The anatomy of weakness

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A recent incident set me thinking about things that have no antidotes. Indulge in them if you have the courage to see them wreak havoc!! These are the infallible tools of the weak. The four main ones are – 1.Stupidity 2.Suspicion 3. Insecurity 4. Appeasement Stupidity – is a form of obtuse banality. Abysmal Intelligence is stupidity personified. The stupid just refuse to understand or see things from a higher perspective. Everything is obvious and basic. Black and white. No nuances, no subtleties, no faith. In fact, Meena ji often states that sometimes - simple people have the danger to become stupid and clever ones can turn shrewd! Suspicion – it’s all in the head! Suspicion can make a mountain out of a molehill or vice-versa. It all depends upon the analysis undertaken. As they say, we see what we want to see! Everything is assumable and hence possible to…

Guru Poornima Gratitude

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Every year, on Guru Poornima there is a frenzy of celebrations. But have we ever acknowledged the people who have taught us the greatest lessons of life? I make a humble attempt to express my deepest gratitude to those who have guided and shaped me. Let me begin by mentioning my parents, especially mother, who selflessly lived for our wellbeing. I remember her -- graceful and elegant, always adjusting, sacrificing and living for us four siblings. Never did she say anything negative about those who had pained or wronged her…. Her hard work, dedication and love for perfection always inspire, even though she is not with us in her physical form. My father, strong, loving, an upright policeman, a patriot and most of all a good human-being….hope that one day I can do them both proud. My siblings, whom I love dearly…. such incredible human beings! Nisha didi, Anshu didi…

This Ministry Works!

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Having been in business for more than a decade and a half, the travails and tribulations of being a woman entrepreneur in India have been like climbing mount Everest most often than not. Until now. And how do I claim this? Through the two ‘AA ratings’ that are infallible hallmarks and the basis of our Culture – experience, anubhav and the subsequent realisation, anubhuti. Even though I have been banking with the second largest private bank in the nation --HDFC, my recent interaction with them has been nothing less than horrific. As the lockdown lifted and we all limped back to work metaphorically, the reality of having incurred huge losses hit me like a brick on the head! The shops we retailed in were shut, buyers cancelled purchase orders and unsold stock grew by the day. Chances of reviving manufacturing were slim as most migrant workers were still at home…

OMG!!! You have a Guru?

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Years ago, when I met my mentor Meena Om ji, my friends and family were distraught. My mother thought I had abandoned her for someone else, my ex-boss assumed I was possessed and controlled by a shaman and my friends looked at me as if I was someone weak -- dependent on a stranger for guidance! Till today, whenever I meet my buddies of yore, an eerie silence settles on their sagacious selves … the kind you get perhaps when you encounter an alien! It is strange that for a country that has evolved and thrived upon gurus and their disciples, this glorious parampara, tradition is frowned upon.  Of late, in some exalted circles having a guru is either too middle class or if your guru happens to be famous, wealthy and well connected, it is ‘cool’ on the surface but deep down you are still viewed as a freak!…

The Sacred Lotus

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Nelumbo nucifera , the sacred lotus , our national flower is unique. Often confused with the water lily , Nymphaea stellate , lotus flowers are mostly pink and white. They have delicate petals, a glossy smooth water - resistant surface and a musky woody fragrance. Growing in murky waters , their existence is just short of miraculous. Amongst the various flower species , the lotus is the only one that can survive and blossom even after many years of dormancy and is also known to regulate the water temperature around it. All its parts are useful. The petals , stem , leaves , rhizomes , fruit and seeds are consumed in various ways in different cultures. Interestingly, the petals of a blooming lotus close at sunset and reopen with the first rays of the sun. This bedtime phenomenon of certain plants is scientifically known as nyctinasty and is a mechanism…