Speech by one of the guests of honour on the occasion of prize distribution ceremony at Shiksha Bharati School, New Delhi (16 03 2007)

Dear Sweet little children, your proud parents, Principal and Staff of Shiksha Bharati School,

It is indeed a great privilege and honour to stand before you children, who are going to be future adult citizens of India. You may not understand what I am saying, but I hope your proud parents will convey to you in your mother tongue, my sentiments and feelings on this august occasion.

I heartily congratulate all the children who have taken part in the events. As there can be only one winner, you must understand that the best performance will merit the first prize. More than you children, it is your parents who are eager and keen that their children should win. I may remind them that what is more important is participation and playing the game fairly and in the right spirit. Winning and losing are part of the game. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You should learn to be humble and modest in victory, and graceful in defeat. This lesson is more for the parents than you kids as you may not even know the difference between winning and losing. For the kids who have not won a prize, let me tell you that this is not a failure, but a lack of success. This will prove to be your stepping stone to success in later years and nothing succeeds like success.

I am also a parent and I understand fully well the desires of parents, but we elders should spare a thought for our children, while pushing them in the rat race. This is the time the kids should enjoy, without bothering about the result and parents must take a wise and prudent view of this. So, lastly, I appeal to the parents, not to compare their children with other kids who have won, as every child is a gift of God and is unique and has its own strengths and qualities. It is up to us elders to recognize the inner talents of children and see that they are utilized in the best way possible for their good and for society's benefit.

Thank you and I wish you kids all the best in life and trust that you all become good citizens of India.

Jai Hind!!!

[This speech was drafted by Anup Attavar]

Mail to SUDHA MURTY - INFOSYS FOUNDATION

24th Jan. 2007

To

Mrs. Sudha Murty, M. Tech.

Trustee - Infosys Foundation, Bangalore.

Dear Madam,

Sub : A Red Letter Day

Ref : Your book ‘WISE and OTHERWISE’

I am an Indian and am presently reading your above referred book. I must admit that I am really impressed by the anecdotes therein and the lessons one gets to learn from them. As I read the morals in chapter after chapter, I feel proud to be an Indian. With persons like you doing yeoman service to the nation and its people in several ways, I believe strongly that there is still hope left for our country.

You have asked for suggestions on your chapter 'A Red Letter Day '. At the outset, I wish you and all your staff at Infosys Foundation a Memorable Republic Day. I am of the opinion that every day should be looked upon as A Red Letter Day and efforts must be made to awaken the masses by simple but significant events at frequent periods of time and in as many areas as possible. I know that this is a tall order, but I am certain, that with the efforts of the Foundation, the quality of lives of millions will improve.

One of my first suggestions is that your organization [whose presence is already there in a big way in schools] should play patriotic songs in schools and colleges especially on occasions like Independence Day, Republic Day, Bapu Jayanthi, Childrens' Day, Guru Poornima, and Teachers’ Day. There are a number of such beautiful and melodious songs in Hindi, a few of which I have mentioned hereunder [The meanings of the songs must also be explained to the children].

1] Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon, Zara Aankh mein bhar lo Paani, Jo Shahid huey hain unki, Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani.

2] Chhodo Kal Ki Baatein, Kal Ki Baat Purani, Naye Daur Mein Likhengey, Milkar Nayi Kahaani, Hum Hindustaani, Hum Hindustaani.

3] Hum Laayein Hain Toofaan Sey Kashti Nikaal ke, Is Desh Ko Rakhna Mere Bacchhon Sambhaall Ke; Tum Hi Bhavishya Ho Mere Bhaarat Vishal Ke, Is Desh Ko Rakhna Mere Bacchhon Sambhaal Ke.

4] Mere Desh Ki Dharti Sona Ugale, Ugale Heere Moti, Mere Desh Ki Dharti. 5] Watan Ki Raah Mein Watan Ke Noujawaan Shaheed Ho.

6] Mera Joota Hai Japaani, Patloon Englistaani, Sar pe Laal Topi Roosi, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustaani.

7] Jahaan Daal Daal Par Soney Ki Chidiya Karti Hai Basera, wo Bhaarat Desh Hai Mera, Jai Bhaarati, Jai Bhaarati; Jahaan Satya Ahimsa Aur Dharam Ka Pag Pag Lagta Dhera, Wo Bhaarat Desh Hai Mera.

There are several such songs which touch one's heart when heard and goose pimples arise on one's skin when one listens to them. I have a few audio cassettes which I hear from time to time and feel inner peace and belief in self and our countrymen.

Children’s minds, they say, are like wet cement -- you make an impression on them in their childhood and it remains permanently throughout their lives. One saying I have coined a few years ago, is

Mee Lahaan [' I am small ', in Marathi];

Mera Bhaarat Mahaan !!!

With warm regards and Jai Hind !!!

ANUP ATTAVAR

TRAILBLAZING LEADERSHIP OF BCCI

TRAILBLAZING LEADERSHIP OF BCCI

On 1st December 2005, Shri Sharad Pawar was elected as the President of BCCI. His passion for cricket and his trademark foresight facilitated the achievement of several milestones for the benefit of the increasingly popular sport. His administrative skills and his organizational expertise have brought about a sea change in the working of the Board. His leadership has guided the decision making of the Board, bringing about professionalism and transparency in working.

Indian cricket has benefited tremendously by his decisions related to marketing of cricket in places across the globe, and India is today a strong force to reckon with, not only on, but off the field as well. Revenues of BCCI have shot up drastically as a fall out / consequence of his pragmatic and professional decisions.

Shri Pawar has displayed his customary vision in recognizing the long felt need for financial support to games other than cricket. He is the architect behind the setting up of a corpus fund of Rs. 50 crores to identify, nurture and encourage prospective medal prospects in Olympic sports.

Shri Pawar has revealed his noble bent of mind, as is evident from the landmark decision of the BCCI to generously contribute for the cause of charity. A fine example of this noble deed was when BCCI donated US Dollar 7.5 million to the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan and US Dollar 2.5 million to those suffering a similar fate from the same quake in Kashmir, India. This revenue was generated by two one-day international cricket matches played in Abu Dhabi, between traditional arch rivals in sport – India and Pakistan.

He has been instrumental in the BCCI taking the decision to increase almost four fold, the match fees payable to cricketers of domestic tournaments. Pension scheme for cricketers and umpires having represented Ranji Trophy matches has been introduced. Widows of ex-test cricketers too are now offered pension scheme for their lifetime. Cricket associations would receive financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 25 crores.

The ICC Championship Trophy tournament, (which can be termed as an equivalent to the World Cup) was successfully held in India in 2007. Further, India has also bid successfully for the important ICC World 2011 Championship.

Shri Pawar has acceded to a long pending demand by bringing women’s cricket under BCCI.

INEVITABLE & OPTIONAL

TO BE CHALLENGED IN LIFE IS INEVITABLE,
TO BE DEFEATED IS OPTIONAL

This saying, by a very wise person is true 100% of the time.

Life is a continuous test, an exam of difficulties, problems, hurdles, encounters and bottlenecks. These challenges come in the way of EVERY BEING on earth [in different ways, of varying intensities and at different times]. No one can avoid these.

However, there are only two ways of dealing with these crises.
1] SUCCUMB to them by surrendering, thus making yourself a VICTIM of circumstances, or
2] FACE THE CHALLENGES [come what may], which will eventually make you a VICTOR of circumstances.

It is entirely in YOUR HANDS to adopt whichever approach you want. The first is an easy path, leading to frustration and defeat.

The latter option is an arduous, uphill task, requiring strong amounts of will power, motivation, strength [physical, psychological and emotional], grit and determination, and a NEVER-SAY-DIE attitude. This approach definitely results in contentment, happiness and peace – the abstract values that every human being aspires for, but a miniscule achieve.

SWIMMING AGAINST THE TIDE

SWIMMING AGAINST THE TIDE

Learning to swim with the tide is something which comes naturally to every individual. He does not need to learn it formally from anyone. It is imbibed in him from his interaction with the environment, the situations he faces and the manner in which people around him act and react. ‘Following’ is a group activity which is not required to be taught. The herd mentality is a simple example of swimming with the tide.
However, swimming against the tide is an activity which requires a lot of courage, determination, will power and the fire-in-the-belly to succeed AGAINST ALL ODDS. Such people become LEADERS of men and their followers look up to them for leadership, direction, guidance and support.
Swimming against the tide is an uphill task, especially in a country like India, where corruption rules the roost, and every system in India (right from the top levels to the lowermost clerk/peon) is seeped in it. By corruption, I also mean erosion of values and ethics in society.
Such situations bring about a sense of frustration among people. Many of the people would already have resigned themselves to this fate, although in principle, they think otherwise. But, they get stuck and drawn into this system (many times unaware of its consequences and repercussions on themselves, their families and their near and dear ones).
When such events become more frequent, it leads to moral and ethical degradation of the society. The well being (moral, healthy, financial, and emotional) of society is seriously affected and the well being shows a downward trend with passage of time.
It is when the well being of society reaches the nadir (lowest point), that people open their eyes and realize that what is going on is detrimental to the interests of their children, whom they want to be ideal citizens of this country.
This nadir makes the people wake up and feel: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
However, no one is
i] willing
ii] capable and
iii] inclined
to take up the reins, take initiative and try to start setting things right.
It requires a man of steel, with a warm heart and a single minded purpose to rise up to the occasion and stem the rot. Such people are not extraordinary – they are ordinary people, but those who are charged with doing something good for the society.
In fact, it is society that throws up such people (to lead the group) in a crisis situation. Ultimately it gives rise to the age old question – ARE LEADERS BORN OR MADE?
ANUP ATTAVAR

BE PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN

BE PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN

Dear Indians,

At last the WAR [in Mumbai] against India has ended. While condoling the death of several Indians and foreign guests, and saluting the brave and daredevil men and officers of the Indian Army and the Indian police forces, some of whom made the supreme sacrifice for the cause of the nation, I hope and trust that all Indians including leaders, politicians, industrialists, doctors, engineers, nurses, teachers, parents, executives, homemakers, students and the media will rise to the occasion and use this as an eye opener to think of the nation, rather than about petty and trivial narrow self interests.

This is the last chance we as Indians can get a chance to come together as INDIANS and THINK OF OURSELVES AS INDIANS FIRST, SECOND AND LAST. I AM A DIE-HARD OPTIMIST AND STILL HAVE HOPE FOR OUR COUNTRY AND BELIEVE THAT INDIA WILL BECOME A COUNTRY THE WORLD WILL LOOK UP TO IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.

For the love of India
Anup Yoganand Attavar [Published in Mid-Day, Pune on Dec 2, 2008]