Friday 31 March 2017

The importance of the "Common"

In some of my previous posts too, I have narrated stories from Panchatantra (Wiki link : Wiki link of Panchatantra) . I really find the stories fascinating and so relevant even today . The story below shows the importance of common sense. While we recruit people in the organization, we give a lot of importance to their educational qualifications, credentials etc.  But we also have to see if they have worldly common sense or not.  In my experience, I have found real gems who do not have impressive educational qualifications but due to their aptitude and initiative, they add so much value at the workplace. 

Enjoy the story ....

Once upon a time, there lived four friends  Three of them  were very learned in matters of the Holy Scriptures, but lacked common-sense. . One of them did not have any learning credentials  but had good common-sense.


  
One day, the four of them  decided, "The knowledge and learning that we have is no good  if we cannot use it to impress the king, or otherwise to earn money!" 

They decided to travel, in order to earn money using their knowledge. But the fourth friend was not learned, so they thought of leaving him behind. They agreed, "What good is common-sense? His talents would not help in earning money, let only three of us travel." 

After much pleading by the fourth Brahmin, they decided, "After all he is our dear friend, let us take him along with us! We will  also share a part of our earnings with him .  That’s what friends are for! "

So, the four of them started their travel to meet the king. While they were travelling through a jungle, they noticed the bones of a dead lion, lying on their way. 

One of them said, "Let us start using our knowledge ! We have a dead lion in front of us. Let us try to bring life into it!" 

While the three Brahmins agreed, the fourth Brahmin did not like the idea. But his preference was ignored by the other three Brahmins, and they started holy rituals. 

One of the Brahmins collected the bones of the lion and  created the skeleton of the lion. 

Another Brahmin used his learning to cover the skeleton with flesh and skin. 
As the lifeless lion stood in front of them, the third Brahmin initiated the rituals to put life into the lion. 

The fourth Brahmin was alarmed, "O friends, if the lion comes to life, he will kill all of us! Please stop what you are doing!" 

The Brahmins ridiculed him, "After reaching so far, are we going to waste our knowledge? You say so, because you are jealous of us and our knowledge ! 

The fourth Brahmin knew there was no point in arguing with them. He pleaded, "Please give me a moment. I wish to climb a tree before you make use of you scholarship." 


He started climbing up a big tree, and could see from above the third Brahmin put life into the lion. 


As soon as the lion became lively, he noticed the three Brahmins, who were celebrating their successful implementation of their scholarship. 


The lion immediately pounced on them, and killed them. 

The fourth Brahmin could do nothing but wait till the lion had gone. Then, he climbed down the tree and returned home alone. 


As leaders, we have to keep our ears and eyes open . 


We should listen to the person who has common sense . Sometimes, we get so much involved in the intricacies of the technicality that we get entangled in the web of our knowledge. 

It is during those critical situations that we should take a step back and try to put some "common" in our senses. 

Only then we will be able to save ourselves like the fourth Brahmin who climbed up the tree . 


Wednesday 8 March 2017

Ode to the Women of this World


Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high,

"Where are you ? It is so late, anything can happen ...."

 "Don't say anything ... let it go... don't you remember how she was defaced with  acid  ?"

"That job involves too much of travel and everyday you will be late ... what will people say?"

 "Sit properly , your straps are showing and  don't laugh so loudly, it is so unladylike .."


Where knowledge is free,

"We can't afford to educate you. Your brother needs education more than you. It is he who will earn and support us  .... You will get married and go to another family ...."

"You will never be able to cope up with the tough engineering subjects.  It is better if you can do a simple graduation in home science or something easy... after all you will just get married in another year or so ...."




Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls

"Why do you want to go to your parent's place so often ?  You should understand that your real home is your husband's place and your responsibility is to look after your in laws and not your parents ...."

"Put the pallu on your head ..."

"So what you too have come back from work ? It is your duty to  cook and feed your family... go and prepare tea for your husband .. he is so tired ... "



Where words come out from the depth of truth,

"And one day, a prince charming will come and sweep you off on a horse and make you a queen ...."

"You can do everything ... this world is equal for both men and women ... "

"Do not speak out ... one day people will realize how much you have done  for them ...."

"You are a woman... who selflessly sacrifices her own needs and desires for everybody ,..... "



Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection,

"Don't worry too much about your poor marks.. you always have the option of getting married to a handsome rich guy ... chill ..."

"Don't tire yourself too much , it will show up on your face .. "

"Do you really need that promotion ? It will put more responsibility on you .. Will you be able to balance your home and work ? "


Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit,

"Come on .. try this fairness cream ... you will become pretty in a month .... "

"You must lose weight ... it is embarrassing for me to take you to official parties ...."

"Don't argue ... , that is the tradition in this family and that is how the world  behaves ...."

"What value can  you add  by becoming a board member of our organization? We take tough decisions ... "


Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action

"This is a perfect job for you ... not very challenging and you will be able to give time to your husband and kids .... "

"You are almost 30 !! When will you get married ? "

"I feel very guilty .. of not giving proper time to my kids ....


Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

 Our father in heaven , when will the women of the world  go into that heaven of freedom ?



Happy Women's Day !!


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Poem "Where the mind is without fear " - By Rabindranath Tagore