Flying Kite and Lessons for Life

Those who have been in Bengaluru for 20+ years would remember the sight of sky full of kites in summer till July, august. While in rest of India, kite festivals are during Sankranti, for us, it use to be months together.

The huge trees near marthas hospital, mysore bank circle used to be dotted with hundreds of kites, most of them were those which were cut by rival kite flyers in far places like chickpet, akkipet, majestic areas and it had flown in wind to get stuck in trees, hanging..!!

I remember the days when blood oozed out from nose, thanks to standing under scotching sun for hours together, nevertheless, it was only a pause till going back to terrace next day.

Every building use to have residents flying and some were champions in cutting others kites through their glass powder embedded threads. In every street we had children looking at sky if any kites will drop nearby which are been cut by others.

This might look like a story and soon become a history, in this digital era. However when we look back this entire set of events, it had lot of lessons for us in life.

Yes, flying kite thought us some important lessons, without attending any classes. Some of them are relevant in our life, even today.

Here is a list of comparison it has:

Budget and Planning: those days, 2 rupees use to be luxury and if given, we sat and budgeted it – how many 50 ps. & 25 ps. kites we should buy. Should we buy 6 or 8 and how long we can use it?  We also use to budget for Manjaa (layering Glass powdered threads) and when we should have it. Who all will join, on whose terrace, how much time etc.

This is important even now. If we don’t budget properly on various investments, expenditures, we will not be able to meet the funds during exigency. If we do wrong planning, we will misuse resources and might lead to failure of projects.

Challenging the Opponents:  the most challenging part of flying, was to take on the opposite team’s kites and ensure it is cut but if any miscalculation, it will backfire. Sometimes, even if you don’t want, unanticipated and surprising attack use to happen by others and will take away yours.

It taught to be careful on whom you will take heads on. Before challenging them, know their strengths. If you think it’s not worth to fight a losing battle, just withdraw from the game or fly far away. To be careful of unknown, unanticipated enemies, be vigilant all the time. We don’t know who is planning against us!!

Be ready for Surprises:  life is full of surprises. We don’t know when we miss what or gain something. Similar to the unknown attack, wind, rain will spoil the game. Be ready for it and don’t lose heart

It can also be a pleasant surprise when unexpectedly you win the game against strong opponent which you thought will lose for sure or come across a kite which was cut far away and it fell near by… its Bonus!! I still remember that pleasant feeling when a kite is approaching, floating in wind, not sure if it will land in our hand and keep close look at thread to catch hold of it.

Team Work: nothing can be more joy than being with friends and celebrating. The game was never a one man army. It was always a bundle of people, joined together. Starting from preparing threads, buying kites and to fly and fight. If it was individual flying, it would be solo show, staring at sky.

 Nothing has changed now. If we need to work in a project, it’s always a team work. Most the projects done by individuals will have less success % vs. winning ratio of team work.

Direction:  you need to know which direction wind is and then plan to fly according to it.  Otherwise no matter how much efforts we put, it will not take off, rather might get torn. Nothing different in knowing our direction in life now.

Enhance Skills and Continuous Improvement:  when we first start flying, we didn’t know anything. Elders at home use to purchase, tie required sutras (threads) in particular order and allow use to enjoy it. As we start learning the game, we realised, we can’t depend on them every time. So start practicing the art of tying sutras, attacking opponent teams, checking weather condition, measuring the distance to fly etc.

In professional life, if we don’t enhance our skills, we might become redundant, younger generation will take over. We can’t depend on the earlier technology or skills. Its always continuous improvement - Kaizen.

Our ancestors had designed such ideal games, which made the next generations equipped with various skills required for life. Kite Flying is just an example. You can relate to any of the traditional games, this lessons will be found.

Tulasi Thota – a lost Malgudi in Bengaluru

After reading this blog “Tulasi Thota”, it will bring different feelings, depending on who you are. If you are one among those who grew up in old Bengaluru, it will pull you back by decades.  If you are a devotee visited the famous temple there, it will make you spiritual and if you are some one new to namma Bengaluru or who has not explored the original essence of our city, you will wonder if this was a true locality ever existed or just an imagination write-up . 

From many days this topic was lingering in mind and finally thought let me give shape to it and here you go.

Imagine a locality, which had a big, century old temple in center and in surrounding roads, old styled line houses, covered mostly with Mangalore red tiles as roof. Very few houses had 2-3 floors and rest with only ground floor.

A park, with plant nursery and music band stage  for performances.  It was also known as chick lalbagh due to its size and huge trees. There was also an ice cream factory near park which used to make local cones and candies.

A playground, better known as PT ground ( because of most the Physical Training class of schools were happening there) one of the biggest at that part of town and only place for all, with two huge trees giving shades to children playing. 

A big water tank between park and ground, which ensured we didn’t go thirsty with regular supply of drinking water. Even in wells, which most of the houses had those days, was having water with 5-10 feet to ground level. Yes, that’s true. Today even after going 300 feet we don’t have water in bore-well.

One govt. school – Poornaiah Chatra and one private school – Saraswati Tutorials was source of education for not only citizens of Tulasi Thota, but entire population from nearby areas.  Children used to play in the ground said above or on the roads, ranging from lock – key, hide & seek, lagori, during morning or even late evenings without fear of traffic (though close to majestic !!) .

It was next to chickpet, alankar plaza, KG Road etc., hence shopping was just a walk through, for whatever under sun we wanted to buy.

And for those who wanted to relish food, it was endless. Starting from the mouth-watering masala dosa of Malabar,  poori of Udupi Bhavan, Idli Vada of Megha darshini to the Chaats shops, catering all types of churmuri , snacks we wanted ( not able to find better than those, still )

Talking about the temple, due to which locality got this name, it was one of the biggest shrine in old Bangalore, rather a complex of multi deities. It had numerous programs, which also created a kind of bonding among the people who resided there, joining together to celebrate. Lakshadeepotsava (festival of Lighting Lamp), Procession of Chariots, Yearly Utsavas ensured good time and also gave opportunity to serve as volunteers.  It had plenty of mango trees along with a very huge jamun tree. It was the target practice place for us, to ensure fruits are down in very few stones.

It also had big pond with couple of tortoises. It used to be feast to eyes, to catch the rare glimpse of those creates venturing out sometimes. The Puliyogare and Sweet Pongal, served as Prasad in temple, was the best and might remain the best, forever.

People talk about safety in our city, now..!! However, every year during the annual Bengaluru Karaga, most of us, used to be awake entire night and walk to the nearby main roads, post mid-night or early morning for glimpse of the processions. Never heard any such nuisance being created or fear, what media speak about our city this days.

One of the favourite sport children (even elders) had was flying kites. Come summer, almost every family had representatives on whichever terraces available. It was not just flying kite , but it was battle,  by preparing threads,  embedded with  glass powder on it   (called maanjaa),calculate the budget and purchase of kites with different cost, to win the sport by cutting down other kites using our  powdered threads. When stock of kites got over, look at sky in far places hoping someone else cut down kites will reach us in wind.

We knew almost everyone in the locality. People used to share landline and happily inform neighbors whenever call was made (though rare and we still waited for post man in afternoons to deliver our cards and inland letters). There were multiple gang of children and youngsters, actively engaged.  I still remember, only one house had VCP those days, and used to be the only place where can watch home-alones to tom & jerry cassettes. The house used to be bustling with children, still no elders cribbed (or we didn’t bother). There were many days I used to have breakfast, or dinner at friend’s house, without even second thoughts.  

This was also an historic place. In 1892 - 93, Swami Vivekanand, on a visit to Karnataka, had stayed in here. It also had patronage from some of the kings who ruled.  

It was like a dream come true kind of situation, it was like the famous Malgudi Day stories, with so many positive aspects surrounding us.

You must have noticed, many places I have used past tense like was, had etc. wondered why?

Tulasi Thota was a small area in heart of the city. When I say, heart, it literally means it, because it was less than 1 km from Majestic Bus Stand compound and 2 kms from City Railway Station, yet, there lived a peaceful locality for many decades before the sea of changes which hit our city in late 90's and early decade of 2000.

When the so called change happened, though it bought some positive impact by providing jobs and economy, it also damaged the original charm we had in this city and same happened to Tulasi Thota.

Now, whenever I visit this place, it makes me driving through nostalgia lane. Thanks to the land prices, all old houses demolished and converted to shops. Water sources are gone, thanks to over exploitation of underground water. Park been reduced to half of its size, and those huge trees are chopped for metro line.

The roads, we used to play endlessly, has become too congested with shops and traffic occupying most of the time. Entire locality is covered in dust due to vehicles and constructions.

Many of our favorite eateries have given way for reasons and most of the residents vacated the locality.  Even the temple has undergone change!!

It is that conflicting feeling when you get while  visiting a familiar place close to the heart but not able to digest the truth which has happened nor able to recognize any one around. This is the place where I grew up for more than twenty five years before moving out, it has become a nostalgic part of my life along with others who shared similar time there. There is no turning back, it will never get the lost glory.

It’s the little Malgudi, we lived in, a story to tell.

Selfie & GPS and Elimination of Human Relations

Let me make it clear. I am not against any technology or trends. The intention of this is to retrospective ourselves on what this new technologies are doing to us in terms of people relations.  

Whichever place we go - mall, movie, restaurants, marriage stage or even in Zoo, in front of cages, we see people who so enthralled in taking selfies, either in small or very large groups. Wow, what a look it is… people - all gazing, with artificial looks, and doing circus to ensure they are part of it..!!

Just look at phone gallery, how many selfies we have stored, how many we actually revisit or remember it. It’s only a moment of glory we do it and forget it.

Same applies to GPS kind of technology. No doubt, it helps when you are lost in an unknown, unpopulous area. In the earlier days, we use to stop on the way and ask people the directions. I don’t remember any such incidents of people misguiding others.

However, we are currently depended so much on the GPS map, we will not ask any one, its more like, I know everything attitude. Just key in the details and zoooommmm….

In all this technologies one common factor which we are not observing is the diminishing human relations.

Remember, when we use to go out, we use to ask some unknown person to take a snap of ours. We stand in gang, he used to say smile please and we all smiling till he says done. The unnoticed in this event was, we use to speak to some unknown person, smiles and acknowledgement of the help he did. Many times the conservation used to extend to know each other, where they have headed, what they do... the natural human tendency to connect and socialise with others.

Same applies when we were lost. In Kannada we have a saying which roughly translates - to the unknown place, tongue is the route. Which means, if you are not aware, ask someone and get to know the directions.  That was the situation for hundreds of years. We never thought twice to stop and ask someone. Even that person use to try and help by giving all the input, including, directions, road conditions, precautions we should take, shortcuts, warnings etc. The one who asked and the one who is guiding are unknown, but still there was a bonding of care and satisfaction of helping.

Whenever I see this trends being used extensively, everywhere, every time, I feel the changing attitude of ours. It’s more of self-centric, egoistic and to an extend of not connecting with others for any help. It’s an attitude of knowing everything, and I will manage myself. Many may not agree with this, with different views, I respect it, however, at this moment this what I am feeling.

Organisation – Love it or Hate it?

Often, these days, we keep hearing, some XYZ Company is best, and some other DEF is bad. Some company employees love to work for it and few just hate in other. But, do we actually like or hate the company we work or is the system in which company is incorporated we judge.

Organizations are Neutral; they don’t behave bad or good for people working there. Than how do we judge it?  It’s based on the process and policies decided by the management of the organisation which governs it.

Just look back at any company we work or worked earlier. Brand name will remain in our mind; the company actually is standing still.  What comes in to us is the feeling what we got while working there.

In numerous exit interviews I have done till now, large number of people have left because of better prospects elsewhere. That doesn’t mean they didn’t like the company they worked for. It’s just that, they didn’t like the way system was working, the practices it was followed, the culture it had and opportunities it provided.

If we incorporate best practices, good working environment, responsibility of work along with authority of taking decision, the organisation becomes good, and we reverse with all this, it becomes bad. 

Organization is like a raw stone, it doesn’t have any feature, unless the required shape is carved out. 

Suppose any company has high volatility, doesn’t have long term project - assignments, the attrition rate will go up, the morale will be low and in the market, the talk about the company is negative. However, it’s not the organisation mistake.  What went wrong is the decision of people working there and the practices they follow. 

Similarly when there is high volume of business, more profit, better engagement programs, it’s not the organisation which has got it done. It’s the people, who work there , has better management skills, market condition will be in their favor, which also makes the work place great. 

So next time, when someone comments about a company, remember, it’s the decisions taken inside four walls of the office, which has got the name it has, either good or bad.

Dignity of Labour – A must have !!

Sometime in 2002 - 03.  He is my friend Sharath, was my classmate in school, introduced my friend to his family members. They wished and asked what I was pursuing. I said BBM. Got back question - is BBM done after BE completion or before BE?!!

I was not surprised with that question as most of my batch mates , classmates, friends had entered the booming software engineering courses and I along with very few went for Management and Commerce graduation. The awareness of other courses was also limited and the mind set was - after school / PU, what next? Become a Software Engineer!!

I know many who didn’t want to become one, but they just joined because of parental, peer and society pressure.  What is that we tried doing with the entire generation of educated people was to stereo type the minds set and tell them, if you don’t become like X , than you have failed in life.

Even today I have many friends in IT sector who don’t know what happens outside their Industry and think only they are the blessed souls around... Well, that’s not true...!!   (Also, off late have seen few cribbing for taking the IT line!!).

Being blessed with opportunity to work in different industries, have seen people across diverse sectors of business- From Fashion Designers to Plumbing Engineers, from Sales Associates to Branding Managers, who are working in creative studios, with colorful materials, to harsh conditions, non-ac setup, having  breaks on weekdays instead of Sat / Sunday. However  they are leading joyful life, happy and job satisfied and at same time, have witnessed, so called blessed people in sophisticated environment, paid highest wages but leading a disturbed, unbalanced and isolated life. 

World is vast with opportunities. What we require is the openness to accept all the skills. We need that attitude of respecting all the jobs which an individual may do. The dignity of labour is need of the hour.

A farmer and a soldier, according to me, have to be given highest respect because of the harsh condition they work and uncertainty they lead. BMTC driver has to be recognized for the patience they have to drive in Bengaluru traffic, so as Traffic Cop for managing the madness on road. A pizza delivery guy might have more job satisfaction than a person who is eating it at office or home, nevertheless current society only checks the wealth of the person who has ordered it and person who makes & delivers it, will be looked other way. 

The mind-set is also to be changed among parents who force children to take up particular line, killing the creativeness in the child, make them study which they are not interested. We never knew if that kid would have become an entrepreneur, a diary engineer, an agricultural scientist etc. Even government has to be sensitive in encouraging other areas where we are not finding good resources and boost it with soaps and benefits. A society can be strong only when all are respected equally, irrespective of the job they do and not based on the money they earn.

Before closing, found this beautiful message from Mahatma Gandhiji –

I call myself a labourer, because I take pride in calling myself a spinner, weaver, farmer and scavenger...!!