What the Duck

This series is hosted by Vikram Sathaye a failed cricketer but an outstanding presenter and stand-up comedian. In this, he hits off conversations with cricketers like Dravid, Sachin, and Bhajji. This series is more purposive, insightful and anecdotal than the Gaurav Kapoor's breakfast with Champion. The funny incidents of dressing room tell us about the other side of the spectrum. One thing which differentiates people at the top and people in the middle is that people at the top are people who are totally lost in their pursuits. They have no time for other nuisance things. There is nothing called balance. This speech of balance in life works for people in the middle. The activities of the life of such people are defined by concentration and focus and that's what makes them a champion.

There are so many activities to engage in the life that a person cannot be part of everything. One has to choose the life which one wants to live. We live in the age of super specialization. Champions are people who super-specialize in their domain. The super specialization demands a certain sense of madness and the highest level of consistency. Thus, one would do a great service to his career by developing this habit of madness and consistency.

Another striking feature of champions is the destiny. They all seem to be destined to achieve heights. Anyway will write about some interesting anecdotes later.

Breakfast with Champions

For past few months, I have wasted a huge amount of my time on America got talent. I call it a waste because even though it has some shockingly amazing performances but it is not inspiring. It does not provide life lessons. Most of it is magic where artists use sleight of hand or some even use magical powers to generate an awe effect. Thus, after getting bored from this series, I was looking for some more engaging material for my daily motivational appetite. Incidentally, I came across this series Breakfast with Champion. It is directed and produced by Gaurav Kapoor. He holds conversations with top-notch sportspersons. It is insightful and inspirational at times to listen to these people.

Today I watched nearly 7-8 of the episodes. It was good to know inside little details or anecdotes of cricketers life. Like Ashish Nehra's interview is so light-hearted that it motivates you to become little nonchalant and casual in life. Similarly, Yuvi, Yuvraj and Pandya's interview also gives glimpses in the champions life. One thing is they all believed in destiny. They were all focused people. and They lived life in a little fun way. Not very serious or planned manner. No unnecessary restrictions and things. The interview with Shoaib Akhtar is quite inspirational. It tells about winner's mentality.

At the end, champions are no different people. They are like you and me. They feel similar kind of anxiety and tension levels. They face similar troubles in life and goes through ups and downs. The most important thing in life is to live it in the fullest sense. Do what you believe and feel like. In a way, to become a champion, one needs to be little stubborn and little ambitious. Things start falling into place automatically.

Looking at the richness and opulence of Dubai, I asked my friend that what is the one thing he notices in the extremely rich people. His answer was quite predictable but assumed significance because as an investment banker he deals with people day in day out. He said "risk-taking ability". I wish he could have told me something more but his observations were limited. Looking at the riches of Dubai, I wondered how could one not be attracted to the pursuit of wealth and materialism. The whole atmosphere of the mall was filled with the fragrance of the exotic and expensive perfumes. The unlimited number of brand, unlimited number of stores and crowd at the sale made me say "man!! money seems to be flowing in the air here". For a moment, I imagined myself in that lifestyle but somehow I could not fit myself into that world. Maybe that's not my basic element but yes a desire for money did arouse in me.

Madhushala

Madhushala is Hindi poetry classic written in the year 1935 by legendary poet Shri Harivansh Rai Bachchan. It has 135 verses (rubaiyan). Shri Bachchan has explained the philosophy of life using the 4 analogies of Madhushala, saaki, haala, and pyaala. The depth of his poems is unfathomable. And the meaning is intenser than that. Anyone who understands this in detail will surely get nirvana from this earthly pain and disappointment. For such person, life will definitely become a wave of fun, pleasure, and happiness. Here I will try to explain my understanding of some of the favorite verses of Madhushala.



धर्म-ग्रान्ड सब जला चुकी है जिसके अंतर के ज्वाला
मंदिर मस्जिद गिरजे सब को तोड़ चुका जो मतवाला
पंडित मोमिन पादरियों के फंडोँ को जो काट चुका
कर शक्ति है आज उसे के स्वागत मेरी मधुशाला

Meaning: In this verse, the poet is explaining the characteristics of a person who can enjoy the life to the fullest. In this Madhushala refers to our life. According to the poet, only people who have overcome the artificial barriers created by religion will be able to enjoy the life in a complete fashion. One who is not entangled in the web created by priests, pundits, and others, one who become fearless and who has unshackled himself from restrictions and one who is like a madman whose inner dissonance and spiritual energies have burned down all the religious texts can only be the truly welcomed by life. For others, life always remains a pain. So live freely, live happily.

Party

Recently, I was invited to a full night out party by a friend to his place. I always wondered about what a full night party is like? What do people do? What do they discuss? What kind of activities people are involved in? In the past, I have had full night out discussions but they were more like bachelor discussions about girls, UPSC, and disclosing each other secrets. Some used to veer in the direction of serious political discussions. This was my first experience of an all-night party with settled high standard white collar population.

It was good to see people from another end of the spectrum. I wondered about the different degrees of discussion people have. They all were fun-loving suave junta with huge cross-cultural experience. Almost all of them had lived in 3 to 4 countries and traveled to nearly 10 or 15 countries. Apart from general bantering, the discussion revolved around marketing activities, Redbull, Padmavati and lot of ladies talks and drinks.

The skyline of the Dubai was beautiful. It was amazing to learn that how a visionary idea of Burj Khalifa changed the entire economics of a barren land. Once a deserted tract of land has turned into most beautiful and heavily populated area after construction of Burj Khalifa. I also learned about the interesting history of Emirates and how the oil had changed the economy of the region?

People danced and talked incessantly. I noticed that when we prepare for UPSC exam, our gossip level reduces. One most striking thing I learned by interacting and observing with the group is how outdated I am from the practical talks of art and culture. My knowledge of modern fads like football, movies, novels, cuisines, and finance is very limited. Further, I could feel a sense of detachment. Anyway, a lot more to write. Will write later about the experiences.

Burj Khalifa

There is so much to write that I feel neurotic at times about what to write and what not. I do not want this blog to become my chronology of life. Rather I wish to write some intellectually stimulating matter here. But I think a general diary note is a good beginning for a neurotic situation.
A week has passed in Dubai campus. I have engaged myself in numerous activities like counseling students, fitness regime, preparing my material and guiding students. It's all fun till now. I ventured out of campus to Mirdiff City center and recently was invited to an investment bankers party at a friend's place. Later the next day I went to Dubai Mall and saw the huge aquarium and Fountain show at Burj Khalifa. We also had Arabic dinner of Latef, Hummus, and khaboos.

The most striking thing about Dubai was the richness and opulence of people. The grandness in every scheme of things, details in the design, architecture, and orderliness are tough to miss or ignore. I asked my friend what is the one thing he would like to borrow to India? His answer was simple: Fear for the law. Fear of the sovereign.

Anyway, a lot of thoughts but all lying in the scattered fashion. I need to work on this. Will write more regularly in coming days.

Coming back to blog

Its been a long time since I posted my last blog. I could feel the itching in my palm. Everyday was a challenge in last 100 days. Covering the syllabus, meeting the daily goal and achieving the small targets were seeming like an endless acrobatics. But finally it came to an end. If not the end, then at least we can call it a pause. Mains exams were over and life seems to have taken a 180 degree turn. So turning over to the new page. The first thing to do in this pursuit is to begin the blogging. Hence comes this blog. 

As every auspicious work is started with some heavenly chants, my pursuit should also begin with the psychedelic other worldly chants of pink Floyd. Coming back to life.