I was reading a story to my son and realized that I was reading this story after years. It is an interesting story which I am sure you would have read and when I read it after gap of decades, it struck me hard.
The story is about Kubera – the lord of wealth and family of gods – Shiva, Parvati and their son Ganesha. One fine day Kubera decided to show off his wealth to Shiva and Parvati. So, he invited them for lunch. The almighty Shiva exactly knew why he was invited and refused politely – “Why don’t you take little Ganesha instead – he really relishes good food!”. Little disappointed Kubera agreed. Riding on his golden chariot along with Ganesha, Kubera thought ‘Hmmmm…. Actually it is good that little Ganesha is coming over. Being a child, he will get impressed even more!’……… As they reached home, Kubera offered the best seat in the dining hall to Ganesha and beckoned his servants to bring over the food. Little Ganesha started devouring the food as it was brought and his appetite surprised Kubera – ‘Hmmm – lord Shiva was right, little Ganesha really likes the food’………. As Ganesha went on for over an hour, there was a panic in the kitchen. The Head cook whispered in the ears of Kubera “Master not only the cooked food, but even the supplies are over”. As they chatted Ganesha yelled “where is the food, I am hungry”. When he realized that the food was over, he got really annoyed “That’s not fair, I’ll now start eating everything that I see” and he took a bite of the golden plate! Kubera was extremely scared and ran to Shiva and Parvati to narrate the whole story. As they heard him patiently Parvati brought over a small bowl of rice “Take this and give it to Ganesha. He will be alright” Little worried with the small size of the rice bowl, Kubera reached his palace. Ganesha was extremely angry by then and he was living up to his promise! Little scared by the scene, Kubera politely offered the little bowl of rice cooked by Parvati. Ganesha took the bowl and started eating. By the time he finished the bowl he felt very heavy and full – so much so that he just could manage to eat the last morsel in the bowl.
I had read this story as a lesson taught to pompous Kubera. But as I read it after the years, it had a whole new dimension. We all have a Kubera in us – it’s the ambition. Of course ambition is good and drives us to achieve great heights – gets us our place of honor…… But there comes a point where ambition also drives us over that thin line that separates honor from pride……. As the pride takes over the joy of belittling someone overtakes the contentment of achievements…….. Pride knows no boundaries and often invites self-destruction as Kubera found out……. It took only a small bowl of rice cooked by Parvati to calm down the storm invited by Kubera’s pride ……. It was those few morsels of rice cooked with pure love that could calm down the un-satiated hunger ……. As our ambition drives us hard, we all need to find our little bowls of rice …….. it could be that little daily chat with the family…… banter with old friends …… solace of a book or a melody …… Our little bowl of rice always reminds us the importance of peace, contentment in midst of a raging competition fought by our ambition……
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Mind the Gap!
We were buying a bicycle for my daughter. As soon as we bought the bicycle, I clicked my daughter’s photo along with her bicycle………. I couldn’t help remembering the experience of buying my first bicycle……….. I wish we had a camera ready that time. What a memorable day! …………… Keeping in the tradition of those days we went all the way to Kalbadevi (a place in South Mumbai) and bought a lovely red color BSA SLR cycle………… We carried it on the top of the cab and all the way till we reached home, I prayed that it reaches home safe. As soon as we reached home, a group of 7/8 friends gathered around to admire the new vehicle in the neighborhood (there were no cars that time apart from couple of two wheelers so a new bicycle was a significant vehicle) ……. Though actually everyone had a similar bicycle, all my friends were excited. We spent considerable amount of time admiring the new bicycle! ….. Next few months, every day at the end of the day, I would carry home my prized possession (to think of it, it was little crazy to carry the bicycle two floors up over my shoulder!!!) ………
“Why are you taking my photograph in the bicycle shop?” my daughter asked me. “Oh! Its your first bicycle and I thought I should preserve the picture” ….. “But you have never clicked any photo other times when we bought a toy” …… she was really puzzled …… “A TOY?” …. Deep inside, I felt little hurt as I expected my daughter to be little more excited! As soon as we reached home she rode the bicycle for some time with a joy and was really happy. Once she was through, I asked her “Should I take it home for you?” …. “Bicycle?…. Home??.... why? Lets just leave it in the parking lot like my other friends do!” Now she was really confused and looked at me to check whether I was alright. “OK – lets go home”
Deep in my mind I wondered whether my daughter was losing simple joys of life …… has she lost the sensitivity? ……. I remembered the simple joys that we had ……. A family dinner in the restaurant once in two months …… new clothes …… new toys ….. firecrackers …… there would be an event around each of this……Firecrackers reminded me – she had refused the firecrackers that year for environmental reasons! Though she loved firecrackers, she had no qualms giving up once she studied its effect on environment at school……..
……. Suddenly I realized that I was unfair to the little one …… How fair was it to judge her sensitivity quotient based on what I was sensitive to? Life has moved on ……. What was luxury to me in my childhood was almost the hygiene factor to her …… expecting her to jump at things like bicycle was as ridiculous as expecting me to jump at the sight of new bath soap in the house!
Times change and so does the contextual reality. It is plain unfair to judge the newer generation based on our feelings that are stuck in the past……. Perhaps it is natural reaction but highly avoidable! It is great to cherish old memories but there is only one way to avoid conflicts of generation gap – “MIND THE GAP”
“Why are you taking my photograph in the bicycle shop?” my daughter asked me. “Oh! Its your first bicycle and I thought I should preserve the picture” ….. “But you have never clicked any photo other times when we bought a toy” …… she was really puzzled …… “A TOY?” …. Deep inside, I felt little hurt as I expected my daughter to be little more excited! As soon as we reached home she rode the bicycle for some time with a joy and was really happy. Once she was through, I asked her “Should I take it home for you?” …. “Bicycle?…. Home??.... why? Lets just leave it in the parking lot like my other friends do!” Now she was really confused and looked at me to check whether I was alright. “OK – lets go home”
Deep in my mind I wondered whether my daughter was losing simple joys of life …… has she lost the sensitivity? ……. I remembered the simple joys that we had ……. A family dinner in the restaurant once in two months …… new clothes …… new toys ….. firecrackers …… there would be an event around each of this……Firecrackers reminded me – she had refused the firecrackers that year for environmental reasons! Though she loved firecrackers, she had no qualms giving up once she studied its effect on environment at school……..
……. Suddenly I realized that I was unfair to the little one …… How fair was it to judge her sensitivity quotient based on what I was sensitive to? Life has moved on ……. What was luxury to me in my childhood was almost the hygiene factor to her …… expecting her to jump at things like bicycle was as ridiculous as expecting me to jump at the sight of new bath soap in the house!
Times change and so does the contextual reality. It is plain unfair to judge the newer generation based on our feelings that are stuck in the past……. Perhaps it is natural reaction but highly avoidable! It is great to cherish old memories but there is only one way to avoid conflicts of generation gap – “MIND THE GAP”
Thursday, February 3, 2011
HR policies and Grandma
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!!!!!
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!!!!!
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!
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