Category Archives: story

SHORT STORY: KNOW YOUR GURU

June 9, 2015causerie, column, short story, snippet, spiritual, story, Uncategorizedaashram, angiras, bad, coach, disicple, forest, forest tales, good, guru, gurudakshina, gurudev, lessons, pupil, shishya, spiritual, student, tales, teacher, upnishad, valuesshravancharitymission

Once upon a time there lived a Mahatma called Angiras in a forest. In his aashram he had many pupils. And all them had a great respect for him. Especially, about his knowledge and wisdom.

Among them, there were some who had learnt faster than the others and followed the route as suggested by the Guru. These pupils were generally respected by others for their learning prowess. But there were some who were jealous of them. They forgot that because of their own shortcomings they were unable to understand and comprehend the Guru in a wholesome manner. And soon, they started suspecting that the Guru was using some mysterious ways to coach his favourite students, for some special talent.

One day when the Guru was alone. They went up to him and asked, ‘Gurudev, it appears you are teaching something special to your favourite students. Why don’t you give the same knowledge to us, also?

Guru, did not like the query of his pupils. But he peacefully replied. ‘I consider everyone to be the same, and I have imparted the same education and knowledge to everyone. But if some out of you have progressed faster than others it is because of your own efforts. After all, who has stopped you from being proficient?’

Students could not understand what the Guru was trying to say. This made the Guru rethink. After a little while he spoke again, ‘I am ready to give special attention to all the students who want it. But I have one condition. You will have to clear a small test for me. You will have to go to the nearby village. To find a good person for me.’ Finding the test to be simple and easy all the complaining students were very happy. They quickly elected a representative out of them who enthusiastically set out on the mission.

But unfortunately. Wherever he went and whomsoever he met. Were all involved in some form of sin. After searching a lot. He returned to the ashram empty handed and in a remorse tone he said, ‘Gurudev, I’m sorry. I could not find even one person who had not committed a crime.’

Guru, in a morose tone said. ‘Is it so! Let me see. Okay let me send someone, out of those students. About whom you all were complaining.’ Guru then called for a pupil out of them, and ordered him to go to the nearby village to get him a bad person. The obedient pupil said, ‘As the Guru desires. Let me try.’ And, with that he left.

But the complaining students felt as if Gurudev had again committed injustice. Because, the pupil will get plenty of bad people. As the village is full of them.

Guru requested them to keep their cool. After sometime. The deputed pupil returned empty handed and said with folded hands, ‘Please pardon me Guruji. I scanned the nearby village but I did not find a single bad person.’ On hearing this. Rest of the of the pupils started laughing. He further said, ‘every person has done at least one good deed. And I did not find a single person who had not done one good deed. So, kindly excuse me.’ After saying so. He took his Guru’s permission and left.

Guru then told his complaining pupils, ‘My dear students. This is that borderline that differentiates between good and bad, right and wrong and positive and negative.

Your mind blossoms when in everything you see goodness. World is a mixture of happiness and sorrow. It depends on your mindset and what you want to take from the world. People who are positive grow faster than those who are negative.

For a Guru, all his pupils are dear. And if any pupil considers himself distanced from the Guru then it is that student’s stupidity. The more you feel close to me the more you will develop and it will be seen in your actions.’

This story tells how we should face life and its challenges. Complete surrender to your Guru will only lift you from your sorrows. The story is from Upanishad.

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

Share if you like it

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

SHORT STORY: THE POWER IN GOD’S NAME

June 1, 2015causerie, column, short story, snippet, spiritual, spiritual article, story, Uncategorizedgod, guru, gurudev, king, kingdom, mantra, mukti, name of god, power, pranam, pupil, rajkumar, salvation, shishya, spiritual, student, upnishadshravancharitymission

Once upon a time there happened to be a novice pupil of a learned Guru. He was a simple soul and as tutored by his Guru he always chanted the name of God as his mantra. But one day a rare question came to his mind. When he went up to him and said, ‘Gurudev, why do I need to chant the name of God every now and then? As, by doing so I am neither helping him nor myself.’

Guru smiled at his simplicity. He wanted him to learn something, out of his own experience. So he said to him. ‘If you want to feel the power in God’s name. Go close to that white bird perched on that tree near your house and ask him this question.’

The pupil, in order to comply with his Guru’s orders. Went close to the bird and asked him the question. But was shocked to see that the bird died on the spot. The moment it heard God’s name. Scared and shocked the pupil ran to his Guru and narrated the entire episode to him. Guru heard what the pupil had to say and expressed his sorrow. Uttered some soothing words and then said, ‘Don’t worry about it my son. Now you go to all those animals that stay in the stables, near your house. There you have a cow that has just given birth to a calf. You go an ask this question in the calf’s ears.’

But unlike last time. This time, the pupil was not very keen on going there, because of his previous experience. But still just to obey his Guru he reluctantly went up to the calf and asked the same question. But he was shell-shocked as the calf too, upon hearing the name of God. Died on the spot.

Devastated, the pupil ran to his Guru again, and loudly said, ‘Gurudev! Recitation of God’s name, has made me a murderer of two. What should I do now? Guru looked at him for a moment and then expressed his grief, again. He then followed it up, with some more kind words and consoled him, by saying, ‘I regret both the times you were disappointed. But I would request one last time. You, please go to the nearby kingdom, and to the King’s palace there. And ask the same question to his newly born baby Rajkumar.

Once again, the novice pupil was dejected. But just to keep up with his Guru’s orders. He reluctantly headed towards the kingdom. He was extremely scared and gingerly, he went up to the king. Where, he mentioned his Guru’s name and desired to see the new born baby Rajkumar. Since the King knew the Guru and respected him he allowed him to see the Rajkumar. The novice, without losing any time went up to the baby and asked the same question. But upon hearing God’s name a mishap occurred and the baby died. The king got extremely upset. He ordered his infantry to do away with the novice by putting him to death. Nervous, the pupil started talking to himself. ‘O my God, I didn’t know your name was so harmful for others. I was better off without it.’

But while he was murmuring all this. A piercing-celestial ray of light came out of the baby’s body and formed into a divine shape. It gestured pranam at the novice pupil and said. ‘I am grateful to you and your Guru. I was serving a curse that I will have three births on earth, and that I will suffer profusely. But your Guru to protect me sent you for my help. When I was a bird you got me mukti (salvation). When I was a calf. Then also you liberated me, and when I was born in human form then too, you got me mukti, by just uttering the name of God. There is immense power in God’s name which you can’t see. After saying all this the divine form vanished. The king released the pupil and gave him lots of presents. The pupil went running to his Guru. He was spellbound. Guru smiled and admiringly said, ‘now you know the real power in God’s name. Name of God can do such miracles that we can’t even think of. But the job is extremely precise and highly devotional.

The story is from Upanishad.

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

Share if you like it

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

SHORT STORY- THE GREEDY FARMER

May 30, 2015ARTICLE SPIRITUAL, causerie, column, short story, snippet, spiritual, spiritual article, storyattitude, desire, farmer, forest, greedy, habit, jungle, mantra, message, mind, monkey, puran, short story, spiritual, upanishad, upnashidshravancharitymission

Long time ago there lived a lazy farmer in the countryside who wanted to become rich without any efforts. One day he learnt of a Mahatma (noble and learned person) who lived in the jungles and about whom it was famous that by visiting and praying to him one could fulfill his desires. So, he decided to visit him.

The Mahatma after peacefully listening to the farmer agreed to fulfill his wishes. He assured, ‘I will give you a mantra that will make you rich.’ And soon he passed it on to the farmer.

Who was now exuberant about the comforting thought, that without any efforts he will now become rich. But as he was about to leave, the Mahatma called him back and said, ‘Arrey, I forgot to tell you something important. The moment you start getting weary of monkeys this mantra will become ineffective, and then you will not get the fruits of it.’

Upon hearing this, the farmer started laughing and said, ‘Mahatma ji, you just don’t worry, monkeys have never troubled me, neither in the fields nor in my thoughts. And, for a long time I have not even dreamt of a monkey.’ And, after replying to the Mahatma, the farmer quickly rushed to his house and started preparing for a ritualistic recital of the sacred mantra.

But the moment he uttered the mantra he got terrified, because he thought of ‘monkey.’ Thereon, whenever, he uttered the mantra, he thought of monkey. And soon, every moment, the thought of monkey started troubling him. So much so that monkey even started coming in his dreams. And sadly by now, the thought of monkey had truly disturbed him, both while he was awake and also while he was asleep.

After some days the farmer was quite terrified and saddened as the thought of monkey had almost plagued his mind. And, when he was unable to bear this he went running to the Mahatma and fell on his feet and started sobbing, ‘Mahatma ji, I am extremely distressed as I have lost my peace of mind. I have no desire of becoming rich and you please take your mantra back and save me from the thought of monkey.’

This story is from an Indian Upanishad and reveals our mindset which like a monkey is never in our control. This story also conveys, goals are important but equally important is the means to get to your goal.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

Share if you like it

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

#VVIPS: IF YOU COULD ONLY SPARE DAINTY FLOWERS- IN YOUR THANKLESS BOUQUETS

May 28, 2015article, causerie, column, political article, politics, short article, short article on agriculture, short article on politics, short article- politics, story#yeswecan, bouquet, bouquets, bureaucrats, chief ministers, florist, flowers, gardens, governors, heads of states, leaders, make in india, managers, ministers, narendra modi, netas, pm, politicians, president, vip, vvip, vvipismshravancharitymission

‘Earth laughs in flowers’ – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Each flower is the heart throb of the garden where it is grows, and so also the emblem of ‘earth’s laughter’—as Emerson puts it.

But it is sad to see on TV these days. How people in droves, mindlessly present flower bouquets to VVIPs and Heads of States who mechanically pass it on to their personal security staff, standing next to them. And you get a disgusting feeling seeing these lovely flowers being insulted.

Perhaps, callous VVIPS do not have the time and mind to visualise and feel about the labour pains ‘Mother Earth’ undertakes to deliver each flower. And the blood and sweat of the gardener in bringing about this exquisite beauty.

Therefore, won’t it be wonderful to leave them in the garden alone, than to give them premature death in thankless bouquets. So I would plead to our PM Sri Narendra Modi to stop this culture of bouquets.

And, for tokenism one could think of plastic or paper flowers. That too under—‘make in India’ scheme.

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

Share if you like it

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

#DIGITAL #INDIA-INCLUDE CLASSIC ‘MOVIES’ IN SCHOOL-COLLEGE SYLLABUS

May 13, 2015article, article on bollywood, articles, cinema, column, political article, politics, short article, short article on film, short article on politics, short article- politics, snippet, story, Uncategorized#yeswecan, amitabh bachchan, Bollwood, classics, Cromwell, digital India, education, film actors, films, Gandhi, Mother India, movies, narendra modi, PMO, Ravishanker Prasad, schools, sholayshravancharitymission

Copyright@shravancharitymission

… like ‘Mother India, Gandhi, Cromwell, to name a few; just like plays and dramas of Shakespeare

It is said and believed that old books and movies take you back in times. It is also the true mirror of any country or civilization. Yesterday, on the occasion of mother’s day while I was remembering my Mom, and surfing channels. I came across the famous evergreen classic ‘Mother India’ being broadcasted in one of the channels. Although, I had seen the flick several times earlier. I was tempted to see it yet again, as my old time buddy Sajid Khan had worked in it as a child star.

But this time when I was watching the movie. I was getting a very different feel. A feel as if I was not watching ‘Mother India.’ But watching the ‘Real India’ of 1957. It is the story of a poverty-stricken village woman Radha (Nargis) who in the absence of her husband, struggles to raise her sons and survive from the clutches of a cunning money lender Sukhi Lala amidst troubles. And, despite all the hardships. She creates a goddess like example. An example of an ideal Indian woman, and that too way back in 1957. The movie in many ways, gives you, a vivid picture of what our ancestors may have undergone, during those times and with what intensity.

This brings me to the moot point that in the archives of Bollywood and other regional movie hubs like Kolkata and Chennai. There lies a huge treasure of cinema like ‘Mother India and Dosti.’ These can become the mirror of ‘Indian times.’ The Government must form a panel that can decide to include these great Indian classics in school and college syllabus, just like any other play or drama of Shakespeare.

Today, we talk of digital India. Where, people don’t have time to read and where 65% of our burgeoning population is below the age of 35 years. Many surveys have revealed, the attention span especially of youngsters has gone down drastically, and people don’t prefer reading beyond five hundred words in one go. So, in such a paradigm we should select exclusive movies that can showcase India to the younger generation and even the outer world and include them in the school/college syllabus.

Extending the point further. Historical and classic movies of Hollywood or any other country that can be useful for our migrating young population. Could also be thought of, as an extra curriculum in our professional and business schools. This will give our students that extra thrust of historically knowing a place where they intend to work.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

Share if you like it

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(Archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. Book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

#SHRAVAN #CHARITY #MISSION-MANDATE- #donate to help #poor #children suffering from #cancer

May 1, 2015article, articles, book launch, causerie, column, ngo activity, short article, short article on cancer, short story, snippet, spiritual, spiritual article, story, tributes, Uncategorizedaadab lucknow...fond mempries, apollo, cancer, charity, child, children, donations, donor, gloom behind the smile, hospital, india, One to Tango ... Ria's odyssey, poor, refractions from the prism of god, SHRAVAN, shravan charity missionshravancharitymission

Dear Friends,

Shravan Charity Mission was started in the memory our late son ‘Shravan.’ He was diagnosed of ‘Brain cancer’ when he was only two-an-a-half years old. And after a long and well fought battle he succumbed tragically when he was sweet sixteen in the year 2009. It was a very arduous journey for us and since then we decided to help ‘Poor Children Suffering from Cancer,’ and the NGO was registered for this purpose.

Background: I have served in big corporate companies for over 36 years across India and at senior positions. But, I now pursue the cause of cancer. I am also a writer, author and a freelance journalist. I also run my own blog as detailed below. Through this blog we cover activities of our NGO where we make direct financial interventions for treatment of poor children; and we also write domain articles and also article of general interest. Currently we are working with Apollo Hospitals in their poor children’s ward, with Dr Amita Mahajan, Pediatric oncologist.

My wife is an educationist and works as a Principal in a B-Ed college and my elder son and daughter-in-law are both with corporate companies.

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

I am also giving below some other URLs with a brief introduction of what it stands for as it will help you in understanding our activities even better:

http://goo.gl/uZ26An Shravan remembrance day advertisement in the newspaper on 24^th February.

http://goo.gl/m6AbCF NGO Activity: Distributing toys to poor angels suffering from cancer.

http://goo.gl/4XqeQI Another way to remember #St #Valentine: #NGO activity on 14^th February 2015

http://goo.gl/XmtzoQ NGO activity #Caring for #poor #child #cancer #patients.

Dr Amita Mahajan, Apollo Hospital handing over medical assitance cheque

http://goo.gl/lpjcb1 NGO activity in the hospital on 25.4.15

http://goo.gl/vIGUIY #Nepal #Quake- 25.4.15, 2015. Short article on a lifetime of tragedy.

http://goo.gl/dNl0wZ HOW I DE-STRESSED MYSELF – IN A REAL LIFE SITUATION. the ultimate stress buster is your mind (Spiritual and real life)

http://goo.gl/D1mSOr TRIBUTE TO SUNITA TOMAR- THE #ANTI #TOBACCO #CRUSADER AGAINST CANCER

http://goo.gl/oHCcOz Lucknow Observer- Interview

http://goo.gl/ei8Fpa #Liquid-biopsy being tested in the US may soon be a boon for cancer treatment.

http://goo.gl/zztfto When even your critics come to see you off- Lucknow Boy Tribute to Vinod Mehta

MY PUBLICATIONS (Earnings go for the cause of poor children suffering from cancer)

http://goo.gl/eWuIS0 ‘#Book #review ‘Gloom behind the Smile’- A real life #story of a #child #cancer #patient (story of Shravan that you could purchase from us or an ebook from online stores – read the url) Book is archived in libraries of the US including the biggest library of world- Library of Congress, Washinton DC.

http://goo.gl/a1sUPH ‘#Aadab #Lucknow … fond memories’ is a book on Lucknow’s #culture (in novel format) of #Hindu-#Muslim #brotherhood. E-book is available in amazon.com and flipkart and some other stores. Print copies available with us. Book was launched in Lucknow Literary festival last year.

http://goo.gl/O3FgDY ‘One to tango … Ria’s odyssey.’ Is a #Story on #SINGLEHOOD about a #Delhi girl. The book is now archived in prestigious Connemara library of Chennai. In case you require a copy you can find in any online store or write to us.

Short stories for sale (Earnings go for cancer patients)

http://goo.gl/yCyImD ‘WHO SHOT THE #WILD #BOAR?’ Is a #short #story on #wild-life written to aid poor children suffering from #cancer. Price Rs 100 for a PDF copy

http://goo.gl/88UVzd ‘ ALLURING MIRAGE OF Raj estate-Ludhiana’ – a short family story written for the cause poor children suffering from #cancer. Price Rs 100 for a PDF copy.

FOR DONATIONS OR PURCHASES KINDLY MAKE A NET TRANSFER AS PER INDIVIDUAL URL OR DROP A CHEQUE IN ANY OF THE ACCOUNTS AND SEND US AN E-MAIL ON shravancharitymission@gmail.com AND WE WILL DESPATCH THE BOOK/SHORT STORY TO YOU

Account name: Shravan charity mission

HDFC account number: (04801450000140)

IFSC code: (HDFC0000480)

Account name: Shravan charity mission

Bank of India ac no: (680510110004635)

IFSC code: (BKID0006805)

Account name: Kamlesh Tripathi (for overseas $ transfer)

ICICI account no: (008301504072)

IFSC code: (ICIC0000018)

WHO SHOT THE #WILD BOAR? A #short #story written to aid poor children suffering from #Cancer

April 24, 2015casual causerie, causerie, column, short story, short story on wild life, snippet, story, Uncategorizedanimal conservation, cancer, conservation, forest, hunting, jungle, jungle story, leopard, nainital, nepal, pilibhit, sanctuary, shikaar, short story, tiger, wild life, wildboarshravancharitymission

Help poor children suffering from Cancer.

A short story published by Shravan Charity Mission

Price Rs 50/-

Flavour – few lines from the story

In the last three days they had driven around four hundred km on jungle roads to track the leopard, both, early in the mornings and in the evenings. They were even baiting the leopard with a goat near the forest lodge, by keeping night vigil. But, all that humongous effort appeared in vain. For it is widely believed, shikaars don’t fructify, without luck. But luck like the cunning leopard was only evading them.
Time now was around 6.30 in the morning and both the vehicles were moving at a very slow pace almost one behind the other at a gap of around eight to ten feet to have a deep penetrating look on both the sides of the road as leopard otherwise, is an intelligent and swift animal.
Witnessing this, both Chidda and Gurung, the obedient and loyal servants got of their vehicles and started pacing towards the wild boar to examine if it was dead or still breathing.

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Purchase the story to help poor child cancer patients.

You can receive a PDF copy in just thirty minutes after remitting Rs 100 in the following account (After remitting write to us on shravancharitymission@gmail.com)

Name of account: Kamlesh Tripathi

ICICI account no (008301504072)

IFSC CODE: ICIC0000018

THE FEAR-CHEER-MAGIC OF SMALL #FEEDBACKS

April 20, 2015article on feedback, ARTICLE SPIRITUAL, casual causerie, causerie, column, short article, short story, snippet, spiritual, spiritual article, story9 to 5 office hours, A.P., business world, corporate, executives, feedback, field executives, hrd, human relation, mahindra, managers, miryalguda, motivation, MSSL, positive thinking, spiritualshravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

We all know the meaning of feedback. But just to refresh our minds – it is an advice, criticism or information about how good or useful something or somebody’s work is. Thus, many may consider feedback to be a frightful happening, and miss the cheer and magic behind it.

I was once working on a rural project in Miryalguda. A small sleepy town near Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. Since, there were no decent hotels in the town then. And the project was for a long duration. We had rented a small furnished house as our guesthouse.

There we had a cook-cum-caretaker 24×7. We were just the three of us staying there. All from North India. Although, our cook claimed. He knew well, how to cook North Indian cuisine. But the reality was quite the other way around. We, normally used to land in Miryalguda for a fortnight at a stretch. Thereafter, we used to hit Head Office at Mumbai for a couple of days. To report the progress of the project and to be with our families. Then return again for a fortnight. This continued for quite a few months. Locally, we had planned it in such a manner. That we used to have all are meals in the guesthouse. Where, we even preferred to carry our lunch, prepared in the guesthouse only. Just in case we were going out on a farmer-field visit, locally.

Our cook out there, was reasonably smart, hospitable, and a sensible young fellow. Who, normally used to serve Andhra dishes for breakfast and lunch. While he used to attempt some North Indian dishes every day for dinner. Quite realising. We must be missing home food. That unfortunately used to be worse in taste. Than even the Andhra meal, he used to prepare for us. Gradually, we had two issues at hand, relating to food. One, with the continuous hot Andhra food. Some of us started getting bouts of acidity. Two, after a couple of days of landing. We genuinely used to miss home food. And so, we were desperately looking for a solution.

One day in the evening while we all were having a cup of tea. We gave the cook some positive feedback about his culinary prowess. That charged him a wee bit. Next day. I gave him some tips on how to cook simple Dal, Chawal and Sabzi in North Indian style. Based on home recipe that i had carried.

To my surprise next day’s dinner was a delight. Quite close to the home food. And, thereafter, it only improved, over the next few days. But what was more surprising, was the fact. That a simple pep talk had created a world of a change in the cook in less than 24 hours. This small episode changed my persona to a great extent. Where, I realised. How very important it is. To keep cheering every human being on a regular basis, and not wait for milestones. Without which they start operating like mere zombies.

The incident changed me to a point of no return in life. Where, I would willfully compliment a cook for preparing a dish well. When, one could see the broad smile on his otherwise long face. Those days. I used to travel a lot and often by cabs. So, I made it a point to compliment drivers for safe driving. I could fathom the power of such small compliments. As they generated tremendous amount of positive energy. That is unimaginable. But could even race the progress of our country by leaps and bounds.

I then had many field executives and managers reporting to me. I never missed an opportunity of complimenting them on the spot for having done a good well. This definitely increased their morale and performance exponentially. That reflected on their annual appraisals too.

For let us not forget. Life is all about small building blocks. That makes the façade look grand. So, whenever you get a chance. Don’t let go the opportunity of passing. Small positive feedbacks to people around you.

*****

THE CLASSY ICON- #ANAND #MAHINDRA- CMD, #MAHINDRA GROUP

April 16, 2015article, articles, causerie, column, lifestyle article, short article, short article on business, short story, snippet, story, tributesagm, anand mahindra, bolero, corporate, et, health, health regimen, icon, instagram, M&M, mahindra, mumbai, panache, scorpio, snake and ladder, who, world health day, xuv500shravancharitymission

Copyright@shravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

Some personalities happen to impress you at times, but some always. He happens to be one of them. And, I would desist from venerating him; in some paltry words of mine. For words will fall short in contouring this supersonic icon of Indian business. But yes, he is inherently original, beamingly creative, and knows well how to welcome the future in all humility. A role model for many. He does complex things in simple and novel ways.

And, this time he conjoins the childhood favourite board game of Snakes and Ladders to the health regimen and shares it on Instagram for better recall value. This interesting creation of his was published in ET Panache, around the World Health Day (April 7). Wherein, he makes some simple but interesting observations in the colourful boxes of snakes and ladders, where ladders you need to climb and snakes you need to avoid:

Ladder: High fibre meals (>30 gms/day), controls Blood Sugar and cholesterol.
Ladder: By consuming fruits and vegetables regularly, one can be at low levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
Snake: Aerated drinks, fruit juices and maida items lead to high blood sugar levels.
Ladder: Exercise (5-6 days/week) leads to significant control of lifestyle diseases.
Snake: Waist size (>43” M; >38” F) is a direct market for heart attack.
Snake: Papad, pickle and processed food increases risk if obesity.
Ladder: Quit smoking, it decreases the risk of heart attack.
Snake: Sedentary lifestyle increases waist circumference and weight.
Ladder: Taking the stairs increases the fitness levels.
Snake: Fried snacks, farsan, bakery products increase high risk of high cholesterol.

Wishing Mr. Anand Mahindra health, wealth and fame.

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HOW WE DE-STRESSED OURSELVES– IN A REAL LIFE SITUATION: The ultimate stress buster lies in your mind

April 15, 2015article, ARTICLE SPIRITUAL, articles, beautiful lines, casual causerie, causerie, column, short article, short article on cancer, snippet, spiritual, spiritual article, story, vignetteapollo hospital, brain cancer, cancer, de-stress, death, destiny, exercises, faith, gloom behind the smile, happiness, hospital, life, mind, powerful thoughts, real life situation, spiritual, stress, stress buster, treatment, yogashravancharitymission

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I was once faced with an ominous situation that looked like a lifetime disaster, where my younger child was diagnosed of ‘Brain Cancer’ when he was just about two-an-a-half-years old. What followed thereafter was a long battle of nerves, emotions, brawn and brain through the thick and thin of my fast corporate life. Even though, at the end of it we lost the battle, because we couldn’t save him, but not before fighting up to the last straw.

I then had a very demanding corporate job. And during that phase of my life we were located in various metros such as Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi –NCR. Where, we did not have any day-to-day support from our extended family nor even old buddies. Nevertheless, we had to survive, by fighting the menacing circumstances, where, caring colleagues and friendly neighbours were the only ones who came forward to help us.

The prevailing situation fatigued me no end. I was working for some big banners those days who took good care of me. They were considerate under the circumstances. But I still had to continuously perform to keep my stalk and career ambitions alive. My wife, who too was qualified, had to abandon her career because she had to stay put at home to take care of the child. And beyond that, there were immense financial and emotional insecurities to deal with, in terms of expensive treatment, physical stress and the mystery behind the ultimate cure.

When he fell sick, we were in our late thirties. A tricky age, when we were not quite clear, whether we should adventure for a third child when the second was in peril to maintain the count of two. And God! it was a horrendous situation, when even the Indian economy every now and then was not doing well and lot of companies were issuing pink slips. This led to severe job insecurity, when every month our medical bills were spiraling above seventy five thousand in the final years of his life.

But even with all these humongous issues we needed to work and survive. So, we charted out an omnipotent methodology to de-stress ourselves. It was a seamless combination of ideas, thoughts, mythology and even some physical exercises, that took us through the ordeal. And, as we were approaching the end, the intensity of stress increased exponentially, and under those circumstances this was how we eased our tension:

CHAIN OF STRONG THOUGHTS:

Everything, in one’s life starts from the mind. Mind is your biggest problem. Your biggest enemy. But also your biggest friend. Your solution provider and leveler. So, we decided to control it by conditioning ourselves, in the following manner: By …..

Deciding to do away, with all the negative emotions.
Nothing is permanent so why worry. Just keep doing what you are supposed to do under the circumstances.
PUSH (Pray Until Something Happens) Pray and pray.
Don’t plan excessively. Take life one day at a time.
No matter how bad things are, they could be worse.
At any given time in your life. There is something going right and something wrong. This balances life. For in life not everything will go wrong, nor everything will go right in one go. That is the law of the nature.
Life is a very sturdy boat. So, just keep moving and don’t stop. For movement is life and stillness is death.
Whatever, you can do for the child do within your means. Don’t get intimidated by what others tell you to do. Especially, if it is beyond your means.
Our child may have to leave the world soon. But even I have to go some day. For that’s destiny. At the end of it we all have to go. No one can fight the law of nature. So why worry.
Don’t try to run the universe yourself. Leave few things to God. Your child could be one of them.
Human beings are blind. They can’t even see the next moment of life. So how can they predict the time of anyone’s death.
There is something called the destiny. Try and believe in it.
When the child was very critical towards the end days. I started believing in miracles all the more. Even when it did not happen with us. But it kept me charged under the circumstances.
I started taking my work more passionately. Remember your daily routine could be one of your biggest stress busters.
Just dress up and show up for work. Never sulk around in those negative surroundings and emotions.
After a bad day there is always a good day. But one really doesn’t know which is that bad day and which is a good day.
Only get dismayed by situations you have created for yourself and not situations that God has created for you. For he only will correct it. ‘Brain Cancer’ was God’s creation.
Try and be watchful whenever, there is a change of surroundings, locations, friends and colleagues around you. For, every change of situation, will have something new to offer. And, with that. There is also a possibility of some new energies coming close to you to influence you. Remember, life is all about positive and negative energies.
Life is an esoteric journey. For every new situation you’ll have some new company who would leave you when that part of the journey is over. So nothing is permanent.
To console ourselves we even started thinking. This child has a short life. He is here to spread a message. So, don’t just feel morose about it and help the cause.
In those firefighting days we had created our own little Gods. Anything, that helped our circumstances was like a God to us. And, how clearly, we felt. There are two worlds. One is the world of cancer and the other is without it for the lucky ones. Where, we belonged to the former.
We never initiated a discussion around our child’s health to look for sympathies. As we believed in God and in ourselves.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

I took up to regular walking and weekend Golf. It was a great stress buster.
Deep breathing became a regular activity that helped us in restoring freshness and rejuvenated our lives, even in those scary nights when we couldn’t sleep.
I got hooked up to one of the soap operas that suited my timing for deflecting my tired mind.
We kept our home ambience alive for we didn’t want to give advance invitation to death. And, in that, we looked for micro positivity in life.
Whatever the child wanted we provided. We were proud of him and never negative.
I got into a hobby that still continues. To divert my mind.

MYTHOLOGY A GREAT LEVELER

What to talk of human beings, when, even Gods had to leave their mortal bodies.
The biggest unknown boon of life is a painless exit and a dignified death. Mythology, combined with our circumstances taught us that.

These are pointers from the book: “GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE” now catalogued in many libraries of the US including Harvard and Library of Congress. It is also catalogued in libraries of Canada and even India.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

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