Eternal Question

This is indeed funny and yeah, this one is going to be very cliched - so, please bear with me :)

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We have certain aspirations when we are in school

We have certain expectations when we are in college

And we have certain dreams when we are at work.

But I don't know what happens, rather when does it happen?

That we lose track of what defined us when we were growing up

Those aspirations - expectations - dreams.

While I know the answer to my question is well known - well debated - written everywhere

But then isn't it funny that only few of us write, rather try to write, a new answer to this eternal question :)

I believe all of us go through similar experiences - more or less

And I also believe all of us face similar challenges, fights , inner or outer battles

But surprisingly only very few of us gather the courage to create a life

That connects well with our growing up aspirations - expectations - dreams

And then when these few tinkle that part of the heart of the rest

The rest, for whatever reason, remains uninspired to look deep within and bring out the courage

And this lack of courage is rationalised, rather rationised, to priorities & experiences

Which instead of making us strong and ready, makes us complacent and mediocre.

Whether we admit it or not,

All of us want to create a life that we have always dreamed of

And whether we like it or not

Most of us, most of the times, attribute that to experiences instead of lack of courage.

In the end, what matters is not only happiness now

But seeing that the dream gets fulfilled then.

Speak to yourself now, rather than, then

Listen to yourself now, rather than, then

Pick up what is to be picked up now - courage, strength, experiences

Rather than picking what is to be dropped - regret, fear, circumstances

Don't wait for things to happen

And yeah, don't wait for people to remind you of your strengths.

Be ready to be inspired

But remember, my friend

The fire within you is to be lit only by you & no one else can lit it

As no one can handle your flame, except you.

Hopefully, you will be amongst the few

to write a new answer to the eternal question.

Choices

I believe we can choose to make our life - create our own happiness, just by changing ourselves.

However, I also know that lot of people don't understand this (or don't want to understand this) - they tend to attribute a lot of their lives' events, especially sufferings and failures, to external forces like circumstances. But then isn't it true that each individual has immense potential to lead a life of comfort and constant learning (or strive for)?

It is just that when one allows himself/herself to get distracted from this reality (of using own potential), the situation worsens and the expected blame-game (on circumstances) starts. I believe that people who put in a self-conscious effort to change their attitude (& hence behaviour), instead of waiting for situations to change (or attribute the situation to luck, superstitions or circumstances) deserves genuine respect.

And of course, when you make choices - you win some, you lose some. But then in the end, that is always going to be the case, irrespective of your attitude. Then why not develop the attitude where you attribute your failures (& successes) to your own self? This should help in the long run :)

Got it?

"Biness Karna Hai India Ko... Bread Pakode Kee Kasam" - Entrepreneurship All Around :)

I believe India's growth story is yet to start... I am not an economist, neither an investor in equity and neither I have any data to support my claim :) My so called prophecy is purely and simply based on my observations and interaction with people around me, especially the next generation - India is just restless right now... it wants to prove something to the world and to itself. There is ideation, there is competition and there is search for the right team - how far it will go, only time will tell but I feel all this is giving splendid rise to 'Entrepreneurship' and it is going to be one interesting thing to note and enjoy being an Indian - India will change.

My simple gut feel is that if you visit any Coffee parlour like CCD / Barista / Costa - there will be a significant number of business ideas being discussed at different tables anytime of the week (though the number of romantic dates will be anytime more :-) )

It is very simple - huge English speaking 'young' population + super growing power of Internet (Facebook / YouTube etc.) + extensive intrusion of traditional media (reality shows / news channels / foreign shows) + growing exposure of wealth (BMWs / Mercedes / iPads / iPhones etc.) + big unorganised sectors + considerable lack of amenities + jugaad attitude is simply helping the desire to 'change one's own life' to be put as a fast rolling ball.

Look at movies like Rocket Singh, Salesman Of The Year / Band Baaja Baarat / Badmaash Company (incidentally, all these movies have come from Yash Raj Films Studio) and then Guru - all talk about business ideas being given birth by characters belonging to middle class households.

And then movies like The Social Network just makes everyone believes in himself / herself... the kind of success being thought through is mind blowing and every idea looks like a Gold Mine to the thinker - the movie poster stares at you or even challenges you . There are now magazines (Entrepreneur) and newspaper articles being dedicated to this side of a human society. The fact that there are now multiple number of business channels in India - CNBC / ET Now / Bloomberg UTV / NDTV Profit speaks loudly about the trend. Even advertising is talking about this explicity - Tata Sky says 'poochnay mein kya jaata hai' while Bank of India clearly talks about starting own business (check it out at http://www.afaqs.com/advertising/creative_showcase/index.html?id=28166&media=TV&type=Indian)

Any idea under the sun can be started as a group on Facebook... you don't need any business plan :) Just an Idea + a little pro-active attitude and there you go - innovate, create, modify, persuade, pull - push just to ensure the idea remains kicking... what else is Entrepreneurship?

CSR initiatives like Mahindra and Mahindra's http://www.sparktherise.com/ clearly challenges the entrepreneur in you. Shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati ensures that the common man is no more common - he/she doesn't have to worry about the diction or looks to become famous (and successful, if the right answer is given).

And this entrepreneurship is not only happening in IT / Internet sector - growing visibility of cultural acts like Theatre, Stand Up Comedy, Photo / Poetry Exhibitions also point towards this rising phenomenon - can anyone believe that the Photo / Painting Exhibition place at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi is booked till 2013 / 2014 while the one at India International Centre is booked till February 2012? One can experience the saliency of the social sector and social entrepreneurs by just talking to people and reading in news.

Every man / woman, in someway or the other wants to do something of their own and it stems from that inherent desire to be in charge of your life / destiny / get acknowledged... Success stories like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Barack Obama, Dhirubhai Ambani, SRK, Narayan Murthy, Sabeer Bhatia are stories that actually blur the difference between dreams and reality.

I also believe that Indians have an added advantage - we are born entrepreneurs, even if we don't believe in it or we have never been made to realise it. Most of us have grown up in an environment of pressure & scarcity - social pressure / lack of water / irregular electricity / strong 'foreign' aspirations can bring the best in us or make us the most complacent fellows. Unfortunately, a lot of us have never thought that Entrepreneurship does not equal to Risk Taking ability - it is purely the ability to think of a solution (to an existing problem / need) and then solve it using various means (finance or money is just a veryyy small mean). As a result, I believe majority of Indians are still dhakka start, while a few are self-starters who ensure the 'plunge' is more about the journey than just destination - inshAllah, the 'dhakka' start will change with time :)

With a definite process being talked now... Venture Capital / Private Equity / Globalisation / Team Work, people are realising that it is indeed possible to think big, really big :) And the biggest advantage of this is that India will grow big, really big - by the way, most of the developed economies have become what they are today, because of Entrepreneurship.

And what does it take to be a successful Entrepreneurship? Hmm... remember the punchline of Domino's pizza - 'Hungry Kya?'... need I say more? But yeah, do ensure the warmth stays even if you are the most fiercest of entrepreneurs - be different guys.

Entrepreneurs, indeed, have the unique ability to ignite / reignite the fire just by their presence, thoughts and confidence. And so ladies and gentlemen, the next time you come across an entrepreneur, engage with him/her - support him/her in whatever way you can... I am sure he/she will leave you ignited.

And if you do get ignited, don't let that fire die - definitely do something to ensure that India and the World is a better place to live and leave :)

Taming The Mind Of Terror - Part 2

In continuation to my 'Taming The Mind The Terror', allow me to express that I am, in no way, trying to over-simplify the extremely grave issue of Terrorism or make Education look like as one-stop solution to the entire issue.

Terrorism, in my view, is an extremely unpredictable phenomenon and going forward can/will even effect us. And now, it is no more about our neighbour - it is much beyond it as it is both Global & Local.

Even I am aware of a lot of 'educated' people who are supremely radical and also of a lot of 'religious-minded' people who are equally radical & illogical. Trust me 'religion' is not the cause of radicalisation - economic weakness / un-education / non-exposure is and religion then becomes the level. And so my point is more on quality, rather than quantity of Education

Education should be pushed explicitly / talked about, as it is a very strong tool, out of the many available - & I feel this is not happening. And I am sure a lot of us will somewhere agree that we may be educated but not enlightened - purely because we have never been given adequate exposure to other faiths and ideologies, which is getting perceived as a cause of such problems. And we all know that India's education system has a lot of grounds to cover before it becomes efficient :)

Somewhere, we all are victims of ignorance, even if we are educated – there is no concept of comparative religion as a subject / no culture of debating / no action on developing a tolerant attitude. But I firmly believe that education (updated one) can inculcate the mearning of co-existence, which actually may be need of hour :).

Education can be purely demystifying a myth about something in a normal one-to-one conversation to setting a formal syllabus :)

Taming The Mind Of Terror

You can't read the minds of people who have the guts to do such ghastly acts (like the one in Mumbai yesterday - 13/7/2011) - worst is when such acts are carried out in the name of God / religion.

My belief is that the a proven solution to such a phenomenon is actually collective increase in focus and hence spending on 'Education', which somewhere I believe is not given due importance by World Governments - increasing defence budgets & weaponary / voicing condemnation of such acts / improving judiciary / setting up systems may solve the problem but still not be able to touch the root cause which is vulnerability.

And I feel, education, can defnitely make one strong, more rational & hence more balanced - important to make & take sound (even if wrong) decisions. Sorry for coming across passionate but then the more unfortunate part of the vicious circle is the backlash of such acts being borne by a particular community / faith - this further adds to the length of the vicious circle and not fair at all.

I am sure peace will prevail in the long term - it is just that no one can define 'long term', as of now.

Till then... lets continue to be good as we are the change we wish to see in the world :)

Have Faith In Faith - whatever 'faith' you follow :)

Destiny - 2nd View

Destiny, a phenomenon not-often discussed / challenged but one which is strongly felt within each individual, each day. There are two views that I keep on hearing:

1. Things are destined (or pre-destined) and hence one gets what is destined in his/her life - And that is why despite best of efforts, when the results are not favourable, it is because it is not destined - interesting & popular


2. Destiny can be changed, by effort - 'karam say kismat likhee aur badlee jaa saaktee hai' - equally interesting but not a popular opinion :)

In my little experience, I don't know anyone personally, who has ever voiced the 2nd opinion & I fail to understand why :) I am not even talking about believing it but openly discussing in conversations. Among the more famour personalities, I only recall Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who has voiced the 2nd view (I am sure there are going to be more personalities like Dr. Kalam :))

The important question is - which view should one hold, believe in?

I want to believe in the 2nd view - Destiny Can Be Changed By Effort. And I have my own reasons for doing so.

# Simply put, this view makes sense - it is a positive statement, which if followed, can be a continuous source of both confidence & courage. Even if one believes in the first one, he/she continues to put in effort chasing goals / dreams and hence implicitly following the 2nd one - though he/she will never accept it :)

# Even if real stories that prove the 2nd view are few, they are looked forward with much more zeal & enthusiasm - another indication that how desperately (allow me to use this word) human beings want to believe in the 2nd view. Real stories - an extremely poor boy going on to become India's President, - few individuals (like Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Bose) bringing the king (British) down, - cancer patients recovering from last stage, - richest of people contributing to philanthropy, - a middle class man from a developing country going on to becoming amongst the most richest in the world (Mr. Senior Ambani) and so on, tell the story of those few individuals who always had the highest amount of self-belief and somewhere refused the mediocre view that everything is pre-destined :)

# If you think carefully, you will realise life is all about choices. Your love for your parents, your desire to stay in your own country and not go abroad, the life partner you chose, the car you drive, the career you chose, the level of success / failure you get in your life is all because of decisions & actions you took. Somewhere I believe (and with due respect to everyone) opportunities are more or less same & equal for everyone & hence it all depends how much self-belief & patience you have & I believe both come from an unshakeable level of confidence in one's own potential & nothing more - no destiny, no luck & no superstition will help (by the way, I don't mean to equate destiny with luck or superstition). Of course, you have complete right and duty to believe in God, like I do, apart from believing in yourself - after all, there are famous adages - 'God Help Those, Who Help Themselves' / 'Harkat Mein Hee, Barkat Hai Khuda Kee' :)

# If still not convinced, ask yourself - what would you like to tell your family / your kids, your bosses / team at office, your venture partners - that 'Everything is possible, Don't give up' OR 'See if it doesn't work out, you can leave it & move on' (or something similar) :)

# I believe that realising only few things in life deserve that special effort from you as only few have the power to change the course of life, will help see the 2nd view clearly - after all, aspects which can make your day special deserve special confidence & effort :)

# And lastly, have faith in self-fulfilling prophecy - the more you believe in 2nd view, higher the probability of it to come true (show results) & more inspiring your day will end :)

So, are you convinced to believe in the 2nd view? If still not, I hope one day you do :)

Shukriya :)

More & More

More & more people I am coming through around me are giving me an impression that they are unsatisfied (or should I say unhappy) with something in life - most of these men & women are married, have kids (or planning one), have a sound job (or business) and above all security (by any societal yardstick).

I guess, why they are unsatisfied or at least emiting such a vibe (and I hope it is not a pretension) is that on one hand they don't have time, on another they don't want to stop running, on the third one they don't know what they want to do and on fourth hand, they want to do / achieve everything (I know there are only two hands but in today's era of multi tasking, all of us have developed multiple hands without our own knowledge :))

I guess this is more or less a story of everyone and may be this is what is known as a vicious circle of life. My thoughts:

1. Can this vicious circle be handled better?



2. Could this be a function of the inherent insecurity that all humans have that make them accept everything as a trait of herd & hence follow it? Has anybody tried to ever break this vicious circle?



3. Is it even possible to break this vicious circle?

This is an unending topic and in my view, there may be solution to it. I will try covering it some other day, some other moment.

Till then... keep enjoying the run around the circle but yeah, do see if you can take a break once in while - maybe your run will be slightly more worth while :)

Love.