Mind Speaks
Mind Speaks – Mmmm… To write or not to write
Welcome to read a new edition of Mind Speaks titled Mmm….To write or not to write.
Although, I have been coming out to you through various forms, “Mind Speaks” through “No News” is one special section of my creativity that I cherish doing periodically. It is similar to asking anyone interested in cricket about the beauty and enjoyment of playing and following a Test match. This gives me sufficiently large space to promote what I am promoting all the time in a detailed way than what I do every day. Of course, it all comes to certain small and mundane things of creativity, safety, social values or “whatever”, as someone could leisurely write and read off.
Inspire: No matter if the world stand still, continue with what you are doing. This is what I am trying to do these days. I do it from within, for my own enjoyment. As you see it, I do not do what I don’t enjoy and here is another edition of No News detailing those simple efforts in my own way.
I always believe that an individual’s life must benefit society. There should be some social purpose along with personal. Otherwise, according to me it remains meaningless. We are all in some way or another, blessed with worldly fortunes of different kind. Do not remain contended at that point.
I am in a hibernation mode during the last few days. There are some life realities which are disturbing me. Those are the current financial situation that is happening to some of my friends and known contacts. They may not be the only one in that situation in this current times of difficulties. Everyone is suffering. My humble suggestion to all those who are in that state, is to communicate with friends and family. It can bring out solutions. Do not wait till you run out of options and dig deep yourself in to tougher times with no possible escape route. Especially to young boys and girls. These days, the advantage of easy communication is turning out to be a real disadvantage. Whatsapp, Snapchat…. you name it and you have it as many as you wish! It is just because the conversation is very short and it may not convey the triviality of the situation you are in. At times, due to the large quantities of messages, the receiver may tend to ignore it totally or quick read it and reply in short. This is dangerous. If ever you feel you are not comfortable with your life situation, take time to meet those whom you trust, talk to them in person and try and find solutions how you can come out of it as a winner.
Eid holidays, a bit of travel here and there, and rest of the time working on a dream project. As usual and as I say, I am playing it in my mind, fine tuning it. A musical fusion programme to be presented to a large audience in the 1st week of October. The invocation has already been done to the lord and I am sure it will materialise well.
In my life, I have faced several obstacles. However, I did not deter from life goals. What inspired me were some simple steps of encouragement or support from those whom I regularly interact with in several community issues. Like, the words of one of my friend, who calls me at the middle of the night and tells me, there is a problem with the check-in system at the airport. I have identified corrective solutions for it, and have taken pictures of the present conditions. Please help me to submit it to the right authorities, so that the conditions could be improved in future. Or my friend, who write to me with photos saying that in his area, there are no playgrounds for children. But there is an open space which could be converted to a small playground. How do we go about it? Or another one more interesting sms from a friend – “I am seeing a series of unwarranted activities happening in my area and feel ashamed to remain quiet. What do we do to resolve it? Or even the more pressing and timely pathetic conditions of the roads in Banglore! Driving on those road, even during my short visits and short duration, I pity those who have to commute daily to work on those roads!
Why we as a community tend to live with such situations and do not raise our voice collectively to have the responsible authorities create a commutable road network? Our time is money and time has come to stop ignoring it forever and live with it. One relief is that not all are keeping their eyes, ears and mouth closed to such situations.
There are inspiring gestures that shows that people silently acknowledge me for the constructive social efforts that are being diligently carried out for the last few years.
In any case, small action leads to bigger joyous happening. Yes, the journey began in a small and singular way is gaining momentum and reaching bigger and wider regions and masses.
Create an attitude at heart with intentions of welfare and selflessness added to it. This is the prime thought when there is some action happening from my side. In our epics, stories indicate how man’s mind reacts to others’ happiness and sorrows. Instead of feeling jealous about others’ prosperity one should feel happy and join him in his success. Similarly, one should show concern when encountering others in distress and try to give them solace. While noticing someone drowning in a river one rushes to save him spontaneously without deliberating whether he is one’s friend or enemy. Likewise our heart must automatically sympathise with the distressed. Good fortune and happiness in this life is due to God’s grace and meant for sharing with others not for one’s edification only. Broadmindedness, concern for others and selflessness are virtues which should be inculcated in children from an early age. Man’s intellect has its limitations and he cannot know everything on his own or learn only from his experience. So, it is always good to look at elders or experienced for guidance and inspirations to mould one’s life to a suitable format. One should not have reservation about learning from others and in the realm of learning, age should not be a deterrent. History has shown several examples of elderly person seeking knowledge from young and mastering important values and virtues in the process.
Utilise your talent or knowledge without inhibition and if you have a good or bad experience, taking cue from this note, do take a few minutes of your time to share it so that it becomes an added learning example for many.
God bless you all and have a great journey ahead.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
@rameshmenonauh
Financial planning – Gulf Today – Short Take Dt 05 September 2015
It was Onam, the harvest festival of Keralites on Friday. I attended a traditional Onam lunch. It is always a great feeling taking part in such cultural activities.
The main attraction of the celebration was the traditional Onam feast, ie. Sadhya. A sumptuous lunch with a long list of curries served on a plantain leaf. All in traditional style.
As we were having the lunch, one of the dignitaries was addressing the crowd. He mentioned the value of money. These days we are hearing of several people affected by huge financial problems. Rich and ordinary alike are suffering because of poor financial planning.
His speech reminded me of KV Shamsudheen’s untiring community effort to teach the general public about the perils of bad money management and the importance of systematic financial planning in life.
Money is precious. Handle it carefully. It is hard to earn and easy to lose.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today Online
Mind Speaks – KITs for success
Welcome to read my post “KITs for success”.
I had an opportunity to attend an international conference a few days ago. It became another opportunity to meet two remarkable personalities.
Immediately after the lunch on day one was a presentation by the CEO of a company based in Washington.
We all know it is very tough to get attention of the delegates during the session after lunch.
His profile was very impressive as his personality. We noticed in the beginning itself that he was stammering and it was difficult to speak at a stretch. It did not bother him at all. He took control of the situation and in few minutes gained momentum to give an Xxtra ordinary presentation. Whenever he was feeling he will get stuck he diverted the attention of the audience by showing the details on the slide and then regained his momentum and continued from thereon. Next was the turn of a physically challenged expert with several Doctorates in her name. It took several minutes for her to reach the podium with the help of her electronic walker. All those limbs with limited movements were not a hindrance at all for her presentation style or content.
It created plenty of thoughts in my mind looking at them and the techniques they employed to reach their destinations till this time. Both were highly placed and if ever they had held themselves to their challenges? They would not have moved an inch ahead in their life.
English is not my mother tongue. I have written this point before as well. I try using it in simpler ways to convey messages and thoughts passing by. Several progressive things have evolved out during this journey of communication. Some of them have been significant from my point of view and wishfully list them here. They include the quality initiatives and numerous suggestions and write ups generated to create awareness on safety. The effort is a continuous socially conscious process and there are some other ongoing issues for which I am trying my best efforts to make it happen.
It is interesting to continuously participate in progressive activities happening around.
The loss and sufferings of a few friends and relatives due to different types of cancer really keep my objectives focused. Life now is a race against time. The carcinogenic cells within a person knowingly or unknowingly attack from nowhere and then hardly any time left. The need for speed is therefore to leave some good memories and deeds to the society we exist.
Sometimes the thoughts are all there within us. It may be all mixed up. Like the meat coming out of a meat mincer. Activities happening around too does not differ. Day by day our life and people around are getting different.
Are we also affected by the global recession? Some months ago it was the turn of the environmentalists to cry about the global warming. The heat is on now with a much higher degree and severity that makes those environmental voices become no cries in the current context.
I am pained to read news about known people getting affected by several different types of financial crisis.
The week starts and ends at a much higher pace these days and I look forward to the Friday’s as it gives some time to catch up with the leftovers from print media collected over the week. Luckily, the design and layout of the print media have changed so that the bulk material not required can be separated easily and what remains comes out with quality to keep the interest in reading out from the print media remain sustained.
Some years ago Padmashri Dr. B. R. Shetty was given a felicitation by all the major associations and community groups to honor him for the highest civilian award by India Government. During the function his son Mr. Binay Shetty was asked to say a few words about his father. He quoted his grandmother’s advise to his father.
Don’t try to make everybody happy. Try to make 10 people happy and they will in turn try to make another 10 happy and the chain will progress.
Padmashri Dr. B. R. Shetty has his own inimitable style of speaking. He speaks from his heart. He pointed out the visit to his mother’s burial place immediately after receiving the honor. It was an act done to dedicate the laurels to her and also to remind himself that blessings from the family and loved ones is the most important thing in life.
Almost the end of this write-up and did you notice a difference?
I have deliberately avoided usage of commas till now.
Just tried how much additional effort is required to avoid the usage of commas as Colin Randall once said in his write up for The National about the use and misuse of it.
Long ago I created an email group and named it Team 1 and continued it with a blog. The principle objective of Team 1 blog “committed to continuous improvement” was my mantra followed thereafter to encourage and promote both young and adults and give them opportunity to read and learn a variety of topics on Knowledge, Information and Talent with an intention to share them without any apprehension. Sustained effort was ensured to make the site become part of the several first hand KITs initiatives.
The world of communication is changing and it is not an easy task to follow traditional ways as the exchange of communication is getting shorter and shorter.
Let us try to do our best efforts for the benefit of our society with the blessings of our parents, teachers and family.
To sum it up, I quote Mrs. Sarah Belhasa who rightly said in her interview with Wknd
“You don’t need to see the entire staircase to know where it goes. Just take the first step. It will lead somewhere..”
God Bless and have a great week ahead.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Electronic world – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt 29 August 2015
This is the age of electronic communication. This makes things easier for all. Children are well read and if they have any doubt on anything in this universe, they have the Google guru to assist. They don’t need to ask anyone else. They don’t believe anyone else too! Either their friends or what they find from searching on the Internet through Google.
I am amazed and amused by this trend. The other day I was in a shopping mall lift. A family of three came in with their child in the pram. I noticed the cute little boy of 3 to 4 years playing with an Android phone.
I thought he might be playing some games. As I observed closer, I was proved wrong, he was watching videos from a YouTube link active in it. Selecting and changing one after another!
As it was Onam, the harvest festival of Keralites, I went to the vegetable section of the supermarket.
I found a young couple, probably recently married, busy shopping. The boy and the girl were trying to impress each other on their mastery on vegetables and cooking! It was nice to see them trying to make headway in their life journey.
In between the girl too was searching on the Internet for various ingredients to be bought for a traditional Kerala recipe.
As I stood in the queue, I could see her calling her mother to confirm whether the items and quantity to be purchased were correct!
What would we do in this modern world if the mobile or electronic gadgets stop working?
Ramesh Menon
Gulf Today, Short Take Dt 29 August 2015
Mind Speaks – Elephant Beauty & Elephant Walk Policy
Elephants – Temple elephants are an integral part in the life of Keralites. Especially, if you are from Trichur area. The attachment towards the animal and interaction are very emotional and sensitive that they even address them by names and from ancient times there are several stories propagating the love and affection between man and elephant.
An Elephant’s walk is a beauty to watch. However, imagine a situation if it get’s wild. You just have to do a small search on youtube, you will see several videos of attacks by wild and angry elephant’s killing it’s mahout or others who come across.
Out of love and passion for the animal, I too have developed a very important Management Principle based on Elephant, closely following it’s gentle and beautiful walking style which is a beauty to watch and it’s actions terrorising all when it is wild. I have termed it as ELEPHANT WALK POLICY. It is somewhat related to our Gandhian and Hitler’s philosphies and principles.
First part of this principle follows Gandhi. Be mild – as mild as you can till you cannot tolerate any more when you may change over and follow Hitler and be wild and aggressive – as aggressive as you can. Create a wild impact and then let this impact force the results. It may be harmful, but till you shift the gear to Hitler, be a Gandhian.
Enjoy the photo of a beautiful temple elephant taking bath at the Shiva Temple Ernakulam before a festival.
Beware, I am not mild! I am sure you too.
Mind Speaks – I am a Virgin
Public Speaking is an art. Some people are very talented at it so much so that we love to hear them speak for any number of hours.
It may be natural for some but for others it may be developed over a period of years. Both require in depth knowledge on the subject they speak and also huge amount of preparation before.
It is also the same case when it comes to answering questions spontaneously after the speech on the subject they talked as well as various others.
I was lucky to listen to three speakers recently. One was a US scientist, who elaborated his mastery and presented it in the simplest manner that even a layman could understand.
The other one was one of my own seniors. With experience in the industry for about 40 years, it is a treat to watch and listen to him on any day. It comes so natural that the audience will never realize how much time and topic is covered until he leaves the podium.
It doesn’t end there as he has a natural way to answer post-speech questions. I haven’t seen him carrying a manuscript for his speech.
However, it was new experience for me and all others gathered who listened to him at a huge gathering.
As he came in front of the podium, he took out a set of papers. Before reading out the key messages from it, he said to all.
“Today, I am a virgin! It is the first time I am reading out from a pre-written note!”
It was really an icebreaker to capture the huge audience. Though he ventured out from the note at times, it blended perfectly.
The third speaker was none other than the honorable Prime Minister of India Sri Narendra Modi. As he entered the Dubai Cricket stadium on Monday, 17th August 2015 evening, the stadium was filled with thunderous applause and all were shouting Modi, Modi, Modi…It took for him a while to blend himself in.
The moment he started addressing the crowd, it became a speech of historic importance. He carried the audience along with him every moment of that talk which lasted more than an hour. He didn’t miss any opportunity to praise the UAE leaders for their hospitality to him and India as a nation of importance to the region, its growth and development.
In his trademark style, he also made it a point to wish the Malayali communities, the largest group in the audience as well as the largest community in the UAE, a happy new year, as it was the first day of the Malayalam calendar year.
A mix of math, science, humor, anger all blended well in his long speech. What he wanted to say, he said and what he didn’t want to say, he didn’t!
Expats who waited for hours wanting to hear about measures from the government to work on reducing the airline charges which are rocketing every day, even during the present time when oil price is at its maximum low, or news on other beneficial measures for expat community left home as they came!
Business and trade community had its share of happiness when he announced UAE’s plans to invest US$75 billion in Indian infrastructure and boost trade between the two countries by 60 per cent. No business will thrive without hard work and acumen to generate the atmosphere for it to thrive. Now, it is up to the business community in both countries to work on this and make things happen.
What inspired me more was his call for action for the audience in general and the Indian Community as a whole to invest in schemes under Prime Minister’s Jan Suraksha Yojana an amount of Rs 600 for their sisters. The schemes target the poor and unorganized sector that are neither covered by any form of insurance nor get pension. Under the accident insurance scheme, a person will be provided cover of Rs 200,000 for an annual premium of Rs 12. The cover is for accidental death or permanent total disability.It has inspired me to look deeper around. I live in a gated community where I know I can contribute towards this and help some of the workers who can benefit from this scheme, with support from members like me.
He reiterated again and again that this huge welcome from the UAE is for the Prime Minister of India, its people for their contribution to the country’s development.
His speech of historic importance proved again, public speaking and presence of mind to take people along and motivate them as they leave the venue is indeed an art which has to be developed by all.
For any established speaker, every stage will be a new one, with new momentum and atmosphere. It is up to them to make it fresh and interesting to leave the podium with ever lasting impression on the audience. It is the same case as of a performing artist. Practice in the mind and perfect in person. If ever you get such an opportunity as a speaker, keep it fresh, beautiful and attractive to create ever lasting memories.
Let this note inspires you to say and act “I am a Virgin” in whatever you do! May you carry the freshness and exuberance all along.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
@rameshmenonauh/rameshmenoabudhabi@gmail.com
Abdul Kalam left a rich legacy – Letters to the Editor – The National Dt 30th July 2015
Abdul Kalam left a rich legacy
Your editorial A humble man with big ideas (July 29) was poignant. With the death of Dr Abdul Kalam, India has not just lost a great scientist, but a great human being.
Two major incidents made this week particularly tragic for the country, as there was also a terrorist attack in Punjab.
Dr Abdul Kalam was a visionary, as he devoted his time to nurture young talent. He realised that the young generation is the backbone of the nation. He was also kind and compassionate. Dr Abdul Kalam strongly advocated an action plan to develop India into a “knowledge superpower”. His rich legacy will keep his memory alive. His books, particularly Wings of Fire and Ignited Minds, will carry his thoughts and ideas to millions of people. May his soul rest in peace.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit The National Online
Take the right path – Gulf Today – Short Take Dt 11 July 2015
Take the right path
I love to explore and experience the beauty of this country, its culture and values. Each day brings out a joy of learning a thing new, irrespective of which side I get up, who double parks in front of my car, or who speeds and misses hitting my car while travelling between work and home.
The country is growing in pace and volume and along with it the diverse culture and style.
Several times I ask myself why the public has a tendency to violate rules and values when they clearly know that these are not to be violated especially during this holy period. A self-realisation from within is essential.
Ramesh Menon
Gulf Today, Short Take Dt 11th July 2015
Point to ponder – Gulf Today – Short Take Dt 04 July 2015
Point to ponder
It was a foggy morning and I looked through the windows outside. The busy road and the vehicles were not clearly visible as it used to be on any normal day.
Suddenly my eyes caught up with a flip calendar with a quote on it. The words on that day’s page read “Never do anything which you do not wish to do during the last hour of your life.”
I kept on looking at it for a long time. The foggy weather condition and the traffic situation were no more in my focus and thoughts.
My memories went back to a few years to a hospital room near the ICU. It was raining and I was consoling a loving family member who was, unknown to all of us at that time, in the last week of her life. Listening to my encouraging words, she was showing a brave face, but she knew at that condition a turnaround was the last possible thing.
That part of the thought ended then and there and it revolved to the present. Can we really make an effort to have the real essence of that sentence possible in our day-to-day life? I started thinking deep into it. How can we bring in a change that can make our last action everlasting?
Not an easy task. After all, no one wants to die fast. So, is that an excuse to do something unwanted to be given another chance to correct it?
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, visit Gulf Today online
Take a break – Short Take – Gulf Today – Dt 27th June 2015
Take a break
Life moves at a crazy pace. At times I feel the 5W’s of journalism is immaterial in our day-to-day life. Who we are, What we do, When do we have time for ourselves, Where are we moving to, Why life is like this these days?
No one has time for the other. The stories we were taught about birds and tiny creatures storing their bits and pieces of grains for survival during the monsoon season, when it is normally tough to get supplies, were simple management techniques driven hard into our mind to preserve for a tougher time.
Do we have such an ideology to teach for the young generation these days? I don’t think so. Everything is impulsive and instantaneous. You buy the latest phone and within a few months change it with a new model. Same with cars.
I think there is a need to slow down, relax and enjoy the precious moments with peace and harmony.
Ramesh Menon
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