my mind, in any organisation, unless there is transfer of ownership, the organisation cannot flourish. It has to provide an 'enabling environment' to bring out the best in each employee.
Even roses can be grown in the deserts but the soil has to be prepared right alongwith climate control. We have also tigers breeding in the zoo. The jury is still out on whether it is a success or a failure.
She was telling me of this school which has a primary wing, a junior school from the IInd to the VIst standard and the senior wing.
The primary wing comes across as one full of fun where, the teachers despite having to work even at home to complete the school tasks are ever ready to take on new projects. They have great team work and understanding amongst themselves. Playing the blame game is not known to them.
The management felt that the 'life' which was there in the primary section was missing in the junior wing. The teachers were not 'charged' enough. So one teacher was shifted to the junior wing from the primary.
Now this lady who was a 'livewire' in the primary, has become 'earthed' in the junior school. She has lost that sense of 'joi de vivre', which was her forte. The management is now contemplating shifting a couple of teachers from the primary wing to junior school to achieve critical mass for enforcing a change.
I was sharing with my sister that it is the 'enabling environment' provided in the primary section which has led to teachers taking ownership of various aspects of school activities and driving them. While their boss drives them hard, they are free to vent their disagreements and it is taken in the right spirit and the boss also joins in the fun & banter. The teachers enjoy their work. The students don't want to miss school.
The atmosphere in the junior school appeared to be stifling. And hence over a period of time the spark had disappeared. The teachers were shy of taking ownership.
In my opinion, the management would do well to understand what makes the primary section 'tick'. Was it only the teachers or their head also. Or was it the fun environment/culture that had been created over a period of time. Or, was there a case for identifying the distinctive attributes required in a teacher for each level of classes and building a team accordingly.
To my mind, in any organisation, unless there is transfer of ownership, the organisation cannot flourish. It has to provide an 'enabling environment' to bring out the best in each employee.
Even roses can be grown in the deserts but the soil has to be prepared right alongwith climate control. We have also tigers breeding in the zoo. The jury is still out on whether it is a success or a failure.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
To Call or Not to Call...
" Son when you have kids of your own, you would realize what we go through." This was my father's response to my question as to why they called up every Sunday when I joined the NDA 29 years ago.
And my Dad was right.
My daughter, Mishka, has joined a hotel management course at Bangalore and is staying in a hostel. It being an institute run by the Army Welfare Education Society, discipline is a way of life.
Her routine starts with PT in the morning. Thereafter the rest of the day is a blur rushing from one activity/class to another. I called her up at 6.45 yesterday morning and she chirped, "Dad, I have just got back from PT and have 20minutes to get ready. Can't talk to you now. Call after half an hour."
I was on tenterhooks for the next 1800 seconds!! Called her up at the 1810th second. Got a run down of the previous day. Was very happy to know that she is enjoying herself. Had a chat with her in the evening too.
When I called up my wife today morning ( she is on the train on her way back to Bhopal from Bangalore), to ask if she had spoken with Mishka, she said," Let her be. Don't call up so often. Even I have not called."
And so here I sit with my mobile, pressing the search button, typing out 'mishka', her number appears, but I do not press the button with the green telephone logo. My mind wanders off to Bangalore. I see her sitting in her classroom, engaging the professor in some profound discussion on the future trends in the hotel industry, arguing with the F&B instructor on the merits of asfoetida in pasta sauce or pulling pranks on her friends.
I am not able to muster the courage to press the button with the green telephone logo.
Or is it that I am gathering the courage to let my 'baby darling' go.
To call or not to call, that is the question.
And my Dad was right.
My daughter, Mishka, has joined a hotel management course at Bangalore and is staying in a hostel. It being an institute run by the Army Welfare Education Society, discipline is a way of life.
Her routine starts with PT in the morning. Thereafter the rest of the day is a blur rushing from one activity/class to another. I called her up at 6.45 yesterday morning and she chirped, "Dad, I have just got back from PT and have 20minutes to get ready. Can't talk to you now. Call after half an hour."
I was on tenterhooks for the next 1800 seconds!! Called her up at the 1810th second. Got a run down of the previous day. Was very happy to know that she is enjoying herself. Had a chat with her in the evening too.
When I called up my wife today morning ( she is on the train on her way back to Bhopal from Bangalore), to ask if she had spoken with Mishka, she said," Let her be. Don't call up so often. Even I have not called."
And so here I sit with my mobile, pressing the search button, typing out 'mishka', her number appears, but I do not press the button with the green telephone logo. My mind wanders off to Bangalore. I see her sitting in her classroom, engaging the professor in some profound discussion on the future trends in the hotel industry, arguing with the F&B instructor on the merits of asfoetida in pasta sauce or pulling pranks on her friends.
I am not able to muster the courage to press the button with the green telephone logo.
Or is it that I am gathering the courage to let my 'baby darling' go.
To call or not to call, that is the question.
Monday, July 12, 2010
My FIRST 3-D experience
You would not believe it but it is true. I saw a 3-D movie for the first time yesterday. It so happened that with my wife away with my elder daughter to Bangalore, I was charged with taking care of the younger one, Anoushka.
Anoushka had been asking me to take her to the Regional Science Centre since a long time. And by yesterday I had run out of excuses. So off we went and what a great time I had.
We whispered into pipes, demonstrating that sound travels in a tube, rolled heavy iron balls up incline planes and lifted weights with great ease.
The high point was our going for the 3-D movie show. I must confess that it was the first time that I saw one. It was pretty engrossing considering that I nearly took a swipe with my hand at the snake which came hissing at me. Gave an embarrassed look to my kid sitting on my right, but she understood and acted as if she had not seen me hitting out.
We had a wonderful time. the RSC has been conceptualised very well. The displays left us wanting for more. Science is an art. Notice the iron filings arranging and rearranging themselves in beautiful patterns when subjected to the fields of different types of magnets. The sheer joy of watching different patterns being formed by liquids of varying densities and colours.
The enormous data that is depicted about our planet is mind-boggling and interesting.
We came back all charged up and smiling at this wonderful outing.
Anoushka has motivated me to go for the 4-D show next time we are in Mumbai. She went to one this summer
Anoushka had been asking me to take her to the Regional Science Centre since a long time. And by yesterday I had run out of excuses. So off we went and what a great time I had.
We whispered into pipes, demonstrating that sound travels in a tube, rolled heavy iron balls up incline planes and lifted weights with great ease.
The high point was our going for the 3-D movie show. I must confess that it was the first time that I saw one. It was pretty engrossing considering that I nearly took a swipe with my hand at the snake which came hissing at me. Gave an embarrassed look to my kid sitting on my right, but she understood and acted as if she had not seen me hitting out.
We had a wonderful time. the RSC has been conceptualised very well. The displays left us wanting for more. Science is an art. Notice the iron filings arranging and rearranging themselves in beautiful patterns when subjected to the fields of different types of magnets. The sheer joy of watching different patterns being formed by liquids of varying densities and colours.
The enormous data that is depicted about our planet is mind-boggling and interesting.
We came back all charged up and smiling at this wonderful outing.
Anoushka has motivated me to go for the 4-D show next time we are in Mumbai. She went to one this summer
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Back to School...
It is always a great pleasure going to my younger daughter's school in Bhopal. It is called The Sanskaar Valley School. Spread over nearly 37acres of rolling landscape surrounded by low hills. Spring time sees the blossoms of Kachnar, Gulmohur and Palash turn the earth into various shades of purple, red and yellow. Monsoons make the area verdant green. The drive is beautiful. On two occasions, I have let a cobra cross my path and a viper once. In fact I managed to click the viper. And those of you who are smirking, I say it aloud for you. The viper was scared. It would have been scared had it been you too.
Yesterday was the award ceremony and since she was one of the awardees I was invited. Dr Sumer Singh, the Principal of Daly College,Indore was the chief guest. In this blog I wish to take up one point that he made about scoring marks in exams is not the meaning of a meaningful education. He stressed upon the fact that "getting good marks is only a door which opens your path to to a reputed institution for higher studies". He continued in the same vein that how you evolve as an individual is the true measure of education.
I cannot help taking up the 'door' analogy a little further. A room with just a door will be dark and stuffy. We will need artificial means to light it up and also arrange for circulation of air.
A room with a door and a number of windows will be airy and will have natural light. It will be well ventilated and cheery. It will be a 'healthy' room.
So it is with any person. We find that a multidimensional personality is more interesting than someone who has only one facet.A person who has been exposed to myriad experiences has greater adaptability and dynamism than someone who has purposely restricted his fields.
Therefore, true education would lie in enriching ourselves through exposure to arts, literature, travel, meeting people from diverse backgrounds and imbibing their perspectives. I would say that developing culinary skills, a questioning attitude... oh... the list is endless, they all add to our personality and a well rounded education.
A room with a number of windows permitting light and air to come in during different parts of the day, is healthier to stay in.Similarly, a curriculum with exposure to aspects other than text books develops a healthier mind.
I am glad my kid is studying in this school. She actually looks forward to going there. In light banter if I tell her that we may shift to some other city, pat comes the reply, "Dad, you can go. Mom and I will stay here only." It helps that my wife is teaching there and enjoying herself.
Yes I am 'jealous' of the school. It gives my daughter more fun-time than I do.
Yesterday was the award ceremony and since she was one of the awardees I was invited. Dr Sumer Singh, the Principal of Daly College,Indore was the chief guest. In this blog I wish to take up one point that he made about scoring marks in exams is not the meaning of a meaningful education. He stressed upon the fact that "getting good marks is only a door which opens your path to to a reputed institution for higher studies". He continued in the same vein that how you evolve as an individual is the true measure of education.
I cannot help taking up the 'door' analogy a little further. A room with just a door will be dark and stuffy. We will need artificial means to light it up and also arrange for circulation of air.
A room with a door and a number of windows will be airy and will have natural light. It will be well ventilated and cheery. It will be a 'healthy' room.
So it is with any person. We find that a multidimensional personality is more interesting than someone who has only one facet.A person who has been exposed to myriad experiences has greater adaptability and dynamism than someone who has purposely restricted his fields.
Therefore, true education would lie in enriching ourselves through exposure to arts, literature, travel, meeting people from diverse backgrounds and imbibing their perspectives. I would say that developing culinary skills, a questioning attitude... oh... the list is endless, they all add to our personality and a well rounded education.
A room with a number of windows permitting light and air to come in during different parts of the day, is healthier to stay in.Similarly, a curriculum with exposure to aspects other than text books develops a healthier mind.
I am glad my kid is studying in this school. She actually looks forward to going there. In light banter if I tell her that we may shift to some other city, pat comes the reply, "Dad, you can go. Mom and I will stay here only." It helps that my wife is teaching there and enjoying herself.
Yes I am 'jealous' of the school. It gives my daughter more fun-time than I do.
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