Tag: Motivation

Unlimited Heights: Maya’s Journey of Determination and Inspiration

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled at the foot of a majestic mountain, there lived a young girl named Maya. Maya was born with a rare condition that confined her to a wheelchair. Despite her physical limitations, Maya possessed an indomitable spirit and an unwavering determination to live life to its fullest.

Maya’s village was renowned for its annual mountain climbing competition, where the bravest and strongest individuals would conquer the treacherous peaks. Inspired by the breathtaking beauty of the mountains and fueled by her own dreams, Maya yearned to participate in the competition.

Though many discouraged her, Maya refused to let her wheelchair define her capabilities. She believed that with enough perseverance and a resilient spirit, she could overcome any obstacle. Determined to prove herself, Maya embarked on a journey of rigorous training, both physically and mentally.

With the support of her family, friends, and the entire village, Maya pushed herself to her limits. She built her strength through daily exercises, focused on mental fortitude through meditation, and studied the mountains, learning their paths and challenges by heart.

The day of the competition arrived, and the village gathered to witness the remarkable feat that awaited them. As the participants set off, Maya positioned herself at the starting line, her heart pounding with anticipation.

With each push of her wheelchair, Maya demonstrated the power of resilience. The rocky terrain and steep slopes presented immense challenges, but Maya’s determination knew no bounds. She faced every obstacle head-on, refusing to back down.

As Maya ascended the mountain, her courage and determination began to inspire everyone around her. Spectators cheered her on, their hearts filled with admiration for the girl who defied the odds. Maya’s unwavering spirit and contagious enthusiasm became a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who witnessed her journey.

Hours turned into minutes as Maya neared the summit. Fatigue threatened to overtake her, but she summoned every ounce of strength left within her. With a surge of determination, Maya reached the pinnacle of the mountain, tears streaming down her face.

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, celebrating not only Maya’s victory but also the triumph of the human spirit. Maya had proven that limitations were mere illusions, and dreams could transcend any barrier.

News of Maya’s extraordinary achievement spread like wildfire, reaching far beyond her village. People from all walks of life were inspired by her story. Maya’s determination to chase her dreams despite her physical challenges served as a powerful reminder that our circumstances do not define us. It is the fire within our souls and the resilience in our hearts that propels us forward.

Maya’s story touched the hearts of millions, igniting a global movement of inclusivity and empowerment. She became an advocate for individuals with disabilities, tirelessly working to break down barriers and ensure equal opportunities for all.

Maya’s legacy continues to inspire generations, reminding us that the human spirit is boundless. Her story serves as a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the unwavering belief in oneself. Maya taught the world that with the right mindset and an indomitable spirit, we can conquer any challenge and achieve greatness.

So, let Maya’s story be a guiding light in your own journey. Remember that the strength to overcome adversity lies within you, waiting to be awakened. Embrace your dreams, face your challenges head-on, and let your spirit soar. For like Maya, you too can inspire the world with your unwavering determination and inspire others to believe in the limitless possibilities that reside within each of us.

June 18, 2023
Devotion: A Path to Healing

Deep in a small village lived a girl named Maya. She was a bright and compassionate soul who found solace in devotion to the divine. From a young age, Maya was drawn to the spiritual path.

However, Maya’s parents, being staunch Brahmins, held conservative beliefs. They believed that their daughter’s devotion was taking her away from her responsibilities as a daughter and a member of the family. They urged her to focus on her studies instead.

Undeterred by her parents’ disapproval, Maya’s faith only grew stronger. She believed that through her devotion, she could bring peace and healing to her family, who had been through a traumatic experiences from serious physical health issues and financial issues. She understood that true happiness lay not in material possessions but in the deep connection with the divine.

Maya’s parents found her performing a ritual, and questioned her devotion. “Why waste your time on these rituals?” her father asked. “There are more practical ways to help the family.”

With gentle determination, Maya replied, “Father, I understand your concerns, but this path brings solace to my heart. I believe that through my devotion, I can bring blessings and positivity to our home. Please, give me a chance to show you the power of faith.”

Maya’s mother spoke softly, “Perhaps she is right. We have been struggling to find peace after the trauma we endured. Maybe Maya’s devotion can guide us towards healing.”

Maya’s parents allowed her to continue her devotion. As Maya delved deeper into her spiritual practices, a profound sense of calm settled over home.

Maya’s parents saw the strength and resilience bhakti brought to their lives and started doing bhakti.

Together, as a family, they overcame the trauma that had plagued them for so long. Maya’s unwavering devotion had not only healed their hearts but also brought them closer to their own spirituality.

June 18, 2023
The Intellectual Legacy of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: A Journey of Wisdom and Inspiration

In the vast tapestry of Indian history, one figure stands out as an embodiment of wisdom and intellectual prowess. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a luminary philosopher, statesman, and the second President of India, left an indelible mark on the world through his insatiable thirst for knowledge and his profound contributions to academia. Born in 1888 in a small village in Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Radhakrishnan displayed an extraordinary aptitude for learning from an early age. He excelled as a student, impressing his peers and teachers with his brilliance. His love for education propelled him to pursue higher studies at Madras Christian College and the University of Calcutta.

Dr. Radhakrishnan’s academic journey took an unprecedented turn when he delved into philosophy. Immersed in the teachings of ancient Indian philosophers, he drew inspiration from luminaries like Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. His quest for knowledge led him to explore the philosophical traditions of the East and West, forging a unique perspective that would shape his future contributions and bridge Eastern and Western philosophies.

His scholarly endeavors garnered recognition both in India and abroad. In 1926, Dr. Radhakrishnan delivered a series of lectures at the University of Oxford, elucidating the rich philosophical heritage of India. These lectures, which showcased his ability to bridge diverse philosophical traditions, were later published as “The Hindu View of Life.” Dr. Radhakrishnan’s intellectual prowess extended beyond academia. He actively participated in India’s struggle for independence, using his influence to rally support for the cause. His eloquence and depth of knowledge made him an indispensable figure in shaping public opinion, advocating for a free and united India.

Post-independence, Dr. Radhakrishnan held key positions in academia and politics. As Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University and later as Ambassador to the Soviet Union, he promoted India’s cultural heritage, fostered international relations, and championed education. His efforts focused on the harmonious coexistence of different cultures and religions, embodying the transformative potential of a visionary scholar. In 1962, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan became the President of India, adorning the position with grace and wisdom. Throughout his tenure, he continued his advocacy for education and the bridging of diverse communities. His visionary approach and dedication to harmonious coexistence earned him widespread respect and admiration. Even after his presidency, Dr. Radhakrishnan continued to inspire through his writings and lectures. His profound contributions to philosophy and education were recognized with numerous accolades, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s legacy lives on as a guiding light for intellectual pursuits and a symbol of the power of knowledge. His lifelong commitment to learning, ability to synthesize philosophies, and tireless efforts to promote education continue to inspire generations. His profound impact on academia and society serves as a testament to the transformative potential of a visionary scholar, making his story resonate with those seeking wisdom and inspiration.

Learn more about the extraordinary journey of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Here

June 14, 2023
Essence of Woman

It all began on that fateful evening, when this creep, who thought the easiest way to a woman’s heart is to stare at her, followed Anita to her home, and left obscene messages on her old dusty camaro… Although she ignored this incident that day but she had no idea about what more is there in store for her.

Anita is a single mother. Her life’s tragedy is rooted too deep. When she married for love, both of the families were against them, and disowned them without a second thought. But Anita and Suraj built their own world under a small roof. Their happiness was cut short as very soon her husband became jobless and passed away in an accident 4 months ago. At this point she was left with no choice but to take up some work. Hopelessly tired and shattered she continued to live a normal life doing a regular 9-5 job.

Next morning she woke up early to clean the car, so that neighbors don’t get to witness what she faced the previous night. She herself tried forgetting all about it and prepared her son for school and herself for bakery shop, where she was working as a waitress. While shutting the door, she realised someone was standing at a distance, just staring towards their home. Quickly realizing that he was the same person again and was actually staring at her. She gave him a rude look and walked past him. But this trick didn’t work effectively, as then onwards it became his habbit to stare at her. she was being followed by the tall thin stranger every single day. He would not miss a single chance on rubbing against her shoulder in crowded spaces.

By the end of a week she was feeling scared for her safety. Even her son, Ravi, pointed out one day saying, ” Mom, a tall man comes to stand in front of our house every day, what if he is a robber shall we call police”? But Anita didn’t wanted to let the whole neighborhood know about it and make concieted stories about her, so she decided on keeping things to herself. She only told one of her couligue about the incident and why she can not inform the police about it. Her couligue suggested her to avoid public transport and offered that they could pool her car, which Anita also accepted instantly.

Things were back to normal soon after. She saw the tall thin man once or twice again and after that he also seemingly stopped trying to reach her. After long, one day her son didn’t returned back from school till late. Concerned, Anita called everybody she knew around, none had any idea about him. She also called at his school reception but noone picked up the call. Ultimately she locked her home and went to the local market to ask for Ravi. There she went to simpson’s candy store, where he was an unfailingly regular visitor. She asked the store owner showing a child’s photo, ” my son is missing since afternoon, have you seen him around today”. Shopkeeper, knew the boy very well, he replied,” Yes Madam, he is our precious customer, infact we get along very well. It is strange if he is missing because I remember he came here this afternoon and after he left I was watching him till he reached his house”. The shop keeper smirked saying, “he must be trying to scare you, nothing else.

Relieved Anita strode back home. She unlocked the door, and started searching everywhere for Ravi. She called his name many times, he never answered. At last she went to the store room. There Ravi was sitting, next to a thin tall man. It was none other than the stranger who use to stalk Anita. She was baffled at the sight of her sobbing son and a poker faced stranger in her own house without her knowledge. She couldn’t run away this time because her son was the bait. She knew there was no escape, so she finally surrendered.

He slowly started walking towards her, just like an ideal psycho. Her son was watching. Anita was falling weak. Her brain was giving her multitude of suggestions all far out and unreasonable. She knew what is approaching next. And she was tired of being a victim of fate. In one moment she decided she would ask for mercy but the intruder was a professional, he kept moving towards her. She saw Ravi’s face for one last time, his innocent eyes were shut with uncertain fear. A sudden thought passed through her mind which laid to rest, every other thought for a moment. She took an iron rod and before he could defend himself or know what was her plan, the rod hit his head. Within the fraction of a second he was lieing in a pool of blood, unconcious or dead. Anita knew nothing about it, she didn’t want to know anything either. She did what she felt right in the heat of that moment. She rushed to her son and hugged himand cried.

Months later in the court room today she is convicted for a murder. A pale looking lawyer ezplaines her case to the listeners.

Her son is also here, he was being bullied at his school, by the police and by his teachers. They taunt him about his murderer mother. He ignores them silently.

Judge asked her to narrate the incident as per her memory, to which she responded, “It was all my fault. I wish I had informed the police earlier, It might have made some difference. So all I can tell you is why he was murdered…”

As she narrated her story, she was feeling satisfied from inside that she saved her son’s innocence, which was at most important for her. Ravi knew the truth. He doesn’t think Anita is a murderer infact he idolize her as his hero. Anita was a victim and she has passed on her bad luck to her only child in the form of loneliness. She will be punished, certainly, and her son will have to face a hard life alone. She sobs, as the procecutor continues to watch her pitiful face with disdain. No doubt, she was guilty in the eyes of law, but in reality, she was a courageous lady and a protective mother, which is the true essence of womanhood.

December 5, 2017
Stop Abusing Yourself

When was the last time you stopped and noticed your thoughts? What do you think about more often? What do you think about yourself when you make a small mistake? How do you treat yourself when you embarrass yourself in public? Do you let it go and realize that you’re just human and you’re bound to making silly mistakes and embarrassment at some point in your life or do you beat yourself up and think you’re just not good enough and an idiot to even have ended up in a situation like that?

Many of us, including myself, are victims of negative thinking. We often beat ourselves up for small errors and make it a big deal, we exaggerate our weaknesses so much that we actually end up believing that we’re not good enough, not strong enough and that we don’t deserve good things. And, why do we do this? You’d be surprised to know that we have no reason at all to do any of this. It’s just become a habit now, a bad, bad habit. A habit that is so addictive that once you become used to it, it doesn’t leave you alone. And it doesn’t make you feel good, does it? It makes you feel horrible and it makes you believe that good things aren’t meant for you. It makes you feel like someone else is always going to be better at something, so why should you even try? Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been there and I sometimes still go there. I’m not a self actualized human who is above all the negativity. I get trapped too. The last time I made myself feel bad for a tiny little mistake wasn’t that long ago.

A few months back, I was presenting a lesson on Stanford Binet Intelligence Tests in my class and I was covering the topic of Reliability and Validity. So, I said, “I hope we all know that the definition of Reliability is that the test measures what it is supposed to measure,” which was obviously incorrect and was the definition of Validity. At this point, everyone except for my friends and my teacher was laughing at me. I mean… how stupid was I? I did not even bother to check the definition before saying it out loud and I was so nervous that I ended up saying the opposite definition. After a few minutes, everyone calmed down and I finished explaining the entire standardization of the test quite well for someone who read it for the first time, the class came to an end. All my friends and other classmates told me that I was good and too cute, some told me I had a good sense of humor and they actually understood such a boring part of the chapter. But, me being me, I was upset about the goof up. I sulked for days and I thought I was so stupid and just the most embarrassing person to even be here. I thought I was no good and I shouldn’t have even taken the responsibility of teaching something in front the whole class. I completely ignored the fact that everyone else had forgotten about the incident and nobody ever brought it up again. I felt horrible and my confidence went down.

You see what I was doing? I was simply abusing myself for something so silly and small. I made myself feel so horrible and as if I’m worthless. I exaggerated a small event into a huge glorified mistake. This is abuse. Beating yourself up time and time again is abuse. I realized that. I realized that if someone else was doing this to me, if someone else treated me the way I treat myself and if they spoke to me the way I speak to myself, I’d have left them long back. You know you would have too. Or you would have wanted to leave them, at least. So why was I doing this to myself? What had I done to feel so negative about myself that I was out there to literally contradict any compliment anyone ever gave me? Why was I criticizing myself for no reason at all?

So I stopped. I stopped abusing myself, I stopped being ashamed of myself. I can’t say that I don’t give myself a hard time when I make mistakes, because I still do, but it is not as glorified as it used to be. I’m not as harsh as I used to be. The first thing I did was that I understood that thoughts are just thoughts and they have no power until you attach an emotion to it. So, whenever I used to get negative thoughts before, I’d attach a negative emotion of being helpless and feeling guilty. However, when I started treating my thoughts as just THOUGHTS, and nothing else, I let them go away easily. One way you can do this is by asking the thought its origin, its purpose, if the thought is really necessary, if the thought is 100% true… When you start doing this, you realize that the thought originated out of nowhere and it’s easy for it to just pass by. The thought, alone, has no power over you until you give it a meaning. When you start asking yourself these questions, you will realize that the original thought makes so sense and then you’re ready to let it go into space, forever. Another technique I used is by replacing a negative thought into a positive one. Or by re-framing the negative thought. For instance, if I have at thought about how I am so fat, I actively replace it by saying, “my body needs more exercise and I will get to my desired body soon,” and trust me, it works. It takes time but it is possible.

And, I am not stopping until I get there. I’m not stopping till I treat myself as I want others to treat me and I hope, I sincerely hope you get there as well.

July 18, 2017
The Positivity in Nakshatra

Nakshatra had a dream to pursue her favorite subject Psychology from Delhi University. Her parents and her grandfather totally supported her choice.

She would go around telling people that she would get to visit Delhi from her native place Almora. Since her +1 when she decided to pursue Psychology and that too from the reputed University, she was very excited as well as anxious about living in Delhi, about her college life and endless memories to collect from the capital city, which is quite obvious for a girl coming from small town.

Nakshatra had given her Board exams and she awaited the day when the Board results came. On D-Day, she took blessings from the Almighty and also from her Grandpa.

“My star, my Nakshatra will get whatever she wants!” Her grandfather said with a smile.

She switched on the computer and logged on to the education board’s website. After a lot of hassle as the site got hanged she got her result. She had got less marks in English and her favorite subject, Psychology: 83 and 85 respectively and 95 in History and Political science. She had got a 98 in her optional subject. So in her main subjects she had only got around 89%. You may call me an idiot for saying, only 89 but it is a harsh and an unfortunate reality in terms of admission in DU, in a subject like Psychology wherein the requirement is above 93%.

“Woah Nakshatra! You have done so well! Congratulations, my child.” Her grandfather was happy and he kissed his grand-daughter. But Nakshatra’s mother had something else going on in her head and she was staring at Nakshatra with a grumpy face.

“Tell me, how will you get your.. what did you say, ah yes, “your first love”, with these marks.” She said in a wicked tone.

Nakshatra’s head was hung with shame.

“Why are you talking to the child like that? She has done so well. The marks Nakshatra has got is not bad. It is rather very good.”

“Papa ji, she cannot get anywhere in DU with these marks!” Her mother growled and went away.

Nakshatra sat still.

“So what if you would not get the college you desired, life does not end here. Maybe you will get something much better. Don’t get bogged down with these marks. You have got this beautiful thing called Internet. Search for alternatives then and have that smile and never-say-die spirit in you.”

Nakshatra nodded. She searched the other colleges in India which offer the subject. Till she came across a course known as B.A. Programme in DU itself which is actually for those like her who could not get admission in a particular subject due to sky high requirement. She could study two subjects like Psychology and Philosophy or Psychology and English.

Nakshatra’s mother came with her phone. Her father who was posted in Vadodara had called to keep her spirits up. She excitedly told about her recent discovery.

“Are you sure about this choice? I mean, you would not get proper knowledge of the subject, is what I reckon.”

“Don’t worry Papa, it will be no less than the specialised course. I’ll work hard for the Masters entrance and I assure you, I will come out with flying colors.” Nakshatra happily replied.

“I am proud of you, my child. Do what makes you happy. I am always ready for your help.”

The call ended.

A week after that, Nakshatra was called at her school as she stood second in her stream.

“No need to go there! You have not got marks which are grand enough for this felicitation!” Her mother ranted.

Nakshatra’s grandfather was witnessing the scene.

“Manjari! Enough of you! Always cursing your own child because the examiner gave her less marks. Nakshatra is already so disappointed by this behaviour of yours. Do you ever realise this? Don’t you dare reprimand her like that again!” then he turned to Nakshatra,” Go and get your reward. I know very well that you have worked hard for it.”

Nakshatra went to school the other day and brought home a trophy. Her mother, who did not even come to attend the award function, overlooked the trophy. Her grandfather had kept it in his room at the cabinet.

After a month, Nakshatra had got admission in a B.A. Programme course in a South Campus college. She was happy that she was getting to study her desired subject along with her second preference English. She had got the college hostel as well. But she was dismayed by her mother’s attitude towards her result. She did not send a single congratulatory message on her admission.

Her mother sent a long message to her after her college started explaining as to how she was disappointed that her daughter could no enter into the 95% category which could have landed her up where she actually wanted to. But it was Nakshatra’s positive mindset which changed her attitude towards the whole situation and she blessed Nakshatra.

When her mid-semester break started, her grandfather passed away due to heart problem. Nakshatra was crying when she got the news. Her grandfather trusted her like no one else.

After the funeral was over, she was sitting on her grandfather’s bed and looking at the photos of him, Grandma, her parents and of herself. Below that was the cabinet where her trophy was standing. She recollected the day when he congratulated her and lifted her spirits that day. Then she decided she will always live up to her grandfather’s positivity and do well.

She realized that how we are so afraid of failires as they come and go but people get so threatened by it. It gives us some kind of experience.

July 15, 2017
BE AWARE OF THE MIND!!!

This story is my first hand experience of the unmatched power of our Mind. This instrument beholds the ability to shape our destiny. It is rightly said that our life is a representation of our own thoughts.

Through this story , I have shared a personal experience wherein my own negative thinking led to the appearance of a disease that shook me to the core and how a mere change in perspective made me come out of it in no time. I have highlighted the importance of just BEING AWARE of the mind and using your intelligence to overpower its negativity.

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Life is a constant learning process, if we fail to learn, we fail to live.

I was never the kind of person who would go out of the way to think and ponder about life and its mysterious ways but, as they say, even thoughts were destined to break through the walls of your mind to fulfill a greater purpose. Hence, circumstances led me to thinking more about what life is, what is the purpose and a lot more questions that still ring the bells in my mind .

Yes, I have not hitherto received a major breakthrough in silencing my mind but definitely something has changed since the time I have brought my attention to this mysterious tool called "mind". Among many instances that made me aware of its complexities, there is a first-hand experience that actually made me believe in the tremendous power that this instrument beholds. Around one and a half years ago, I was facing continuous breathing problems with heaviness in my chest area. Doctors diagnosed nothing major, but due to prolonged problem in my breath and terrible uneasiness in the chest, I assumed that i might be suffering from a serious illness. I began surfing the internet and came across so many deadly and incurable diseases that perfectly matched my state of health. Day and night , i kept thinking" what if my doubts turn into reality, what if I have to undergo the torture, what if there is no cure", etc. etc. etc. With such thoughts, the emotions of fear, regret, guilt, lack crept in and in no time I turned into a depressed painful soul wailing and crying sitting at the corner of my bed and the doors of my room locked. This was the time when all my sense of logic was lost and i succumbed to my thoughts and emotions. Despite the constant counseling by doctors that they did not foresee any major threat, i kept on doubting their diagnosis and believing my own irrational mind.

Mind makes a habitual to and fro movement between the past and future like a pendulum. As a result, we are saddened by the past which has gone by and fearful about the future which is just another imagination and fail to see the reality that lies in this moment.

Well would you like to guess what happened after i spent 3-4 months thinking, imagining, and mourning over such things?

I actually developed a lump in my chest area. Yes, you heard it right. What I had believed in for so many months imagining it to be true was now showing its colours. This is the power of thoughts, the power of mind.

It is true for both negative and positive thinking. That was the day when I actually realized what is meant by "Life is the reflection of your own thoughts". Well this time I resorted to prayers and positivity and by God's grace the lump subsided and there was no surgery required also.

Since the incident I have become more aware to the technicalities of my mind and have realized that it can be the most cunning and misleading if not given attention to.SO threat lies not from somewhere outside but from our own Mind. Let us put forward the first step and just be aware without any judgments and beliefs. Let us look at these mind games as a witness and use our intelligence to overpower the mind in such situations.

For as far as life is concerned, intellect is required to make it while a wavering mind is enough to break it!

June 27, 2016
Back To The Beginning

A girl relives the happiest day of her life on the day when her life ends as she knows it.

Day 366:

I blinked hard to get rid of the tears. I knew that this was probably the last time I was going to see him, but I didn’t want to cry. I was hoping against all hope so that he wakes up next morning. The doctors were using some complicated words to describe what has happened to him, but all I could see was blood. It was all over him and it made him look like a different person. It was probably all over me too.

I needed him to wake up. I wanted to be able to feel his warmth in my hands when he holds them. I wanted to feel my day becoming just that brighter when I hear his voice. I wanted to look into his eyes one last time.

Just to say goodbye.

Day 367:

The next morning when I stepped into his room, he was a jumble of pipes and tubes. They were in his mouth; they were in his neck, on both his arms. It seemed as though he was a part of all those machines around him, beeping and humming, softly and constantly. The only things that still looked like him were his closed eyes and his huge messy hair. I ran my hand through it – it felt the same way it did last night, as if nothing has changed. I leant forward and kissed him on his forehead as cautiously as I could.

Taking his hand, I sat down beside him. They were not as warm as they usually were. But they will warm up soon, I know. His eyes weren’t moving under those eyelids. I could barely see his chest rising and falling. But what I could hear was my world threatening to fall apart.

I took a deep breath and shook my head. No, this is not how it ends. Of all the ways he could abandon me, he would not choose this. He would never do this to me.

Last night, seeing him like that, I was so sure of what was about to happen. I felt like I was prepared to do this, no matter what I was going through. I was ready to say goodbye. But right now, I cannot seem to comprehend how I’m supposed to do this. How am I just supposed to bid farewell to this person, being fully aware of the fact that I would never see him again? How am I to accept the fact that this one person, who made my life worth living, wasn’t going to be around anymore?

He isn’t saying goodbye to me. Maybe, that is because he doesn’t want to. So why should I? Even if I do, can he hear me? Can he hear me bidding him farewell, even when he doesn’t want to go?

No.

He will wake up.

He will wake up.

He will wake up.

Maybe I was blinking so hard because I felt that if I do it right, I’ll wake up from this nightmare.

Day 1:

My umbrella wasn’t doing anything to protect my new shoes from getting ruined. I could barely hold it upright, while managing my backpack filled with my notes and some big books I issued from the library, my assignment file which was too big for my backpack, and also a bag which had a birthday gift for my friend. It has been pouring this same way for 45 minutes and I had been standing here for the last 15 of them. And it just wouldn’t stop.

My sister said she was going to pick me up on her way home from work. It was quite evident that she was running late. My day clearly could not get any worse. I needed to get home as soon as possible. I had this assignment to finish with the help of the books that I got. Standing here in the rain, wasting all this time wasn’t going to help me at all.

I was just about to curse aloud, when I saw someone come and stand beside me. He was a boy who looked like he was my age, wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans. He didn’t have any umbrella with him and was sopping wet. Unlike me, he was quite enjoying the rain. He was standing a few feet away from me and I couldn’t help feeling jealous of him. Here I was, wanting to get home more than anything, and there he was, looking up at the sky and smiling at the raindrops falling on his face.

I didn’t realize I was staring at him until he looked back at me. I looked away immediately, but he didn’t seem annoyed. I could feel his eyes on me as he noticed all the baggage I was carrying.

‘You need any help with that?’

His voice was laced with some kind of a contagious happiness. When I looked at him, his eyes lit up, and his smile widened.

There was something about him, his short wet hair, his bright eyes, and his joyous smile, which made me speechless for a while. The skip in his step and the way he was looking down at me, peering through his hair, made me want to look at him some more. I could feel my shoulders relaxing as a small smile spread across my own face.

It was unbelievable to me, how happy he seemed. There was hardly a soul out on the street; there was no sign of any taxis or buses or autos nearby; every window in every building on either side of this road was shut; there was hardly any shop open. We were both standing in this dead wet street, about to get waterlogged any minute now.

What was he so happy about?

On the other hand, I forgot to think whether I really needed any help or not. He was patiently waiting for my answer, with the same smile, for quite some time now.

I had organized my thoughts with a lot of effort, and I was about to say something, when a familiar annoying horn distracted us.

My sister had remarkable timing! She stopped the car right in front of me, and screamed, ‘Get in!’

I quickly blurted out to the boy, ‘It’s fine!’

After making my way inside, I paused for a moment to look at his smile one last time. Sighing, when I finally shut the door, I saw him take his hand from inside his jeans pocket and wave me goodbye. My sister had already pulled away before I could wave back.

June 20, 2016
The Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar was born on 24 April 1973 in Mumbai in a Maharashtrian family. He is regarded as one of the world’s greatest cricketers. Well-known for his incredible batting skills and his affection for record-breaking one-day scoring, Sachin’s giant success in cricket world in unmatched by any other international players, making him a true star for the sport.

Sachin Tendulkar was born in Dadar, Mumbai to Ramesh Tendulkar, a Marathi novelist and his wife, Rahni, who worked in the insurance industry. He was named after Sachin Dev Barman, Ramesh Tendulkar's favourite music director in bollywood. Tendulkar has three elder siblings: two half-brothers Nitin and Ajit, and a half-sister Savita from his father’s first marriage.

Sachin was grown up in Mumbai itself. Sachin parents were relatively humble and middle class, offering him reasonable educational options and a potentially bright future. On the other hand, Sachin took his education as a responsibility instead of as a chance and was known as an annoyer in his early years.

During his early years of school

During his early years of school, driven by his idol tennis star John McEnroe, he used to play tennis and start fights with other students of the school and eventually becoming known amongst the staff as troublemaker with a limited educational future. His mischievous attitude and eternal energy noticed by his half – brother Ajit, who then introduced Sachin to cricket in his teenager years.

While Sachin viewed schoolwork as nuisance and academics as a waste of time, he immediately took keen interest to cricket at a younger age. He practised continuously as a batsman, either on his own or with his friends. His skills and potential caught the attention of a well-known local cricket coach in Mumbai called Ramakant Achrekar.

Early Career

Ramakant Achrekar immediately noticed Sachin’s talent and suggested that he move to a new high school with more advanced cricket facilities. Sachin followed his advice and moved to the new high school soon after. In the new school, Sachin found a group of players that had the potential and ability to challenge him and help him to improve his skills more. Then he devoted his life to cricket with full concentration and drive that few would ever match.

After school time he spends hours in the training grounds and creating a betting system with his fellow players to keep himself encouraged. Sachin would place one rupee on the top of the stumps and challenge players to bowl him out. If they bowled out him, they would keep the one rupee. But if could survive for the whole training session, he would keep the one rupee. His betting strategy worked well and by the end of his training sessions at the school he had thirteen coins, proving his abilities as a skilled and devoted batsman.

Sachin entered the ranks of professional cricket in the late 1980s, he batting as a player for India against Pakistan and New Zealand. At age of just sixteen, he continued to take part in international cricket matches and rising up through the ranks of Indian cricket to become a star in his early twenties.

It was the time of his early twenties, Sachin emerged as one of the India’s top cricket skills. Sachin made his first century in a one day, batting as one of the India’s top batsman against Australia at age 21. His batting reached its climax in 1998 when he scored an outstanding and recording breaking three century during a single tour against Australia.

He continued to play for India for over a decade, taking part in game from the late 1990s up until 2012. Sachin set a number of run records throughout his long cricket career as a batsman and emerged as one of the leading batsman of the entire cricket world and an outstanding and record breaking player.

Sachin’s unique playing style and giant success made him ideal for many young players. His minimalistic attitude as a batsman, in which he deliberately limits his movements and avoids showing off his skills, has resulted in comparisons between Sachin Tendulkar and Sir Donald Bradman.

Widely regarded as one of the world’s finest cricket players, Sachin Tendulkar is an incredible influence for young people looking to find their path in life. A success as a teenager and a true star by his mid-twenties, Sachin Tendulkar turned around his life after being a distracted, confused oppressor during his early teens and childhood.

Thanks to the guidance of his coaches and his own incredible work ethic, Tendulkar emerged as one of the cricket world’s true stars. Take his focus and attitude to your heart and you can find your own success, whether it’s on the batting crease, in a business environment, or even in the arts.

In 1995 Sachin married Anjali Tendulkar after a five year courtship. Anjali is a paediatrician and six years older to him. Her father is a Gujarati industrialist and a bridge champion and her mother is a British social worker. Sachin and Anjali have two children, Sara and Arjun, born in 1997 and 1999 respectively.

April 24, 2016
SpaceX : A Future Vision For Mankind

Nelson Mandela once said,

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Elon Musk did prove it right. Elon didn’t just want to become an entrepreneur, he wanted to radically change the world for a better future.

Elon Musk, the name behind PayPal, Tesla Motors and SpaceX, is no certified space scientist but a person with a strong mind and a brave heart.

He realized that he can make a global change by focusing on areas like sustainable energy, the Internet and making life multi-planetary

In 1995, Musk enrolled in the prestigious Stanford University in the field of applied physics and material science.

But within no less than 2 days of the college, he left the graduate programme with brother Kimbal to create his first IT Company Zip2.

The company was an online city guide that provided content to online newspapers which was a new thing in the Internet. After residing in the rented office and using locker rooms of local stadium for shower for months, Musk’s Zip2 had won contracts with major players in the industry, including The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune. But the young entrepreneur had bigger dreams. So, in 1999 he sold his company to Compaq and earned back a fortune of $22m.

Later in that year Musk started to work on electronic payment systems. He co-founded X.com, an online banking company using money from the sale of Zip2. In March, 2001 X.com merged with rival company Confinity to develop the first digital wallet. Later on they renamed the company as PayPal. In 2002 E-bay bought the online payment portal for $1.5b and Musk receiving a share of $180m which was enough to raise funds for his future prospects.

Musk had already started planning about his space exploration technologies corporation (SpaceX) at the turn of the century.

He was fascinated by the idea of colonizing mars by building up a greenhouse on the foreign soil which in the future could have become a basis for a self-sustaining ecosystem.

But the transportation costs were touching skies. So now the trick was not how to get to the orbit, but how to do it in an economically viable way.

Musk asked his friend Jim Cantrell, an aerospace consultant, to help him out. They travelled around the world to find the rockets needed. While they travelled, Elon borrowed Jim’s books on rocket technology.

"He'd been borrowing all my college textbooks on rocketry and propulsion. You know, whenever anybody asks Elon how he learned to build rockets, he says, 'I read books.' Well, it's true.", said Jim in an interview.

NASA dropped its hands as they believed there was no cheaper way to build this ride. So Musk had to do it using off the shelf technology by taking the old developed stuff of NASA and streamlining it.

On March 2006, Elon Musk invested $100m in SpaceX. He calculated that the cost price of all the parts required for constructing a launch vehicle were only 2% of the launch vehicle price in the United States. In 2006-2008, the first 3 flight attempts of Falcon 1 failed. On September,2008 the 4^th mission had finally succeeded in reaching the orbit. The Falcon 1 made it to the history books in 2009 as the first privately funded, liquid-fuelled rocket to put a satellite into Earth orbit. NASA was impressed by these achievements and signed a $1.6 billion contract.

“The one major important distinction that sets him apart is his inability to consider failure.” Said a co-founder. Indeed he outsmarted most of us by just being determined towards his goal.

February 22, 2016