My morning was spoiled …. Well almost …. Whenever you deal with HR policies that tread on the dangerous territories of compensation, I always feel like a slice of cucumber in a vegetable sandwich – you are pressed between the two sides and finally achieve martyrdom without being noticed!!
Whenever compensation policies are discussed, there are financial realities on one side and aspirations, which are almost always disproportionate vis-à-vis realities, on the other side ….. Your job in HR is to implement the realities while maintaining the overall good health of the organization……
I had just walked out of one such meeting discussing revised overseas allowances with a group of associate….. Extremely frustrated with the negotiations, I just decided to take a walk on the terrace. Well, my company was perhaps the only IT company operating out of south Mumbai. Our office was a cute little bungalow with a lovely terrace garden ….. next to our office was a typical Mumbai residential structure crammed with lot of families …. In the window next to our terrace, I saw a stubborn 4-year old along with his grandma …. The little one simply refused to eat the routine food and wanted something different which the poor grandma was helpless about ….. Something in this run-of-the-mill scene stopped me in my tracks …… I could not hear the what was being said but grandma had started a dialogue keeping the food tray aside ….. the child started giggling after some time …. As they got along, grandma slowly picked up the food tray and started feeding the kid …. By then the child had started listening with rapt attention and eating the morsels one after the other ….. As the food tray finished, there was a peculiar expression on Grandma’s face – it was not cunning or of any victory but simply that of pure contentment …. She was admiringly looking at the kid with mission accomplished! ..... Nowhere in the process had she raised her hand or voice ….
It was one of the most gracefully handled conflicts – LIVE! Grandma knew that what she was feeding may not be fancy but was the best available for the kid ….. she also acknowledged the kid’s desires without dismissing them ….. She was definitely focused on feeding the child but also sensitive to the situation and realities … there can be genuine conflicts without anyone being “unreasonable”…. She knew the importance of the job at hand but perhaps, was not anxious to “get over” with the job somehow ….. Anxiety breeds more anxiety in a situation where conflicts / difference of opinions exist ….. I guess there were two very important drivers …… Grandma was extremely concerned with feeding the child for its well being rather than accomplishing a “task” and she also had an outstanding temperament not to get drawn in any “battleground”.
Wisdom is far more precious than “strategies” in some matters …. I thanked the old lady from the bottom of my heart and as I walked back for the next meeting, there was a definite spring in my stride!!!!!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
“A little piece of Soap……”
I checked into the Guesthouse and instinctively inspected the room as per my checklist. I am not really fussy about the décor of the room whenever I travel for work – but hygiene and cleanliness is non-negotiable. While checking the bathroom, I saw a small pack of soap but also noticed, a piece of a used soap – little irritated, I just threw it away. Getting ready never takes more than 15 minutes for me ….. soon I was out of the Guest House waiting for the car to pick me up …….
While I was waiting outside the Guest House, I saw what you can see on any road in many Indian cities ….. there was a small row of ramshackle shanties. In front of one of them, a lady was bathing her child. The child was giggling as if it was enjoying a royal bath …. Well it was I guess more his mother’s touch that made it special than a half-filled aluminum bucket or a small piece of soap! May be its not decent to stare at someone’s daily chores like that but somehow I just couldn’t take my eyes off the scene. Once the bath was over, the lady scrubbed her child with a dry piece of cloth, wrapped him in the same and kept him carefully in a dry place. Once she had taken care of the child, she picked up a stone nearby and unfolded a piece of crumpled butter-paper kept under the stone. With lot of care, she wiped the small piece of soap with her dry hands and wrapped it in the butter-paper as if it was a piece of some expensive jewel.
As I sat in the car and left the place something stirred in me ….. the small piece of used soap that I threw away back in the Guest House kept coming back to my mind …. I wondered … so what about that? ….. surely I was never going to use that and nothing wrong in what I did … what then?? …… A funny stream of thought came to my mind …. Both the soaps – the one which I threw away and the one which I saw ceremoniously used by the lady on footpath – must be neighbours on a rack in the shop. Our Guest House care-taker must have bought one and stuffed it in his bags carelessly, while the lady must have bought it after careful evaluation of her options ….. the Guest House soap was used for a day by someone and was now lying in a dustbin …. The other one will be a valuable piece for some more days …….. SO WHAT ???? …. what was troubling me?
….. And then it just struck me ….. soap is a soap is a soap – same/similar ingredients (sincere apology to all brands!) and same utility ….. one is bought as what marketers popularly call ‘low involvement purchase’ while the other is not. It is not so much about the end-use or ingredients or price, but it is more the context which makes all the difference. So for an argument sake, if the soap had mind of its own, the ‘Guest House soap’ must have felt nice being a part of an up-market set-up than the shanty where the other landed. The Guest House fellow always stayed in a nice soap-case whereas his poorer cousin in a crumpled butter-paper……. But as they lead their life, the one in the shanty is more valuable to someone and the one in the Guest House is just casually in thrown in the dustbin one day……….
Does it happen to us? When we choose careers, do we get attracted to the “better places” than really finding our context there ? Do we spare some thought about how valuable are we to the place ? This is not as simple as a small company Vs a big company ….. or a multinational Vs a local company …… that will be simply naïve …. What is more crucial is our ability to find our rightful place where we are cared for, valued and not tossed around!
….. The car was taking me to my destination faster than I thought …. Actually, I was visiting a college to address a group of students on “How to choose a right career and workplace?” …… I quietly folded and kept aside my notes …… I thought…. I perhaps had something better to share with them than my well-prepared notes……….
While I was waiting outside the Guest House, I saw what you can see on any road in many Indian cities ….. there was a small row of ramshackle shanties. In front of one of them, a lady was bathing her child. The child was giggling as if it was enjoying a royal bath …. Well it was I guess more his mother’s touch that made it special than a half-filled aluminum bucket or a small piece of soap! May be its not decent to stare at someone’s daily chores like that but somehow I just couldn’t take my eyes off the scene. Once the bath was over, the lady scrubbed her child with a dry piece of cloth, wrapped him in the same and kept him carefully in a dry place. Once she had taken care of the child, she picked up a stone nearby and unfolded a piece of crumpled butter-paper kept under the stone. With lot of care, she wiped the small piece of soap with her dry hands and wrapped it in the butter-paper as if it was a piece of some expensive jewel.
As I sat in the car and left the place something stirred in me ….. the small piece of used soap that I threw away back in the Guest House kept coming back to my mind …. I wondered … so what about that? ….. surely I was never going to use that and nothing wrong in what I did … what then?? …… A funny stream of thought came to my mind …. Both the soaps – the one which I threw away and the one which I saw ceremoniously used by the lady on footpath – must be neighbours on a rack in the shop. Our Guest House care-taker must have bought one and stuffed it in his bags carelessly, while the lady must have bought it after careful evaluation of her options ….. the Guest House soap was used for a day by someone and was now lying in a dustbin …. The other one will be a valuable piece for some more days …….. SO WHAT ???? …. what was troubling me?
….. And then it just struck me ….. soap is a soap is a soap – same/similar ingredients (sincere apology to all brands!) and same utility ….. one is bought as what marketers popularly call ‘low involvement purchase’ while the other is not. It is not so much about the end-use or ingredients or price, but it is more the context which makes all the difference. So for an argument sake, if the soap had mind of its own, the ‘Guest House soap’ must have felt nice being a part of an up-market set-up than the shanty where the other landed. The Guest House fellow always stayed in a nice soap-case whereas his poorer cousin in a crumpled butter-paper……. But as they lead their life, the one in the shanty is more valuable to someone and the one in the Guest House is just casually in thrown in the dustbin one day……….
Does it happen to us? When we choose careers, do we get attracted to the “better places” than really finding our context there ? Do we spare some thought about how valuable are we to the place ? This is not as simple as a small company Vs a big company ….. or a multinational Vs a local company …… that will be simply naïve …. What is more crucial is our ability to find our rightful place where we are cared for, valued and not tossed around!
….. The car was taking me to my destination faster than I thought …. Actually, I was visiting a college to address a group of students on “How to choose a right career and workplace?” …… I quietly folded and kept aside my notes …… I thought…. I perhaps had something better to share with them than my well-prepared notes……….
Friday, September 24, 2010
This (also) happens in India – part 4
The country of paradoxes …. where Mercs and bullock-carts co-exist on the road …. the feet of elders are still touched at home while calling your seniors by first names in the office ….. a country with a throbbing heart ….. a beautiful place that’s never short of surprises …. Here are a few that touched my heart….. this is my India …. The picture may not be representative …. But then who cares??
As we drove along happily towards Salem, my Bolero started knocking suddenly. When I tried pressing the peddle, engine began to die down. I immediately shifted gears. Once I got the vehicle in second gear, engine started showing signs of life again. I heaved a sigh of relief. Then it happened again as I tried to shift into higher gear …. I almost panicked! It was getting dark and we were just three of us – me, my wife and our four year old daughter - on a relatively quiet highway to Salem. We were on that road for the first time and had no clue how safe the road was after the dark. I wiped my forehead and started driving the vehicle in 2nd gear at a speed of 20. “Damn” – I knew the problem theoretically but it was as good as knowing only the theory of swimming in deep waters. This is the time when many “ifs” start troubling you …… if only I had put my foot down for getting the fuel filter changed rather than going by the assurance of the maintenance manager at the workshop ….. if I had started earlier in the day than spending half a day in office to start only at 4.30 ….. and so on ….. “What do we do now?” – asked my wife who thankfully can stay pretty calm in such situations …. “Nothing much, we’ll keep going like this and as soon as we reach Salem, we’ll check in the first hotel in sight and figure out about the vehicle tomorrow morning” …. Thankfully this ordeal ended in an hour and we saw the lights of Salem …… Don’t know how many people have felt happier than me and my wife at the sight of Salem …. I just drove in the first hotel that came our way ….. I think it was something called Cenney’s Gateway ….. “Let me first check whether the rooms are available” …. I told my wife as I left for the reception with the engine of the vehicle still running (just didn’t dare to shut it off). Mercifully the rooms were available …. “Is there any Mahindra service center nearby?” I asked casually and briefly told the counter-clerk about my situation ….. “Oh – there is one just right behind the hotel …. May be closing time now …. Why don’t you check there first, I’ll keep the room for you – don’t worry”. I ran to the vehicle with a big “thank you” to him …… As we drove to the service center, I saw a man in his blue uniform walking out of the service center. “Is this Mahindra Service Center?” “Yes, but we are closed now. You can come tomorrow”. “Please can you do something? I have to reach Munnar tomorrow morning, if I don’t get this fixed tonight, half my vacation will be spoied….. pleeeaseeeee!” “OK, lets check – we’ll go for the test drive – let madam and the kid be comfortable in the reception out there” “Thank you… but they will come with us” There is no way I was going to let my wife and child be alone in an unknown place in the unknown city!! As he drove the vehicle “Fuel filter problem sir” “ I know, please do something” “This is an authorized service station – I cannot fix it just like that” I pleaded again and he agreed to help. Next 45 minutes he and his assistant worked sincerely and did the necessary work of cleaning …. I sighed a relief as I drove the vehicle again …… he beamed “now no problem sir …. Go to Munnar and get it fixed when you are back in Bangalore – I guarantee” …… now came the difficult part …. How much should I pay this man ….. now that I was out of the stress, I started worrying whether I will be fleeced financially for this act of kindness! Ready to bargain for much higher amount, I decided to start with ` 200/- “Whats this sir …I don’t want any money” I thought he was being sarcastic. “No you helped me going out of your way so take it” “I told you sir - I can’t take any money – this is an authorized service station” “I’ll really feel good if you take the money” …. I never expected the bargain to go this way! As I almost thrust the money in his hand, he looked at it “Why ` 200 sir …. It was simple cleaning job” He kept one hundred rupee note back in my pocket before I realized it, gave a friendly salute and walked away ….. I was stunned as Raghavan walked away (yes … this story is 10 years old and I still remember his name clearly) ….. The money I offered could have been his day’s salary ….. I was in need and he easily could have gone for the kill ….. I saluted the man as he walked away quickly and thanked him from the bottom of my heart as it just reconfirmed my belief that “This (also) happens in India”.
As we drove along happily towards Salem, my Bolero started knocking suddenly. When I tried pressing the peddle, engine began to die down. I immediately shifted gears. Once I got the vehicle in second gear, engine started showing signs of life again. I heaved a sigh of relief. Then it happened again as I tried to shift into higher gear …. I almost panicked! It was getting dark and we were just three of us – me, my wife and our four year old daughter - on a relatively quiet highway to Salem. We were on that road for the first time and had no clue how safe the road was after the dark. I wiped my forehead and started driving the vehicle in 2nd gear at a speed of 20. “Damn” – I knew the problem theoretically but it was as good as knowing only the theory of swimming in deep waters. This is the time when many “ifs” start troubling you …… if only I had put my foot down for getting the fuel filter changed rather than going by the assurance of the maintenance manager at the workshop ….. if I had started earlier in the day than spending half a day in office to start only at 4.30 ….. and so on ….. “What do we do now?” – asked my wife who thankfully can stay pretty calm in such situations …. “Nothing much, we’ll keep going like this and as soon as we reach Salem, we’ll check in the first hotel in sight and figure out about the vehicle tomorrow morning” …. Thankfully this ordeal ended in an hour and we saw the lights of Salem …… Don’t know how many people have felt happier than me and my wife at the sight of Salem …. I just drove in the first hotel that came our way ….. I think it was something called Cenney’s Gateway ….. “Let me first check whether the rooms are available” …. I told my wife as I left for the reception with the engine of the vehicle still running (just didn’t dare to shut it off). Mercifully the rooms were available …. “Is there any Mahindra service center nearby?” I asked casually and briefly told the counter-clerk about my situation ….. “Oh – there is one just right behind the hotel …. May be closing time now …. Why don’t you check there first, I’ll keep the room for you – don’t worry”. I ran to the vehicle with a big “thank you” to him …… As we drove to the service center, I saw a man in his blue uniform walking out of the service center. “Is this Mahindra Service Center?” “Yes, but we are closed now. You can come tomorrow”. “Please can you do something? I have to reach Munnar tomorrow morning, if I don’t get this fixed tonight, half my vacation will be spoied….. pleeeaseeeee!” “OK, lets check – we’ll go for the test drive – let madam and the kid be comfortable in the reception out there” “Thank you… but they will come with us” There is no way I was going to let my wife and child be alone in an unknown place in the unknown city!! As he drove the vehicle “Fuel filter problem sir” “ I know, please do something” “This is an authorized service station – I cannot fix it just like that” I pleaded again and he agreed to help. Next 45 minutes he and his assistant worked sincerely and did the necessary work of cleaning …. I sighed a relief as I drove the vehicle again …… he beamed “now no problem sir …. Go to Munnar and get it fixed when you are back in Bangalore – I guarantee” …… now came the difficult part …. How much should I pay this man ….. now that I was out of the stress, I started worrying whether I will be fleeced financially for this act of kindness! Ready to bargain for much higher amount, I decided to start with ` 200/- “Whats this sir …I don’t want any money” I thought he was being sarcastic. “No you helped me going out of your way so take it” “I told you sir - I can’t take any money – this is an authorized service station” “I’ll really feel good if you take the money” …. I never expected the bargain to go this way! As I almost thrust the money in his hand, he looked at it “Why ` 200 sir …. It was simple cleaning job” He kept one hundred rupee note back in my pocket before I realized it, gave a friendly salute and walked away ….. I was stunned as Raghavan walked away (yes … this story is 10 years old and I still remember his name clearly) ….. The money I offered could have been his day’s salary ….. I was in need and he easily could have gone for the kill ….. I saluted the man as he walked away quickly and thanked him from the bottom of my heart as it just reconfirmed my belief that “This (also) happens in India”.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
This (also) happens in India – part 3
The country of paradoxes …. where Mercs and bullock-carts co-exist on the road …. the feet of elders are still touched at home while calling your seniors by first names in the office ….. a country with a throbbing heart ….. a beautiful place that’s never short of surprises …. Here are a few that touched my heart….. this is my India …. The picture may not be representative …. But then who cares??
City of Nasik in state of Maharashtra is known for religious reasons and of course scores of temples are found all over the district. However, there is one particular temple that is different than the rest. There is a temple called “Temple of Dev Mamledar” – temple dedicated to a Mamledar (Revenue officer at a Taluka). His name was Yashwantrao Mahadeo Bhosekar – popularly known as Dev (meaning god) mamledar. The story does not stop at the temple – even today the chair that was used by Dev-mamledar in office is maintained as a sacred relic. The presiding revenue officer even today does not occupy the chair meant for Mamledar but operates from a chair kept next to Dev-mamledar’s chair …… so who was Dev-mamledar and what’s his story?
…… It is a true story of a revenue officer in 19th Century India. Dev-mamledar was the revenue officer of Satna around 1867 to 1873 …. In 1870 Satna faced one of its worst famines ….. it was during this famine that the mamledar decided to act rather than being a mute, helpless spectator ….. he distributed all his personal wealth including food-grains to the needy. Once done with his house, he opened the government coffers at his disposal and distributed the money to the poor and needy making sure that nobody died in Satna due to hunger …… the action obviously was not taken kindly by the British Government and an investigation was initiated ….. the folklore says that when the Government investigation officer came for the visit, he found the coffers were full and not a single penny was missing ……
I really don’t want to get into the miracle part of the story ….. not that I doubt it, but miracles is a matter of faith and I think faith should never be questioned. Irrespective of miracle , dev-mamledar still deserves the honour bestowed upon him. It takes an outstanding courage and conviction to save human life ….. Many can think about it but question is how many can act on it …. At a time when we hear the stories about government coffers being emptied for not so noble reasons and about government’s “logical (??)” inability to distribute millions of tons of food to the poor instead of wasting it, story of Dev-mamledar is an eye-opener. How many in the power today think that power is bestowed upon them by millions of needy people of this country who would not mind building their shrines, if they just discharge their duties honourably …. Interpreting rules and breaking them if required is need of the hour rather than destructing the precious commodity Mr Yashwantrao Mahadev Bhosekar saved over a century ago ….. Human Life!!!
City of Nasik in state of Maharashtra is known for religious reasons and of course scores of temples are found all over the district. However, there is one particular temple that is different than the rest. There is a temple called “Temple of Dev Mamledar” – temple dedicated to a Mamledar (Revenue officer at a Taluka). His name was Yashwantrao Mahadeo Bhosekar – popularly known as Dev (meaning god) mamledar. The story does not stop at the temple – even today the chair that was used by Dev-mamledar in office is maintained as a sacred relic. The presiding revenue officer even today does not occupy the chair meant for Mamledar but operates from a chair kept next to Dev-mamledar’s chair …… so who was Dev-mamledar and what’s his story?
…… It is a true story of a revenue officer in 19th Century India. Dev-mamledar was the revenue officer of Satna around 1867 to 1873 …. In 1870 Satna faced one of its worst famines ….. it was during this famine that the mamledar decided to act rather than being a mute, helpless spectator ….. he distributed all his personal wealth including food-grains to the needy. Once done with his house, he opened the government coffers at his disposal and distributed the money to the poor and needy making sure that nobody died in Satna due to hunger …… the action obviously was not taken kindly by the British Government and an investigation was initiated ….. the folklore says that when the Government investigation officer came for the visit, he found the coffers were full and not a single penny was missing ……
I really don’t want to get into the miracle part of the story ….. not that I doubt it, but miracles is a matter of faith and I think faith should never be questioned. Irrespective of miracle , dev-mamledar still deserves the honour bestowed upon him. It takes an outstanding courage and conviction to save human life ….. Many can think about it but question is how many can act on it …. At a time when we hear the stories about government coffers being emptied for not so noble reasons and about government’s “logical (??)” inability to distribute millions of tons of food to the poor instead of wasting it, story of Dev-mamledar is an eye-opener. How many in the power today think that power is bestowed upon them by millions of needy people of this country who would not mind building their shrines, if they just discharge their duties honourably …. Interpreting rules and breaking them if required is need of the hour rather than destructing the precious commodity Mr Yashwantrao Mahadev Bhosekar saved over a century ago ….. Human Life!!!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
This (also) happens in India – part 2
The country of paradoxes …. where Mercs and bullock-carts co-exist on the road …. the feet of elders are still touched at home while calling your seniors by first names in the office ….. a country with a throbbing heart ….. a beautiful place that’s never short of surprises …. Here are a few that touched my heart….. this is my India …. The picture may not be representative …. But then who cares??
As we sat down for dinner, I saw my wife little bit in a pensive mood. Being a cheerful person that she is, I was curious. When asked about the reason, the situation she told me was one of the most fascinating that I heard around me for some time……
The maid servant who works at our place has a story of her own. She works to support the family of husband + 3 kids (One son and two daughters). She is very keen that the kids take up studies very seriously. The story so far is nothing special ….. the real stuff is in the details of the story …. Elder son is average in studies so he works daytime to support his mother’s income and studies at night college …. The daughter – middle one of the siblings is very passionate about the studies and studied against all difficulties (family of 5 staying in one room). Based on her 12th standard performance she secured an admission in one of the Pune-based Engineering college for Computer Engineering! This is where the problem started staring at them – how to manage the expenses? How to pay the fees? …. especially when deadline for payment was just two days away. In this context she narrated the whole problem to my wife. I now understood why my wife was lost in her thoughts. “We should pay the fees for her first year to begin with” she said on an impulse. I couldn’t agree more “Whats the amount” When she told me the amount, the irony of the situation hit me – the amount was not more than if you treat a group of 8-10 friends for a few drinks and food in a good restaurant! Thankfully she had got an admission in reserved quota so there was a concession in fees. “Give her the cheque tomorrow in the name of the college but how are they going to manage the other expenses?”I asked. “Lets see, first lets at least help them to secure admission”. My wife told me that the joy on the lady’s face was an instant returns of the investment! …… Two days later the lady came beaming – The amount required for hostel and other yearly expenses was arranged partly through some bank loan by intervention of some kind-hearted banker (generally banks give more money to people who have it in the first place!). The rest of it was organized partly through some personal financial help and partly through some financial aid from a local MLA……..
The incident was overwhelming for me as number of stories emerge …..
1. More often than not I have seen the reserved quota system in education is misused by many who actually may not need it….. so it was nice to see a LIVE case of the benefit reaching the worthy.
2. We started the help in our humble way and we were not alone! Without worrying about overall feasibility if some help comes forward, there is a hope for the person to seek help …. Whenever you help someone, you are not unique – there are many others like you …. The amount raised for meeting annual expenses was quite impressive
3. Whatever criticism our education system draws, it still helps worthy students with burning desire to acquire education …. Time and again this has been proved by innumerable cases of studying in hardship
4. LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST – We have a serious issue of bias against the female child starting right from female infanticide – here was a case of a family with lower income group and uneducated parents working hard to get their daughter educated more than a son based on meritocracy! Just like candle in the stormy night, these stories always light my heart! There is HOPE ……
JAI HO!
As we sat down for dinner, I saw my wife little bit in a pensive mood. Being a cheerful person that she is, I was curious. When asked about the reason, the situation she told me was one of the most fascinating that I heard around me for some time……
The maid servant who works at our place has a story of her own. She works to support the family of husband + 3 kids (One son and two daughters). She is very keen that the kids take up studies very seriously. The story so far is nothing special ….. the real stuff is in the details of the story …. Elder son is average in studies so he works daytime to support his mother’s income and studies at night college …. The daughter – middle one of the siblings is very passionate about the studies and studied against all difficulties (family of 5 staying in one room). Based on her 12th standard performance she secured an admission in one of the Pune-based Engineering college for Computer Engineering! This is where the problem started staring at them – how to manage the expenses? How to pay the fees? …. especially when deadline for payment was just two days away. In this context she narrated the whole problem to my wife. I now understood why my wife was lost in her thoughts. “We should pay the fees for her first year to begin with” she said on an impulse. I couldn’t agree more “Whats the amount” When she told me the amount, the irony of the situation hit me – the amount was not more than if you treat a group of 8-10 friends for a few drinks and food in a good restaurant! Thankfully she had got an admission in reserved quota so there was a concession in fees. “Give her the cheque tomorrow in the name of the college but how are they going to manage the other expenses?”I asked. “Lets see, first lets at least help them to secure admission”. My wife told me that the joy on the lady’s face was an instant returns of the investment! …… Two days later the lady came beaming – The amount required for hostel and other yearly expenses was arranged partly through some bank loan by intervention of some kind-hearted banker (generally banks give more money to people who have it in the first place!). The rest of it was organized partly through some personal financial help and partly through some financial aid from a local MLA……..
The incident was overwhelming for me as number of stories emerge …..
1. More often than not I have seen the reserved quota system in education is misused by many who actually may not need it….. so it was nice to see a LIVE case of the benefit reaching the worthy.
2. We started the help in our humble way and we were not alone! Without worrying about overall feasibility if some help comes forward, there is a hope for the person to seek help …. Whenever you help someone, you are not unique – there are many others like you …. The amount raised for meeting annual expenses was quite impressive
3. Whatever criticism our education system draws, it still helps worthy students with burning desire to acquire education …. Time and again this has been proved by innumerable cases of studying in hardship
4. LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST – We have a serious issue of bias against the female child starting right from female infanticide – here was a case of a family with lower income group and uneducated parents working hard to get their daughter educated more than a son based on meritocracy! Just like candle in the stormy night, these stories always light my heart! There is HOPE ……
JAI HO!
Monday, September 6, 2010
This (also) happens in India – part 1
The country of paradoxes …. where Mercs and bullock-carts co-exist on the road …. the feet of elders are still touched at home while calling your seniors by first names in the office ….. a country with a throbbing heart ….. a beautiful place that’s never short of surprises …. Here are a few that touched my heart….. this is my India …. The picture may not be representative …. But then who cares??
August 2009 …… 25the August 2009 to be precise, I read an interesting article that was published in the local newspaper. This was a real life story of one Mr V. V. Venkataraman who taught Tamil language at school for 41 years and retired in 1985. Throughout his life he stayed in a rented accommodation and as the years passed by even that was unaffordable on a schoolteachers’ pension….. It came to a situation where he had even leave that house ….. one of his students who had retired as a municipal commissioner heard this and was really upset …. He connected with around 500 students whom Mr Venkataraman had taught … together they bought a 1200 sq. ft of land and built a two-storied house to be handed over to him on 5th September 2009 – the day India celebrates as Teachers’ day in memory of Dr Radhakrishnan …
The story can be viewed from two viewpoints …. It’s a disturbing state of affairs for the builders of our nation – the teachers as they spend lifetime molding generations …. But there is also a story of the enormous goodwill that the profession evokes in today’s age of break-neck speed …..
Closer home I have seen my in-laws getting the respect from the most unexpected quarters and in the most unexpected places as they come across some student or other wherever they go …. More than happiness, there is a visible pride written on their faces about the success of their student (A pride due to someone else’s success – a feeling I guess that might remain alien to me!)
Generations today may not exactly behave in the same manner with their teachers as generations did a few decades before, but even today the good honest teachers invariably draw the same respect ….
While something has been done on the pay front (I believe) and a lot needs to be done on the capability building front for teachers, there is one obvious matchmaking that may change the world … The problem is that apart from some isolated incidents, even today there is no concrete platform where students can reach out to their retired teachers who may need help …. Remember I am talking about an era where there was no internet “to keep in touch” and possibly talking about the teachers who even today may not have an access. I am sure this will be a powerhouse of an initiative which will give platform to the students to offer “gurudakshina” (A concept where student pays for the knowledge offered by a teacher and the payment is always considered as token in proportion to the knowledge received!) – many will come forward to reach out and honour their teachers rather than making the teachers waiting for the “favours” from the government!
August 2009 …… 25the August 2009 to be precise, I read an interesting article that was published in the local newspaper. This was a real life story of one Mr V. V. Venkataraman who taught Tamil language at school for 41 years and retired in 1985. Throughout his life he stayed in a rented accommodation and as the years passed by even that was unaffordable on a schoolteachers’ pension….. It came to a situation where he had even leave that house ….. one of his students who had retired as a municipal commissioner heard this and was really upset …. He connected with around 500 students whom Mr Venkataraman had taught … together they bought a 1200 sq. ft of land and built a two-storied house to be handed over to him on 5th September 2009 – the day India celebrates as Teachers’ day in memory of Dr Radhakrishnan …
The story can be viewed from two viewpoints …. It’s a disturbing state of affairs for the builders of our nation – the teachers as they spend lifetime molding generations …. But there is also a story of the enormous goodwill that the profession evokes in today’s age of break-neck speed …..
Closer home I have seen my in-laws getting the respect from the most unexpected quarters and in the most unexpected places as they come across some student or other wherever they go …. More than happiness, there is a visible pride written on their faces about the success of their student (A pride due to someone else’s success – a feeling I guess that might remain alien to me!)
Generations today may not exactly behave in the same manner with their teachers as generations did a few decades before, but even today the good honest teachers invariably draw the same respect ….
While something has been done on the pay front (I believe) and a lot needs to be done on the capability building front for teachers, there is one obvious matchmaking that may change the world … The problem is that apart from some isolated incidents, even today there is no concrete platform where students can reach out to their retired teachers who may need help …. Remember I am talking about an era where there was no internet “to keep in touch” and possibly talking about the teachers who even today may not have an access. I am sure this will be a powerhouse of an initiative which will give platform to the students to offer “gurudakshina” (A concept where student pays for the knowledge offered by a teacher and the payment is always considered as token in proportion to the knowledge received!) – many will come forward to reach out and honour their teachers rather than making the teachers waiting for the “favours” from the government!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
“Are you the PRINCIPAL here?”.....
As I walked in the office with my daughter on a lazy Saturday morning, the security at the gate greeted with a smart salute…..my daughter was suitably impressed ….. I’ll be nothing but a hypocrite if I don’t admit being pleased at my own importance in front of my daughter. I guess I had a little swagger as I walked to my cabin…… We were there just to pick up some stuff that I had left there…. As we walked back, she asked me, “Is this your place?” looking at my puzzled expression she asked, “Are you the PRINCIPAL of this whole place?” and in a flash I suddenly realized what she meant…”Hmmm, not exactly sweetheart”…. I only wished…. “Then how come the security saluted you? Our security salutes only the PRINCIPAL of the school”…… I did not know how to explain her and did not have the heart to tell the kid that amidst all the crisis I get into every day, I generally don’t have the swagger as I walk to my cabin!
For some strange reason, my mind went back a few years back while I was still in my first job…… one of our peons, Dattu, one day came to me and said,” I need a little favour”…. I suddenly became alert – what would it be…job for someone, money, extended leave….as if reading my mind he clarified “I don’t need anything for myself but we run a school in our community. There is a batch of 10th standard students that is passing out. It will be nice if you can address them”. Honestly, I felt a little overwhelmed……. Being in my twenties myself, I hardly had an exposure to such an honour. When I reached the venue, I saw Dattu beaming as the head of reception committee…… all decked up, wearing spotless white like a local politician and of course with the mandatory “Gandhi Cap”. We shook hands and proceeded to the venue…it went off ok (honestly don’t remember much of it!) … at the end, I had tea at Dattu’s place…. We discussed everything including politics……usual stuff when two colleagues meet on a social occasion… Indeed I had a nice time…… As I walked away I remember having a few thoughts ringing in my head…. Dattu and I hit off really well ….. I could very clearly see that he was a community leader – a fact I hardly knew ….. for Dattu’s kids who were introduced to me, I was a colleague from their father’s office and I must confess that I had graciously responded to a peon’s invitation…. My idea of my social responsibility blah….blah…..
As a man (or of course the woman for that matter) walks to the office from home, he walks out as the boss of the house….. runs the family. As he leaves for the office he is easily the most important person in the house …. There is an image of the parent that the kids build up in their mind …. Irrespective of what happens at the office….. As we take decisions that impact people or for matter as we speak to them would it not be great if we just graciously accept the fact that we are talking to someone’s HERO…… I guess conflict management experts soon will go out of the jobs!
For some strange reason, my mind went back a few years back while I was still in my first job…… one of our peons, Dattu, one day came to me and said,” I need a little favour”…. I suddenly became alert – what would it be…job for someone, money, extended leave….as if reading my mind he clarified “I don’t need anything for myself but we run a school in our community. There is a batch of 10th standard students that is passing out. It will be nice if you can address them”. Honestly, I felt a little overwhelmed……. Being in my twenties myself, I hardly had an exposure to such an honour. When I reached the venue, I saw Dattu beaming as the head of reception committee…… all decked up, wearing spotless white like a local politician and of course with the mandatory “Gandhi Cap”. We shook hands and proceeded to the venue…it went off ok (honestly don’t remember much of it!) … at the end, I had tea at Dattu’s place…. We discussed everything including politics……usual stuff when two colleagues meet on a social occasion… Indeed I had a nice time…… As I walked away I remember having a few thoughts ringing in my head…. Dattu and I hit off really well ….. I could very clearly see that he was a community leader – a fact I hardly knew ….. for Dattu’s kids who were introduced to me, I was a colleague from their father’s office and I must confess that I had graciously responded to a peon’s invitation…. My idea of my social responsibility blah….blah…..
As a man (or of course the woman for that matter) walks to the office from home, he walks out as the boss of the house….. runs the family. As he leaves for the office he is easily the most important person in the house …. There is an image of the parent that the kids build up in their mind …. Irrespective of what happens at the office….. As we take decisions that impact people or for matter as we speak to them would it not be great if we just graciously accept the fact that we are talking to someone’s HERO…… I guess conflict management experts soon will go out of the jobs!
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