Life Stories

One of our senior leaders were expected to be visiting our India office. We had planned a visit to one of our schools with them. Everything was planned. That entire week the rain gods were super happy. It poured cats n dogs in the entire city and state. Many low lying areas were submerged in water. Schools were closed, offices requested employees to continue remotely. Routine was disturbed for almost everyone. As the schools had to be closed in that duration, the visit as well had to be cancelled. After almost 3 months, we finally rose up again determined to go ahead with our visit but without any visitor. It was just us - a few volunteers who collaborated amongst ourselves, communicated with the required teams and showed up at the school. We were taken to the principal's office and were comfortably seated there. A little while later we were served with hot coffee. The school staff and the principal talked to us to understand what we wanted to do, the kids, the time nee...

An external support team was visiting our office. Some formalities had been completed in advance, while a few others had to be taken care of in real time. Once the visiting team had settled in, the meeting began—slightly later than planned. It was an in-person interaction, with senior and key members from both teams in attendance. The discussions were constructive and meaningful, with ideas exchanged, action points noted, and a little small talk along the way. As the meeting was drawing to a close, a senior member of our team was helping the visitors understand where they could take a break. For anyone visiting an unfamiliar workplace, a familiar face can make a difference. The visiting team invited this senior person to join them for lunch, but the invitation was politely declined. I happened to witness the exchange and, perhaps because of my own perspective, felt that the moment could have been handled a little differently. Later, I invited the external team to join ...

As human beings, we are wired to feel. We experience joy, excitement, gratitude, disappointment, anger, fear and sadness. And often, the negative emotions seem to stay with us much longer than the positive ones. When something wonderful happens, we celebrate. We rejoice, share the happiness with others and, with time, move on. An achievement that once made us immensely happy can soon become just another memory. But difficult moments are different. Life sometimes places us in situations we never imagined we would have to face—challenging situations, humiliating moments, unexpected setbacks and disappointments that can shake us deeply. Such experiences can break our confidence, fill our minds with negative thoughts and make the future appear hopeless. In moments of intense distress, our ability to think clearly can become clouded. Instead of seeing possibilities, we may see only the problem in front of us. But there is another way to respond. Pause. Give the situation ...

I have been reciting the Hanuman Chalisa for most of my life. I had learnt it by heart when I was very young, and since then, it has quietly remained a part of my daily routine. A few years ago, my little brother gifted me a very thin, sleek pocket-sized version of the Hanuman Chalisa. I respectfully kept it in the small purse I carry everywhere. Since I already knew the Chalisa by heart, the little book remained untouched. It travelled with me, but I never really opened it. Then, one day, a few close friends and I happened to get together. There was no plan, no agenda—just one of those spontaneous meetings that come together on their own. Somewhere in our random conversations, we started discussing Lord Hanuman, His strength and His powers. Naturally, the conversation moved towards the Hanuman Chalisa. That was when I took out my little pocket book with a certain sense of pride. Someone suggested that I read it once. It was a simple suggestion. Yet, something about tha...