My Lessons in Life

By Azim Premji

I am very happy to be here with you. It is always wonderful to be with young people. As my hair turned from black, to salt and pepper and finally salt without the pepper, I have begun to realize the importance of youth. At the same time, I have begun to truly appreciate some of the lessons I have learnt along the way. I hope you will find them useful when you plan your own career and life.

First

The first thing I have learnt is that we must always begin with our strengths.

There is an imaginary story of a rabbit. The rabbit was enrolled in a rabbit school. Like all rabbits, it could hop very well but could not swim. At the end of the year, the rabbit got high marks in hopping but failed in swimming. The parents were concerned. They said, 'Forget about hopping. You are, anyway good at it. Concentrate on swimming.' They sent the rabbit for tuitions in swimming. And guess what happened? The rabbit forgot how to hop! As for swimming, have you ever seen a rabbit swim?

While it is important for us to know what we are not good at, we must also cherish what is good in us. That is because it is only our strengths that can give us the energy to correct our weaknesses.

Second

The second lesson I have learnt is that a rupee earned is of far more value than five found.

My friend was sharing with me, the story of his eight year-old niece. She would always complain about the breakfast. The cook tried everything possible, but the child remained unhappy. Finally, my friend took the child to a supermarket and brought one of those ready-to-cook cereal packets. The child had to cut the packet and pour water in the dish. The child found the food to be absolutely delicious? The difference was that she had cooked it!

In my own life, I have found that nothing gives as much satisfaction as earning our own rewards. In fact, what is gifted or inherited follows the old rule of 'come easy, go easy'. I guess we only know the value of what we have, if we have struggled to earn it.

Third

The third lesson I have learnt is, in Cricket, no one bats a hundred every time. Life has many challenges. You win some and lose some.

You must enjoy winning. But do not let it go to the head. The moment it does, you are already on your way to failure.

And if you do encounter failure along the way, treat it as an equally natural phenomenon. Don't beat yourself for it or anyone else for that matter! Accept it, look at your own share in the problem, learn from it and move on.

The important thing is, when you lose, do not 'lose the lesson'.

Fourth

The fourth lesson I have learnt, is the importance of humility.

Sometimes, when you get so much in life, you really start wondering, whether you deserve all of it. We have so much to be grateful for. Our parents, our teachers and our seniors, have done so much for us, that we can never repay them. Many people focus on the shortcomings, because obviously, no one can be perfect.

But it is important to first acknowledge, what we have received. Nothing in life is permanent, but when a relationship ends, rather than becoming bitter, we must learn to savor the memory, of the good things, while they lasted.

Fifth

The fifth lesson I learnt is, that we must always strive for excellence.

One way of achieving excellence, is by looking at those better than ourselves. Keep learning what they do differently.

But excellence cannot be imposed from the outside. We must also feel the need from within. It must involve not only our mind, but also our heart and soul. Excellence is not an act, but a habit.

I remember the inspiring lines of a poem, which says that your reach must always exceed your grasp. That is heaven on earth. Ultimately, your only competition is yourself.

Sixth

The sixth lesson I have learnt is, never give up in the face of adversity. It comes on you, suddenly without warning. Always keep in mind, that, it is only the test of fire, that makes fine steel.

A friend of mine shared this incident with me. His eight-year old daughter was struggling away at a jigsaw puzzle. She kept at it for hours but could not succeed. Finally, it went beyond her bedtime. My friend told her, "Look, why don't you just give up? I don't think you will complete it tonight. Look at it another day." The daughter looked with a strange look in her eyes, "But, dad, why should I give up? All the pieces are there! I have just got to put them together!"

If we persevere long enough, we can put any problem into its perspective.

Seventh

The seventh lesson I have learnt is, that while you must be open to change, do not compromise on your values.

Mahatma Gandhiji often said, "You must open the windows of your mind, but you must not be swept off your feet by the breeze."

Values like honesty, integrity, consideration and humility have survived for generations. At the end of the day, it is values that define a person more than the achievements.

Do not be tempted by short cuts. The short cut can make you lose your way and end up becoming the longest way to the destination.

Final

And the final lesson I learnt is, that we must have faith in our own ideas even if everyone tells us that we are wrong.

There was once a newspaper vendor who had a rude customer. Every morning, the Customer would walk by, refuse to return the greeting, grab the paper off the shelf and throw the money at the vendor. The vendor would pick up the money, smile politely and say, 'Thank you, Sir.'

One day, the vendor's assistant asked him, "Why are you always so polite with him when he is so rude to you? Why don't you throw the newspaper at him when he comes back tomorrow?"

The vendor smiled and replied, "He can't help being rude and I can't help being polite. Why should I let his rude behavior dictate my politeness?"

"God always gives the very best to those who leave the choice to Him"

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---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Maharaj Krishen Kaw

Subject: Fwd: {MAEJ_KASHEER} Fw: my learnings in life

To: progya shankar

SALUTE TO SHRI RATAN TATA

What Ratan Tata did for Mumbai Victims......

Ratan Tata is the chairman of Indian Hotels who own the Taj Mahal Hotel Mumbai, which was the target of the terrorists last year ..

Hotel President a 5 star property also belongs to Indian Hotels.

The following is really touching.

SALUTE TO
SHRI RATAN TATA



A. The Tata Gesture

1. All category of employees including those who had completed even 1 day as casuals were treated on duty during the time the hotel was closed.

2. Relief and assistance to all those who were injured and killed

3. The relief and assistance was extended to all those who died at the railway station, surroundings including the “Pav- Bha ji” vendor and the pan shop owners.

4. During the time the hotel was closed, the salaries were sent by money order.

5. A psychiatric cell was established in collaboration with Tata Institute of Social Sciences to counsel those who needed such help.

6. The thoughts and anxieties going on people’s mind was constantly tracked and where needed psychological help provided.

7. Employee outreach centers were opened where all help, food, water, sanitation, first aid and counseling was provided. 1600 employees were covered by this facility.

8. Every employee was assigned to one mentor and it was that person’s responsibility to act as a “single window” clearance for any help that the person required.

9. Ratan Tata personally visited the families of all the 80 employees who in some manner – either through injury or getting killed – were affected.

10. The dependents of the employees were flown from outside Mumbai to Mumbai and taken care off in terms of ensuring mental assurance and peace. They were all accommodated in Hotel President for 3 weeks.

11. Ratan Tata himself asked the families and dependents – as to what they wanted him to do.

12. In a record time of 20 days, a new trust was created by the Tatas for the purpose of relief of employees.

13. What is unique is that even the other people, the railway employees, the police staff, the pedestrians who had nothing to do with Tatas were covered by compensation. Each one of them was provided subsistence allowance of Rs. 10K per month for all these people for 6 months

14. A 4 year old granddaughter of a vendor got 4 bullets in her and only one was removed in the Government hospital. She was taken to Bombay hospital and several lacs were spent by the Tatas on her to fully recover her.

15. New hand carts were provided to several vendors who lost their carts.

16. Tata will take responsibility of life education of 46 children of the victims of the terror.

17. This was the most trying period in the life of the organisation. Senior managers including Ratan Tata were visiting funeral to funeral over the 3 days that were most horrible.

18. The settlement for every deceased member ranged from Rs. 36 to 85 lacs [One lakh rupees tranlates to approx 2200 US $ ] in addition to the following benefits:

a. Full last salary for life for the family and dependents;
b. Complete responsibility of education of children and dependents – anywhere in the world.


c. Full Medical facility for the whole family and dependents for rest of their life.
d. All loans and advances were waived off – irrespective of the amount.
e. Counselor for life for each person
B. Epilogue

1. How was such passion created among the employees? How and why did they behave the way they did?

2. The organisation is clear that it is not something that someone can take credit for. It is not some training and development that created such behaviour. If someone suggests that – everyone laughs

3. It has to do with the DNA of the organisation, with the way Tata culture exists and above all with the situation that prevailed that time. The organisation has always been telling that customers and guests are #1 priority

4. The hotel business was started by Jamshedji Tata when he was insulted in one of the British hotels and not allowed to stay there.

5. He created several institutions which later became icons of progress, culture and modernity. IISc is one such institute. He was told by the rulers that time that he can acquire land for IISc to the extent he could fence the same. He could afford fencing only 400 acres

6. When the HR function hesitatingly made a very rich proposal to Ratan – he said – do you think we are doing enough?

The whole approach was that the organisation would spend several hundred crore in re-building the property – why not spend equally on the employees who gave their life?

यह बच्चा कैसा बच्चा है

इब्ने इंशा

यह बच्चा कैसा बच्चा है

यह बच्चा काला–काला सा

यह काला सा मटियाला सा

यह बच्चा भूखा–भूखा सा

यह बच्चा सूखा–सूखा सा

यह बच्चा किसका बच्चा है

जो रेत पे तन्हा बैठा है

न उसके पेट में रोटी है

न उसके तन पर कपड़ा है

ना उसके सिर पर टोपी है

ना उसके पैर में जूता है

ना उसके पास खिलौना है

कोई भालू है कोई घोड़ा है

ना उसका जी बहलाने को

कोई लोरी है कोई झूला है

न उसकी जेब में धेला है

ना उसके हाथ में पैसा है

ना उसके अम्मी–अब्बू हैं

ना उसकी आपा–खाला है

यह सारे जग में तन्हा है

यह बच्चा कैसा बच्चा है

यह सहरा कैसा सहरा है

न इस सहरा में बादल है

न इस सहरा में बरखा है

न इस सहरा में बोली है

न इस सहरा में खोशा है

न इस सहरा में सब्जा है

न इस सहरा में साया है

यह सहरा भूख का सहरा है

यह सहरा मौत का साया है

यह बच्चा कैसे बैठा है

यह बच्चा कब से बैठा है

यह बच्चा क्या कुछ पूछता है

यह बच्चा क्या कुछ कहता है

यह दुनिया कैसी दुनिया है

यह दुनिया किस की दुनिया है

इस दुनिया के कुछ टुकड़ों में

कहीं फूल खिले कहीं सब्जा है

कहीं बादल घिर–घिर आते हैं

कहीं चश्मा है कहीं दरिया है

कहीं ऊँचे महल अटारियाँ है

कहीं महफिल है कहीं मेला है

कहीं कपड़ों के बाजार सजे

यह रेशम है यह दीबा है

यहीं गल्ले के अम्बार लगे

सब गेहूं, धन मुहय्या है

कहीं दौलत के संदूक भरे

हां तांबा, सोना, रूपा है

तुम जो माँगो सो हाजिर है

तुम जो चाहो सो मिलता है

इस भूख के दुख की दुनिया में

यह कैसा सुख का सपना है?

यह किस धरती के टुकड़े हैं?

यह किस दुनिया का हिस्सा है?

हम जिस आदम के बेटे हैं

यह उस आदम का बेटा है

यह आदम एक ही आदम है

यह गोरा है या काला है

यह ध्रती एक ही ध्रती है

यह दुनिया एक ही दुनिया है

सब इक दाता के बंदे हैं

सब बंदों का इक दाता है

कुछ पूरब–पच्छिम फर्क नहीं

इस धरती पर हक सबका है

यह तन्हा बच्चा बेचारा

यह बच्चा जा यहाँ बैठा है

इस बच्चे की कहीं भूख मिटे

क्या मुश्किल है हो सकता है,

इस बच्चे को कहीं दूध मिले

हाँ दूध यहाँ बहुतेरा है,

इस बच्चे का कोई तन ढांके

क्या कपड़ों का यहाँ तोड़ा है?

इस बच्चे को कोई गोद में ले

इंसान जो अब तक जिंदा है,

फिर देखें कैसा बच्चा है

यह कितना प्यारा बच्चा है

इस जग में सब कुछ रब का है

जो रब का है, वो सब का है

सब अपने हैं कोई गैर नहीं

हर चीज में सबका साझा है

जो बढ़ता है, जो उगता है

यह दाना है, या मेवा है

जो कपड़ा है, जो कंबल है

जो चाँदी है, जो सोना है

वह सारा इस बच्चे का है

जो तेरा है, जो मेरा है

यह बच्चा किसका बच्चा है

यह बच्चा सबका बच्चा है

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साभार : http://arvindguptatoys.com

मैं हूँ आलू का पापड़

मैं हूँ आलू का पापड़

रामेश्वर काम्बोज ‘हिमांशु’

मैं हूँ आलू का पापड़। मैं छोटे-छोटे बीज के रूप में था। किसान ने खेत की जुताई करके मुझे जमीन में दबा दिया। मेरा दम घुटने लगा। मुझे लगा मेरे प्राण पखेरू उड़ जाएँगे। किसान ने सिंचाई की। मुझसे अंकुर निकलने लगे और ऊपर की कोमल जमीन को चीरकर खुली हवा में साँस लेने का मौका मिला। ठण्ड पड़ने लगी। लगा कि मेरे पत्ते सूख जाएँगे। किसान ने सिंचाई करके मुझे सूखने से बचाया। कुछ कीट-पंतगों ने भी मेरे स्वास्थ्य को खराब करने का बीड़ा उठाया। मेरा मालिक बहुत होशियार था। उसने कीटनाशक छिड़ककर मुझे होने वाली बीमारियों से छुटकारा दिला दिया। मैं धीरे-धीरे बड़ा होने लगा। जमीन के भीतर मेरा आकार बढ़ने लगा।

किसान ने खुदाई करके मुझे बाहर निकाल लिया। बाहर का संसार बहुत सुन्दर था। एक दिन एक हलवाई मुझे खरीदकर ले गया। उसने पहले मुझे बड़े-बड़े भगौनों में उबाला। फिर मेरा छिलका बड़ी बेरहमी से उतारा। मेरी आँखों में इस हलवाई ने नमक-मिर्च झोंक दीं, मसाला भी मिला दिया। मुझे बुरी तरह कुचलकर बेलन से बेला और पापड़ बनाए। वह मुझे इतनी जल्दी छोड़ने वाला नहीं था। उसने मुझे तेज धूप में डाल दिया। मैं रो भी नहीं सकता था। इसके बाद उसने मुझे खौलते तेल में डालकर तला। आलू से पापड़ बनने की यह मेरी कष्टकारी यात्रा थी। अब आपकी प्लेट में सजाया गया हूँ ।

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हरियाली ने बौर सजाया

रामेश्वर काम्बोज ‘हिमांशु’

जन्म दिन वह याद है आया

पेड़ भेंट में मैंने पाया ।

आँगन में वह पेड़ लगाया

पानी उसको रोज पिलाया ।

पानी पीकर निकली डाली

डाली पर छाई हरियाली ।

हरियाली ने बौर सजाया

खुशबू से आँगन महकाया ।

आँगन में गाती मतवाली

कुहू -कुहू कर कोयल काली ।

महका बौर आम भी आए

हम सबने मिल-जुलकर खाए ।

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