24th December 2006.
From Austin, Texas, I wish all my friends,relatives,on-line friends,fellow bloggers, readers and the staff at Statesman, a merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. May God bless all of us.
We, at home, are all in a happy mood as my eldest daughter and son-in-law were blessed with their first child-A Son- on Thursday, 21st December 2006. This is certainly a special feeling to my wife and myself. The birth of a grand child always evokes pleasant feelings and full of joy as the life cycle continues.
Austin would be etched permanently in our memory with the birth of our grandson. The boy would remain as such to us, even though we would refer him as an Austinite, a Texan, an Indian American, and so on.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
In-House Training.
December 22nd 2006.
I came up in my career life, in the Finance & Accounts department of manufacturing organizations, from an Accounts clerk and rose steadily up the rung to become a Manager with my specialization in Cost accounting, acquiring experience in various functions within the department. While discharging functional duties there were lot of interactions, with personnel of other departments- both production and service, and externally with people who were doing business with our company. The interactions were in person, over phone and through written communications. I was friendly, articulate in dealing with all to get my work done, and was part of a team representing the interests of our department and the company during internal meetings, and in matters of negotiations with Trade union members, the suppliers and the clients as well. Besides, there were official tours to few cities where other units were located , and opportunities to travel and see places as well. The experience was great, and I enjoyed ever bit of it. I think the systems I sailed through shaped me to become what I am.
As part of in-house training in our company, I was assigned the role of teaching workers, supervisors, middle and senior executives the various functions of the Finance department to create an awareness among them for better understanding. This assignment was for a brief period. This exercise was given to all departments. I formed a small team to take the task head on. None of us had any previous experience of teaching, but were encouraged by the departmental head with a message “ To tell what all we are doing”.
I strongly believe that a finance department is an important cog in the wheel of corporate sector; is misunderstood and viewed with askance. In reality it is well equipped with people, data and act as a navigator to those executives who steer the company. It was a good opportunity to inform other employees of the company, the importance of this department.
In about a week's time, we prepared notes from the perception of the participants, keeping technical terms to the minimum. As we were confident with our functions, the barrier we faced in putting across them was our nervousness facing a gathering of 40 or so trainees, who all knew us. The feeling that what they would think of us should we falter and fail to answer to barrage of questions at the end of the session, was uppermost and haunted us till we began. There was no “Great Escape”!!, and we were determined to succeed, for the reputation of the department was at stake.
I initiated the class in the forenoon session with a brief on the composition of the department, how sections within the department were segregated by their functions; lecturing on the major functions the department does under each section, like Recording - writing and maintaining books of accounts; Reporting – generating financial statements, the profit & loss Account, the balance sheet, and Annual reports; Planning - helping the management with vital information, like forecasting, budgeting, pricing, cost alternatives for business growth; Analytical – Through Ratio Analysis of figures, trends are indicated of the performance of the company, for corrective measures by the management; Auditing – how the work in the department is constantly checked, re-checked through internal audit procedures, and through external audit, the figures and the systems are scrutinized in line with statutes.
The importance of infusion of money and how effectively it is put to use to generate profits for the growth of the company, through accounting principles, procedures and systems were all explained in detail, drawing parallel to their own work/product process; how they exercise caution while meeting the needs of their family's requirements, and about the disastrous result should they squander their limited income.
I carried the session using humour narrating simple anecdotes of life, how important the subjects of mathematics, economics, law, computers are to us, involving the participants that further enlivened the lecture.
My colleagues, taking a cue from me, astutely carried subsequent sessions going into detail of each and every financial statements that the department generates.
Each one of us, answered all their questions with patience. We left them with an impression that accounting is not just record keeping, but a fascinating subject which has its own thrills.
A participant, said humorously, that we are overpaid to do simple work. We replied that life is simple, they made it complicated, and we unwind them to receive/demand more pay!
The end result was extremely satisfactory, and were surprised at our communication skills springing up from a dormant stage. This became possible through sharing knowledge, and a great opportunity to spread it.
Learning is a continuous process without an end. In-house training in organizations are essential for improvement of team work and co-ordination.
We all know that knowledge is power, and when it is shared with others, yields satisfaction.
I came up in my career life, in the Finance & Accounts department of manufacturing organizations, from an Accounts clerk and rose steadily up the rung to become a Manager with my specialization in Cost accounting, acquiring experience in various functions within the department. While discharging functional duties there were lot of interactions, with personnel of other departments- both production and service, and externally with people who were doing business with our company. The interactions were in person, over phone and through written communications. I was friendly, articulate in dealing with all to get my work done, and was part of a team representing the interests of our department and the company during internal meetings, and in matters of negotiations with Trade union members, the suppliers and the clients as well. Besides, there were official tours to few cities where other units were located , and opportunities to travel and see places as well. The experience was great, and I enjoyed ever bit of it. I think the systems I sailed through shaped me to become what I am.
As part of in-house training in our company, I was assigned the role of teaching workers, supervisors, middle and senior executives the various functions of the Finance department to create an awareness among them for better understanding. This assignment was for a brief period. This exercise was given to all departments. I formed a small team to take the task head on. None of us had any previous experience of teaching, but were encouraged by the departmental head with a message “ To tell what all we are doing”.
I strongly believe that a finance department is an important cog in the wheel of corporate sector; is misunderstood and viewed with askance. In reality it is well equipped with people, data and act as a navigator to those executives who steer the company. It was a good opportunity to inform other employees of the company, the importance of this department.
In about a week's time, we prepared notes from the perception of the participants, keeping technical terms to the minimum. As we were confident with our functions, the barrier we faced in putting across them was our nervousness facing a gathering of 40 or so trainees, who all knew us. The feeling that what they would think of us should we falter and fail to answer to barrage of questions at the end of the session, was uppermost and haunted us till we began. There was no “Great Escape”!!, and we were determined to succeed, for the reputation of the department was at stake.
I initiated the class in the forenoon session with a brief on the composition of the department, how sections within the department were segregated by their functions; lecturing on the major functions the department does under each section, like Recording - writing and maintaining books of accounts; Reporting – generating financial statements, the profit & loss Account, the balance sheet, and Annual reports; Planning - helping the management with vital information, like forecasting, budgeting, pricing, cost alternatives for business growth; Analytical – Through Ratio Analysis of figures, trends are indicated of the performance of the company, for corrective measures by the management; Auditing – how the work in the department is constantly checked, re-checked through internal audit procedures, and through external audit, the figures and the systems are scrutinized in line with statutes.
The importance of infusion of money and how effectively it is put to use to generate profits for the growth of the company, through accounting principles, procedures and systems were all explained in detail, drawing parallel to their own work/product process; how they exercise caution while meeting the needs of their family's requirements, and about the disastrous result should they squander their limited income.
I carried the session using humour narrating simple anecdotes of life, how important the subjects of mathematics, economics, law, computers are to us, involving the participants that further enlivened the lecture.
My colleagues, taking a cue from me, astutely carried subsequent sessions going into detail of each and every financial statements that the department generates.
Each one of us, answered all their questions with patience. We left them with an impression that accounting is not just record keeping, but a fascinating subject which has its own thrills.
A participant, said humorously, that we are overpaid to do simple work. We replied that life is simple, they made it complicated, and we unwind them to receive/demand more pay!
The end result was extremely satisfactory, and were surprised at our communication skills springing up from a dormant stage. This became possible through sharing knowledge, and a great opportunity to spread it.
Learning is a continuous process without an end. In-house training in organizations are essential for improvement of team work and co-ordination.
We all know that knowledge is power, and when it is shared with others, yields satisfaction.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Business Entrepreneurship.
10th December 2006.
The mention of this expression opens a wide range of interesting attributes of human activities. The words “Business” and “Entrepreneurship” have separate connotations, but intricately woven together not only to bring forth an area of livelihood for living, but also a platform to pursue ideals in the service to humanity.
An undertaking (formed by a group of people), manufacturing a product and selling to the customers for a price is said to be in Business. In doing so, it engages trained people into the activities of purchasing raw materials, converting them into finished product, for selling to customers for a price. As these activities involve money, the economic factors come into play at a micro level, and when many enterprises get to involve in such activities, the economy assumes macro level. The scenario is similar in other sectors of economy, like agriculture, service, health care etc.
An entrepreneur is one who transforms an idea or a passion into reality, i.e., he shows innovation, starts a business on his own and the manner in which he runs it-- the skills he exhibits in terms of organizing, directing, coordinating and managing with risks, is called Entrepreneurship.
Running a business is an art. Within the organization, it calls for planning, organizing, motivating people and activities, marshaling resources- men, materials, machines and money – and using them deftly to increase productivity. For instance if it is a manufacturing unit, it could be a product, for a bank it could be a service, or for an airline, it could be transportation.
An entrepreneur is said to have a creative and innovative mind. He picks up an idea and uses his knowledge to convert it for use of others. By taking the initiative, he exhibits a positive attitude, uses his leadership skills, and with his habits of perseverance, patience and passion realizes his dream of converting that idea into reality. The idea could be a product, or a service to people. On a large scale it could be an organization or an institution.
The term “ Business Entrepreneurship” unfolds many a type of business governance – The art of running a business – by a sole proprietor, by family members, by group of people, by professionals, by institutions, and by government. This led to framing of rules and regulations under which they had to be managed. As technology developed, the barriers for expansion of a business enterprise were removed and they assumed the role of a global company. With the power of their business entrepreneurship, some companies influence the policies of the governments and institutions of repute for their benefit.
Business entrepreneurship, being a human activity is prone to thought process of the men at its helm of affairs. It could indulge in business acquisitions; merge with other enterprises; diversify its own field of activity; could take the shape of a conglomerate or it could get liquidated, all depending upon the ups and downs of the economy of managing it.
The individuals behind Hewlett-Packard, Walt Disney, Wal-Mart, Wipro, Infosys, Air-India were all entrepreneurs with a vision and stand apart in their outlook in managing a business.
If one looks at the Indian context however, there has been an upsurge in the number of small businesses. This major revolution could be attributed to several factors:
Advances in technology have led to cuts in workers and new jobs are not generated as quickly as they are lost.
Changing family needs where two incomes are needed to survive.
Societies' attitude to women is now different and more women are now working.
Home business on the increase.
Rapid technological changes have led to the proliferation of smaller companies with less number of employees.
The government has also played a catalytic role in the changing environment. By providing basic infrastructure and technical expertise, it has encouraged the growth of self-employment.
Ultimately, only a few ventures are spectacularly successful, many experience moderate success, others are marginally successful, and a few fail. Many entrepreneurs find satisfactory lives in independent careers without becoming millionaires. In the long run, however, the sky is the limit. We can go as far as our desires, abilities, preparation and divine providence permit.
The mention of this expression opens a wide range of interesting attributes of human activities. The words “Business” and “Entrepreneurship” have separate connotations, but intricately woven together not only to bring forth an area of livelihood for living, but also a platform to pursue ideals in the service to humanity.
An undertaking (formed by a group of people), manufacturing a product and selling to the customers for a price is said to be in Business. In doing so, it engages trained people into the activities of purchasing raw materials, converting them into finished product, for selling to customers for a price. As these activities involve money, the economic factors come into play at a micro level, and when many enterprises get to involve in such activities, the economy assumes macro level. The scenario is similar in other sectors of economy, like agriculture, service, health care etc.
An entrepreneur is one who transforms an idea or a passion into reality, i.e., he shows innovation, starts a business on his own and the manner in which he runs it-- the skills he exhibits in terms of organizing, directing, coordinating and managing with risks, is called Entrepreneurship.
Running a business is an art. Within the organization, it calls for planning, organizing, motivating people and activities, marshaling resources- men, materials, machines and money – and using them deftly to increase productivity. For instance if it is a manufacturing unit, it could be a product, for a bank it could be a service, or for an airline, it could be transportation.
An entrepreneur is said to have a creative and innovative mind. He picks up an idea and uses his knowledge to convert it for use of others. By taking the initiative, he exhibits a positive attitude, uses his leadership skills, and with his habits of perseverance, patience and passion realizes his dream of converting that idea into reality. The idea could be a product, or a service to people. On a large scale it could be an organization or an institution.
The term “ Business Entrepreneurship” unfolds many a type of business governance – The art of running a business – by a sole proprietor, by family members, by group of people, by professionals, by institutions, and by government. This led to framing of rules and regulations under which they had to be managed. As technology developed, the barriers for expansion of a business enterprise were removed and they assumed the role of a global company. With the power of their business entrepreneurship, some companies influence the policies of the governments and institutions of repute for their benefit.
Business entrepreneurship, being a human activity is prone to thought process of the men at its helm of affairs. It could indulge in business acquisitions; merge with other enterprises; diversify its own field of activity; could take the shape of a conglomerate or it could get liquidated, all depending upon the ups and downs of the economy of managing it.
The individuals behind Hewlett-Packard, Walt Disney, Wal-Mart, Wipro, Infosys, Air-India were all entrepreneurs with a vision and stand apart in their outlook in managing a business.
If one looks at the Indian context however, there has been an upsurge in the number of small businesses. This major revolution could be attributed to several factors:
Advances in technology have led to cuts in workers and new jobs are not generated as quickly as they are lost.
Changing family needs where two incomes are needed to survive.
Societies' attitude to women is now different and more women are now working.
Home business on the increase.
Rapid technological changes have led to the proliferation of smaller companies with less number of employees.
The government has also played a catalytic role in the changing environment. By providing basic infrastructure and technical expertise, it has encouraged the growth of self-employment.
Ultimately, only a few ventures are spectacularly successful, many experience moderate success, others are marginally successful, and a few fail. Many entrepreneurs find satisfactory lives in independent careers without becoming millionaires. In the long run, however, the sky is the limit. We can go as far as our desires, abilities, preparation and divine providence permit.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Manufacturing Organization.
6th December 2006.
I am of the firm view that unless the manufacturing sector is given importance and made to contribute substantially, the economy of a country would not grow satisfactorily, and the growth rate of GDP(Gross Domestic Product) would move slowly despite improvements in other sectors of economy. Rightly so, it is often called a wealth producing sector.
Keeping the statistical figures aside, I would like to narrate my own experience, and the thrill I derived from working in a chemical company under private sector, manufacturing synthetic resins, and later in a medium sized engineering unit, under public sector, manufacturing underground telecommunication cables.
The aura about any manufacturing unit is fascinating. The buildings, the machinery,the skilled labor,the movement of overhead cranes shifting the semi-finished and finished products across the production floors is exciting. The working of some of the machines converting materials from one stage to the other is so amazing that you begin to wonder the ingenuity of the persons who have designed such machines. The sheer scale of operations takes your breath away for a while. Sometimes it is inexplicable why such wonderful activities are neglected, and these units wear a deserted look. Much can be said. May be the product is outdated, may be there is no financial infusion, may be increase in costs is prohibitive and may even be bad management. Whatever may be the reasons, the sector needs a passionate revival.
Working in a manufacturing unit provides a wonderful opportunity to learn and practice human skills. One begins to realize the importance of working in a team to achieve common goals. As there exists different functionalities at a single place, there is a scope for interactions and knowledge sharing sessions. One gets a feeling of oneness when all of them attire in the same uniform projecting unity.
As my specialization was in the field of Cost Accounting,this section under the Finance department was responsible in the periodical fixation of prices of products for sale. Although the manufacturing process was similar, there were multiple range of products. And this made the pricing a bit complex and certainly interesting. Cost accounting differs from that of financial accounting as it concentrates more on factory accounting analyzing how effectively the raw materials are transformed into a finished product using the resources like labor, machine operations and production techniques.
It becomes imperative that the cost accountant is fully aware of the manufacturing process. This involves interaction with the production personnel almost on a daily basis. He must have an inquisitive mind, put probing questions to elicit information and analyze them at his desk and present his findings to the management, offering suggestions for growth of the company.
Obviously, the cost accountant must possess communication skills, general knowledge, a flexible temperament to get along with people, literate and illiterate, and the art of getting things done through administrative skills. Team building within the section, and inter personal skills with a positive attitude are some of the important attributes required to discharge duties. My career life in this sector was one of great satisfaction that shaped me as a person with a little all round talent to indulge in activities to acquire and share knowledge.
Following glasnost and perestroika in the erstwhile soviet republic, and the economic reforms that are taking place globally, and with the advent of Information technology, many multi national companies are opening manufacturing facilities around the globe to derive cost benefits. Companies like Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Hyundai, Suzuki, Honda, Ford to name a few, who are into this practice. The IT companies are all over the globe. While this trend is to be encouraged for forging healthy relationships among countries to bring people, and their cultures close, the manufacturing sector within the country must be given top priority.
Small scale industries and small entrepreneurs need to be encouraged and offered facilities for growth. Just like a child is nurtured to grow into adulthood, these companies too need a similar care.
I wonder when the large corporations are making friendly forays into other countries to expand their activities helping those nations to grow economically in the process, why the political breed are not succeeding in their field, when in the first place they are the ones who opened up the gates.
I am of the firm view that unless the manufacturing sector is given importance and made to contribute substantially, the economy of a country would not grow satisfactorily, and the growth rate of GDP(Gross Domestic Product) would move slowly despite improvements in other sectors of economy. Rightly so, it is often called a wealth producing sector.
Keeping the statistical figures aside, I would like to narrate my own experience, and the thrill I derived from working in a chemical company under private sector, manufacturing synthetic resins, and later in a medium sized engineering unit, under public sector, manufacturing underground telecommunication cables.
The aura about any manufacturing unit is fascinating. The buildings, the machinery,the skilled labor,the movement of overhead cranes shifting the semi-finished and finished products across the production floors is exciting. The working of some of the machines converting materials from one stage to the other is so amazing that you begin to wonder the ingenuity of the persons who have designed such machines. The sheer scale of operations takes your breath away for a while. Sometimes it is inexplicable why such wonderful activities are neglected, and these units wear a deserted look. Much can be said. May be the product is outdated, may be there is no financial infusion, may be increase in costs is prohibitive and may even be bad management. Whatever may be the reasons, the sector needs a passionate revival.
Working in a manufacturing unit provides a wonderful opportunity to learn and practice human skills. One begins to realize the importance of working in a team to achieve common goals. As there exists different functionalities at a single place, there is a scope for interactions and knowledge sharing sessions. One gets a feeling of oneness when all of them attire in the same uniform projecting unity.
As my specialization was in the field of Cost Accounting,this section under the Finance department was responsible in the periodical fixation of prices of products for sale. Although the manufacturing process was similar, there were multiple range of products. And this made the pricing a bit complex and certainly interesting. Cost accounting differs from that of financial accounting as it concentrates more on factory accounting analyzing how effectively the raw materials are transformed into a finished product using the resources like labor, machine operations and production techniques.
It becomes imperative that the cost accountant is fully aware of the manufacturing process. This involves interaction with the production personnel almost on a daily basis. He must have an inquisitive mind, put probing questions to elicit information and analyze them at his desk and present his findings to the management, offering suggestions for growth of the company.
Obviously, the cost accountant must possess communication skills, general knowledge, a flexible temperament to get along with people, literate and illiterate, and the art of getting things done through administrative skills. Team building within the section, and inter personal skills with a positive attitude are some of the important attributes required to discharge duties. My career life in this sector was one of great satisfaction that shaped me as a person with a little all round talent to indulge in activities to acquire and share knowledge.
Following glasnost and perestroika in the erstwhile soviet republic, and the economic reforms that are taking place globally, and with the advent of Information technology, many multi national companies are opening manufacturing facilities around the globe to derive cost benefits. Companies like Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Hyundai, Suzuki, Honda, Ford to name a few, who are into this practice. The IT companies are all over the globe. While this trend is to be encouraged for forging healthy relationships among countries to bring people, and their cultures close, the manufacturing sector within the country must be given top priority.
Small scale industries and small entrepreneurs need to be encouraged and offered facilities for growth. Just like a child is nurtured to grow into adulthood, these companies too need a similar care.
I wonder when the large corporations are making friendly forays into other countries to expand their activities helping those nations to grow economically in the process, why the political breed are not succeeding in their field, when in the first place they are the ones who opened up the gates.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Family Values.
December 1st, 2006.
In pursuit of life, we set goals based on our interests. We take a path which has a meaning that directs and make us work towards achieving our goals to derive satisfaction. These interests make us acquire some values, like Truth, honesty, integrity, fairness, compassion, magnanimity etc. All these values conjure up to shape us-individuals- to a personality of some character. Once acquired, these GOOD values stick to us.
Yet we often find ourselves at crossroads while taking decisions in times of crises. Our interests are tested by these values. If the interests are for the benefit of society at large, the decisions coming out of these values enhance the reputation of the society. Thus, the society further inculcates more values. From this perception, positive values, negative values, moral values, Business Values, Human values, family values and so many other values generate.
Personally I believe, family values should be nurtured, and in the present day world, they need to be strengthened. It is said that one should win at home, and then think of winning elsewhere. This simple logic can be applied to an individual, to a business enterprise, to a state, to a country and to the whole universe.
In the Hindu Vedic scriptures, a human life, is estimated as 100 years and is divided into four portions. In Sanskrit, they are referred as, BRAHMACARYA, GŖHASTHA, VANAPRASTHA, AND SANNYĀSA.
For the first 25 years, a human child grows from infancy to adulthood, seeks education and acquires knowledge. During this period the mind is vibrant, impressionable, and what is learnt is embedded in the memory, and is everlasting. This is one reason why we remember our childhood. This is the brahmacarya period. The period spent in the Schools and colleges is so valuable, and the teaching community which imparts this knowledge is beyond value. The teachers in the school and the parents at home are the beacons to the child. In this period, value systems take a shape, and on this edifice, the moral values of the society are built. A character takes a shape.
I am not saying something new, but only reiterating the concept that is built in all scriptures. I have been benefited by these systems. The information technology through its web sites has helped me trace my schoolmates, my classmates after a period of 50 years. Two of them stay near my house, and we meet regularly. I am in touch with my class teachers. That is the bond built on values.
The next phase of life is called GŖHASTHA,which is devoted to household duties. In this period, the householder acquires a wife, a life partner, and together they perform life's duties of bearing children, bringing them up shaping them to be good citizens. Thus the life cycle continues. This is also a period where the man puts all his education into practice in his chosen career, continuously seeking knowledge, taking crucial decisions at work place and at home as well.
The family values are put to great test in this stage of life of both husband and wife. They and they alone are responsible for creating a congenial atmosphere at home that calls for spirit of adjustments, compromises, sacrifices for the sake of other. This habit percolates to the children, spreads to the neighborhood, to the community, and to the society at large. This important trait provides the right frame of mind to study issues, analyze them and take decisions that benefits the mankind. It could be for his own growth, the growth of the employer, the growth of the society, and the growth of the country as well.
The third stage of life VANAPRASTHA is a retreat from the householder's duties, and entrusting the responsibility of the home to the children. The husband and the wife, not only enjoy the retired life but also prepare themselves for a spiritual life in the form of meditation, worship of the god, and offer wisdom to the community around them.
The final stage, called SANNYĀSA is the concluding part of the life, where worldly desires are renounced, gets free from attachments, and totally devoted to the service of god and humanity.
The pursuit of life during the last two stages, appears to get shortened due to the stresses and strains taken by mind and body in a living atmosphere vitiated by negative values that are propogated by the leaders through their own greed and jealousy. It is a sad feature of the present day society that few disgruntled individuals calling themselves religious fundamentalists spread canards causing irreparable damage to the mankind.
Just as a life cycle is clearly demarcated, an individual, and more so leaders should confine and act themselves within their own assigned roles, and NOT transgress into other domains.
In pursuit of life, we set goals based on our interests. We take a path which has a meaning that directs and make us work towards achieving our goals to derive satisfaction. These interests make us acquire some values, like Truth, honesty, integrity, fairness, compassion, magnanimity etc. All these values conjure up to shape us-individuals- to a personality of some character. Once acquired, these GOOD values stick to us.
Yet we often find ourselves at crossroads while taking decisions in times of crises. Our interests are tested by these values. If the interests are for the benefit of society at large, the decisions coming out of these values enhance the reputation of the society. Thus, the society further inculcates more values. From this perception, positive values, negative values, moral values, Business Values, Human values, family values and so many other values generate.
Personally I believe, family values should be nurtured, and in the present day world, they need to be strengthened. It is said that one should win at home, and then think of winning elsewhere. This simple logic can be applied to an individual, to a business enterprise, to a state, to a country and to the whole universe.
In the Hindu Vedic scriptures, a human life, is estimated as 100 years and is divided into four portions. In Sanskrit, they are referred as, BRAHMACARYA, GŖHASTHA, VANAPRASTHA, AND SANNYĀSA.
For the first 25 years, a human child grows from infancy to adulthood, seeks education and acquires knowledge. During this period the mind is vibrant, impressionable, and what is learnt is embedded in the memory, and is everlasting. This is one reason why we remember our childhood. This is the brahmacarya period. The period spent in the Schools and colleges is so valuable, and the teaching community which imparts this knowledge is beyond value. The teachers in the school and the parents at home are the beacons to the child. In this period, value systems take a shape, and on this edifice, the moral values of the society are built. A character takes a shape.
I am not saying something new, but only reiterating the concept that is built in all scriptures. I have been benefited by these systems. The information technology through its web sites has helped me trace my schoolmates, my classmates after a period of 50 years. Two of them stay near my house, and we meet regularly. I am in touch with my class teachers. That is the bond built on values.
The next phase of life is called GŖHASTHA,which is devoted to household duties. In this period, the householder acquires a wife, a life partner, and together they perform life's duties of bearing children, bringing them up shaping them to be good citizens. Thus the life cycle continues. This is also a period where the man puts all his education into practice in his chosen career, continuously seeking knowledge, taking crucial decisions at work place and at home as well.
The family values are put to great test in this stage of life of both husband and wife. They and they alone are responsible for creating a congenial atmosphere at home that calls for spirit of adjustments, compromises, sacrifices for the sake of other. This habit percolates to the children, spreads to the neighborhood, to the community, and to the society at large. This important trait provides the right frame of mind to study issues, analyze them and take decisions that benefits the mankind. It could be for his own growth, the growth of the employer, the growth of the society, and the growth of the country as well.
The third stage of life VANAPRASTHA is a retreat from the householder's duties, and entrusting the responsibility of the home to the children. The husband and the wife, not only enjoy the retired life but also prepare themselves for a spiritual life in the form of meditation, worship of the god, and offer wisdom to the community around them.
The final stage, called SANNYĀSA is the concluding part of the life, where worldly desires are renounced, gets free from attachments, and totally devoted to the service of god and humanity.
The pursuit of life during the last two stages, appears to get shortened due to the stresses and strains taken by mind and body in a living atmosphere vitiated by negative values that are propogated by the leaders through their own greed and jealousy. It is a sad feature of the present day society that few disgruntled individuals calling themselves religious fundamentalists spread canards causing irreparable damage to the mankind.
Just as a life cycle is clearly demarcated, an individual, and more so leaders should confine and act themselves within their own assigned roles, and NOT transgress into other domains.
.Pleasant Moments
Monday, 27th November 2006.
I feel pleased to be in Austin, after a little over two years. I am yet to move out and get into familiar routes in the city, as the jet lag appears still to love my body.!
Be that as it may, its great to be with my family members, and exchange all those little things of life that happened in between. But the immense joy we derived was from the conversations we had with my friend Jim and his wife who called on us with eagerness, spreading warmth and affection. The meeting was memorable indeed, and augurs well for good things to happen.
We enjoyed the long flight from Hyderabad by Lufthansa airlines that flew us into Frankfurt and then into Chicago’s O’Hare airport on time. The inboard crew and the airport staff were of great help in moving me in wheelchair from the aircraft to terminal to terminal exchanging tit-bits of information with me. They were women in their mid twenties. One a german at the Frankfurt Airport and the other, an immigrant from Bulgaria at the O'Hare airport. The Chicago airport was almost empty with few passengers here and there, others perhaps enjoying their dinners outside on the Thanksgiving day. The flight from Chicago by United Airlines that flew us into ABIA was equally smooth and landed before time. One of the crew members, a tall and a handsome young man escorted me into the lounge area and put me into the wheelchair. The corridors at the ABIA looked deserted.
My experience emphasizes one more time that people, no matter to which country they belong are all humane in their approach, ever willing to share their warmth and friendliness.
The Newton’s Third Law of Motion is omnipresent.
Spread warmth, friendliness to receive them back in bountiful.
I feel pleased to be in Austin, after a little over two years. I am yet to move out and get into familiar routes in the city, as the jet lag appears still to love my body.!
Be that as it may, its great to be with my family members, and exchange all those little things of life that happened in between. But the immense joy we derived was from the conversations we had with my friend Jim and his wife who called on us with eagerness, spreading warmth and affection. The meeting was memorable indeed, and augurs well for good things to happen.
We enjoyed the long flight from Hyderabad by Lufthansa airlines that flew us into Frankfurt and then into Chicago’s O’Hare airport on time. The inboard crew and the airport staff were of great help in moving me in wheelchair from the aircraft to terminal to terminal exchanging tit-bits of information with me. They were women in their mid twenties. One a german at the Frankfurt Airport and the other, an immigrant from Bulgaria at the O'Hare airport. The Chicago airport was almost empty with few passengers here and there, others perhaps enjoying their dinners outside on the Thanksgiving day. The flight from Chicago by United Airlines that flew us into ABIA was equally smooth and landed before time. One of the crew members, a tall and a handsome young man escorted me into the lounge area and put me into the wheelchair. The corridors at the ABIA looked deserted.
My experience emphasizes one more time that people, no matter to which country they belong are all humane in their approach, ever willing to share their warmth and friendliness.
The Newton’s Third Law of Motion is omnipresent.
Spread warmth, friendliness to receive them back in bountiful.
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