SUCCESS = DOING IT AGAINST ODDS!

This evening I was watching Zindagi Live (जिन्दगी लाइव) on IBN7, where in overweight individuals across the country were sharing their pains, troubles and efforts and their struggles. Four individuals who came from different sex, age, and walks of life - one of then who works in films at 220 kgs, another 16 years young boy with 120 kgs became the president of childern wing of a political part, successful businessman with 175 kgs, and a lady with 112 kgs whose daughter is extremely proud of her mothers fight against obesity.

Mohita, a young 16 years old lad while sharing his ordeal and struggle to overcome his obesity, said "अब ठान लिया है कि इस जंग को किसी भी हाल मैं जितुन्गा !"। It touched me a lot - determination to overcome against all. To me Mohit has already his fight and war against obesity, because he has determined to overcome to odd. For all those, who often come up with what I call as "exquisites" I think this is a best slap on their face. May what come, determine to succeed and you are half the way through to your journey to win. I think determination to succeed against odds is nothing but a "killer instinct" that is originates within you - in your mind, within your heart, and through your thoughts, which gets displayed through your actions. Thus,

SUCCESS = DOING IT AGAINST ODDS!

SUCCESS = DO IT ANY WAY

I have often experienced folks giving an excuse for not doing things that they are suppose to! For instance, often I would hear I came late because it was very cold, hot, traffic jam, my one of the relative was not well, I had a headache, my cycle / bike got punctured, road was not in good state, etc. etc......

Here in Copenhagen, in fact every where in Northern hemisphere it is onset of winter season. Thus, sun rises late, and set out early. It is also very cold. At many places temperature is below zero degree centigrade. I had never thought that one can go to work when it is dark, and return home when it is dark. But then sun never rises before 8 a.m. and as we move into December - January it would not rise before 9 a.m. Now it is setting out around 4 p.m., but then in about 30-40 days it would start setting out by 2 p.m. This is very different from the countries that lies within the tropics, where sun is in the sky for 10-13 hours. But then what was fascinating for me to note that life goes on here in spite there is day light or not?

I noticed that in a freezing cold, buses runs on time, so do trains, and so does the flights takes off. Students of all age groups goes to school on time, so do the offices open and close on scheduled time. Banks are operating, and so do the emergency services. The other day, I came across the cleaning services guy, who was brazing the chilled weather, but was on routine to collect the garbage. I questioned him, it is not tough to do it in such an adverse situation. His reply was made me feel guilty for a moment. It was such a thought provoking, he said,"Yes! It is tough, but one need to work and fulfill his or her task, so you do it anyway!".

That's the instinct - what I call a "killer instinct" that has risen these small nations significant ones in world political, economical as well knowledge scenario. A instinct that is grossly missing in many of the regions and populations of the world, where sun blesses for over 10-13 hrs a day. But then we are masters in giving the excuses. Think of if people in these environmentally disadvantage nations gives similar excuses, which are so very real, what would happen? Would life move forward? Would they be able to succeed? Would they be able to progress? Certainly not, and thus a new revelation of another success sutra, at least for me -

SUCCESS = DO IT ANY WAY

SUCCESS = YOU

It is now over a month I am here in Copenhagen at the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, working on issues related to primary biodiversity data mobilisation especially from the museum community. In my discussion with colleagues and also the members of various national delegates on thing that was highlighted without fail, was hips of hurdles and obstacles. Discussion often sounded as helpless and without no road to move ahead. It is like "I want to do a lot - and move the data mountains", but everyone around is resisting me do that!".

However, last night I saw this commercial on CNN-IBN in which Abhishek Bacchan was talking about moving forwards and making national progress, and one thing that he talked appealed me and in more than one sense gave me much needed answer to move forward. He said progress begins with "YOU"!. But then I was no so impressed, as all celebrities give such peppy talks. But then I was startled with what my 5 years old daughter echoed this evening.

She wanted to go on to Google Earth and spot our houses in Copenhagen and Pune. She was requesting me for a while, but then I was so tired that I kept ignoring her request to help her. At one stage she started Google Earth, struggled to key in correct spellings of our addresses in Copenhagen and Pune. She could locate our residencies. She was elated. She came to me, pulled my hand to draw the attention, and said "आरे सगळे शक्य असते - पण त्त्या साथी तू केले पाहिजे!"। I think she gave me much needed kick to tell me that nothing is impossible, if I awaken "YOU" within me and move forward. Others will respond and then things would happen. But, how many of us think that way - we enjoy blaming others, the situation for our defeat in life. But , often forget that one of the most infamous characteristics that bound us not to succeed is "YOU"!. This magical "You" can bring in all the changes, if you get him moving and marching ahead towards your goals. Thus,

SUCCESS = YOU म्हणजे "तू"!