Today is 30 Jan and it was on this day, 64 years back, that Gandhiji was assassinated. We'd assembled at a common place in the office and spent two minutes in silence to pray for all the martyrs, who'd laid down their lives for the sake of this country and her well being.
1. Gandhiji's relevance.
Does Gandhiji's thoughts and ideals still have relevance in today's world? Notwithstanding the fact that he's all pervading in that he's on the currency notes, most main thoroughfares of the Indian cities are named after him, all government offices have his photograph at vantage positions and numerous social welfare projects continue to be named after him. But, as his countrymen, do we emulate his ideals? Sadly, we don't. Is it because they're difficult to emulate? Or is it that we simply don't care?
I think the answer to that pertinent question is that it's a combination of both. They're difficult to emulate because the results need not be quick, spectacular or sensational which is what most, if not all of us, prefer. And what's the use of being tolerant and considering the others as one's own brethren?
If that be the case, aren't we fooling ourselves by religiously celebrating his birthday and his remembrance day?
2. A tricky issue.
This evening there was an unfortunate incident in the residential area that I live in. I was all set to go for my evening walk when the secretary had called up to say that he'd something to show me that required my urgent intervention. As I walked in to one of the shops, doing business within the complex, there were packets of delicacies strewn on the floor and most of them were badly damaged.
On enquiry, it was revealed that it was the handiwork of one of the residents who'd chucked them on the vendor, in anger because of petty differences. After tasking three members of the core committee of the residential organisation to investigate, I'd rushed off for my evening walk.
On return, along with a few of the core committee members, I'd reviewed the case and found that the resident was to blame. And realising that, the resident tried the time tested strategy of getting into the offensive. It took a while to nail every point that she'd come up with and after listening to the vendor's version of the story, I'd to tell her that she did not have the right to be belligerent and throw her rank at the poor vendor. With the promise of making good the damages and proffering of apologies from both the sides, the issue was settled. Phew!
There never seems to be a dull moment.
3. The recalcitrant boss.
One of my boys has got his marching orders and he wanted me to talk to his new boss to allow him to take three weeks off, beyond his reporting date, to get married - which had been fixed much earlier - and then make arrangements to take his newly wedded wife and mother to the new station. Despite my recommendations, his new boss was adamant that the youngster reported on the due date.
The youngster is sad but how does one make his boss see the light of reason. I must speak to him yet again and try to 'soften' him after a break of a few days!
Tailpiece.
(a) Gandhiji watches us from all the vantage positions that he's been placed and must be horrified to witness what his countrymen are doing!
(b) Quite a few of us get carried away by the official postions that we adorn and armed with that might(?) we boot our juniors, act smart with our colleagues to be up front in the rat race and shamelessly bootlick our seniors!!
(c) Many a time, we tend to get into rigid positions and refuse to relent later because of our ego. I can already anticipate a troubled relationship between the youngster and his boss. And on top of that, he's got a family to tend. His trouble free bachelor days are coming to an end, for sure!
1. Gandhiji's relevance.
Does Gandhiji's thoughts and ideals still have relevance in today's world? Notwithstanding the fact that he's all pervading in that he's on the currency notes, most main thoroughfares of the Indian cities are named after him, all government offices have his photograph at vantage positions and numerous social welfare projects continue to be named after him. But, as his countrymen, do we emulate his ideals? Sadly, we don't. Is it because they're difficult to emulate? Or is it that we simply don't care?
I think the answer to that pertinent question is that it's a combination of both. They're difficult to emulate because the results need not be quick, spectacular or sensational which is what most, if not all of us, prefer. And what's the use of being tolerant and considering the others as one's own brethren?
If that be the case, aren't we fooling ourselves by religiously celebrating his birthday and his remembrance day?
2. A tricky issue.
This evening there was an unfortunate incident in the residential area that I live in. I was all set to go for my evening walk when the secretary had called up to say that he'd something to show me that required my urgent intervention. As I walked in to one of the shops, doing business within the complex, there were packets of delicacies strewn on the floor and most of them were badly damaged.
On enquiry, it was revealed that it was the handiwork of one of the residents who'd chucked them on the vendor, in anger because of petty differences. After tasking three members of the core committee of the residential organisation to investigate, I'd rushed off for my evening walk.
On return, along with a few of the core committee members, I'd reviewed the case and found that the resident was to blame. And realising that, the resident tried the time tested strategy of getting into the offensive. It took a while to nail every point that she'd come up with and after listening to the vendor's version of the story, I'd to tell her that she did not have the right to be belligerent and throw her rank at the poor vendor. With the promise of making good the damages and proffering of apologies from both the sides, the issue was settled. Phew!
There never seems to be a dull moment.
3. The recalcitrant boss.
One of my boys has got his marching orders and he wanted me to talk to his new boss to allow him to take three weeks off, beyond his reporting date, to get married - which had been fixed much earlier - and then make arrangements to take his newly wedded wife and mother to the new station. Despite my recommendations, his new boss was adamant that the youngster reported on the due date.
The youngster is sad but how does one make his boss see the light of reason. I must speak to him yet again and try to 'soften' him after a break of a few days!
Tailpiece.
(a) Gandhiji watches us from all the vantage positions that he's been placed and must be horrified to witness what his countrymen are doing!
(b) Quite a few of us get carried away by the official postions that we adorn and armed with that might(?) we boot our juniors, act smart with our colleagues to be up front in the rat race and shamelessly bootlick our seniors!!
(c) Many a time, we tend to get into rigid positions and refuse to relent later because of our ego. I can already anticipate a troubled relationship between the youngster and his boss. And on top of that, he's got a family to tend. His trouble free bachelor days are coming to an end, for sure!
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