Who solves a problem anyway?

I had got an interview call from 3 to 4 good (tier 2) MBA institutes of the country last year. In order to convert them into admissions and do well in my interviews I had met a lot of people who had done MBA from better institutes. One such meeting was with one of my seniors. She was to take my mock, practice (mild and fun sort of) interview.

I met her at one of the café coffee day outlets. First question she asked me was why do you want to do MBA?

I almost knew that this was to come, so had prepared that really well. I quickly snapped at that saying that MBA is the only programme that prepares one to solve the problems of the real world. It gives one an approach and a knack to solve problems!

Fantastic, was replied. Arguably one of the most good looking and successful (if you measure success by the kind of B-School you go to) ladies of her batch was floored by this answer. “Really well thought” was her reply.

She cleared a few more of my doubts and then we ended our small, interactive and enriching meet.

It has been more than one year to this meeting and I often wonder if I truly mean, what I had told that day.

This thought gives rise to couple of profound doubts.

Do we really, know what problems are out there in the “REAL” world? If by any chance we do, are we really able to solve these problems?

As an intern in a micro finance cooperative and a volunteer teacher at one of the support schools, I thought that that was it to the problem solving front.

That was certainly it, only if one wants to flaunt about his contributions to the society, however with the kind of realistic people around me, I can hardly be caught in that trap.

“The space between two of their houses is even lesser than the space between two rooms of our flat, we help those people buying better houses” I told in high pride to one of my flat mates, and a close friend.

“But you can never increase land though” Was his modest reply.

I have not tried to judge if that was a comment out of mere cynicism, or a sarcastic statement, or just a sighing remark.

But at times I wonder if we can really SOLVE any problem?

The thought provoking policeman!!!

Under a scorching sun of hot summer afternoon, an old man, was trying to cross a road. The place was one of the busiest crossroads of the city, so even at that hour, when sun had almost laid a curfew on the entire city, that place was reasonably crowded.

The old man tried crossing the road however the traffic had its own rule and he could not just get across. At that time, a traffic cop came to his rescue and took him by arm, guided him across safely to the other side of the road.

It would have been very easy for the cop to scoff at the old man for having moved out in such a hot afternoon, without adequate capacity of course! He did not do that, he did what was required of him. A help, to the right person at the right time, is indeed a good thing. I am not sure if that was a part of his duty as a traffic cop, but I am sure had he wished, he could have surely neglected the old man.

This incidence made me think of something. The cop did what the son of that old man would have done had he been with him. I.e. to help him cross the road. Similarly there are so many instances where people who are nowhere related to us, play the role of nearest relatives, at times even more. The old man did not even thank the cop perhaps, nor will he remember him. But there was something very basically good about that whole episode.

And that good was the fact that good people help other people as if they were their own, when they see others in need.

This goodness can at times be taken granted for, and that does trouble good people a lot. But that does not stop them from doing what they think they should be doing!!!

To take responsibility, to care, to love, to protect, to nurture, without any relation – is perhaps the basic goodness the world stands on.

Injustice

In the little world where children have their existence, nothing is so finely perceived and finely felt as injustice. - Pip from Great expectations, a novel by Charles Dickens

Three more balls to go.......

While as a middle order batsman I was in a habit of asking to the umpire, balls to go in the over whenever I went to bat. That habit is still with me, it just gives one a chance to assess how much has gone by and how much is yet to come.

While applying that to the present state of affairs in life, I found that now only three balls are left. Yes, half of my post graduation is over, a year later lot of things will be expected of me, by myself and by others. Just as in cricket, in life too last few overs play an important role. They can swing the game in either ways.

No wonder, there is an unnerving feeling in mind, however there are some things worth noting for the first half of this terminal over!

First, and foremost, I am still not out. Despite lot of hue and cry, losing faith at times, brooding over hits and misses, I am still on the crease. Firmly grounded. Anyone who has done MBA knows this as a fact of life.

Second, I have had my share of bouncers and beamers from the bowlers! This includes all the rough experiences that you think will never have an ending. From friends who never did their part of assignment in time to some truly malicious ones trying various machinations, they too have taught a lot. Crisis management is also another important thing I have learnt in the first half!

Third and most important of all has been the fact that just as in cricket, here too, I have had some brilliant team players to support me, guide me, correct me and encourage me. Be it a pat from the captain or a comment by a comrade to improve, all of it has and will go a long way to build a healthy partnership and post a huge total!!! This team spirit also has another advantage that seldom comes to our notice in day to day life; it is that it helps us being better individual in every sphere of life. Not only does it help by improving the communication with and understanding of others but it also allows us to give and earn respect among people who we value

I do not know the result of this game, nor do I dare to speculate or gamble. All I can say is, playing has been enthralling experience till now. And I hope it will have a befitting ending too.

A must read for everyone... Tiya, Parrot's journey home...

Author of the book - Samarpan

Comments on the book- Dhruv

This book is a wonderful account of experiences that one face during the course of life. Tiya, protagonist parrot listens to the voice of his invisible guide, Hans. Motivated by this he leaves the cosy comforts of his life at banyan and moves into the unexplored lands. Through his journey he encounters myriad types of people and creatures. Each encounter is a challenge of life, and it just keeps getting tougher as Tiya moves ahead in his journey.

Character of Tiya is an illustration of how an individual moves up from one stage to the other in life. Each stage is different and offers unique perspectives on the psyche and learning of an individual at that particular stage. This is described beautifully in an event where Tiya initially shows exuberance for being a teacher to all, soon discovers that it is impossible to teach anyone anything. In addition to this, one also sees that the progression from an insolent young parrot to a poised parrot was not an overnight transition; Tiya had undergone a lot in order to achieve that transition.

Another thing that the book very subtly describes was the importance of all the people that Tiya met in his journey for the attainment of his ultimate stage. This underscored the importance of all the experiences in one’s life.

Another thing which is worth thinking is perhaps, that there is no clear definition of what all we could achieve, what all we could be, the limit to the function of life is dependent totally on us. However one thing is sure, however and wherever you may take it, it will have to have some essentials like humility, simplicity and truthfulness in order for it to be called a true attainment.

This book will have to be re-read after some time to see which stage of journey am I now at?

I hope to return home soon, and successful.

Sweet accidents on the memory street!!!

Long down on the lane of memory, there appears to be an image not as clear as to be identified as one particular person. This image is so unclear, hazy clumsy that every onlooker is confused about its identity.

This is not an uncommon occurrence. When we look carefully on our lane we will discover so many unidentifiable faces that we will get confused, however if we keep ourselves indulged in the world of photo albums we will miss the chance to be astonished by the sheer hugeness of our memory lane. Because in photographs, we tend to focus more only on those whom we know, to whom we relate greatly, this at times prevents us from being overwhelmed by memory and warmth of many such friends whose names we have forgotten.

I had changed couple of schools in my childhood. (no reflection on my ability as a student, a mere chance event each time) there have been times when I have met some people in bus, in theatres halls, in a restaurant who are a bit different. Difference in this meeting is that I know them, as a classmate and relate them with some important event but cannot recollect their names.

And to my surprise, I find that most of these people also do not recollect my name. Yet the friendliness and warmth towards each other is unaffected by the fact that we do not even know each other’s names!!!! Some people may like to call it a formality, but to me all these sweet accidental meetings, that gushing joy in heart, is the sign of goodness of life and relationships.

To you,

“We all have a realm where dwell deathless memories of people who have brought divine light into our experience of life. You live as one such immortal in the paradise of my heart and mind.”

– Rabindranath Tagore.