Leaders must inspire. It is essential that a leader performs exceptionally well at a personal level. But that alone is inadequate. He should create synergy and lift his team to a higher plane. 1/n

Take Modi. He ticks all the boxes. Not easy to take a Country of 1.38 Billion people with you

On the Cricket Field Virat Kohli performs exceptionally well at a personal level. But does he inspire his team to perform at a higher level? I have serious doubts. 2/n

Rahul Gandhi neither performs at any level not does he create synergy and lift Congressmen. They are resigned to their fate all the time.

I had an exceptional Regional Manager who was brilliant in his work, and guided and motivated us. One would die for him. 3/n

I was once taking classes in 8th floor when I overheard a conversation between two of my students. One was chiding the other for showing undue respect to me. 4/n

Second student told him that "If Sir asked me to jump from this floor, I shall do so unhesitatingly, knowing that he would not ask me if he had not taken enough precautions in the first place".

It was one of the greatest moment of my life as a Teacher 5/n

Indian Society has indeed changed a lot post 1980s.

The joint family has broken to nuclear families, whose first inclination is on self preservation, as they dont have the support offered by the joint family in the event of any difficulties. 1/n

Added to this, both the parents are working to make a good living, and they have limited the children to at best one or maximum two.

The family doesnt have time for anything other than their day to day activities and social media interactions. 2/n

They do not get involved in civic problems nor to they have active participation in nation building.

They feel their role is limited to paying taxes, even that they do grudgingly, and then question everyone without taking an iota of self responsibility. 3/n

The motto of life is to get ahead in any way, damn its impact on the society.

Hence, garbages are thrown out, plastic is used indiscriminately, bribes are paid to get things moving, waste is prevalent 4/n

and the kids are pushed to his limit so that they undercut their classmates and come ahead in the rat race. Is it any wonder that a kid, who was brought up in this environment, and who is of voting age now, gives a damn about the society and the country?. 5/n

As per hindu mythology, depending on whether you follow Vishnu puranam or Bhagavath Geetha, there are 7 Worlds (Lokams) above the Earth (including Earth) and 7 below (excluding Earth) 1/n

The Seven Worlds above the Earth are Bhur loka (Earth), Bhuvar Loka, Svar Loka, Mahar Loka, Jana Loka, Tapa Loka and Satya Loka.

The Seven Worlds below the Earth are Atala Loka, Sutala Loka, Vithala Loka, TalaTala Loka, Mahatala Loka, Rasatala Loka, Patala Loka. 2/n

I am not going deep into descriptions about these 14 lokams.

Depending on which puranam you follow, there could be minor changes in the nomenclature. 3/n

But what is striking is the similarity between the various layers of atmosphere above us and the lokams(there could be a mismatch of a number here or there - it is the concept that is important). 4/n

If you analyze the atmosphere above us, we see

Earth, Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere and Exosphere.

These layers almost match with the concept of Lokams above us in the puranas!!! 5/n

Anyone who has been to Kozhikkode (Calicut) know about the Prosperity of the Businesses in the Kozhikkode Angadi (Market). It is still a place buzzing with activity enjoying high level of turnover and tremendous cash flow.

There is a story behind this 1/n

Samoothiris (Zamorin) ruled Calicut from 12th to 18th Century. One of the Samoothiris Chief Minister was the legendary Mangattachan

Once the Samoothiri got a severe pain on his right shoulder, so much so that he was not able to lift his arm. 2/n

He complained to Mangattachan, who asked him to ignore/live with it, without telling the reason.

Mangattachan was forced to be away from Calicut.

Samoothiris pain increased. Many a Vaidyan (Ayurvedic Doctor) from places near & far tried to cure him but in vain 3/n

Kolathiri was a nearby Kingdom, who had a love hate relationship with Samoothiri. As a royal gesture he sent his Chief Physician to treat Samoothiri.

Kolathiri’s physician asked Samoothiri to apply a wet towel on his right shoulder continuously. 4/n

Miraculously his condition improved dramatically in a few days.
Samoothiri was delighted, showered gifts on the physician and thanked Kolathiri.

When Mangattachan came back, Samoothiri gloated and told him his pain was gone. 5/n

One of the tales Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to tell is about a holy man who had given up all his possessions.

His teacher had advised him to make a little hut thatched with palm leaves, in a solitary place away from the public. This he did. 1/n

He began to live there, meditating long hours and going out only to beg his one meal of the day.

But there was one problem.

After his morning bath, the sadhu (holy man) would hang his loincloth on the limb of a tree close to the hut. 2/n

When he returned from the village it would be dry. It would also have some holes in it!

It turned out that rats were running up the tree and chewing holes in the cloth.

Rats will munch on almost anything.3/n

One day he decided to dry it on the roof of his hut.

That was worse.

The rats tore it into shreds, and he had to go and beg a new one in the village. 4/n

When the villagers heard of his predicament, they said, “Who is going to supply you with cloth all the time? Why not keep a cat; that will chase rats away.”

Someone in the village gave him a kitten, and sure enough, the rats disappeared and the trouble stopped. 5/n

We were all revering Cows and other animals much before all these 'Activists' cropped up. Respecting the environment, the trees and animals are a way of life for Hindus

On the eve of Maattu Pongal, here are a few personal Cow Remembrances 1/n

I was all of 4 when we moved to Vadakara. School was still a year away. We lived in a House named 'Kottaram' (Palace), which had a long backyard. Beyond that was a small house where a Brahmin Family Resided. Mami had a cow. 2/n

Around 2.30 pm, she will call "Konthe" (Colloquial for Kuzhanthai or Child), and that was the sign for me to run across pulling up my half trouser.

A Half Wall separated the houses and I would climb up to watch the guy who milched their cow. 3/n

Once he milched, I will get my quota of a very small glass of raw milk. She never ever took the milk inside without giving me my share fondly. Once I drink it, I played with the calf and then ran back home 4/n

We moved back to Palakkad when I was 9. Grandfathers Agraharam house was 20 kms away and I was a frequent visitor

Thatha and Paatti maintained 3 Cows

The Big Red, Elder Karumi (Blacky) and the Younger Karumi 5/n

Prahlada the Asura was then emperor of all the three worlds, conquered by the power of his integrity.

As it always happens, Indra becomes jealous of Prahlada’s power and feels shaky – there is the threat of losing his throne to someone like the mighty Asura. 1/n

For the throne of Indra belonged to the man who had the highest character, who performed the most difficult austerities.

Indra assumes the form of a Brahmin and goes to Prahlada and serves him as a disciple, with the desire to learn from him the secret of his success. 2/n

Prahlada tells him his success comes from his following the noble teachings of wise men. However, Indra still continues to serve Prahlada and eventually the Asura emperor, pleased with the devotion shown and the service rendered, asks his disciple to ask for a boon, 3/n

not knowing he is Indra. Initially Indra refuses politely, saying that all his desires have been fulfilled.
But when Prahlada insists, he asks: “If you are pleased with me, Emperor, please give me your character, your integrity.” 4/n

Prahlada is shaken by the request, but he grants the boon since he had offered it: after all, that is what a man of integrity does.

Indra accepts the boon and goes away.
Soon Prahlada sees a dazzlingly lustrous being emerging from his body and leaving him. 5/n

Since Farming is the hot topic now, let us go back in time.

Many know that India was fighting against insufficient food grain production in 1950s.

The irrigation dams were being constructed, but the farmers were still following a monocrop policy that was rainfed. 1/n

The productivity per acre was very low

The threat of famine loomed.

We were dependent on US for feeding our people.

2/n

We always talk of the right man at the right place.

For Indians, that person arrived on the scene by mid 1960s.

The farmers did not have a clue as to how to exploit the benefits of better irrigation to improve agricultural production. 3/n

In their midst walked in Dr.Norman Borlaug, an American, who had done considerable work in the famished Mexico amongst the peasants with considerable success.

Would he be the Saviour? 4/n

One of the problems the wheat farmers of North India faced was that the plants were long which meant it could not support the weight of the wheat at the head, leading to the plant slanting and finally falling off.

The wastage due to this was phenomenal 5/n

The essence of Customer Relationship Management is to segment your customers as high value customers and low value customers, develop systems and procedures to take good care of the high value customers. 1/n

The belief is that 20% of the customers give 80% of the business and hence need to be nurtured.

Now where have I seen this philosophy being applied?

2/n

Let me roll the years back. I lived in a rural area. My father, being the local Executive Engineer in Electricity Board, was considered to be a mini VIP and in turn a high value customer. 3/n

We had nearby a tailor, named Aruchami. This guy had a small tailoring shop with a single sewing machine. He will make personal visit to 10 or 15 important clients in the area, take measurements at our houses, collect the materials and deliver the finished dresses in person 4/n

A kind of customized personal service. Our work used to get precedence over the other relatively non affluent working class people, whom he used to run around in circles to the extend of positively discouraging them. 5/n

For decades Volkwagon Beetle pulled off the biggest marketing hoax. The car has been in existence since late 1930's when Hitler came up with the concept of People' Car. Remember that those days, the cars were like boxes, crude and no one was even thinking of aerodynamics. 1/n

Why do I call it the hoax?

Because VW somehow was able to drill into the customer that Beetle was an UGLY CAR.

In reality, it was not (I can vouch for it, because it was my first car/my sibling and still the best). 2/n

The Beetle was an aerodynamic marvel and absolutely beautiful. It is one of the reason, it is the largest selling model the world has seen, and why it was being marketed till recently, though only the jelly bean shape was common with the original Beetle. 3/n

There are many such hoaxes. VW was a pleasant hoax. There are unpleasant ones

Secularism in India is one such. Secularism means everyone has a right to practice the religion of his choice and NO State interference in Religion. 4/n

In India, Secularism has become a tool to pamper minorities and to send Hindus on a Guilt Trip.

That Western Countries are the benchmark for development and better standard of living is another hoax. 5/n

I furnished a list of items to a newly wed couple (South Indian) who are setting up their home in B'lore. This list is indicative & should serve as a ready reckoner just so that they wont have to scratch their head thinking what is needed. Additions/deletions will be there 1/n

Sofa Set - 2+1+1 - Go for Wooden one with Cushion. They last longer and the cushion can be changed later. The rexine stuffed sofas look great but dont last more than 3 years. Most of the time they use very cheap wood inside, as they are covered. 2/n

A glass topped wooden teapoy that matches with the sofa set.

Cot - Instead of a Double Cot, suggest go for 2 Single Cots and join them together. This way one gets more space, and it is easy to clean under the Cots. 3/n

Go for matching orthopaedic mattresses. They support the back. Go for slightly harder ones

4 Pillows

At this stage guest cot is not required

2 Seater Dining Table with 2 Chairs should suffice and saves space

4 Plastic/ Deck Chairs that can be stacked 4/n

Refrigerator - Invest in at least a 270 litre - 300 litre as Fridge lasts long. Go for 2 door but ensure to buy one that has a smaller freezer. Frost Free with a higher Star Rating - 5 or above. Look for 7 years warranty for compressor. Buy a good brand 5/n

Part 2

Those who missed Part 1 here it is https://t.co/myV2RhzsxJ 1/n

The Toilet issue also brings to my mind memories of my childhood

We always had clean toilets.

But my grandparents lived in an Agraharam (Village) where there was only one toilet, which was in abysmal condition.

You wouldn't dare enter the toilet, because it was pathetic 2/n

I was asked by my father to go and stay with my grandparents for at least 2-3 days a month, and I would dread at the prospect of using that toilet.

Most of the time, I wouldn't and return home with severe constipation, or stomach cramps. 3/n

My grandfather never used the toilet and used to defecate in the open. This caused us considerable embarrassment whenever he visited us, and complaints would flood in from people in the neighbourhood. 4/n

I was a frequent traveler by train in my youth, and the number of people defecating in the open along Railway Tracks always made me angry.

I could see ladies getting up hurriedly whenever the train passes them, protecting their modesty. 5/n

This is not an original anecdote. But is thought provoking neverthless.

A young woman went to her mother, told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. 1/n

She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her wise mother did not say anything but led her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on the stove. 2/n

And the pots were brought to boil. In the first pot she put a carrot, in the second she carefully dropped an egg, and in the last she put a spoon of ground coffee beans. She let them boil for a while, without saying a word. 3/n

After twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She stained both the pots containing carrot and egg, which she placed on separate bowls. She poured the pot that contained the coffee powder and water into a third bowl. 4/n

Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break its shell. 5/n