"So, how are you Rahul?"

My surrounding people (i.e. friends, relatives, colleagues, family members) know it very well about my this characteristics. I know it is difficult for you to guess, luckily. Ohhhh, I am referring to My style. Little different. Whenever I come across or meet the unknown person and I have no clue about his name. I come across them at tea-stall. I meet them at restaurant. I may meet them in bus or at bus stop. In train, at railway platform, or at shops, even. Now, how to address him? A big challenge. ‘Tenya’, ‘Chotu’, ‘Bhaiya’, ‘Party’, ‘Boss’, ‘Saheb’, ‘Chacha’, ‘Kaka’ ‘or ‘Lala’. The list will be long. We use this various word to address him.

I use the most relevant name for him. For example, I will say while looking at him ‘Rajesh, hamare liye do chai aur ek coffee lana’ (Rajesh, please bring two tea and a coffee). I will also use this phrase ‘Maheshbhai, humko aapki rickshaw mein us char rasta tak chod dena’ (Maheshbhai, please drop me in your auto at next cross-roads).

I have been using this technique since 2003 (that I can recall, as I was staying in Delhi at that time). So far it is good going. The opposite person have been also enjoying or liking this style. Many times, he is refreshed by this unusual conversation or salutation. I use it very safely and looking at the situation. If person does not like then I try to cover up nicely without hurting him.

In Dec-2010, I have taken a seat in shuttle rickshaw to go Ratna Sagar Cross Road (Meghaninagar) from Subhash Bridge in Ahmedabad. It’s a real fact. The rickshaw driver was very young and jolly. He would be of around 20-22 years. He started boasting. He started gossiping little bit (even little big) while driving. I also counter played the same, even though I am not good at it. Then, I said, “Come on, I know you. Your name is Manoj”. He was shocked. He opened his both eyes up to what level he could do. I said to me “he is acting”. Then, he said, “my name is Manoj. But how do you know”. While driving, he also tried to show me his hand with permanent tattoo to show the name Manoj. But after few seconds, he said it has become dull now. I was not sure what is happening. Still I managed to showcase confidence level, even though it was not a reality show airing on TV. Then he said “I will show my identity card at the end of your journey”. I was at ease, if possible.

Then I arrived at the stop. You reached to the climax. I asked him for his Identity card. Now, it is my turn to get shocked and pleased both. He was Manoj. Trust me! He was Manoj Chauhan.

I said to myself, It was about to happen one day. It took 7 years to locate right person. Now I was on the sky on that day and next day too. 7 years is too long, isn't it?

4 GB ka memory card...

Technical Innovations are continuously happening. They are happening at the geometric growth rate. Telephone, TV, Computer, Printer, Mobile, Refrigerator, Washing machines and other such devices are redefining themselves. Scientists and Marketers have been continuously working for advanced features such as speed, automation, lower energy consumption, something instant, better quality and memory capacity. On the other side, we have been becoming very obsessed with these technological devices. People keep on changing the mobile handsets within 6-18 months. In few cased, even before the warranty or guarantee period ends. 

Are we doing similar innovations within ourselves in this global arena? Are we increasing our own speed in this technical world? There is no great deal in owning these great devices alone. We need to expand our heart and develop ourselves to be eligible for their usage and ownership.

Many time, we come across the phrase ‘mere mobile mei 4 GB ka memory card hai' (My mobile has 4 GB memory card). Very nice. My question is ‘aapka mann kitne GB ka hai' (what’s the capacity of our heart)? Why are we not expanding our mann like mobile handset? If we expand our mann to absorb all feelings, reactions, said-unsaid and to welcome everyone, we will be no longer obsessed or dependant on technical gadgets. Let’s work on it. Time starts now...

Suresh Purohit (Su_hit)

January 20, 2011, 8 PM

su_hit@rajshree.co.in

Keep Walking....

This is my first real blog. Coincidentally, I edited an article on ‘blogging’ authored by Rajesh Jain (Netcore Solution) in my first job with The Smart Manager magazine. Almost after 9 years or so, I am creating my own blog. I had never imagined while editing that article, that I will also use this medium as a platform for expression. The scale may be less. The number of readers may be low. But still see, how the technology has grown. I can recall that I wrote the opening lines as “nothing dies faster than an idea in the close mind”. Yes, indeed. The quote is still a part of mine.

Yesterday was one the most memorable days of my life. Analytically, it was 1500^th and last day with Torrent Parivaar. I was so deeply engrossed with my projects, portfolio, department, colleagues, friends, culture, MyWeb and 'n' number of various drives/movements/activities/tasks, that I felt that my part of heart had stayed in there only. I could not ask that part to walk with me.  Or in Praful (of Khichdi)’s style, “main mujhko kah hi nahi paya”.

Again coincidentally, my colleagues have honoured me by a book called ‘Connect the Dots’. Awesome book. So thoughtful gift. In initial two pages the author Rashmi Bansal writes “Every experience in your life – whether ‘good’ or ‘bad’ – has made you what you are. ............  These are the unexpected turns on the journey of life. Which lead to a destination. So go out there and do more, learn more, experience more. Create lots and lots of dots on the canvas of your life. Paint boldly and brightly – the colours of your choice. Create a life which is like a work of art.”

My journey through walking had already commenced a long back. I don't know when. The above lines gave it jubaan (wordings). As I expressed, ‘Keep walking, keep learning, keep growing and keep smiling”. If you do not walk then you will not be able to explore. As someone has said “Manzil to mil hi jayegi bhatak kar hi sahi, Gumrah to wo hai jo ghar se nikale hi nahi”.

If you are not learning then you are as good as a dead soul. Learning will shape up your life. If you have goal it will give you the directions. If you have directions, it will give you goal. ‘Keep Growing’ has two contexts here. Physical growth - that is natural due to time. We are not making any great achievement by having it. Time is achieving the milestone, neither you nor me. Still we celebrate our birthdays. Should do. But not in this context. Second is mental growth – that is driven by our learning and application of it. How nice it would be if we can link this to our birthday celebration. I know, it sounds difficult.

Smile is such a fantastic gift of God that it does not cost the donor, but on the other side, it has tremendous value to the receivers. Spread the smile. That’s ultimate purpose of the life.

So, Let’s             

Keep walking --> Keep learning --> Keep growing --> Keep smiling.

See you again, very soon. Let me cherish my earlier journeys.

Su_hit (Suresh Purohit)
su_hit@rajshree.co.in