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..
_______________________
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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