Geometry Box

I think it was in the 6th standard or the 7th, when Geometry was first introduced in our curriculum. The most exciting thing about this was getting a “geometry box” complete with set-squares, protractor, scale et al. And I had always seen the colourful “CAMLIN” geometry boxes and always yearned to have one of the same.


Finally the wait was over. The new books came, the new notebooks came and I was eagerly goading my mother to get me the “geometry box”. I am sure, my mother took note of my eagerness and excitement in possessing the ‘geometry box’.


Then finally one day – whew! What a wait it had been, she got me the ‘geometry box’, or so I thought. I came running back from school and excitedly hunted for the purchase, as my mother was out to someone’s place. With bated breath and energy I searched and searched, but could not find.

Those days we did not have mobile phones, nor telephones, so could not reach my mother. The only choice was to (a) go in search of her to known places – boring thing to do… or (b) wait till she returns. I decided to wait.


After seemingly long long hours she finally came, and immediately I pounced on her and started asking her if she got the ‘geometry box’. She replied, well – I searched for it today, but could not get you one. Just wait for one more day and by tomorrow you will certainly have it.

There went up in smoke – all my excitement, but I recovered and reasoned out after the initial tantrum, well can wait for one more day.


Then the same scene the next day – came back from school, found mother was at home and jumped about and asked for the ‘geometry box’. Disappointment….. My brother had fallen ill and she had to take him to the doctor, hence she could not buy the box. Oh God! What a pity. Second day in a row, this is too much. I was inconsolable, and had to be admonished. This time, the promise was – over the Monday next. No, no, really cannot wait that long, it just takes less than an hour to go to the shop, buy the box and be back. Really could not understand why this could not happen.

There were another couple of days to go for the weekend and I was out of sorts for the next two days. And then as the d-day approached, the excitement started to build all over again.


Monday came and truly I thought there could be no more misses and I would surely have it. And with bated breath came back running from school, found mother at home. True to her words she said she has already bought the box. She went to the cupboard to fetch it and show, I followed closely on my toes. And she brought out the box all wrapped in love as an affectionate gift. I could not wait, tore open the cover and grasped the box. But alas! Immediately on sight, I was shocked and my excitement deflated. It was not “CAMLIN”!!!

It was “PRESIDENT”. It was made of plastic versus the metal box of “CAMLIN” and though the interior was good, I was disappointed beyond words, and really made a mess of the issue and my mother silently bore my tantrums. Try as she might to explain, I was in no mood to listen or learn.

And thus I spent most part of my 6th standard in melancholy in each geometry class. I used to look at others using the “CAMLIN” box and feel very jealous and tempted. I could not stop thinking, why my mother did not buy “CAMLIN”.


And I showed all my disappointment to the poor box, neglecting it, misusing it and what not.

One fine day, I finally lost the box in the class. I left it on the open and it was picked by someone during lunch hours. I tried searching for it, but could not find it. I came back and reported to mother and she listened to me. She just let out a sigh and said, so finally you had your way. This time around she bought me the “CAMLIN” set. I went to the school happy and excited and started flaunting it to all.


Then came one my friends and asked me – a new box again, what happened to your old box. I replied that I had lost it; someone had stolen it from our class. He just stared at me for a while and said….”hey that was a wonderful box you had and we all eyed it jealously so long, and you lost it! You should have been careful about the precious box”

That really hit me hard on my young face and mind. I immediately realized that indeed it was a wonderful box, it had sponge all over it, the articles inside were of superior quality, the box was of high grade plastic, not the rusty metal and indeed very very compact and elegant – and, and I had lost it now for good. I realized, what a gift, my mother had given and it was purely my ignorance that I never realized it’s worth and lost it. Try as I might, I was very disconsolate and to this day, that event leaves me speechless and makes me look at each such gift in a careful way and consider.


I have got this precious life for a great purpose – Do I chase after all the material that glitters and beckons or chose to delve deeper and realize the spiritual. In other words, do I chase after “camlin” and lose the “president”?

As I think of it, I get to see many lessons :  "we lose easily what we have in hand and one in a hundred do we realise what we lost.  We are hallucinated, nay, sweet-talked / sweet-walked into going astray, blissfully unaware of the gem that we had. 

Enablers

Can we imagine this world without all the contraptions that we have now?  It was not so long ago that we did not have any of these technology enabled devices.  In today's life, there are so many day to day items without which we cannot imagine our day or life..  Take for example the simple case of morning newspaper.  When in Chennai I used to get restless around 630 and 700 and my wife keeps screaming that my coffee is getting cold and I be prepared to have it cold - no reheating, no second serving. But somehow, coffee and paper go together, not otherwise.  The funny thing, my neighbour also keeps doing the same thing and we bump into each other.  The delight is when we hear the running feet of the newspaper boy up the stairs, throw the paper and we reach for it... Really the days, when there are no papers because of holidays makes a miserable morning.  So much for our recent habits.  And then maybe 50-60 years back, people may not have had this habit.

And then there is a whole host of such things which came into being in the last 50 - 75 years and have really made themselves indispensible... the gas, the fan, lights, canned water, refrigerators!, televisions!, packeted milk, toothpastes, toothbrushes, fanciful razors - wow literal invasion into the ways of living.  Not for a moment I am discounting the immense value add this has created.  Just imagine simple things like modern sanitation arrangements - we would shudder to think of any other arrangements for performing our morning duties..

But - all this are simply enablers - that enable us to lead a better life and reserve our energies for stuff that is better.  And we do utilise these very well and move on to more things.  There are whole industries churning these useful devices - and we owe our patronage to them, lest we be left without these facilities in the future.   The greatest challenge would be that single day when suddenly we find ourselves without any of these benefits.  And that would be the time for "back to basics"

Literally, if we observe, one thing led to another and the whole construct of modern world is literally lodged on these tender footing..  All seemingly enabling man to something higher and something higher.  People travel great distances in life and serve as anchor poitns and leading lamps of success.  But the journey is not complete.  There are the rest of us running and surging ahead - in a rush to go past and reach greater and newer heights.....

But so far with each such achievement, technology only has proved itself to be a great enabler, it is not the end in itself.  The purpose of life is different.

More in my next....

WHAT IS SUCCESS?

Success!!

How you define success in one's life? What should be accomplished in one's life to be contended enough that he have attained success in life?

Is it spiritual, materialistic, mandatory duties or what is "that" particular "item" to be reached ultimately by a human being to consider himself that he has done what has to be done before the end of the life in earth?

In the dictionaries success is defined variously as the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors

Of course there are various fiery explanations and attempts to define and make sense to success, but I believe this is strictly in the domain of the perceptions – either individually or collectively.

Success denotes a series of accomplishments and has an element of social recognition and economic status.

Let us take an example from persons normally associated with success and examine : 

Sachin Tendulkar

TATAs

Mukesh Ambani

Abdul Kalam

Rajnikanth

I shall deal with Sachin elaborately and other examples would follow similar argument.  I have taken a few names just to put on board persons normally associated with success in their own fields.

Sachin : The very name brings forth a gush of feelings – and not only he, but whole of fans prey for his Success.  I have not known another person who could have such a fan following who wish and pray for his Success – an epitome of hero worship.  Nothing wrong with that…

Two questions to ask

a)      What is Sachin’s success 

b)      What is success to Sachin

The above questions immediately set apart two perspectives – a view by others and his own view.  Both need not be congruent.

To my limited knowledge and perception, I can set out a few factors that are attributed as success of Sachin :

a)      Record number of accomplishments in cricket – performance

b)      In the long carreer, amidst so much turmoil, he has been able to maintain a clean image – accomplishments / records not gone to his head.

c)      His attitude – matured, balanced, focused, honest, HUMILITY, without losing authority on his domain.

d)      His words, actions and positions outside of cricket arena – depict the ideals any common man would aspire for – mainly his respect for commonly perceived value systems

e)      The respect and awe he has in front of contemporary cricketers as well as all former cricketers

f)        Sachin – a brand name : any growing cricketer (I would go one step further – he is an example for any growing youngster)

Let us consider or rather attempt to figure out what Sachin would have to say on this :

a)      I love cricket and enjoy playing this – the passion

b)      Ambition is to give my best to the game – each time

c)      Constant learner – never considers that it is done

d)      Improvise constantly – change the things that I can, accept those I cannot.  The Sachin at 18, Sachin at 28 and Sachin of now are different batsmen.  The basic compositions (approach, aggression, attitude, defence) have changed to keep the going effective. 

e)      Not counting on records, but that records just happen and I continue playing effectively.

f)        I owe a lot to my family – the values they brought me up and I will always live by them

From the above what becomes clear is

a)      Success is a set or series of accomplishments that are recognized

b)      Success is effective utilization of skill sets aimed to accomplish and succeed

c)      Success is manage perceptions and live to espoused values in society

d)      Success is evolve as a person

I have limited the summary to four and I am emphatic about the last point. 

In reality – what then is success :  economic prosperity, accomplishments ….?

Yes, in common parlance it is as told above.   What we examined for Sachin Tendulkar would hold true for the other personalities cited above and all others as well.

Let us take for example another person in same field as cricket – So if Sachin is the successful persons, can there be successful persons at the same time.  It is an overwhelming yes.  That means that success is individualistic, dynamic and not limiting. 

So what is this thing called ultimate success – is it applicable to each field, category, profession, life?

Yes, in a way.  It is a perceived progress of each man in his day to day endeavours.  Mankind is a product of all things material and is very conscious of recognition.  He is a social animal and there is an inherent tendency to compare and contrast.

Having set the context, let us now attempt the first question to this article :

How you define success in one's life? What should be accomplished in one's life to be contended enough that he have attained success in life?

Success in one’s life is an individual goal setting process.  Human beings are a product of the social environment and are shaped by the existing and evolving value systems either by choice or by default or by a mix of both. 

I look around at the world and my milestones are clear.  If I am born, the milestones are born soon after.  IN the current context from an average middle class Indian perspective, the milestones start from – the medical : periodic check up, upto 2 years the attendant medical attendance that is required, the growth chart monitoring, monitoring the health index, etc.  The aspiration of every parent is to ensure that their child gets the best possible in their knowledge and capability.  (I am not referring to neglected children – neglected due to social ills, or apathy or plain ignorance – that is a separate chapter to deal with).  Having done that, the next stage is gaining admission in the best of schools and ensuring the child has all the necessary material.  So far, these are in the domain of the success of the parents.  Slowly it changes gears into the child, when parents set expectations – both implied as well as expressed.  The child is a good observer and right from a young age observes people and tailors its behaviour to please and still aim to get what it wants.  They understand clearly what their parents are looking for to a great extent.  This is the implied expectation. 

Once the expectation are set, the child goes about trying to accomplish them.  Parents, and their circle soon discuss of their wards performances and successes….

Comes a stage when the child becomes adolescent, the attendant accomplishment targets are different and success is again relative.

Comes a stage when the adolescent becomes a adult youth and the set of targets change – both short term and long term.

And so on it goes. 

In all the above, it is essential a conversation revolving around the day to day life, and the social norms, from one milestone to another – an endless journey. 

Is this the business of life then?

The average human being battles it out for a respectable living – with his basic needs (food, shelter, clothing) covered, provided for some comforts in those basic needs, and also aspire to some luxuries in those need sets.  Over and above this he is guided by his peer network and social stratum – where he yearns for recognition.  A sum total of all this is the constant endeavour of an average life.

Please bear in mind I have extolled only on the success / accomplishment part of the question – not on the contentment.

Success and contentment are two entirely different emotions.  Success could lead to a sense of contentment, but is not a necessary ingredient, and vice versa.

We will talk about contentment later.

Is the above then the business of life?

Now to the second part of your question :

Is it spiritual, materialistic, mandatory duties or what is "that" particular "item" to be reached ultimately by a human being to consider himself that he has done what has to be done before the end of the life in earth?

Let us take a few questions now:

What is life?

What is the purpose of life?

The above questions immediately throws open the arena and sets a larger context involving the very root cause of all this.

There can be no one line answer for the above, as the question is not simple.  It is a fundamental question and hence, to answer that question we need to set the parameters, the jumping board, the assumptions, et al.

There are various schools of thoughts on the above subject and certainly we cannot possibly cover all of them. 

Essential to the question above is understanding on some subtle themes. 

Who is this living being?  What is his role in this world?  Is he the king of all?  Does he control all beings?

Essential to the above is understanding – the relationship of man to the other creations.  Essential to the above is understanding – the responsibilities of man to the other creations.

Essential to the above is understanding – our purpose in life and whether our actions are in consonance towards accomplishing that purpose

In that context can we look back to our first part of conversation on material accomplishments and the role of that material accomplishment to the above questions.

When the first set of conversations are viewed against the above questions, we immediately get the feeling that both are required, the first part is certainly required to keep us living and help us achieve the second part.

Now, the complexion of the extent and nature of the accomplishment in the first part changes. 

Do we really need to indulge so much in the first part that it tends to obliterate the role and responsibility in the second part? 

Do we realize what second part is about and do we understand our role and responsibility? 

To answer this question we need to look at the entire creation and the purpose of the creation.  The creation has two aspects – the sentient beings and insentient beings :  sentient beings – one that can think and act, insentient – that which cannot think.

All beings capable of thinking are sentient – including man, animals, birds, etc…

All beings not capable of thinking are insentient – all of nature, rocks, stones, hills, water, earth, fire, etc…

The sentient beings are endowed with insentient beings so that the sentient beings can survive comfortably and then proceed on the task for which they are born.  The most important role is that of human beings in this creation.

The purpose for man is to outgrow the material needs and aspire for spiritual emancipation.  And while aspiring and endeavouring towards spiritual, man has to take care to ensure that all other beings – insentient as well as sentient lower to man are not affected in any way. 

But alas, far from that, more often than not, we have moved so much away from the spiritual that we have lost the sight of the ultimate goal, being enmeshed in pockets of stagnant conversations or trying to figure out the world with jaundiced eyes.  In the process we develop a haughty opinion on everything with such a surety to leave the creator embarrassed.  And in the process we wreck havoc in the very creations, in the name of the creator. 

So what is success ? 

Surely, success is the final realization – realization of the self, of the relation to the creation, of the relation to the creator.  IN this realization rests all the peace and love.

As I gravitate to the spiritual aspect of things, time to take a break at this juncture and start dwelling on the questions, repeated for ease of reference :

a)      What is life?

b)      What is purpose of life

c)      Who am I?

d)      AM I the body?

e)      What is my role?

f)        What is the role of all others?

g)      What is the common goal?

h)      Where have we gone wrong?

i)        What is the purpose of creation

j)        What is the cost of our civilization

More in my next.

xxx

News from KL

Hi all

I was thinking about the need to network with you. A mere friendship-day solemn mail is lost in wilderness. A sequel or may be a periodic post would really help to be in touch. Actually, I do not expect you to respond in return – that is your prerogative, but since you tolerated my first mail, I assume, I can squeeze in a few more before you say – “enough”. Yes, I need to be told – “stop” else I assume, mine is the most cheerful voice in your lives and that which you want to hear again and again.

Normally, the minutes of any meeting starts with PRESENT, Apology and Thanks…So here goes…

Present & Apology – Sorry Srikkanth, could not find time to connect with you in Bangalore last month because (no excuses), but finally I did connect with Param. Will be back soon, hope to catch up then.
Thanks : Dear Param – that was really wonderful that you could make it on my drive back to the Bangalore airport. Heard, my brother saved your life on the way back….(others – yes folks, the actual fact is - my brother was driving, and nearly met with an accident – because of some innocuous thing on the road).

I miss Bangalore though. But thanks to the metro, most of the landmarks have been spoilt, I used to love MG Road , Brigade Road , the salubrious Jaya Nagar and JP Nagar which was a real retreat…. Sad, cost of civilization, I think…

Thanks to all : While I reaffirm your contributions to my life, I do sometimes wonder – is it really that – what I am today is because of you or inspite of … just kidding, of course it is inspite of you… I don’t care if I am there in your circle of friends, but you are certainly there in my circle of friends, hence it is my duty to trouble you.

But I have to mention about one person in this group and who I really wish to distinguish for his abject sordid performance – not a single worthwhile contribution, never had any words of inspiration, etc. And the beauty is, this person is known to all of you – guess…

Anyway, moving to other matters, I felt like sharing itsies-bitsies from my side –

1. Firstly, let me wish all my Leo friends a happy Birthday as per English calendar assuming, your data was correctly captured…Heard recently that Linda Goodman had got it all wrong - as there are some calculations that she had missed out on due to which all the dates are now shifting by a week. Not sure if you still are Leo because of that. But my wishes are constant. That is why, one should never skip any chapters in school. Nevertheless, God knows how I have been putting up with these Leo – I guess it takes a bull to manage the lion. Oops! did not mean to hurt the lion’s pride… Having resolved to talk only good things, I cannot say anything more…But compared to the heady capricornians, leo is far better.
2. Malaysia is improving dramatically post my arrival. You may be aware I am staying in a place called Brickfield, which has a lot of bricks and Indians. After much persuasion and cajoling, the Malaysia Government agreed to my proposal to make this area as – “Little India”. So they are on a beautification and modification spree – built a few flyovers, 2-3 huge multistoreyed malls are coming up, Our Honourable Prime Minister ji – yes Dr Manmohan Singhji has agreed to be here on 31st Oct thereabouts, on my insistence, to inaugurate renaming of this area as Little India (you see, they are now extending their expertise in renaming….). And the Indians here are eagerly waiting to make their contributions to make this place memorable a la Singapore . If you guys noticed, of all places in Singapore , only the Little India area looks less cleanlier (to put it mildly).
3. Have to say, modestly – I have left my indelible mark everywhere I had been – Spent 25 tough years before I left Kolkata and it really improved …….after that. Similarly, Thane – the whole area got transformed, so has Vashi, so had Aden, so had Bangalore (well, the metro…), and now in Chennai, they have commenced the metro work as soon as I left, and now you have KL and Brickfield….
4. My condominium has become quite famous after my arrival.
a. So far no one has dared to occupy the 200 odd flats, despite being a brand new construction.
b. The few that are there were before my time.
c. And one couple committed suicide by jumping from the 29th floor. That was when I had been to Singapore with my family. My friend called to inquire my safety, as he had heard an Indian couple had committed suicide. I said, that’s not like me… I mean, others can (because of me) but not me…
d. Jokes aside, this was a North Indian couple from Mumbai. They were married after falling in love. Parental non-patronage, maybe Financial problem as well. But wretched decision. Sad story. They murdered their 3 year old by slitting his throat (the child was mentally retarded) and they jumped (fell) off. God, I wish, people are not so mired in emotions that they lose out their sense of judgement…It happens to all of us, at some point or other. But in my opinion, we should never lose hope, be always optimistic and work towards improving what we have rather than those beyond our control. Only a few days earlier, our families had met, exchanged pleasantries and fixed plans to visit each others place for dinner. Pity..!
e. The KL monorail passes by the side of my condominium. Yes, you could actually jump onto the roof of the monorail from the swimming pool area. I had petitioned for make a halt there – so that I do not need to walk to the station a few metres away. Let us hope for the best.
5. Rajanikanth and Aishwarya along with AR Rehman had come over to my place – under the pretext of launching the music album of new release “Enthiran”. I could not however accompany them to the launch ceremony – but lest they felt bad, caught some of the action in recordings. Rajani, was humility personified – spoke philosophy and I admire the simplicity and humility he displayed as also Rehman. I like this quality. One of the greatest traits of great human beings – is simplicity and humility, at least according to me. When I consider people like Sachin, Rahman, Rajanikanth, Myself, - yes, you got the point… Aishwarya – wish she had the brains to back her beauty – being as loud and bombastic as ever… try as I might can never appreciate her – I like my Hemas (!!), madhuris, sneha, rani mukherjees, kajols, vidya balans, katrinas, priyankas, et al (no certainly not hehe chawla, kareena, deepikas,…)
6. I have been a good host to so many Indian colleagues of mine who pop into KL – mainly from the Chennai and Mumbai office – and I think I can put up with you as well, should you feel this tearing hurry to come and meet me…I have a big heart and I am having this Little India built – so it would be a pleasure to host you. So, plan a trip to KL soon.
7. Of course, they have had to put up with the fare I dish. Thankfully the pure veg Punjabi dhaba downstairs bails them out with mouth watering aloo parathas, naan, dal thadkas with a gulp of lassi. Poor dhabawallah, he is also slowly converting into a vaishnav – no onion, no garlic, no cauliflower, no mooli, no carrot, no … big list – some other time….My American Boss converted to a vegetarian and I am planning the next trip with him and his family… No wonder, I could convince Julia Roberts and see the result…
8. The Holy Month of Ramadan (Ramzan) has set in and my muslim friends have started fasting. The effect in KL is not as pronounced as we had in Dubai or Yemen . Restaurants are open and life is busy as usual..
9. Heard Mr Suresh Kalmadi has recently been featured in the top 10 billionaires of the world. Bill Gates was mightly impressed and he is planning a mega cultural event on the lines of CWG….yes a virtual event (without anything real)….and has roped in Kalmadi as the Project manager. Laloo and Mulayam had also offered their expertise, but as you know Gates prefers the latest in everything he does…
10. So who’s in Kolkata this puja, of course besides those that are already there. On your return do not forget to get something for me(atleast a lal gamcha)….I may just pop in during Diwali – so beware. My parents would be in Kolkata 3rd week of August through end of this year…And I want to try out the Kudghat leg of the metro from airport. Heard they launched AC buses in Kolkata – wow…Hope to travel, assuming Mamata di does not plan something else. Heard she recently asked for inquiry into the death of a senior Maoist leader on humanitarian grounds. This Maoist leader did great deeds like killing lots of people for their own good, etc….
11. I am going on a repeat unique ram anu yatra Sep 10 – 30, all of 8500 kms in 18 days with a minimum baggage, being one with nature, to the accompaniment of 500 yatris average age 60+ … more of it in my next edition.

Time to go off air. “aar body support korche naa…”

I could have blogged this, but viewership is not guaranteed, at least now you would be forced to open and see a few lines. I could have written to you individually, but that would not be sharing enough and would have meant a lot of effort for me.

It is an hour past close of office and TGIF – have to rush for a dinner and movie date.. Then the usual stuff that I do on Saturdays & Sundays – getting up early, badminton, cleaning, shower, cooking, Pooja, lunch, relax, swimming/gymming, surfing, studies, tv, hit the bed. Sundays – all the above + washing, ironing and readying things for the next week…. Of course, each of the activity above is always subject to last minute changes for sure….

And last but not the least – I heard all of you contributed generously to ASHA – keep it up…..
Those of you still thinking to top up your contribution here is the link….

http://www.ashanet. org/workanhour/ 2010/index. php

Trust I have been able to tickle a few funny bones (hope it is not twisted).

PS
Answer to the riddle hereinbelow (to ensure you have read through the entire letter)
Do not worry – that one person is myself…(clue : sordid perf…)