The long dark road dimly lit by the street lights was all she could see. And as they drove away, the street lights seemed to become more and more dim and the road darker still. Then came the bright light with the quiet taken over by people lots of people. Everyone had something nice to say – “Listen to him – he is supposed to be very funny when he…”. The little girl smiled at the joke. “Would you like a drink – how does coke sound”. “That would be very nice” she says and smiles again. At the benches she waits for her turn to come and takes some stolen glances at the building she often drove past before but never knew what it was. It had this strange odour to it. More cars arrived as she waited and more people – some talking loudly and some shared her quiet, some shedding their last tears and some I guess just forgot how to cry. And we all waited, waited for our turn. As the girl sat by the bench with the two gentleman trying hard to keep her smiling, she got lost in her thoughts.
She thought of the evening she spent with her father two days ago. “Baba, I have four days of holiday in a row, do you have a holiday too?”, she asked her father all thrilled. “No, my dear, but we can go out on Sunday may be”, said the father. “I bought this new game – its called Rowlette – would you teach me how to play it” – the girl goes on. “That’s a funny name – how is it spelt”, says the father. “R-O-U-L-E-T-T-E” – the girl said confidently. “Its pronounced Roulette – the ou is oo – and I shall teach you on Sunday”, said the father and went to his room. The little one was excited about the Sunday as she was sure she would go for the usual dance lessons and her dad would pick her up and buy her icecreams from Tulika’s – her favourite being Blind Love. And then they would watch TV and learn how to play “Roooolette”.
The gentleman who had been taking a smoke came back and said its out turn. Lets go. The little girl walked towards the building where all the bright lights, loud noises, music of a different kind and smoke was seen. She stood. While her grand dad spoke in hushed tones – “Yes, she will do it – its her right”. The lady replied – “But she is only 11.” “She can do it and we are there with her and that’s my final say”, said her grand father.
“Come here little one and take this and walk three times around it”, said the frail looking half clad man. She followed instructions and walked. The pot was heavy for her to carry with one hand – it had a lot of water in it. As if all the water lieing around wasn’t enough already. After the three rounds, the incense were lit and the weird words repeated. She then mixed the grains of rice with the bananas and black seed like things and formed dumplings of it. “Make small ones, as if you are going to feed someone”, said the half clad man. “As if anyone will eat this”, the little girl thought but followed instructions. Soon the “weird” things were done and the long sticks were lit. “Take it and touch those lips”, said the crazy looking man. She took it and she stared at him – why does he want me to do this. She stood and stared. Stared and stood with the lit sticks in her hand. It was noisy, she could hear the after mourns of people whose tears had dried up – the encouraging eyes of the grad dad.
“Put it on the lips my girl”, said the half clad priest yet again. “I can’t – it will hurt”, said the girl and the first drops of tears started appearing at the corners of the eye, “No, I will not”. Her grand dad stepped forward and so the did the priest – “ it won’t hurt, his soul is far away and so it won’t hurt him, come on do it – you did so well so far”. The girl highly doubted what everyone had to say, suppressed her tears as she was shy, and walked. One step at a time she moved closer to see the face more clearly. Dark eyes which shone so bright were closed now, the long nose had white cotton buds in it and dark lips below it had a thin red line, on going closer, she realized it was blood. She lifted the stick and brought it slowly close to the mouth such that she can draw it back even if the gentleman showed any signs of discomfort. But no – there was no movement – no movement at all. The sticks were taken away and she knelt beside him – beside her father. She so wanted to hug him but there were so many people around her – watching – watching every move of her. She is not used to publicly hugging and kissing – she is shy and she also has to be strong. So she just put her hands over her motionless father’s forehead and cheeks and for those few seconds there seemed to be silence….
She thought of her first day in school, how she clung to her father’s hand and wanted him to walk with her all the way into the school. She hoped it would reduce her fears a bit more. He sat on his knees and gave her a lot of coins – “Go get something to eat at the canteen during break”. “Will you come to pick me up”, she asked. “Yes I will”, said the father and kissed her on either cheek and he kissed her back. And he walked away while she stood at the door and watched and waited for him to turn. He did turn at the gate and waved at the little girl. If she had her choice she would run right then back to him but she held herself together and didn’t. Instead she smiled and waved back. He turned around and kept walking away and she watched till she could see more. She then gathered up all her courage – yes she was ready to meet this new class of hers.
She gathered up her courage, yes she was ready now, stood up and took a few steps back. The priest said “He was ready” and as if those were the wand of the conductor everyone seemed to be crying in a chorus. These loud and noisy hyenas shrieking intruded the silence. The body – it wasn’t her father anymore – the body was lifted off the ground. Then opened the dark tin shutters – she inquisitively walked to see within – it had flames, big huge flames which was yellow and orange and in the very deep end reddish. The gentleman who tried making her laugh earlier wanted her to walk with him to the garden but she stayed. Not because she wanted to – her feet just didn’t move. Her father was being taken to this brightly lit tunnel. It was as if the hungry demons were waiting for their next meal and the soulless piece of flesh was fed to it – her father was gently put in and in the few seconds before the shutter closed she noticed the flames engulf the body.
The little girl didn’t even realize when she gripped hold of the gentleman’s hand and knew she was clinging onto it hard and tight. She let go of the hand abruptly and smiled. “Lets go to the garden now,” she said.
It was long wait till the flames finished their work. The girl seemed to lose track of the hours. The two gentlemen made her smile off and on. She had more cold drinks to drink and watched the next group of people entering the brightly lit building. She now also knew why it was so smoky and what was that weird music and smell. After what seemed forever, they went in but took the back steel stairs. It led to the back of the “oven” to collect something – she was later told the liver as that doesn’t burn so easily. It was put into this earthen wear along with some ash. They then drove down to the Ganges to immerse it into the holy waters. “We can go home now, its over”, said the grand father. The drive back home was a quiet and long one.
The little girl was asked to sleep but she couldn’t. So she looked at the few cars that drove past. She kept thinking of the word “Roulette” and how its pronounced. Then she also remembered entering the room and touching her father’s chest and said, “are you ok?”. There was too much commotion going on outside the room and didn’t hear what he said. He smiled and touched her hands and she smiled back. Just when, she was rushed out and the men came to take him away. “The word is pronounced as “Roolete” – it is the game of chance”. “Wake up, we are home”, said her grand father. That day was the Roulette Sunday.
There was a time when men were kind
When their voices were soft
And their words inviting
There was a time when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time
Then it all went wrong
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untasted
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame
He slept a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came
And still I dream he’ll come to me
That we will live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather
I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I’m living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.
The most inspiring and soul stirring performance ever. This is the story of Susan Boyle who has encouraged everyone to not only dream but hope that it will come true someday. This is the story for everyone who has dreamed, who has failed and stopped dreaming – its an inspiration.
A bit of wikipedia information follows for background:
Susan Boyle (born 1961) is a Scottish singer and church volunteer who came to public attention on 11 April 2009, when she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Britain’s Got Talent. Boyle found fame when she sang “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables in the competition’s first round.
Before she sang, both the audience and the judges appeared to express scepticism based on her unpolished appearance, and apparent awkwardness. In contrast, her vocal performance was so well received that she has been dubbed “The Woman Who Shut Up Simon Cowell”. She received a standing ovation from the live audience, garnering yes-votes from Cowell and Amanda Holden, and the “biggest yes I have ever given to anybody” from Piers Morgan. The audition was recorded in January 2009 at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow, Scotland.
The juxtaposition of the reception to her voice with the audience’s first impression of her triggered global interest was amazing. Articles about her appeared in newspapers all over the world, while the numbers that watched videos of her audition set an online record. By 20 April 2009, viral videos of her audition, subsequent interviews of her, and her 1999 rendition of “Cry Me a River” had been viewed over 100 million times on the Internet. Cowell is reported to be setting up a contract with Boyle with his Syco Music company label, a subsidiary of Sony Music.
The video:
Personal Take:
I have watched it — umm..I have lost count but watched it too many times. And everytime I had a tear (quite a few actually) in my eye. From the look of “this is going to be a rather amusing show” that the judges had before Susan sang to the looks shock to utter appreciation left me completely moved. Her voice was spine tingling and an emotional powerhouse.
Literature has time again talked about underdogs being humiliated and ridiculed but in the end coming out victorious and Boyle stands for this “fairy tale”. A true example of never judging a book by its cover.
“I know what they were thinking, but why should it matter as long as I can sing? It’s not a beauty contest.” – said Susan Boyle to The Sunday Times
It reminds me, at this turning point of life, that its not about having the best of everything – looks, money, brains, etc – but making the best of what you got that matters. Boyle reminds every layman that she too is flawed and has faced disappointments in life but that didn’t stop her from trying again – stopped her from dreaming.
A new age Cinderella story for all. I suppose that is what makes adults different from children – we forget to dream and to believe in miracles, fairy tales, ourselves and in others. We tend to become more and more cynical as life happens to us and this is like an awakening call to all of us to dream, dream and dream, and most importantly believe in them.
A speech Larry Ellison (Oracle CEO) gave at Yale University to the Graduating class of 2000. What follows is a transcript of the speech delivered by Ellison at Yale University:
“Graduates of Yale University, I apologize if you have endured this type of prologue before, but I want you to do something for me. Please, take a good look around you. Look at the classmate on your left. Look at the classmate on your right. Now, consider this: five years from now, 10 years from now, even 30 thirty years from now, odds are the person on your left is going to be a loser. The person on your right, meanwhile, will also be a loser. And you, in the middle? What can you expect? Loser. Loserhood. Loser Cum Laude.
In fact, as I look out before me today, I don’t see a thousand hopes for a bright tomorrow. I don’t see a thousand future leaders in a thousand industries. I see a thousand losers. You’re upset. That’s understandable.
After all, how can I, Lawrence “Larry” Ellison, college dropout, have the audacity to spout such heresy to the graduating class of one of the nation’s most prestigious institutions? I’ll tell you why. Because I, Lawrence “Larry” Ellison, second richest man on the planet, am a college dropout, and you are not. Because Bill Gates, richest man on the planet-for now anyway-is a college dropout, and you are not. Because Paul Allen, the third richest man on the planet, dropped out of college, and you did not. And for good measure, because Michael Dell, No. 9 on the list and moving up fast, is a college dropout, and you, yet again, are not.
Hmm… you’re very upset. That’s understandable. So let me stroke your egos for a moment by pointing out, quite sincerely, that your diplomas were not attained in vain. Most of you, I imagine, have spent four to five years here, and in many ways what you’ve learned and endured will serve you well in the years ahead. You’ve established good work habits. You’ve established a network of people that will help you down the road. And you’ve established what will be lifelong relationships with the word “therapy.” All that of is good. For in truth, you will need that network. You will need those strong work habits.
You will need that therapy. You will need them because you didn’t drop out, and so you will never be among the richest people in the world. Oh sure, you may, perhaps, work your way up to #10 or #11, like Steve Ballmer. But then, I don’t have to tell you who he really works for, do I?
And for the record, he dropped out of grad school. Bit of a late bloomer.
Finally, I realize that many of you, and hopefully by now most of you, are wondering, “Is there anything I can do? Is there any hope for me at all?” Actually, no. It’s too late. You’ve absorbed too much, think you know too much. You’re not 19 anymore. You have a built-in cap, and I’m not referring to the mortarboards on your heads.
Hmm… you’re really very upset. That’s understandable.
So perhaps this would be a good time to bring up the silver lining. Not for you, Class of ‘00. You are a write-off, so I’ll let you slink off to your pathetic $200,000-a-year jobs, where your checks will be signed by former classmates who dropped out two years ago.
Instead, I want to give hope to any underclassmen here today. I say to you, and I can’t stress this enough:
LEAVE. Pack your things and your ideas and don’t come back. Drop out. Start up. For I can tell you that a cap and gown will keep you down just as surely as these security guards dragging me off this stage are keeping me dow…”
(At this point The Oracle CEO was ushered off stage.)
Public Relations is the most underestimated function in an organization. However, ironically, according to research, it is the key function that is blamed when an organization is going through crisis. It could pretty much claim to be the only one that is liable for the actions of other functions. So what is the role of this highly misunderstood, often referred to as the step-sister of Marketing, function?
Well, there might be many “professional” definitions that refer to public image management, media manipulation and/or events management, but I would like to define it simply as effective stakeholder relationship management through effective communication skills.
Stakeholder is yet another term which is often considered synonymous to the target customer and that is what makes Public Relations different from Marketing. For the success of any organization it is necessary to consider all its stakeholders – internal and external, direct and indirect, probable and sometimes the most improbable ones too. Some of the stakeholders to always keep in mind are media, financial community, clients, employees, unions, partners, government and politics, interest groups, opinion leaders and for the believers, may be even God. Further, it is also necessary to understand what drives these stakeholders – is it adaptability or are they goal oriented, is it a latent pattern they are striving to maintain or do they just want to integrate with a particular part of the society. It will be interesting to wonder what drives God but that is another topic to be discussed another day.
Having defined what I mean by stakeholders, let’s talk about the key to successful stakeholder management – communication. In today’s information age, there is abundance of data (which needs to be sieved through for the right information) available at the click of a button and also different channels through which one can access it. Hence, one needs more than just mastering a language (English being the most universal one for corporate communications) to communicate effectively. One needs to have a keen sense of understanding of the ecosystem of any business. An in-depth analysis of the business and communication situation is imperative before even trying to reach out to the stakeholders. To succeed, in today’s world, one not only has to listen to the public opinion but actively engage and hopefully leverage on this opinion for the benefit of the organization. Let me clarify it isn’t about controlling the opinion but “letting go”[1] that is the key to success.
In the days of our grand parents, communication was face to face with almost no scope for misunderstanding each other. However, today there are enough and more channels and modes of reaching out to our stakeholders and the challenge is choosing the most effective one for dissemination of the core message. The channel required to create knowledge is often very different from one that is to change opinion and yet more different from one that is to ensure an action is taken. Speaking of channels, some of the most traditional forms of media are opinion leaders, news paper, radio and television. However, unlike most fields of invention that have a lifecycle with a definite end, the field of communication has innovations and more innovations which all snow balls, the new channels like the internet just adds to the existing channels and makes the life of the public relations expert more challenging and yet more exciting.
Today, as a very knowledgeable man has said, we are digital immigrants in the world of digital natives[2]. Consumers today are cynical – 68% of the people, according to the Edelman Trust Barometer, believe in the opinion of their peers (raised from 22% in 2003) than the organization. To put it simply, the traditional top-down approach to communicating to stakeholders might be necessary sometimes but if is the only channel chosen then we are just missing the point. It is the world where the “digital natives” are connected, contributing and in control of their experiences. They are intelligent enough to sieve through the sales and promotions, and find just the information they are looking for. Reputation of an organization can be built up or dashed down in seconds with this immense accessibility of information.
Speaking of reputation, public relations through effective stakeholder relationship management eventually strives to manage the corporate reputation of the organization. And the most common mistake that a public relations expert makes in doing so is having an excellent understanding of the stakeholders and organization and an even more impeccable dissemination/execution of the core message but failing to listen and incorporate the feedback of the stakeholders. This, I suppose, is the result of being used to the traditional top down approach of the media, but once again we have to acknowledge the fact that the rules of the game has changed and change is the only thing that is constant in today’s world.
That was a rather intense discussion into all that happens within the Public Relations function but why then there is a public opinion that this is a field that represents event management, press releases and media parties – a feel good industry for the people who strive to be taken seriously in the corporate world. This is because all that is visible to the rest of the world is the various instruments (like events, press releases, talks, magazine articles, etc) that are a result of the intense understanding of the business and its ecosystem. It is almost comparable to an Iceberg whose tip is the only part that is visible and hence underestimated whiles the huge mass of “ice” lies just beneath the water.
In conclusion, public relations and effective communication is not a function that exists to pick up from where the so called “serious and important” people in the corporate world finishes. It has a very important entity of its own that has the rather challenging task of managing the reputation of an organization through effective stakeholder management and communication skills.
“If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.”
- Emily Dickinson
I came across the above while browsing an initiative by students (many of which being my friends) of my university (Singapore Management University). And the effort and belief that each one of them have in the fact that they are making a difference and indeed they are is very inspiring. It once again reminds me of the TATA Jagriti Yatra initiative earlier in 2008 which again was to awaken the youth of India. For more information on the Yatra please visit: www.jagritiyatra.com
As a wise man says, India’s biggest resource is the fact that a great part of the population is made up of young individuals. However, the danger is the fact that today’s youth is more cynical than driven. It is amazing to see a group of driven individuals coming together to not just lament or sympathize or philosophize over the present state in the world and indeed in India but to take action and take responsibility for their actions – to be the change that they want to see in this world.
For those who don’t know about the initiative, Aasha is the Hindi word for ‘hope’, and The Aasha Build is our chance to contribute to the community. The Aasha Build aims to bring hope to the lives of several slum-dwelling families in India by helping them and at the same time, generating awareness among the Singapore youth about the poverty housing and income generation; and about how they can help.
For more details, kindly visit - http://theaashabuild.org/
On a concluding note, I wish the team all the very best for thoughtful and inspiring initiative. Am sure its going to be a great success and hope this is an initiative that is an ongoing one…
Once again thanks to Santhosh S. we are kept updated about how day 2 – the day of Christmas went for the Yatri and would love to share with all of you who are not so lucky to be ont his trip…
Personally, it definitely inspired me and further encourages me to dream…but I remember something important someone had once told me – “It is important to dream…dream and dream….but between dreaming and making the dream a reality…there is one very important thing to do – to Wake Up and Take action ont he dreams”…
Having said this – here’s the journal for TJY Day 2 while I am off to plot the highs and lows of my life – you will soon know why… -
Date – 25.12.08
Mumbai – Trivandrum – in train
1st day for us in train. The morning went in introduction of team behind the journey and also their roles in this journey.
Summary of the day –
-Introduction of the TJY team and their Roles and responsibilities
-address by Col.Patil - he basically touched upon the rules on train, the 3 Rs, and a bit on environmental issues
-The timeline Introduction technique
-Discussion within groups
-Talk by Shashank Mani on Enterprise led development and entrepreneurship
-Reflection on learnings from dabbawalah and Lijjat pappda
The TJY team
I am just recollecting few names that I remember. There have been lot more
Shashank mani and Raj are in the management team
Col. patil – father of the train… J Train runs in his command
Ashotosh – off train activities
Rewati – Programming (on train)
Some of the other often heard names – Swapnil, Geetanjali, aradhana, Major…. I have forgotten their roles.
At this point I would like to highlight the facilities at the train. Read through and then you cannot hold your eyes opening wide and you hands coming together to appreciate the effort of the TJY team.
Facilities at train –
-Plug points at every coach (That is why I am able to send you these mails…J )
-The common room with Flat screens
-The special bathing system on train
-The public Announcement system in every coach
-The exxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxlent fooooooood….. (The moment I think of food my mouth is watering.) I mean, nobody would have even thought they would get Chapati, bhaji, Bhindi fry, special cutlet, etc. etc and the taste is awesome… J I think I have tempted you more… That is enough I guess… J
Address by the war hero Col.Patil
The man who keeps the train moving – col. Patil spoke to us on various things. He was not firing bullets but he was firing questions at us. The first question was very easy – singing Vandemataram song. The second was a very difficult one – telling its meaning…! L
None could tell the meaning of the song, including me, a graduate in Sanskrit!
Then some ground rules – no smoking, no littering, no drinking and no special attention for special people… J That was a very decent way of telling… J
Then he introduced us to the 3 ‘R’s. Guess what the 3 ‘R’s are –
Refuse, reduce and reuse!
Then there was grievance handling by Raj on bathrooms…
for a query Raj taught us all an excellent technique of taking bath in cold water… JDo pranayaman and throw the water on your head, you will be able to take bath in cold water…J
The timeline introduction technique…
That’s a very interesting one –
we have to represent the highs and lows in our life using the line graph. Let me explain it to you with my life’s
Draw a line graph of your life too… See the ups and downs of your life… share it with your friends…
Discussion within groups
Our group is the F group… the Formula one group we call it… J
We are 13 of us, 2 girls in that. The male – female ratio in train is 3:1.
Our facilitator is Mr. Prabhal.
I mentioned you in my first journal about the one common thread that unites us all – DREAM. A dream for a social change.
Our group also had varied dream ranging from ‘setting us an org. to help beggars’ to ‘bringing reformation in education system’
It was very interesting to hear these dreams. I will compile them and send it later.
But for now… I am happy part of the fun filled group… Shudhya Sheel is a guitar player and he sings awesome songs… J So we are having a lot of fun.
I think I am probably the oldest in the lot. feel a little awkward… Thogh it is obvious to guess the age of my facilitator to be somewhere in 30s he says he is just 21! J That was a tough joke to digest…
Evening session –
We assembled in the common room.
Shashank Mani, The director of TJY, first recollected the 5 red lines – outer journey, inner journey, collaboration, innovation and bringing back.
Then he talked to us about ‘Enterprise led development’
As far as I can understand about it, it is a bottom-up approach of enterprise like the Lijjat Pappad (who statrted with just Rs.80 as the initial investment) and the dabbawalahs.
This is a new concept. Shshank promised to talk more about it later.
In the mean time you guys can also search the net for more info on it and pass it on… J
Some inspiring lines –
“what they (people like TATA) did to build the firm and not what they are today is more important.”
“Enterprise is less about education. It is not just about giving a book and making them read. It is beyond. Entrepreneurship comes by exploring.”
“success is about, who grabs the idea first and who is able to innovate out of that idea.”
“Applied materials, Silicon valley – moved from 80 million to 8 billion in 11 years as of year 2000. How did they do it? It is because of their innovation and collaboration.”
“Lead by your strengths. Identify your weaknesses. Collaborate and get there before anybody else can.”
“Disciplined collaboration is important. If the mission is bigger than all of us then there is disciplined collaboration.”
Some key questions from the participants –
These are some of the questions from the participants.
“India is known to be very collaborative country. we live in families. we are loving and help each other. But the west is known to be an individualistic. Then how this paradox exists in the corporate world of India?”
For this Shahshank gave the ‘disciplined collaboration’ answer.
Think over it and send in your views on this.
The other important question I think is also worth discussing is –
“How do we say the dabbawalas are successful?”
Are they really successful? what is success? How do we measure success? Is success just about increasing amount of money in your bank balance?
Let’s think.
That is how the day 2 unfolded. The Day 3 will be in Trivandrum. A busy day ahead. J TATA.. bye.. bye…
Here are some pictures below:
And to end with another inspiring song from Rang De Basanti – Roobaroo -
Tata Jagriti Yatra ‘08 (December 24th 2008 – January 11th, 2009) is an annual train journey that will take 350 of India’s highly motivated youth (with some participation of international students) between the ages of 18-25 on a eighteen day national odyssey, introducing them to unsung heroes of India. The aim is to awaken the spirit of entrepreneurship – both social and economic – within India’s youth by exposing them to individuals and institutions that are developing unique solutions to India’s challenges. Through this national event we will inspire them to lead and develop institutions nationally and within their communities.
I had the privilege of beign selected but most unfortunately never could join the odyssey due to personal reasons. But thanks to our friends on board we know what is happening and still feel a part of it…
Below is the first journal entry by Santhosh S (one of the Yatris) and the reason for posting this is not to take any credit for the wonderful write-up but just spread the word, hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did:
Young India on the move
The much awaited day of the journey arrives. As expected, the youth with their own stylish and striking costumes and charisma.
Out of 10,000 participants the chosen 350 from all over India are here. What is so special in theme? Some are college students; some are working, and some seeking job. Every youth has a different background – different states, different languages, different personalities, qualifications, aspirations. Everything is different, yet, what is the one common thing that brought us all here?
I set to explore. “Dream.Dream.Dream.” said Dr. Abdul kalam. They all have a dream. That is the one thing that makes them unique. That is one thing that has brought them to this wonderful journey.
11 years back, a similar group of youngsters took the journey across India and what they learnt, they said, they never stopped talking about. They were awakened to the glory of Indian culture, the glory of Indian ethos in management, they were inspired by the many unsung heroes who brought a big social change through their enterprise.
The need to awaken the youth to the entrepreneurship was felt again. The experienced yatris got together again and worked hard, crossing many challenges to make this yatra happen once again – The lack of financial support didn’t demoralize them, the terrorist attacks didn’t deter them, because they were with a mission backed by a great vision. “when the vision is noble, the whole universe will conspire to make it happen.’
And I salute all the minds that worked behind making this Yatra possible.
What is the objective of this journey?
-outer journey of discovery
-Inner journey of discovery
-collaboration as key theme for enterprise
-Innovation at individual and national level
-Bring back home inspiration to drive new transformation
The participants are set to travel to 13 cities and meet 18 role models who made difference in the middle India.
Golden words –
“Manage to take bath everyday. TJY has managed to happen. So you can manage to take bath too!” J
“Future is uncertain. Being prepared for the ambiguity is the first quality for entrepreneurship. Grasp the future.”
“The future may be uncertain, but the PROCESS of thinking about the future is important.”
“Spirit, awakening and journey is important.”
“Discover yourself as much as discovering India.”
The informal welcome address was over and then we met the first role model –
The starter… J
Jyoti Naik – Lijjat Pappad
Possibly we could get all the factual information from the internet.
-started in 1959 by 7 member ladies
-Initial investment of Rs.80 (even that was borrowed)
-Now – 67 branches, 42,000 employees, turn over of 400 cr.
And now everybody is eager to know what is their success formula!
The said –
-Pioneers in pappad production
-Standard taste
-Quality assured
These were some obvious facts. But what I felt their success formula could be was their simplicity and humanness. The values that they carry, the care they have for their employees, the concern they have for the community development.
The documentary that was projected also talked about their unique work culture –
-No gents are allowed to take any managerial jobs!
-The atta is prepared and the woman take the atta to their house and then they make the pappad and bring it back to the company.
-profit distribution system, etc
The youth now got chance to shoot questions. Some interesting questions and answers –
Q – Before, Lijjat pappad was the only company manufacturing pappad. Now, there are number of firms. How do you face the competition?
A – There is no competition for us.
Q – You said you faced lot of problems. How did you face them?
A – We never lost hope.
Q – Have you any idea of patenting?”
A – We taste every batch of pappads randomly and then only pack them.
(We Indians are really poor in this aspect – patenting! The lady who makes 400 cr turn over has no clue of what patenting is!)
Q – what is needed in us to become an entrepreneur according to you?
(Some quips that I heard from my back– “Lijjat pappad.” “Determination and hardwork.”
A – “Himmat and mehanath” (Determination and hardwork)
Exactly. We all know that is what we need and yet we fail to invoke it! J
The questions never stopped, the facilitators had to cut it in between and as the lady descended the stage, the youngsters swarmed her, taking snaps, getting autographs, asking more questions….
The lady moved out humbly with her old and old friends getting adieu from her new and young friends… J
The flag off
We were transported from the IIT, powai convocation hall to the Rabindranath tagore hall.
Awe!!! We stood in awe looking at the stage! We wondered if we entered the hall or the platform, or is there a short cut to the station from the auditorium!
The stage was beautifully set – Blue compartment, traffic signal with red light on, Mumbai station name boar – It all looked so real.
The MC – Gowri Sharma Tripati, the famous kathak dancer, who made us dance from the morning for the TATA Jagruti yatra, emerged from the train compartment and with her scintillating vice welcomed the dignitaries and the participants.
Shashank Mani came up to stage and first thanked the TATAs for being resolute to make this yatra happen even after the terrorist attacks.
He called for the participants to go out and experience the India in order to build a new India.
Willingness to explore is the beginning of ‘New India’. Indiviadually Indians are extremely talented and brilliant but when it comes to the collective effort we are far below.
He highlighted the one very key aspect in this yatra – “to explore and then come back and make the change in our area.”
Yes. Change, we would make and change, we would BE.
Address by the T.R.Doongaji, M.D, TATA
His appearance itself spoke of his experience. 6 ft tall man, stout and with white hair, wearing a light blue shirt, walks up to the dais with a smile so childlike and starts his speech. The voice had a thunder in it. How can it not, because he spoke from his conviction rooted to truth.
“From corporation perspective, the word jagruti has never been so relevant than it has ever been today.”
“Money is just a byproduct of business. It can never be and it should never be the purpose of business.”
“Look at the bigger picture of entrepreneurship.”
The stated purpose of TATA is – ‘To improve the quality of life of the community we serve.”
“The purpose is not to be a 1000 cr company by such and such date!”
So how did the TATAs grow in the past 140 yrs to such a huge organization of 312,000 employees?
And he goes on to quote 4 inspiring anecdotes from the life of JRD TATA
Anecdote 1 – Importing weather
In 18 hundreds the Manchester was the only textile capital. TATA wanted to start his own textile industry in India. He went around England and consulted the experts, the only thing they said was it is impossible to start a textile industry there as the weather is not suitable. TATA just gave them one answer – “In that case, I will bring the Manchester weather to India!”
Anecdote 2 – Open for humans
Taking us all back to 1908 to the TAJ hotel, which faced the recent challenge he said TAJ to him was a shrine of patriotism. He said if anybody would throw a chewing gum somewhere on the lobby, he wouldn’t personally hesitate to pick it up and throw it at the garbage bin.
Once TATA invited 2 foreigners for dinner and when he took them to the best hotel at that time called the Watson hotel, the gatekeeper refused to let TATA I because he was an Indian. The foreigners felt embarrassed and they all went and had dinner in another hotel.
TATA came back home depressed and dejected and told his sons that he would build a hotel which would be the best in the world. It will not discriminate people based on their religion, cast, colour or sex. It will be open for Human
And here, 105 years later, it is one of the best hotels in the world, listed in the top 10 hotels of the world.
What is the biggest part in this story? – He was not insulted as a TATA and he felt insulted as an INDIAN.
2 friends in US were discussing and one of them said he is going to see the Taj during his holidays and the other one asked, which one?
One Taj was built by the emperor for the love of his queen, the other one was built by the businessman for the love of his country… J
Anecdote 3 – ‘Power’ful TATA
1910, TATA power, it was not initiated for the sake of money. He felt that the smoke bellowing out of the chimneys was polluting his city of Bombay, so he wanted a clean source of energy and that is why he set up the TATA power company. The motto was ecology and not profit.
Anecdote 4 –
The TATA chemicals was started but it was continuously running without any profit for nearly 16 years from its commencement. Can you imagine a company running like that for 16 years!
He called the expert group from foreign and asked them to review and give their views. One thing they all said was – “You are doing a wrong thing at a wrong place at the wrong time.” Guess what he said – “That’s not the first time we have done that!”
The company that was started in a village that gave the villagers hope. They were hoping that they are going to have a better standard of living, they were hoping they would get good education, they were hoping power in their houses. He said he is not going to crush their hopes. It was once again an emotional commitment. TATA chemicals now is the second largest soda producer in the world.
Beyond the goal!
Entrepreneurship efforts should lead to community development. Open your eye and see, you would see fascinating things in the path of this journey. But don’t forget to capture the real message of what you see, because eyes limit your vision. Let it inspire you. I can see TATAs in each one of you. And if you keep that vision open you could contribute not only to the community, nation, but to the whole humanity at the large which should be the goal of any social entrepreneurs.
You have a great opportunity and I am looking forward of its getting transferred to something very constructive for this world, which strictly speaking should have no boundaries – principles and value systems are equally applicable to anyone.
He concluded saying, “You are the lighthouses of India. and believe me, there is no country like India anywhere in the world.”
You can guess how noisy the auditorium would have been at that point of time… Now, that comes from a person, who must have traveled length and breadth of the world and that is why it carries that much power.
The Dabbawalah
Manish Tripati jumps out of the train and comes out o the compartment backdrop waving his both hands and fully smiling clad in white pyjama, white kurta and a white topi. I was remembered of the ‘monkey cap’ story that I read in the school.
Now expectations crop up – Is he going to speak in Hindi, he is a dabbawalah, how is he going to face the crowd, is he going to be shy like the Lijjat pappad ladies?
Before I could think of any other question, he started his express speech in English… His speech answered all my questions and answered beyond too…
Oh man!!! He is so fast! He has listed all the management principles! He is so clear in what to speak! In ten minutes he has conveyed what he wanted to!!!
Believe me, the ten minutes all the 350 youngsters had all their eyes on him!! He kept them laughing and he knew how to claps from the youngsters.
His speech was so captivating that even I was lost listening to him and forgot to take notes at times! Cracking jokes and suddenly he would state a management principle (I mean not the booking principle and all, but principle born out of the dabbawalah system)
First he listed what he is going to talk about and then he started debriefing one by one!
“why dabbawalah?” and he narrates the story –
once there was a parsi who loved his wife very much. He was working in Mumbai. Now he loved his wife very much, so wanted to have her food even in office. But it was not possible as he started early from house and his house was far. He came out with a solution. He arranged a servant, to bring his lunch and then deliver the lunch box back at the house once he finishes it.
This is a simple job and it doesn’t need any rocket science (Laugh from the audience)
Many years later, Havaji Bacche saw that this was a problem and he wanted to find a solution for many such Mumbaikars who have love for their wife but are unable to have the homemade food.
He was just a 2nd class pass, but he was equal to an MBA of today. And he explained why he said that…
To be an MBA you just need 2 things.
How to get more customers
How to get the employees who can serve the customers
And then he explained how and why the farmers from Pune were brought to do this job. Now there are around 5,000 dabbawalahs. Initially they started with 40 of them.
The missile was out –
What message which an entrepreneur can adopt to succeed?
-There is no employee in our system! Every employee is a shareholder and hence they are not employees.
-They have not gone for a strike in the past 118 years!
Another topa management secret that got thunderous claps was – “Managing educated people is really tough” J
Suppose 2 people are there, one a MBA student and the other an illiterate and I ask them to deliver a dabba at the churchgate, the illiterate would have already left but the MBA would ask “Where is the process?” J He will be asking lot of whys – why go in train, why not take an auto, why, why, why…
People ask, how qualified are the dabbawalahs – 85% are thumbs up… J (and shows his thumbs) and the rest is either 8th pass or 8th fail. But I take them as 8th fail only because if they had passed 8th, they would have gone for plus on e and plus too, done their college and they would be like you!! J
Our people are suitably qualified for this job. Never hire over qualified people because they would then be always looking job in the naukri.com… J
doing business and entrepreneurship is two different things. Be committed for your work, Money will follow.
The aim should be to solve the social problems faced by the people.
Finally – Do not over use your mind!”
The youngsters never felt like stopping their claps…
The enthusiasm made him say few more words – “A leader doesn’t do just one thing. A leader does many things, he is faster, and he succeeds, and stands the test of time.”
Wow.. What beautiful words to end with. I hoped the youngsters understood the real depth of the statement that the ordinary looking dabbawalah made.
The hall gave a standing ovation to the man that stole their hearts with his simplicity, humour and more than anything his wisdom… Kudos to the dabbawalahs
As the chief guests were called to light the lamp, the MD of TATA pushes the Dabbawalah In front to take the honor of lighting the lamp first… J It was a sight worth clicking…
With that tradition inauguration of the journey, the symbolic flags were given to the dignitaries. As the flag was waved, the signal turns to yellow, train whistles loudly and the Bogie slowly moves out of the stage and there are few people sitting in the other side of the platform… J
Wonderful plan, wonderful people and the wonderful yatra begins. J
A.R.Rehman’s National anthem from the album JANA.GANA.MANA is played. The proud participants sing along with even more proud. Some turn emotional, some inspired and some awakened. Yes. The jagruti has begun…
Chaiyya Chaiyya
The train has arrived. The participants board. everybody is so excited. Laborers are seen busy loading the stuff, the participants clicking photo and loading their luggage, the organizers running here and there and getting things in place.
The time has come and the train rolls out of the Mumbai CST. Yes the very same CST where hundreds of souls were killed. The very same CST is now the birth of hundreds of young minds.
Bharat Mata ki Jai..
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Now for some pictures below:
Now to dedicate a song I felt apt; its from Rang De Basanti named Khalbali…the wheels of change are turning – we are looking at a very aware youth working towards making a difference – making a stronger and better India – and as a great mind had once said nothing is impossible for a group of determined minds….
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