Stories from the grassroots | Thoughts on development | Lessons on leadership
During these times of crisis and lockdown, it is indeed easy to get consumed by negative thoughts. Watching television, seeing our WhatsApp messages and reading the newspaper – everyone of them can become instruments of negativity. … Continue reading
The journey of leadership will not be complete without the journey of personal learning. It is about our ability to constantly expand our skill sets, build on our competencies and demonstrate the ability to exercise leadership in uncertain times like these. … Continue reading
Post independent India has never seen anything like the current COVID crisis before. What we are now seeing is not just a public health challenge but is something that is much more complex. … Continue reading
The COVID-19 pandemic is now a household word. Whether it is the television or the newspapers, the drawing room conversations or WhatsApp chats, the topic revolves around this and how it is affecting our lives. We are constantly bombarded with information from all sides and updates on the crisis and how people are responding – whether it is in China, South Korea, France, Germany, USA or India keep getting thrown at us.… Continue reading
Some 30-odd years ago, as a young doctor setting out to change the world, I was thinking of building a hospital for the tribal communities near Mysuru. I was all of 22 years old and believed a hospital was indeed the solution to address the healthcare needs of the community. So,… Continue reading
The word ‘Leader’ is usually associated with the CEO of a Corporation or with the head of State, a Government organization, NGO or political party. It is used synonymously with a person holding a position of authority and is seen as a person with influence and power.… Continue reading
Watching the young 17-year-old move menacingly with a drawn gun in his hands towards a hysterical mob would have made any sensible person see the crisis that is now evolving around the country. Whatever the explanation this young man gives himself and to the police, it is no different from the raving of another doctoral student from one of India’s prestigious educational institutions talking about breaking India apart and laying siege to the north east part of the country.… Continue reading
Leadership has been defined in many ways and is possibly one of the most researched subjects in the world today. Though so much has been said and written, one finds it difficult to have a final word on the subject of leadership. … Continue reading
There is so much talk today about the GDP and the economy not doing well across the political and business spectrum in the country. Discussions about the falling sales of cars, the sluggish real estate sector and Non performing Assets of banks dominate the headlines.… Continue reading
Leadership is a process of listening, interpreting what we listen to, and then intervening with the appropriate action. Most people equate intervention and action as the expression of leadership without recognizing that socially productive leadership action can be optimal only when they are based on deep listening that goes beyond its traditional appreciation.… Continue reading
Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to narrate a parable to explain how strong our yearning for God needs to be. He spoke of a disciple who used to repeatedly ask his teacher, “Sir, please tell me how I can see God.” After a few days of being repeatedly pestered by the disciple, the Guru told him, “Come with me, and I shall show you.”… Continue reading
I was meeting up with an old friend after several years and we decided to catch up with each other over coffee. This friend had worked as a senior adviser in his Government before moving on to work in the private sector.… Continue reading
One question that people keep asking me is what prompted me to start the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement when I was just 19 years of age.… Continue reading
Mindfulness and living in the present are words that are thrown around so commonly that no conversation on stress free living, meditation or wellness is complete without using them. It is increasingly becoming ‘cliché’ to use them and one is surprised at how little people actually know about this or how useful the practice can be in real life.… Continue reading
A few months ago, I saw a tweet from a recently elected Member of the Indian Parliament (MP) expressing his happiness at the address of the Indian Prime Minister to the newly elected members. In his address, Prime Minister Modi reminded the MPs that being a MP should not be seen as a position of power but should be regarded as an opportunity to serve their constituents and the Nation.… Continue reading