2020 February

February, 2020

Hi Folks

Ask yourself ‘Why do I do what I do’. Confused ? Clear ? This was a simple ice-breaker question that a well known keynote speaker threw at us at a recent Talk Session. Infact he made each one of us ask our neighbour this question to understand him/her better. Actually looks simple but difficult to answer since in most cases we are not clear why we are into something. But this question not only broke ice but also helped us all do a split-second introspection into the quintessential existential question ‘Who am I ? What do I do ? Why do I do it?’. More often than not, we continue to do what we do without taking a moment to stop, pause and think. We get washed away in the deluge of life’s challenges and charms without stopping by to analyse if we are enjoying what we are doing or not.

This activity enabled not only self-introspection and articulation but also knowing the other person well enough to connect. It was interesting to see the diverse kind of responses this question got. Someone said “I do what I do because it gives me a kick, a sense of adventure and purpose. Helps me connect with people which I love the most”. Someone else said “I do it for a living”. I said “This is what I do best and I know nothing else”. Yet another said “I am not sure why I am doing this. I am an Engineer and so…..” Everyone laughed because most Engineers are burnt out and bored nowadays. Branching into other domains with most preferred being Food & Travel. A young student got up and boldly declared “I am studying commerce only to satisfy my father. But I love photography. I don’t like what I am doing” Reminded me of the struggle that Madhavan’s character had in 3 Idiots movie where he is studying engineering to please his dad but heart in heart desires to be a wildlife photographer. Yet another gentleman got up and shared what his neighbour was doing “He is a 82 year old Social Sciences Professor who has moved from teaching to serving the destitutes. He is clear why he is doing what he is doing. It is deeply satisfying to him at this stage in life”. Wow, in about 5 minutes, we knew each other but also realised how little we knew of ourselves ! How each person has a different purpose in life. How each one of us is either clear or confused about the purpose. What is driving whom. Who is doing what …well, the outcome was it is ok to do anything so long as you enjoy it. So long as there are no regrets. No complaints. Else it is time for you to ‘unbox’ yourself (in the speaker’s words) and find your calling. Find the courage to change course. Then and only then will you Live Life. Enjoy Life. Be Successful in Life. Then years seem like days, days seem like hours and hours like moments. Doesn’t matter if it is a normal year or a Leap year like 2020 ! If you find the answer to ‘Why I do what I do” you can leapfrog into success.

February, 2020

Hi Folks

From the 1st Budget presented in Independent India by the first Finance Minister, R K Shanmukham Chetty on 27th November, 1947 to the latest one presented by India’s first woman Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman on 1st February, 2020, Budget presentation has been the most awaited annual event both for corporate citizens as well as the common man. It has always received mixed reactions and shaped the economy in its own way, whether we like to admit or not. Irony is even after 40 years, the Common Man’s perplexed look in the famed cartoonist R K Laxman’s cartoon strip way back in 1980 matches the look on the Aam Aadmi’s face (not to be confused with AAP !) in 2020 !! The wry comments of the cartoonist about the Budget presented in 1980 by the then Finance Minister R Venkataraman holds good even today. No wonder a cartoon is the most non-offensive and effective communication that holds a mirror to realities in the true sense. Love it or hate it, one cannot ignore a cartoon that reflects the universal truth. More so Laxman’s which is timeless, ageless & priceless !!

Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget speech was long and unfinished. I assure you I will not unleash a long editorial this time. The time-tested and all-weather-proof, cartoon says it all. Suffice to say the devil lies in the details and more so in the fine print of the Budget which we have tried to summarise and carry relevant highlights. You can decipher and decode yourself if it is presented from the economic angle or points towards the ‘Aspirational India’ and ‘Caring Society’ that the Minister referred to.