As we celebrate 79th Independence Day, we, as responsible nation lovers, must not undermine the need for unity and may be frugality in some sense. We have seen turbulent times – Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor in its aftermath. 50% tariff imposed by US has only complicated the situation. On top of it, unprecedented loss of life and property due to acts of nature – cloud bursts, floods, avalanches etc are all harbingers of the need for all of us to join hands and stand as one. 

Today’s Times of India has a beautiful take on the great poem by Gurudev Ravindranath Tagore , “ Where the mind is without fear” by Bachi Karkaria and indeed we can all walk fearlessly with our heads held high, if we are together. Our defence forces are protecting our borders, but inside we need to stand together, obey the law of the land, set asides our differences by giving each other room to breathe and contribute our two bits towards further strengthening our great nation.

Adding my two bits to the first two  lines borrowed from the aforesaid classic poem by Gurudev:

Where the mind is without fear

And the head is held high

Notwithstanding the hurdles and obstacles 

India is destined to touch the sky! 

Happy Independence Day! 

We all know about the impermanence of everything around us, including life. Yet, certain happenings catch us unawares, causing shock and surprise. 

We have all grown up, using registered post, especially when the snail mail was the order of the day and we didn’t want to take a chance with important communications and documents – job applications, property documents, certificates etc and invariably sent them under the security of registered post that costed more money but assured delivery to the addressee. 

As per news item that I came across today, it’s the end of journey for the good old registered post that’s going to get subsumed within the Speed Post. Speed Post, which is prioritised and faster,  ensures delivery at the given address, unlike registered post that ensures delivery to the addressee. Speed Post now will have the option to add registration as well for an additional amount, I presume.

At this stage of my life, when nostalgia is an overwhelming emotion, the above news has drowned me into the deep nostalgia of my child and youth hoods when registered post was such an important part of life. 

When detaching from such material things is so difficult, we can very well imagine how difficult it would be to detach ourselves from people and things that are intimate part of our lives. But there’s no other option but to move on by overcoming the tinge of sadness that such developments may cause. 

Google gives two dates on which IFD is celebrated – 30th July and 3rd August. I have been receiving Happy Friendship day messages since last two days and therefore, presume it’s alright to write something about IFD today. 

In the matter of friends, I consider myself lucky having quite a few set of time tested friends. The first set consists of school friends and relationship with them goes back to almost six decades. Second set is that of my friends in my first organisation that I was employed in – these are mainly my batchmates and few others whose support in my early professional days made them very special. My batchmates recently celebrated 40 years of our association and 14-15 of them celebrated the anniversary date together at a scenic location. Third set is my last organisation where I spent almost three decades and developed some very close association. This apart, there are other acquaintances, including neighbours, and a few of them certainly qualify to be called friends. 

What makes friendship superior to all other relationships is it being bereft of all formalities, protocols or burden! It’s all about sharing thoughts, views, laughters, sorrows etc without any strings attached.

To quote a few lines by Kahlil Gibran on friendship:

“And a youth said, Speak to us of Friendship. 
    And he answered, saying: 
    Your friend is your needs answered. 
    He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving. 
    And he is your board and your fireside.
    For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.”

And in my own humble words:

“Life is a roller coaster, 

Full of crests and troughs galore;

 When life is down in dumps,

A friend makes our heart go up and soar! 

Happy international friendship day. 

Four decades ago this day, a bunch of youngsters from varied backgrounds and geographies joined a bank as 1985 batch of probationary officers. While they joined at their respective assigned offices, they met a few days later in Jaipur at the month long induction programme. The bonding and the camaraderie built then has lasted over four decades and a few of them are getting together at a resort near Jaipur to celebrate this togetherness of four decades and relive the magical moment. Of course, a lot of water has flown down the Ganges since then, with many changing jobs, emigrating out and getting on with their respective lives. But the spirit of being together overcomes all this.

An enterprising batchmate, who himself was out of the country for a long time, took the initiative of reconnecting the old pals and has now organised this aforesaid get together or a reunion. I couldn’t make it to the event for personal reasons, but my mind and heart are very much there and the photos being posted on our group site bear the testimony of the fun the group is having. As my own two bits to the event, I have composed a short poem, titled 22/7/85, the date of our joining. It reads:

22/7/1985

A group of youngsters with different backgrounds,

Joined an organisation four decades ago this day;

Filled with zest, hope and belief, 

That life would go their way! 

Life, however, had something else in store,

For each one had to take the different path;

While a few continued their journey there,

A few moved on without knowing the aftermath! 

They got busy with their lives,

Marriage, children and no looking back;

A few remained in touch,

A few others lost the track! 

A few left the country 

And one even this world;

But somehow their bonding persisted,

Even though they seldom exchanged a word!

Social media brought them together,

At this interesting juncture of their life;

They’ve free from professional responsibilities,

But their zest for good things in life is rife! 

A chunk of them are celebrating 40th anniversary,

By being together, reliving the time of yore,

Others are enjoying the reunion from a distance,

And there’s not a moment that’s bore! 

Hairlines have receded and body has slumped,

Even the organisation has ceased to exist;

But long live their camaraderie,

And let this bond of friendship persist! 

Happy joining anniversary and reunion! 

22/7/25

Mumbai

Certain thoughts create a very deep impression on one’s mind and one is tempted to share such thoughts with a larger audience.

Came across a reel on FB, in which Swami Premanand very lucidly differentiates between karna ( effort, action or service) and karmayog ( path of selfless service). As he explains, when a doctor considers his patient to be a god and treats him to the best of his ability it becomes karmayog as against the mere discharge of duty, which also cures the patient, but without the desired results for the doctor.

What we conveniently forget is that whosoever we are – doctor, engineer, public servant, banker or even an entrepreneur- we shall survive only if there are users of our skills and services. It’s, therefore, imperative for all of us in any profession to welcome the user of our services – patient, associate, customer etc, and discharge our services in the spirit of serving the human kind rather than treating it as part of our profession or job.

Unlike Holi, Diwali, Ganpati – the major festivals, whose dates are etched in mind and celebrations are elaborate, Guru Purnima comes in quietly and solemnly and I come to know about it when nudged by friends and formal colleagues, wishing me. It’s embarrassing, to say the least, being placed on such a high pedestal by these people as I don’t consider myself worthy of such respect and honour. Like other ordinary mortals, I have several deficiencies and imperfections and even a lifetime of effort may not take me anywhere close to becoming a person who can be idolised or adored, leave aside becoming a Guru.

However, without any further ado or modesty, I gratefully acknowledge these wishes and in return wish them all the well in life and exhort them to groom their youngsters and become gurus and this rich tradition of our generation culture should continue with newer gurus producing better talent and citizens. Lastly, I also pay my obeisance to all those who played an important role in reaching wherever I am today. 

On the international yoga day,  my yoga Guru has reaffirmed the most famous learning from Bhagvad Gita  in yogic context. He says, “Yogi only focuses on his sadhana (efforts) without waiting for result ( outcomes or rewards).”

I myself have got initiated into yoga at this ripe age of 63, and my ability to emulate my Guru is severely limited. However, having made an effort and  that too every day, is greatly fulfilling. I am sure rewards will be reaped eventually, but some rewards such as calmer mind, are already trying to make their presence felt. But my dharma (duty) is to keep up my efforts, with or without matching rewards.

No wonder the said shloka ( Karmanye vadhikaraste …..) is now being heralded as the most effective management mantra and has relevance in our professional, personal and yogic lives. 

Happy international yoga day to all! 

Yes, you have read it correctly! The famous English phrase “ Lull before the storm” has been deliberately reworded to the aforementioned! 

What we have witnessed over the past few days is nothing less than a tsunami of tragedies and unsavoury developments! Starting with the dastardly act of killing innocent tourists in Pahalgam, followed by Operation Sindoor, stampede at Bengaluru, crash of Air India’s Dreamliner, Israel – Iran exchange of missiles that’s threatening to become a full fledged war to yesterday’s helicopter crash and caving in of a bridge over river Indrayani near Pune, our cup of woes is overflowing! And here, I am not even mentioning never ending Russia – Ukraine and Israel- Hamas sagas that seem to be never ending and worsening. 

Lull before the storm is eerie, chilling and disconcerting. On the contrary lull after the storm is painful – witnessing all the signs of destruction left behind by the raging storm, but relieving and comforting at the agony having gotten over! Let’s pray and hope for this lull. 

 If 2022 was to be 2025, today would have been my last day of working, 31st being a Saturday. However, in 2022, the year of my superannuation, 31st was a Woking day and accordingly, my last day in the organisation. 

Well before my last day before superannuation, I had started looking forward to the life post retirement. Having worked without a break for almost 4 decades, I was excited to have all the free time to myself to indulge in the activities that I along wanted , but never found time. Travelling, reading, exercising, writing and doing some voluntary work were a few things on my agenda.

On my third anniversary of retirement, after penning two books, reading a hoard of books, travelling inland and overseas and actively engaging in yoga, I have started missing the things that I wanted to be freed of- routine, office, active engagement, meetings, deadlines etc. 

Not that I am writing this post to announce my “ availability to work “! It’s just to tell all those actively engaged in work, especially the youngsters, to cherish their work life, instead of feeling burnt out, frustrated and demotivated. We always yearn for something that’s away from us! Each phase of life has its own significance that must be enjoyed! Retirement is interesting, but let’s make our journey to retirement interesting, productive and reasonably long.

 If 2022 was to be 2025, today would have been my last day of working, 31st being a Saturday. However, in 2022, the year of my superannuation, 31st was a Woking day and accordingly, my last day in the organisation. 

Well before my last day before superannuation, I had started looking forward to the life post retirement. Having worked without a break for almost 4 decades, I was excited to have all the free time to myself to indulge in the activities that I along wanted , but never found time. Travelling, reading, exercising, writing and doing some voluntary work were a few things on my agenda.

On my third anniversary of retirement, after penning two books, reading a hoard of books, travelling inland and overseas and actively engaging in yoga, I have started missing the things that I wanted to be freed of- routine, office, active engagement, meetings, deadlines etc. 

Not that I am writing this post to announce my “ availability to work “! It’s just to tell all those actively engaged in work, especially the youngsters, to cherish their work life, instead of feeling burnt out, frustrated and demotivated. We always yearn for something that’s away from us! Each phase of life has its own significance that must be enjoyed! Retirement is interesting, but let’s make our journey to retirement interesting, productive and reasonably long.