SUCCESS = Rising up (one last time)!

Life is like a pendulum that oscillates between so-called good and bad times. When life unfolds the way we want it, there is reason for happiness. When it’s the opposite, we blame our fate, circumstances, people and all other possible reasons than ourselves. Many a time, I have heard people who are going through troubled times saying, ‘I am fed up with the process of getting back on my feet once more. I don’t have the energy to be slapped around one more time by destiny’.  It is hard for me to accept such thoughts. On the contrary, it is very natural for me to rise up each time I fall or fail. 

In fact, the very essence of my journey from a slum boy in Pune to a science diplomat in Copenhagen is the ‘rising up’ one more time! And to acquire this quality, I did not have to leave the house; I learnt it from my mother. Today, when I look back, she lived and continues to live her life according to the principle of ‘fighting back’ every time. As the daughter of ‘below-the-poverty-level’ dalit (backward class) parents from the drought-prone Vidharbha region of Maharashtra, she was deprived of educational opportunities. She had barely managed to complete her 7^th standard by the time she married my dad, who is another great example of a ‘fighting spirit’. When young, she used to walk about 10 km barefoot each way to attend her school. With a 20 km walkathon every day, I don’t think one needs any additional exercise to keep fit. In spite of not having books (which her parents could not afford to purchase), nor extra tuition, she came first in the entire district in her 7^th grade board exam. 

After my birth, she was diagnosed with asthma. However, her financial situation deprived her of the basic treatment needed. To make it worse, she had to work to support her family. I have seen my mother working on a bridge construction carrying stones weighing probably 20 kgs or more in scorching heat, when she was 7-8 months pregnant with Vivek, my younger sibling. It is still very fresh in my memory that once she stumbled over another stone and fell. I could see pain in her eyes as she was trying to get up, but I saw unlimited determination to rise one more time. With bruised hands, bleeding head and toes, she continued carrying stones for the next 3 hours, when most women in her situation would be advised not to lift heavy things. A few years later, she was diagnosed with nearly 100+ allergies, and her asthma worsened. She used to spend 9 months a year in the intensive care room of the hospital, most of the time on ventilators. On many occasions, doctors told us that we had only 24 or 48 hours to spend with her. But each time she fought back and surprised both us and her doctors. 

Throughout all these years, her quest for knowledge and knowledge-based prosperity and progress of the family continued. She learned stitching. With great difficulty, she managed to purchase a sewing machine and started her home-based business. I have seen her paddling on the machine when one in her position should be in hospital being treated for chronic illness. Many a time, the needles pricked and pierced her fingers. Each time this happened, she defiantly pulled needle out, applied turmeric powder on the bleeding finger, and continued her work.  She had no option but to rise for the sake of her kids and to shape their future. 

Her quest for knowledge is never-ending. When I had to sit my 10^th grade exam, she decided to join me. We both appeared together for the exam. She could not write the required papers as she had to be hospitalized for severe attack of asthma. Over the years, similar obstacles kept her away from achieving her dreams. It took her an additional 7 years to clear the 10^th grade with distinction. But each time she was not able to attend the exam because of her illness, she fought back. Many of our family friends, relatives and acquaintances made fun of her, but each time she rose with more determination.  

She then joined a poultry farming course. She completed it in the first go. She purchased a small piece of land several kilometers outside of the city, and we shifted from the centre of the city to a barren field with no drinking water, no electricity and no roads. She started her poultry business, which her doctors advised her not to undertake as it would only aggravate her asthma. Yet she persisted and pushed ahead with her plans and dreams for her kids. Several times, she had setbacks- both financially and emotionally, as the whole batch of birds died because of one or another problem. But she bounced back with renewed determination. 

Looking at her struggle, her determination, her resolve to fight back, and rise, we had no other option but to succeed and work to fulfill our dreams and her dreams of being a proud mother. If it hadn’t been for my mother, I would not have been able to sustain the journey from a slum boy to a science diplomat. I did not have to look outside of my house for inspiration. Each time she fell, or failed, she stood up. Thus, I had no choice but to rise each time I was faced with adversity, or a failure. 

I am sure she is not the only mother who has shaped family and kids through troublesome times. However, what she taught us throughout these years with her own deeds has made an indelible impression on our minds. Last time I met her, I asked how she had been able to ‘rise up’ so many times? Is she not tired of it? ‘It is just natural; there is nothing great about it. It is a law of nature that those who don’t rise up become extinct’, she responded promptly. Thank you Aai (Mother in Marathi) for unfolding one of the many sutras (principle) of success! 

SUCCESS = Rising up (one last time)!

SUCCESS = Being involved with passion

There are several factors that influence the degree of success that an individual, an institution or a society can achieve. In my previous blogs, I have shared some of these sutras (principles) responsible for success.  However, there is one simple sutra that is often forgotten or ignored as we move ahead on our path of success, and that is ‘being involved with passion’.  This is one of the most common characteristics that I have observed in all successful persons that I have come across.

I have known Vinod Mathur, vibrant dean of the Wildlife Institute of India based in Dehradun, for more than a decade. Over these years, I have had the fortune of working very closely with Vinod, and consequently, I understand his style of functioning. In addition to the intelligence and wisdom that he applies in resolving a myriad of issues at his institution, Vinod is extremely involved in every task that he undertakes. It is his ability to be involved with passion that ensures that the task is completed successfully. But the unique aspect of Vinod’s personality is his ability to be involved in multiple activities at the same time. All that he requires is his blackberry. I haven’t seen a administrator turned scientists using a blackberry the way Vinod uses it. From the moment he wakes up till he retires, he is constantly on his computing system, and if travelling   then on his blackberry. Every email is answered within a minute, not cryptically but in great detail. It is this detailed response that evokes an equally detailed response from the recipient. This helps him to be on top of every issue that he needs to tackle.

Just a week ago, I was attending a bilateral workshop at his place. While he was contributing significantly to the discussions at the workshop, he was working with his colleagues and collaborators across the globe on developing a new project proposal. As if this was not enough, he was also coordinating gifts for visiting delegates, their travel plans and accommodation all at the same time. On a lighter note, I said to his line manager, ‘what if Vinod’s blackberry was taken away?’. The line manager promptly responded that ‘this would be disastrous not for Vinod but for me as well!’. He then explained that Vinod’s multitasking ability does indeed make his job easier. No wonder Vinod is a most sought after colleague, team member and collaborator.

How can a person be so involved in so many events and issues at the same time with such equal and undiluted passion?  ‘Just do your share of the contributions, and do not think of what benefits you will be able to reap’, is Vinod’s explanation. He further explains, ‘If you devote yourself to something, you will be blessed with benefits’. I was amazed by the simplicity and humility of his answer. No wonder he is successful in every sphere of his life. Thanks Vinod for revealing yet another sutra of success, SUCCESS = being involved with passion!

SUCCESS = Power of Simplicity and Comfortness

During my three and half weeks stay in India and Nepal, I met several very interested personalities. Many of of them have made ever lasting impression on my mind. Some of them I would certainly like to manifest through my own upbringing in future. Having said this one individual who not only impressed me, but I began to greatly admire instantly, for two qualities - 'Simplicity' and 'Comfortness'.

In past 3 months, I had been twice at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun for meetings. I always wanted to present myself to the Director of the institute as a matter of courtesy, protocol and diplomacy.However, when I finally met Dr. P. R. Sinha, my first reaction was 'Simplicity'!. Extremely unassuming personality, simple, easy to approach, extremely comfortable to talk to, and exchange/share ideas. For me I clicked with instantly and most importantly effortlessly. I am now used to meet extremely high profile individuals. Let me true to myself, that not always I cherish and enjoy my interactions with these eminent persons, as some of them carry a bag of characters which are often make you feel uncomfortable. He has no calms in talking so frankly with me on every aspect. Even though we had very short interactions, he made me feel comfortable as if we know each other for ages together! I was later on told by one of his colleague, as to how simple he is - even being Director of the nations premier institution, he has no calms in standing in a queue at the bus station to book ticket for his daughters travel. He is equally at ease and comfortable in performing all rituals of life, and all that life offers to our way.

I have been taught by my parents and teachers that 'Simple leaving, and high thinking' is key to success. However, very rarely I came across personality with such a blend of character. It was almost that both 'Simplicity' and 'Comfortness' are bygone characters of modern day success. Simplicity is defined as 'absence of complications'. But on the contrary we love live with complications and complexity - we need complex and complicated food with equally complicated recipes, we need modern complex and complicated houses, we like to drive complicated vehicles, we like complications in our relationships, we admire people who makes simple things looks complex, and difficult. Complications and complexity has almost become the de facto standards of our modern day life. On this background when you meet individuals like Dr. Sinha, one thing that I am reaffirmed with that 'there still persists 'Simplicity and Comfortness'.

To me 'Simplicity' reflects purity of thoughts, emotions, feelings and godly vibrations for oneself and for others. It further reflects 'truth' and 'truthfulness' about oneself and about others. I believe these characters do determine how successful you would be in life, or in achieving the purpose of life. Many exemplary personalities that flash before my eyes - Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, and Baba Amte etc. All these individuals were simple, unassuming with great divinity, purity and highest sense of spirituality. Even when they were recognized by the society as successful - they not only remain simple, but they were also approachable, people felt tremendous comfortness in their presence. Their presence transpired good feelings, ease, it made people to feel better. Their presence also made to feel sense of freedom from hardship, efforts and confusion most of all. Because they were so simple, there were no complexity and complexity in their thoughts, actions, reactions. As they were true to themselves, they were equally and undoubtedly true and honest to every aspect of life, including godliness in them and godliness in others.

I think the reason for many so called successful individuals being in limelight these days for many unwanted reasons, is that we make simple things complex, and simple issues complicated. This destroys transparency, purity, honesty, as well spirituality - which are essential components to ones success. Thus, I have a strong belief that SUCCESS is directly proportional to ones ability of being simple and comfortness. Rather, together simplicity and comfortness has multiplication effect, thereby enhancing chances of expedited and sustained success. Another simple yet strong set of powers to one success. Thank You Dr. Sinha for revealing another Sutra for Success;

SUCCESS = Power of  Simplicity and Comfortness!

SUCCESS = Divinity through food

Yesterday (Thursday, 3 June 2010), I was at 24 hrs coffee shop in Ottawa for breakfast before going to meeting. While I was waiting for my breakfast, my attention was drwan to this young man who was at next table. He was relishing his breakfast. He must have finished half of it, when he called the restaurant staff. He was complaining that it was no good. Appologetic staff took it back and replaced with other items of his choice. He finished that too half, and was again upset with the staff - as this new choice too was not so good. This time visibaly agitated staff of the restaurant, somehome replaced it again with other items of his choice. He barely managed to eat some of it and rest has to be thrown in garbage bin. The whole experience was sickening for me. But what was more nausiatic for me was his comment, 'I eat to be healthy and divine!'. I was surprised but shocked also. Can you attain divinity when you fail to respect to food that is offered to you?

Shocked with the incident, I started to think about 'divinity through food'. The root of the word is literaly 'GOD like'. I was wondering how come one can become divine or 'god like' by being fussy with taste of the food, by throwing or wasting the food, by being griddy and selfish with foof? As I kept thinking about it one thing became clear in my mind - 'how you respect, and treat food, can decide weather you will lead to divineness or not?'.

When you are selfish and griddy with how much you eat?, of what taste? and what quality?, how can you progress towards godliness or divinity? I think being griddy, selfish, choosy and disrespectful (to others while eating) itself in my opinion insult to GOD, and humanity. When millions of kids and old age individuals across the globe sleep hungry and die because of malnutrtion, how can you offord to waste the food?. Most insulting is you do this - with reason of your quest for divineness - that the serious insult to concept called 'God'. With such an attitude one can never even stand at the start line of divineness, forget about marching towards it! In meaterialistic world today unfortunately as we become more and more capable of being choosy about food we become more and more insensitive to it, purpose and reason of having food., insensitive to the fact that there are over 6.5 billion other individuals and several trillion (rather uncountable) other life forms. We are becoming more and more self centered. This whole phenomenon is rather going far - far away from godliness, goodness, purity etc.

Yes! it is important to choose good food, that is healthy and tasty - but not by way of wasting it. My mother always told me that (Ann he purna bramh) food is way to complete or ultimate cosmicity. Thus, neither she allowed us - nor did she taught us to disrespect or waste the food. Of course, I never had luxary to choose what I want to eat, and how much I want to eat? Therefore, I think I am more sensitive to food and its value in life, its role of keeping life kicking and going and keeping it alive. Therefore, I always say it is good to choose healthy food is good practice. Choosing vegeteranian and non-tamasic food is great, but not at the cost of disrespecting food itself, and the concept of having it to keep life alive, and certainly not many millions and billion are being deprived of it. Certainly ensuring that you dont throw food, you dont waste, and that when you eat, you thank GOD for being lucky that you got it!'. This thought and gratitude itself to me is a progress towards purity, if not towards godliness. Such, thought will help us to have better relations or connection with those around us, and those far away from us. This will help us to be caring, sensitive, understanding and charitable. Thus, my unknown friend is correct that 'Food is Passport to Divinity'. Unfortunately, he has not realised it yet - certainly is not practicing it enough! I may not be able to explain it further - but I began to beleive that godliness is directly proportional to respect and gratitude one has towards food. More you progress towards godliness - more successful you would be! Thus, let us respect what we get to eat, how much we get to eat, and offer god unconditional gratitude for being one of the few luck ones who got to eat, and at the same time let us do something for those who sleep hungry stomach all across globe, because,

SUCCESS  = Divinity through food!