Immigration and Planting Roots. Quote from Ha Jin's 'A Free Life'

Ha Jin has been one of my favorite writers, ever since I read his 'Waiting' back in 2000, when we were living in Singapore. I have read all his novels since then and own most of them (which is to say, not many...of the 6 that he has written).

 

He has the talent to hold the attention of the reader. I find that when I begin any one of his novels, I simply can't put it down. I can't function normally and become a couch potato, with my nose buried in his novel, procrastinating all my chores - be it doing the laundry (that never ending job!) or worse, playing hooky with my sons' summer classes.

 

I am not too fond of his poetry. His prose is certainly eloquent, perhaps more so because he weaves in Chinese idioms for illustration - especially in 'Waiting' and 'The Bridegroom and Other Stories'.

'A Free Life' begins well and seems consciously fictional. It moves into a semi-autobiographical documentary in the latter half, recording the humdrum details of the Wu's life in Georgia, and Nan's epiphanies about himself and his purpose. Still, a good read. Perhaps not brilliant fiction, but certainly an honest depiction of the lives of immigrants in America.

 

What draws me to Ha Jin is his undebatable, firm bottomline - haha, not what you're thinking - but his conviction to write honestly, and to live authentically. That's rare and kinda sweet.

 

Many a time, I've thought about Ha Jin as a kindred soul...or as one of his characters hears himself described - "A lone wolf." and "A real individual." These words are actually thrown as insults at the character, but he heartily claims them without defending or apologizing for his beliefs. Like them, I give a damn for the opinions of the herd too.

 

To be honest, this is pretty much the definition of most lovers of Literature, and very true of most writers. They live authentically and unapologetically. Not for them the glory of mass adulation arising from some superficiality or political games - even at the social level. This often results in them being misunderstood because they think ahead of their times. Well, they push change. Good for them.

Here is the passage from Ha Jin's recent book ('A Free Life', 2007) that struck a chord in me...The issue he ponders is not the challenge of being an immigrant but the question of switching one's loyalty to the adopted country. The US passport is a sublime vista hankered after by many immigrants who sell their souls without a second thought, for material gains. The question here is whether or not they will be true to their adopted country, and the authenticity of their oath.

 

Ha Jin puts it very well:

 

"Nan hadn't applied for the citizenship with a light heart...His home and livelihood were here. The previous spring, he had read an article by Yong Chu, the old poet teaching Chinese at a college in Rhode Island...In his article "Why I Don't Want to Be an American Citizen", Mr. Chu wrote candidly that he was unsure which side he would take if the United States went to war with China. The citizenship would require him to be willing to bear arms to defend the U.S. Constitution and fight any foreign enemy...Chu stated that his heart wouldn't allow him to side against his motherland and that he wanted to live honestly, so he wouldn't get naturalized. Now Nan wasn't certain which side he'd take if a war broke out between China and the United States. This uncertainty tormented him, but he also knew that once he swore his allegiance at the oath ceremony, he'd have to abide by his word. To him, a promise should weigh more than a country."

 

Now here's the part that I love haha -

 

"He thought of a pair of metaphors, comparing China to his mother and the United States to the woman he loved. He was sure that someone else had used this trite analogy before; nonetheless, it helped him sort out his emotions. As a grown man he couldn't live with his mother and must choose to join the woman of his heart. Certainly he wouldn't taunt or beat his mother if there was a fight between the old lady and his beloved. All he could do was help them understand each other even though they might never see eye to eye."

 

Ha Jin is like an old friend who pops up to remind me of my life's path. Here is a poem he ends 'A Free Life' with...It's called 'Another Country', and captures the creative process (mostly of writing and philosophy, I believe...but could also be applied to creating any kind of art...):

 

Another Country

 

You must go to a country without borders,

where you can build your home

out of garlands of words,

where broad leaves shade familiar faces

that no longer change in wind and rain.

There's no morning or evening,

no cries of joy or pain;

every canyon is drenched in the light of serenity.

 

You must go there, quietly.

Leave behind what you still cherish.

Once you enter that domain,

a path of flowers will open before your feet.

 

I might just go away to the Iowa Writer's Workshop and consider how I might harness my emotions and thoughts that fall about like drunken men...

Oh, the Places You'll Go! Post the MBA...

"Oh, the Places You'll Go!"

 

Apart from being the title of a very well-known Dr. Seuss book, this is also a line that MBA school admissions/career services/fellow students will feed you relentlessly.

 

In their conviction,

            assumption,

            expectation,

            delusion,

            and desperation.

 

When the one ceases to postulate, the other will begin, hoping to prod the Pygmalion effect into being.

 

And so one is transported through 24 or 19 or 12 months of the program, international business environment trips included.

 

That said, the MBA experience is indeed:

 

1. Transformative. An MBA is an immensely useful degree. You will be introduced to a variety of very practical subjects - finance, accounts, people development, strategy, entrepreneurship, cross cultural communications, marketing, operations, etc. This part of the MBA is truly worth it, especially if the courses are taught by inspiring and competent Professors. If you are open to learning from fellow students, you will certainly become more grounded and realistic. You will want to work in a capacity that will be of some practical use to someone.

You will be excited and energized...and even if you are not, you will catch the same from your classmates because both sensations would be truly infectious. In a manner of speaking, an MBA is a great form of therapy...for those who can afford it :)!

I mean it - even if you want to butt heads with several 'enemies' in your class who will intensely annoy you with their conceit, self-centeredness, self-importance, exceptional arse-licking skills, and plain myopia - you will realize the lesson that is to be gleaned from this socio-politics.

 

2. Strategic. An MBA can help you move a few crucial steps in the right direction, from the competitive to the strategic level. E.g. - I have a friend who worked a few years as a Communications Specialist at a middle-sized company, with an annual pay of $50K. Post her MBA, she got back into the same role, but was promoted in a few months. In a couple of years, she was the Communications Director for an MNC, earning $100K upwards. How did she do it? Well, for starters, she was a smart girl who delivered results. Additionally, it helped that she networked during and after her MBA. An MBA helps you think and act strategically at the individual and organizational levels.

 

That said, here are some truths about the post-MBA experience, from the perspective of a top 50 MBA grad:

 

1. Function and Industry. You will either be able to - change both (exceptional cases only), change one (30% of the time), change none (60% or more). Most of the exceptional cases belong in the top 10 MBA bracket. It helps greatly to have a specialization in your MBA - finance/ HR/ supply chain/ etc. Remember, there are people - just like you - who've chosen specialized degrees (CPA/ corporate finance/ HR management/ etc.) and they stand a better chance than you do, for a particular function. How to leverage your MBA? Get your foot in the door (and that is generally enough to get ahead).  

 

2. Hard skills. An MBA will not give you these. At best, you will gain theoretical (theory + case studies) and some practical knowledge (projects + internships). You will not metamorphosize into a total 100% 'golden child' package with everything the best companies are seeking. The best companies want the brightest and the most motivated from the top 10 programs only. All the other grads have to negotiate the job scenario. For those who wish to change function/industry, an internship is usually the way forward. (Sometimes, it will be - as in my case - an unpaid internship...in which case, if you are a mom with children who wants to spend her summers with them, saying 'yes' will be a problem despite only stray job offers).

 

3. Networking. This will help you find opportunities, but not recommendations per se. This will also help you learn about an industry via informational interviews, but it will not give you a job. Is networking useful? From the information acquisition perspective...yes. Note - I am referring to networking strictly from the professional point of view. Will you get die-hard friends (that you can trust) from your MBA? Maybe one or two. I think that's a great number, given the competition, politics, and general tendency to 'align' into groupies around the very obviously 'socially and materially successful'.

 

4. Timing. Timing your MBA is crucial to the nth degree. Why? Well, let's say you are in your mid-20s when you decide upon an MBA. Generally, at this age, most folks will have worked a few years in their first jobs, in a particular industry (let's say - as a supply chain specialist in a SME). Post the MBA, in his/her late 20s, the supply chain specialist will be able to move upwards into a more complex and challenging capacity - a managerial role generally. In his/her 30s, the same person will be cementing his/her career to move into middle/top management...thus reaping the full advantage of the MBA. Timing is crucial because companies are more open to hiring the young and motivated. They want to catch you young and watch you grow. This would not work if you were in your mid-late 30s.

 

For the mid-late 30s MBA grad, changing one's function would be relevant, not the industry. An older MBA grad could also benefit from utilizing the MBA as a second career degree (moi, par example) - to move into research and tertiary level teaching.  

 

As for those in their 40s and 50s, I believe they are doing an MBA purely out of a love for the subject. The objective here is the knowledge seeking. I can't really see a career move to be made at this stage.  

 

5. Loans. This hinges upon your age. If you are in your 20s, go for it! Take the loan. If you are graduating from a top 10 b-school, chances are you will be able to pay off the loan within 3 years. If not, it will take longer, depending upon your other life plans (getting married, buying a home, having a baby, to name some of the most common that will slow down your loan repayment).

 

If you are 30 years and older:

a. ask your company to pay for your program,

b. pay for the program yourself (use your savings/investments, ask your parents/ spouse/ siblings/ community for help)

c. ask your b-school for a scholarship waiving a certain percentage of your tuition based upon your GMAT scores and overall application,

d. get a scholarship from some other source.

 

Keeping your loan repayment amounts low is absolutely essential as there is every possibility you might not be hired immediately upon graduation...especially in this economy.

 

Hope this post helps wannabe MBAs out there...

Idealism is Not the Preserve of the Rich

When I philosophize about life and ideals and so on (which is, very often), my friend likes to bring me down to earth by pointing out that it is all very well to talk of morals, ideals, and principles while one is living a cushy life (actually, I would like to contest the 'cushy life' point as well...maybe another day). In a nutshell, according to my friend, morality and ideals are the privilege of the materially sated.

 

I disagree.

 

My friend is forgetting that the greatest ideologues of the world come from Mao's China and Marx's Europe. The most fervent of these comrades were poor, but in fact there were also those who were born rich and who spurned their inheritance in favor of a higher vision (E.g. - Tolstoy). Therefore, to say that wealth begets a fierce idealism is not true.

 

In fact, the meeting of almost all of one's material needs tends to make one forget about ideals. Too much comfort and wealth leads to sluggishness and smugness. Today, I'm not sure if over-consumption and materialism even consider ideals and principles in the face of 'materially sound' arguments for even more wealth accumulation.

 

There is a Hindi film song from the 1970s that goes, "Thoda hai thode ki zaroorat hai" - that roughly translates as "we have a little, and a little is all we need". I think this is a good philosophy to adopt - to live within one's means. I suppose I am a very old-fashioned person.

Therefore, when I hear Hindi film songs from the 1970s and 80s, I can't help feeling sentimental over the sweet earnestness with which Indians built their lives during this period, in between the Emergency and its belt-tightening during the 1970s and the later aggressively growing open market of the 2000s. During this time, I think almost all Indians - across economic classes - lived with a certain spareness. The unbridled splurging was kept for the most special event in one's life - the great big Indian wedding lol!  

 

But coming back to my friend's statement...to say that only the rich can afford to moralize is very dangerous and downright irresponsible because it places values (which can't be bought) into the hands of a few, and denies the lesser wealthy masses the right to choose those very ideals. In a sense, this is akin to saying that it is alright to do just about anything to get ahead in the game towards getting rich because until one acquires wealth, values don't really mean a thing. How sad is that?

 

I believe there is a need for a change in perspective. I believe that it would help a poor man to adopt ideals and principles because these would help him on the road to self development and a fulfilled life, whether or not it be a wealthy one. Getting into the rat race doesn't necessarily mean one is going to hit the jackpot, does it? So, what happens then? 

 

On the flip side, history has proven that Marxism is not a long-term solution. Ideology by itself may be perfect, but since it is exercised by human beings there is every chance of admitting imperfection due to human failings. Ironically, the very ideology that was meant to develop a person's strengths is more often (than not) corrupted by the same.

 

For instance, there are innumerable examples of party officials enjoying flamboyant lifestyles or exhibiting inhumanity during trials, in complete opposition to their doctrines. There are also well known examples of how a communist or socialist state develops in leaps and bounds once free market reforms have been adopted, never to look back (China and India's recent 10% and 6% growth, respectively).

 

At the end of the day, one wonders about ideals. All kinds of states and economies - whether in the short or long term - employ them to define vision and direction at all levels. In addition, history has also proven that the human spirit values freedom of thought, expression and creativity (hence the collapse of communism).

 

Apparently, through all this drive towards advancement at the individual, local, and global level, there is something - more than material gain - that brings happiness to us all. And it doesn't have a price.  

Yuck

Dear friend,

 

You were right.

 

Upon re-reading parts of my blog and some poems, I realize I sound gauche, over-emotional, and ardent - as you put it, "like a teenager". But honestly, it's just that I feel so intensely and truly...how can that be wrong?

 

Perhaps its wrong to start a blog...? Then don't read it so often. Switch it off, like you would a TV channel. But come back every now and then and send me one of your critical emails. They're quite helpful although I might not publish the mean ones. Those I simply chuck out into my virtual trash can - coz you know, I am as stubborn as I am thick-skulled. But still, don't stop writing.

                              

 

I'm hoping my style will improve with time and riyaz...and of course, with your good wishes :P.

Four Americans in Chennai - or 'Madras', as They Knew it

The first is the infamous Elihu Yale (1649 - 1721), who was born in Boston, MA. As a child, he moved with his father to England, where he joined the British East India Company at the age of 16. He worked his way up, and was appointed the Second Governor of Fort St.George in Madraspatnam. He played a major role in developing the Government General Hospital within the Fort. His is the first marriage recorded in the historic St. Mary’s Church (built within the Fort) to the widow Catherine Hymners, in 1680.

Elihu Yale as Second Governor of Madraspatnam

Yale earned himself a name as an unpopular official. The East India Company discovered that he’d made a fortune via secret contracts with local merchants, flouting the settlement's British laws. He was found to have amassed lands secretly, arrested and hung people in his own kangaroo court – and therefore was told to leave the company on charges of corruption. Characteristically, he simply shrugged off this colorful record as a small price to pay for worldly gains, and he retired very comfortably to his English country estates in 1692. 

 

The philanthropist in him emerged (for whatever reason...tax evasion perhaps) upon his generous donation to the Collegiate School in Connecticut. It was renamed Yale College, in his honor. We know it today as the Ivy League Yale University.
 

Yale died in London, and was buried in St.Giles' Church in Wrexham, Wales. His tombstone reads:

Born in America, in Europe bred

 In Africa travell'd and in Asia wed

                          Where long he liv'd and thriv'd; In London dead...

(And so on. It's googleable.)

  

The tombstone has since been stolen from England and displayed at the ‘Tomb’ of Yale's Skull and Bones Society (where Elihu Yale no doubt feels compelled to make an entry now and then).

 

Wikipedia states that in 1999, the 'American Heritage' magazine rated Elihu Yale the "most overrated philanthropist" in American history, arguing that the Yale University was successful largely because of the generosity of a man named Jeremiah Dummer. Apparently, the trustees of the school did not (for obvious reasons) want it known by the name 'Dummer College' (although they might well have, going by the record of one of its unforgettable graduates who was given the privilege of leading the world's most powerful nation).

The second is Colonel Henry Steele Olcott (1832 - 1907), born in Orange, NJ. After his education at the City College of NY and at Columbia University, Colonel Olcott had a varied career as a military officer, writer, theosophist, and as a lawyer. He is said to have fought in the American Civil War, and to have assisted in the investigation of President Lincoln's assassination. How cool is that! Towards middle age, he felt persuaded to accept and explore his psychic side, thus converting to Buddhism, helping develop the Spiritualist movement in America, and founding the Theosophical Society in New York with Madame Blavatsky's help.

Colonel Olcott

Remember, this was the time of Emerson, Thoreau, and Walt Whitman - artists and Transcendentalists who were enamored of Indian Hindu philosophy and religion. It was also the time of Louisa May Alcott (the 'Little Women' series), Susan Coolidge (the 'What Katy Did' series), and Emily Dickinson of Amherst (the poet). Old New York was fading away, and the boom of industrialism was erecting skyscrapers over the old mansions...

Well, Colonel Olcott decided it was all too much for him, and moved the headquarters of his Society to Adyar, Madras, with the help of Madame Blavatsky and Annie Besant. He seems to have enjoyed his time there as he threw himself into the establishment of the Adyar Library and Research Center, today a much sought after resource by Sanskrit and Indology students. He translated Buddhist, Zoroastrian and Hindu texts so that Americans could read their correct versions and not the many 'interpretations' that were being passed around. After his passing in Madras, his rare collection of books was assimilated by the library and are preserved today by the University of Chicago.

Colonel Olcott (right), with Charles Leadbeater and Annie Besant, at the Madras Theosophical Society, 1905 

There is an Olcott Memorial High School for the poor, opposite the Theosophical Society, that offers free education, uniforms, books, and 2 square meals a day to the underprivileged children of Madras. I had the honor of conducting creative writing classes there, for Grade 5 students...long ago in 1999 :).

The third is my favorite - film director Ellis R. Duncan (1909 - 2001) - known as 'Dungan' by the cinemaniacs of Tamil Nadu who turned Duncan's sharp 'C' into a thick 'G'. This guy, born in Ohio, was among the first 'Cinema Studies' batch of the USC. He visited India at the invitation of his friend and classmate Manik Lal Tandon of Bombay (now Mumbai), and stayed for 15 years. He brought excellent cinematography, narrative technique, glamor, and daring depiction of subjects (well, mostly love scenes) to Tamil cinema between 1935 and 1950. I like this guy because, well, he's an artist. He also has that Cab Calloway 'pencil' moustache that was considered dashing back then (seriously!). But somehow, he seems to have carried it off.

Duncan (center), directing M.K.Thyagaraja Bagavathar and M.R.Santhanalakshmi in 'Ambikapathi', 1937

Tandon helped him secure the opportunity to direct ‘Sathi Leelavathi’, that was also the first film of Tamil Nadu’s future Chief Minister M.G.Ramachandran. For mythical films that needed to be shot in temples, Duncan posed as a Kashmiri Pundit (Brahmin) and walked right in! See, another reason why I like this guy - he's resourceful.

Duncan directed 14 Tamil films and 1 Hindi film between 1935 and 1950. One of his memorable box office hits was 'Shakuntala' (1940), starring popular singers G.N.Balasubramaniam and M.S.Subbulakshmi.

The rather feminine 'hero' photo center, with the 'heroine' to the right. Ponmudi, 1950

In 1950 came his fall. Pushing the envelope where lovey-dovey scenes were concerned earned him the disapproval of the rather Victorian Madras. As the picture above reveals, Duncan is encouraging the 'hero' and 'heroine' (Narasimha Bharathi and Madhuri Devi) to edge a little too close for the comfort of an audience that was used to associating rich visual/verbal symbolism and music with intimate scenes - a pair of flowers meeting mid-stream, for instance, or a bush shaking violently (!). You get the drift.

Following public reaction to ‘scandalous’ intimate scenes in Ponmudi, Duncan returned, chastened, to the USA and quietly settled down in Wheeling, WV. He started ‘Ellis Dungan Productions’ and stuck to documentaries over the next 30 years.

The fourth and last American to consistently make the headlines is Romulus Whitaker (1943 - ), founder of the Madras Snake and Crocodile Parks in Guindy and Mahabalipuram, respectively. He is a world famous - ok, less commercialized than Steve Irwin - herpetologist and conservationist based in Madras for the last 40 years or more. He has authored several books and filmed award-winning documentaries on Indian reptiles (and is yet to discover my in-laws).


Whitaker and his King Cobra (I mean, literally, for all you jokesters out there)

Born in New York, Whitaker travelled to India when his mother married Rama Chattopadhyaya, a pioneering Bollywood color film processor, from a family of award winning poets, film makers, politicians, and freedom fighters. He attended the elite Kodaikanal International School, and studied Wildlife Management at Pacific Western University, U.S.A.

A talented family, Whitaker's stepbrother Neelkanth is a Bollywood musician and filmmaker, while his sons, Nikhil and Samir are wildlife managers, conservationists, and wildlife columnists in India today.

Whitaker is known for giving back to the community. Back in the 1970s when members of the Irula tribe were facing destitution due to the lack of educational and work opportunities, he employed them to harvest snake venom for anti-venom drugs. This utilized the skills of the Irula who had traditionally made their living as snake catchers, and also kept their skills alive. Whitaker also routinely conducted the Olive Ridley turtle walks on Eliot's beach. The Ridley turtles were dying out and these walks garnered them much attention and life saving funds. Whitaker has also generously donated towards research on the Indian King Cobra.

In fact, his conservation efforts were so successful that the Crocodile Park suffered from over-population in the 1980s, with newspapers reporting that in addition to harvesting croc leather, croc meat and eggs were also being sold! I'm sure Chennaites can imagine the stir such information would have caused :)...even among Velu's Military Hotel types.

A naturalized Indian citizen, Whitaker lives with his wife Janaki Lenin (writer, 'My Husband and Other Animals') on a farm in suburban Chennai, and continues his rich contribution to conservation in India.  

Energy and Self-Fulfilment

Quantum Physics tells us that the universe is composed of energy. In other words, everything is made of energy - you and me included. The same theory has been put forth in Vedic philosophy, Qigong, and Reiki. What could not once be proven by Western science has come to be accepted by the same today.

 

I am a great believer in the theory that our bio-magnetic fields attract and repel other people based on their similarity or difference. Therefore, positive energy would attract positive-minded people, and a certain bent of mind would attract another like-minded person.

 

Has this ever happened to you? You might be sitting quietly at a party...and someone will walk up to you and start a conversation. Most likely it will be a person with a personality that gels with yours. It might even be that as you walk through life, you connect with some people slowly but surely, your network works to helps you achieve self-fulfillment, and the pieces of life's puzzle fall into place.

 

Please note that I didn't cite examples such as someone walking up to you and making unnecessary conversation when you are alone outdoors, at a mall parking lot/park/store/bookshop...trusting a stranger would be plain dangerous. Perceiving relationship-building in terms of energy fields calls for the usual amount of caution.

 

It is also true that our energy develops or stagnates depending upon our response to life's challenges. Just as the Hermit crab wrestles with his shell when he outgrows it, so also tight situations require one to respond proactively, and to thus grow.

 

Therefore, you might notice that old friends, whom you thought would stick with you for life, do not respond as before. It might have so happened that you and your old friend have grown at different paces, and therefore do not 'click' perfectly as you once did. Who knows? Perhaps you may meet 20 years from now, and observe happily that you gel once more!

 

Think positive. The destination is the same, but the routes we take are diverse. Again, it depends on how we respond to the directions. I believe some folks never do reach the destination. Is that why Vedic philosophy speaks of rebirth? It's worth thinking about...

 

Yesterday evening, my husband and I were fortunate to have met an enlightened person (Psst, we hope some of his positive energy rubs off on us!). He had some wonderful insights to share about Mother Teresa and her talk at Harvard University on June 9, to the class of 1982. One of the points was her observation that life in India may be difficult on many levels, but that life endures because of the plain simple affection and love within the community there. They make do with and appreciate what they have and just try to get on.

 

Well, as an Indian who grew up in India I must mention here that we did so because - rich or poor - we really had no choice, and then of course, one always tried to see the brighter side, as we still do.  

 

Even today, life in India calls for putting up with power cuts and water shortages in residential areas. Indians deal with it because they know that it is the government's way of conserving resources and making do with what is available (for now, let's not venture into corruption, redirecting resources for God knows what purposes, etc., etc...)

For example, during the tsunami of 2004, the Indian government relied entirely upon its own resources to recover, and did not take a pie from other countries. To quote another example, India has not taken sides in any conflict since 1947, and steadfastly remains non-aligned, unlike some of its neighbors who - greedy for material wealth, and lazy to work hard and earn it - have sold themselves and are now suffering great misfortune and unrest. They make life worse for themselves by attacking India scurrilously. No doubt the laws of the universe will teach them the right path.

 

But to return to Mother Teresa - she then went on to speak of the poverty of the spirit in materially rich countries and the importance of sharing with those less fortunate. Note that  she does not promote helping freeloaders or those who think that life consists of free lunches. She is referring to teaching a person how to fish and to pay it forward. To offer help and dignity, not just for charity or the 'hidden' purposes of religious propaganda. 

 

Another person - similar to Mother Teresa - is the American Father Richard Frechette, whom I was lucky to meet. He has dedicated himself to making a difference in the lives of orphaned Haitians since the earthquake of 2012. He began with one small orphanage that has grown to 4, and that sustains itself both on donations and its own cottage industry. Although a large audience had collected to hear his words, Father Frechette was most humble and retiring, almost unwilling to capitalize on his good deeds. Maybe he correctly feared that his good cause might attract 'predatory' assistance that would harm his children. He did not even ask for financial assistance, but just spoke simply, hoping to awaken similar noble intentions among his listeners.

 

Global business has much to learn from the words and deeds of such leaders. Sustainability, leadership, corporate social responsibility, diversity, effective cross cultural communications, strategy, conflict management - all have a place in today's global business. Dr. Deepak Chopra, Anthony Robbins, Norman Vincent Peale, Dr. Joseph Murphy are some leaders who connect self-fulfillment with positive energy and visualization. At the same time, we know that business management is about not only value but profit as well.

 

If each person could key into the positive living propounded by these leaders, and if businesses could support a work-life balance, and give back to every community around the globe (where they have established their operations), perhaps it might help heal countries faster, promote peace and innovation, and boost investment and knowledge returns (E.g. - GE's 'reverse innovation').

 

I insist upon individual leadership and good citizenship because while global businesses are doing all of the above, it is being practiced only superficially, to satisfy some legal requirements. Observing the results of the chase for profit alone, research is now being conducted to determine whether pure Capitalism has a conscience. I believe placing this question in the context of the challenge of any hegemon's role would be more appropriate. 

Therefore, the importance of personal commitment. In this Global Political Economy where politics and media are controlled by corporates, there exists an ever present need for conscientious leadership. Just as politicians are made by the vote of the common man, so also big businesses can be made answerable to the vote of their own organizations.

 

This is already taking place thanks to the information age - the consumer force is pushing back and forcing corporates to design their products as per their needs (E.g - credit cards in the USA). The day will come when the global citizenry will question global business to strategize for the good of the world. I hope I can be of service to humanity in the move towards this enlightenment.

The Beat of the Daanish

During my recent trip to my beautiful, diverse, warm and affectionate India, someone described me as being very 'Daanish'. This was not surprising to me because I am very much a product of secular India.

 

My mother, my family, and my school reinforced India's pledge in me -

 

India is my country and all Indians are my brothers and sisters.

I love my country and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage.

I shall always strive to be worthy of it.

I shall give my parents, teachers and all elders respect and treat everyone with courtesy.

To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion. In their well-being and prosperity alone, lies my happiness.

 

They were disappointed when I chose to leave India, and did not join the I.A.S. as many of them had expected. I think I just needed to break free from control and expectations for a while. Life tested me severely after I had left, but it was part of my evolution as a human being. I am happy where I am and hope to keep moving towards my personal and career goals.

 

What is Daanish? The word refers to a secular person who gleans the core values and principles of all faiths as a means of attaining enlightenment. Lofty aim, no doubt.

 

As per Vedic astrology, I am still in the 'Dharma' cycle of life, not 'Moksha' - so I'm not sure about enlightenment itself. However, I believe my dharma is to be a good human being for this is what all faiths teach us. So many prophets have been sent to earth with the aim of guiding humanity towards spiritual evolution. And not just religious leaders - how about Emerson, Thoreau, Walt Whitman, Dylan Thomas, Keats, Coleridge, Shelley, Blake, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, the Blues singers, Yann Martel, Ang Lee, Peter Weir, Paolo Coelho, Tagore, Gandhi, Mandela, Mother Teresa, Achebe, and so on? 

Still, humanity grasps and fights, demeans its faiths, pits countries against one another in the chase for profits...what have we learnt? Nothing much, really. Sometimes, I wonder if we are witnessing reverse Darwinism - the survival of the stupidest due to sheer might in all countries, cultures, and communities. Of course, I myself may be stupid in making this observation. Please forgive my limited perception.

 

As per the internet, 'Daanish' is defined as - "Knowledge and wisdom. The deep inner urge to inspire others in a higher cause, and to share their own strongly held views on spiritual matters. Idealistic, highly imaginative, intuitive, and spiritual. Seeking after spiritual truth and often finding it. Visionary. If potential is not developed, there is a tendency to daydream and misuse power (ahem)."

 

Obviously, my hope and prayer is to fulfill my spiritual potential 100%. As I was telling my husband, we are here on this earth for only a blink in the universe of time. Why not utilize that little time in spreading positive energy and doing good for humanity? We all have a choice, don't we? Immortality, as Shelley rightly observed in his 'Ozymandius', is not to be found in the material but in the happiness and love one leaves behind. I'm sure my MBA classmates will snigger at this. Their skepticism and inauthentic living is precisely the reason why Ivy Leagues all over the world are exploring Leadership, Peace, Conflict Management, and People Development.

 

So, having been described this way, I was disappointed to receive a rejection letter for my poem entitled 'In Your Name', based on the rather facile Bible Belt America interpretation that it was a religious poem, simply because it contained the word 'piety'! If the reviewers had rejected my poem saying it was plain crap, I would have accepted their judgment as I myself feel it fails on some counts. But to say it is religious??? Seriously! It was an insult.

 

You know, being Daanish has its minus points. Firstly, I am viewed distastefully by my own fellow Muslims for having a mind of my own. Secondly, my words are misunderstood by Americans who interpret them as propaganda. Really, I thought the US would be very cosmopolitan but it seems I am being strictly defined in black and white terms more than ever! It is indeed true that walking the middle path is very lonesome.

 

Just to set the record straight - my poem is not about the surface meaning of the word 'piety', ok? Someone said that a poem is like an iceberg. We only see its tip - about 5%. A poem hints at the 95% that is underwater. Likewise, the piety and devotion I glorify have nothing to do with organized religion. 

 

My idea of piety and devotion has everything to do with love. The love of between 2 people, the love of a child for his/her parent, the love of a mother for her child, the love between a merciful and just ruler and his/her subjects, between a teacher and his/her students, between a human and his/her pet, between a student and his/her subject. And so on. What is more noble than such love?

 

As an American friend (an ex-monk from a Wisconsin Catholic monastery) and I were discussing, perhaps this kind of love - that fosters life and affection, and is based on trust, kindness, and loyalty - is God, Allah, the Brahman/Atman, by whichever name we know Him...or Her. God is love. Those who think that success is attained by grabbing, through competition of the fittest (or the sneakiest), or by bullying others, are acting out of fear and insecurity. They are choosing to devolve.

 

Well, I explained my poem to the editors in question, and surprise, surprise, it was finally printed.

 

There are 2 things that I make of this - either my poem was so bad that it required me to provide an explanation (and therefore did not deserve to be published)...or...that the editors were pretty shortsighted themselves...or perhaps just plain hemmed in by their own shortsighted audience.

 

And so we walk on...