APJ Abdul Kalam-DD Podhigai telecast an interview with Mr P M Nair retired IAS officer

Mr. PM Nair IAS (Secretary to the President of India) on  Late DR. APJ Abdul Kalam

WE SHALL NOT SEE ANOTHER APJ ABDUL KALAM LIKE OUR LATE PRESIDENT :

DD Podhigai telecast an interview with Mr P M Nair retired IAS officer who was the secretary to Dr Kalam Sir when he was the President. I summarise the points he spoke in voice choked with emotion. Mr Nair authored a book titled *"Kalam Effect"*

1. Dr Kalam used to receive costly gifts whenever he went abroad as it is customary for many nations to give gifts to the visiting Head of state. Refusing the gift would become an insult to the nation and an embarrassment for India. So, he received them and on his return, Dr Kalam asked the gifts to be photographed and then catalogued and handed over to the archives. Afterwards, he never even looked at them. He did not take even a pencil from the gifts received when he left Rashtrapathi Bhavan.

2.  In 2002, the year Dr Kalam took over, the Ramadan month came in July-August. it was a regular practice for the President to host an iftar party. Dr Kalam asked Mr Nair why he should host a party to people who are already well fed and asked him to find out how much would be the cost. Mr Nair told it costs around Rs. 22 lakhs. Dr Kalam asked him to donate that amount to a few selected orphanages in the form of food, dresses and blankets. The selection of orphanages was left to a team in Rashtrapathi Bhavan and Dr Kalam had no role in it. After the selection was made, Dr Kalam asked Mr Nair to come inside his room and gave him a cheque for Rs 1 lakh. He said that he is giving some amount from his personal savings and this should not be informed to anyone. Mr Nair was so shocked that he said "sir, I will go outside and tell everyone . People should know that here is a man who not only donated what he should have spent but he is giving his own money also". Dr Kalam though he was a devout Muslim did not have Iftar parties in the years in which he was the President. 

3. Dr Kalam did not like "yes sir" type of people. Once when the Chief Justice of India had come and on some point Dr Kalam expressed his view and asked Mr Nair, "Do you agree?" Mr Nair said "No sir, i do not agree with you".

The Chief Justice was shocked and could not believe his ears. It was impossible for a civil servant to disagree with the president and that too so openly. Mr Nair told him that the President would question him afterwards why he disagreed and if the reason was logical 99% he would change his mind.

4. Dr Kalam invited 50 of his relatives to come to Delhi and they all stayed in Rashtrapathi Bhavan. He organised a bus for them to go around the city which was paid for by him. No official car was used. All their stay and food was calculated as per the instructions of Dr Kalam and the bill came to Rs 2 lakhs which he paid. In the history of this country no one has done it.

Now, wait for the climax, Dr Kalam's elder brother stayed with him in his room for the entire one week as Dr Kalam wanted his brother to stay with him. When they left, Dr Kalam wanted to pay rent for that room also. Imagine a President of country paying rent for the room in which he is staying. This was any way not agreed by the staff who thought the honesty was getting too much to handle !!!.

5.  When Kalam sir was to leave Rashtrapathi Bhavan at the end of the tenure, every staff member went and met him and paid their respects. Mr Nair went to him alone as his wife had fractured her leg and was bed ridden. Dr Kalam asked why his wife did not come. He replied that she was in bed due to an accident. next day, Mr.Nair saw lot of police men around his house and asked what had happened. They said that the President of India was coming to visit him in his house. He came and met his wife and chatted for some time. Mr Nair says that no president of any country would visit a civil servant's house and that too on such a simple pretext.

I thought I should give the details as many of you may not have seen the telecast and so it may be useful.

The younger brother of AJP Abdul Kalam runs an Umbrella repairing shop. When Mr. Nair  met him during Kalam Funeral,  he touched his feet, in token of respect for both Mr. Nair and Brother.

ജര്‍മ്മനി-രത്തന്‍ ടാറ്റ-റെസ്റ്റോറന്റ്

"MONEY IS YOURS BUT RESOURCES BELONG TO THE SOCIETY..!!!

ടാറ്റയുടെ തലവനായിരുന്ന കാലത്ത് ജര്‍മ്മനി സന്ദര്‍ശിച്ച ഒരോര്‍മ്മ എഴുതുകയുണ്ടായി രത്തന്‍ ടാറ്റ, ഈയിടെ ഓണ്‍ലൈനില്‍ എവിടെയോ വായിച്ചതാണ്

"ജര്‍മ്മനി വ്യാവസായികമായി ലോകത്ത് തന്നെ ഉന്നതിയില്‍ നില്‍ക്കുന്ന ഒരു രാഷ്ട്രമാണല്ലോ . അവിടുത്തെ മനുഷ്യര്‍ അങ്ങേയറ്റം ആഡംബരത്തില്‍ കഴിയുന്നു എന്നാണോ നിങ്ങളുടെ ധാരണ ?

കഴിഞ്ഞ മാസം ഞാന്‍ ടാറ്റയിലെ മുതിര്‍ന്ന ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരുമായി ഹാമ്ബര്‍ഗ്ഗില്‍ പോവുകയുണ്ടായി . ഒരു മീറ്റിംഗ് കഴിഞ്ഞു വിശപ്പ്‌ തോന്നിയപ്പോള്‍ എന്റെ ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരോടൊപ്പം അടുത്തുള്ള ഒരു ഇടത്തരം രേസ്റ്റൊരന്റില്‍ കയറി . അവിടെ മിക്കവാറും തീന്മേശകള്‍ കാലിയായി കണ്ടപ്പോള്‍ തന്നെ എനിക്ക് കൌതുകം തോന്നി .

ഒരു ടേബിളില്‍ ഒരു യുവജോഡി ഇരിക്കുന്നതുകാണുകയുണ്ടായി . വെറും രണ്ടു തരം വിഭവങ്ങളും ഓരോ കുപ്പി ബിയറും മാത്രമാണ് അവരുടെ മുന്നില്‍ കാണാനായത് . ഇന്ത്യയിലെ ഒരു ഇടത്തരം യുവാവിനു പോലും ഇതില്‍ കൂടുതല്‍ വിഭവസമ്പന്നമായ ഭക്ഷണം കാമുകിക്ക് വാങ്ങി നല്‍കുവാന്‍ കഴിയുമെന്ന് ഞാന്‍ ചിന്തിച്ചു . പിശുക്കനോ, അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ അത്രമേല്‍ ദരിദ്രനോ ആയ ഇയാളെ എന്തുകൊണ്ടാണ് ഈ യുവതി ഉപേക്ഷിക്കാത്തത് എന്നാണു ഞാന്‍ ഓര്‍ത്തത്. 

മറ്റൊരു തീന്മേശയില്‍ വയസ്സായ രണ്ടു മൂന്നു ലേഡീസ് ഇരിക്കുന്നുണ്ടായിരുന്നു .ഒരൊറ്റ വിഭവം മാത്രം ഓര്‍ഡര്‍ ചെയ്യുകയും , അത് കൊണ്ട് വന്ന വൈറ്റര്‍ അതുകൊണ്ട് മൂന്നു പേര്‍ക്ക് പങ്കുവച്ചു നല്‍കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നത് കണ്ടു . അവര്‍ അവസാനത്തെ ധാന്യവും സ്പൂണ്‍ കൊണ്ട് എടുത്തു ശ്രദ്ധയോടെ കഴിക്കുന്നത് ഞാന്‍ ആശ്ചര്യത്തോടെ നോക്കി നിന്നു. 

മുന്‍പ് ജര്‍മ്മനിയില്‍ വന്നിട്ടുള്ള എന്റെ സഹപ്രവര്‍ത്തകരില്‍ ഒരാള്‍ ഞങ്ങള്‍ക്ക് കഴിക്കാന്‍ അല്പ്പമധികം ഭക്ഷണങ്ങളും , പാനീയങ്ങളും ഓര്‍ഡര്‍ ചെയ്തു .ഞങ്ങള്‍ കഴിച്ചു ഇറങ്ങാന്‍ തുടങ്ങിയപ്പോള്‍ ഏകദേശം പകുതിയോളം ആഹാര പദാര്‍ഥങ്ങള്‍ തീന്മേശയില്‍ ബാക്കിയുണ്ടായിരുന്നു . 

ഞങ്ങള്‍ പണം നല്‍കി ഇറങ്ങാന്‍ തുടങ്ങിയപ്പോള്‍ വൃദ്ധസ്ത്രീകളില്‍ ഒരാള്‍ ജര്‍മ്മന്‍ ഭാഷയില്‍ എന്തൊക്കെയോ കയര്‍ത്തു സംസാരിക്കുന്നതുപോലെ തോന്നി . ഞങ്ങള്‍ക്ക് ജര്‍മ്മന്‍ മനസ്സിലാകുന്നില്ല എന്ന് കണ്ട മറ്റൊരു ലേഡി ഇംഗ്ലീഷില്‍ സംസാരിച്ചു തുടങ്ങി . ഭക്ഷണം പാഴാക്കി ഇറങ്ങിപ്പോകാന്‍ തുടങ്ങുന്നതില്‍ അവര്‍ക്കുള്ള അതൃപ്തിയും രോഷവും , അവര്‍ വികാരഭരിതയായി പറഞ്ഞു . അവരുടെ കണ്ണുകള്‍ ജ്വലിക്കുന്നതും , ചുളിവു വീണ മുഖം ചുവന്നുതുടുക്കുന്നതും ഞങ്ങള്‍ കണ്ടു .

"ഞങ്ങള്‍ ഓര്‍ഡര്‍ ചെയ്ത ഭക്ഷണത്തിനു പണം നല്‍കിയിട്ടുണ്ട് ,, അത് കഴിച്ചോ , കളഞ്ഞോ എന്ന് അന്വേഷിക്കുന്നത് നിങ്ങളുടെ ജോലിയല്ല " 

ഞങ്ങളുടെ കൂട്ടത്തിലെ ഒരുദ്യോഗസ്ഥന്‍ ഇംഗ്ലീഷില്‍ അവര്‍ക്ക് മറുപടി നല്‍കി . വൃദ്ധ സ്ത്രീകള്‍ മൂന്ന് പേരും കോപാകുലരായി . ഒരാള്‍ പെട്ടെന്ന് ബാഗില്‍ നിന്ന് സെല്‍ഫോണ്‍ എടുത്തു ആരെയോ വിളിച്ചു നിലവിളിക്കുന്നത് പോലെ ജര്‍മ്മന്‍ ഭാഷയില്‍ എന്തൊക്കെയോ പറയുന്നത് കേട്ടു. മിനിട്ടുകള്‍ക്കകം സാമൂഹ്യ സുരക്ഷാ വകുപ്പിലെ യൂണിഫോമിട്ട ഒരുദ്യോഗസ്ഥന്‍ ഒരു കാര്‍ ഡ്രൈവ് ചെയ്തു ഭക്ഷനശാലക്ക് മുന്നില്‍ വന്നിറങ്ങി . 

വൃദ്ധകളോട് സംസാരിച്ച ആ യുവാവ് ഞങ്ങളുടെ അടുക്കല്‍ വന്നു 50 യൂറോ ഫൈന്‍ ചുമത്തുന്നതായി പറഞ്ഞു . ഞങ്ങള്‍ ശാന്തരായി അയാളെ കേട്ടു.

ഞങ്ങളുടെ എല്ലാവരുടെയും മുഖത്തേക്ക് മാറി മാറി നോക്കി അയാള്‍ പറഞ്ഞു.

"നിങ്ങള്ക്ക് കഴിക്കാന്‍ കഴിയുന്നത് മാത്രം ഓര്‍ഡര്‍ ചെയ്യുക . നിങ്ങള്‍ സമ്പന്നരാകാം , ധാരാളം പണമുണ്ടാകാം , പക്ഷേ ഇതിനുള്ള വിഭവ ശേഷി ഈ സമൂഹത്തിന്റേത് കൂടിയാണ് . സമ്പന്നരായ നിങ്ങളുടേത് മാത്രമല്ല . ഒരു നേരത്തെ ആഹാരം യാചിച്ചു കഴിക്കേണ്ട , അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ അതിനും കഴിയാത്ത കോടാനു കോടികള്‍ ലോകത്തുണ്ട് എന്നത് യാഥാര്‍ത്ഥ്യമായിരിക്കെ ഒരു തരി ധാന്യമെങ്കിലും പാഴാക്കി കളയാന്‍ നിങ്ങള്ക്ക് എന്തവകാശം ?"

ഞാന്‍ എന്റെ ജീവിതത്തില്‍ അപമാനഭാരം കൊണ്ട് തല താഴ്ത്തിയ അപൂര്‍വ്വം സന്ദര്‍ഭങ്ങളില്‍ ഒന്ന് അതായിരുന്നു . ആ ചെറുപ്പക്കാരന്റെ മുന്നില്‍ ശരിക്കും ഞങ്ങള്‍ ശിരസ്സുകുനിച്ചു . ഇന്ത്യയിലെ ചേരികളിലും , പൊതു ഇടങ്ങളിലും , എന്റെ ആഫ്രിക്കന്‍ യാത്രകള്‍ക്കിടയില്‍ കണ്ടതുമായ പട്ടിണിക്കോലങ്ങള്‍ എന്റെ മനസ്സിലേക്ക് ഓടിയെത്തി. പൊങ്ങച്ചം കാണിക്കുവാനും , മറ്റുള്ളവരുടെ മുന്‍പില്‍ ആളാകാനും ദുരഭിമാനികളായ നമ്മള്‍ ഭക്ഷണശാലകളില്‍ പോലും കാണിക്കുന്ന ധൂര്‍ത്തുകള്‍ ഓര്‍ത്തപ്പോള്‍ എനിക്കും ലജ്ജ തോന്നി ."

തിരിച്ചു ഓഫീസിലേക്ക് പോകാന്‍ കാറില്‍ ഇരിക്കുമ്പോള്‍ അയാളുടെ ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് വാക്കുകള്‍ എന്റെ ചെവിയില്‍ തുടരെത്തുടരെ മുഴങ്ങി -

"MONEY IS YOURS BUT RESOURCES BELONG TO THE SOCIETY..!!!"

Confidence-Obama and his wife Michelle

Confidence

One night President Obama and his wife Michelle decided to do something out of routine and go for a casual dinner at a restaurant that wasn’t too luxurious.

When they were seated, the owner of the restaurant asked the President’s secret service if he could please speak to the First Lady in private.

They obliged and Michelle had a conversation with the owner.

After the conversation President Obama asked Michelle, “Why was he so interested in talking to you?”

She mentioned that in her teenage years, he had been madly in love with her.

President Obama then said, “So if you had married him, you would now be the owner of this lovely restaurant?”

Michelle responded, “No, if I had married him, he would now be the President.”

A WOMAN’s CONFIDENCE NEVER COMES IN BITS & PIECES

Tale of Mr. Zavere Poonawala & Ganga Datt

Tale of Mr. Zavere Poonawala & Ganga Datt

This is a story worth sharing !!!

This is about Mr. Zavere Poonawala (Brother of Dr. Cyrus Poonawala) who is a well-known industrialist in Pune. He had this driver named Ganga Datt with him for the last 30 years on his limousine, which was originally owned by Acharya Rajneesh.

Ganga Datt passed away recently and at that time Mr. Poonawala was in Mumbai for some important work.  As soon as he heard the news, he canceled all his meetings, requested the driver's family to await him for the cremation and came back to Pune immediately by a helicopter.

On reaching Pune, he asked the limo to be decorated with flowers as he wished Ganga Datt should be taken in the same car which he himself had driven since the beginning. When Ganga Datt's family agreed to his wishes, he himself drove Ganga Datt from his home up to the ghat on his last journey.

When asked about it, Mr. Poonawala replied that Ganga Datt had served him day and night, and he could at least do this being eternally grateful to him. He further added that Ganga Datt rose up from poverty and educated both his children very well. His daughter is a Chartered accountant and that is so commendable.

His comment in the end, is the essence of a successful life in all aspects:

“Everybody earns money which is nothing unusual in that, but we should always be grateful to those people who contribute to our success. This is the belief, we have been brought up with, which made me do, what I did.”

An inspiring example of humanity

What to do if you are unable to pass urine suddenly

What to do if you are unable to pass urine suddenly

Recently I met a famous allopathy doctor on account of a medical article. He is in his 70s…is an ENT specialist. It was astonishing to listen to one of his experience which he shared. That day morning when he woke up he had a problem. He had an urge to pass urine but for some reason he was unable to do. At this age some people face with such problem some times and if they try two or three times they may succeed. He tried after some time but same condition. His continuous efforts didn’t bear any result. Then he realised there is some problem. Though he is a doctor but he is not an exception to such physical problems as he is also made of the same flesh and blood like everyone. Now his lower abdomen became heavy and he was unable to sit or stand and was suffering with the building pressure. Immediately he called up a known urologist on phone and explained his situation. Urologist replied “I am at present in a hospital in the outskirts and I will be coming to a clinic in your area in another one and a half hour. Will you be able to withstand that long?” He replied “I will try”. 

At that instant he received an incoming call which happened to be from another allopathy doctor from his town (Suseendharam). With great difficulty the ENT doctor explained his situation to his childhood friend doctor.  His friend echoed back “oh, your urine bladder is full and you are unable to pass urine. Don’t worry, do as I suggest, you will be able to pass urine”. And he started giving the instructions. “Stand up and jump vigorously …while jumping lift both your hands as though you are plucking the mangoes. Do like this for 15 to 20 times”. What, when the bladder is full he wants me to jump? Though little sceptical the ENT doctor started trying it. What a relief within 5 to 6 time jumping urine started passing. ENT doctor felt overjoyed and felt thankful to his childhood friend doctor for solving it with such simple solution which otherwise would have required an admission in a hospital where they would have inserted a catheter inside the bladder, injections, anti-biotics etc resulting in a bill amount crossing Rs 50,000 in addition to physical and mental stress for him and his near and dear ones.

Sharing this for the benefit of others.

Pin drop silence

Pin drop silence

Can you hear a pin drop?

What is the meaning of pin drop silence?

Following are some instances when silence could speak louder than voice. 

Take 1:

Field Marshal Sam Bahadur Maneckshaw once started addressing a public meeting at Ahmedabad in English. 

The crowd started chanting, "Speak in Gujarati.   

We will hear you only if you speak in Gujarati." 

Field Marshal Sam Bahadur Maneckshaw stopped. 

Swept the audience with a hard stare and replied, 

"Friends, I have fought many a battle in my long career.  

I have learned Punjabi from men of the Sikh Regiment; 

Marathi from the Maratha Regiment; 

Tamil from the men of the Madras Sappers; 

Bengali from the men of the Bengal Sappers, 

Hindi from the Bihar Regiment; and 

Even Nepali from the Gurkha Regiment.   

Unfortunately there was no soldier from Gujarat from whom I could have learned Gujarati."...

You could have heard a pin drop

Take 2:

Robert Whiting, 

an elderly US gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. 

At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on.

"You have been to France before, Monsieur ?", the Customs officer asked sarcastically.

Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.

"Then you should know enough to have your passport ready." 

The American said, 

"The last time I was here, 

I didn't have to show it."

"Impossible.  

Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France !", the Customs officer sneered.

The American senior gave the Frenchman a long, hard look. 

Then he quietly explained 

"Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach, 

at 4:40am, on D-Day in 1944, to help liberate your country, I couldn't find a single Frenchman to show a passport to.... " 

You could have heard a pin drop

Take 3:

Soon after getting freedom from British rule in 1947, the de-facto prime minister of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru called a meeting of senior Army Officers to select the first General of the Indian army.

Nehru proposed, "I think we should appoint a British officer as a General of The Indian Army, as we don't have enough experience to lead the same."

Having learned under the British, only to serve and rarely to lead, all the civilians and men in uniform present nodded their heads in agreement.

However one senior officer, Nathu Singh Rathore, asked for permission to speak. 

Nehru was a bit taken aback by the independent streak of the officer, though, he asked him to speak freely.

Rathore said, "You see, sir, we don't have enough experience to lead a nation too, so shouldn't we appoint a British person as the first Prime Minister of India?"

You could hear a pin drop.

After a pregnant pause, Nehru asked Rathore, 

"Are you ready to be the first General of The Indian Army?"..

Rathore declined the offer saying "Sir, we have a very talented army officer, my senior, Gen. Cariappa, who is the most deserving among us."

This is how the brilliant Gen. Cariappa became the first General and Rathore the first ever Lt. General of the Indian Army.

(Many thanks to Lt. Gen Niranjan Malik PVSM (Retd) for this article.)

Atheist and Bhagavad Gita

Atheist and Bhagavad Gita

In the yr 1979, near the Trivandrum sea shore an Elderly Gentleman was reading the Bhagavad Gita. That time, a young Talented Atheist guy came & sat besides that Gentleman.

The young guy Taunted the Gentleman by saying that in the age of science, people are so foolish that they read old fashioned books like the Gita.

He further said that, had you devoted this same time to science, then by now the country would have scaled great heights.

The Gentleman asked the young man for his introduction to which the youth replied that he was a science graduate from Kolkata who had come to make his career in Bhabha Atomic Research Center.

The youth further told the Gentleman to devote his attention to scientific research as by reading the Bhagavad Gita, he wouldn't be able to achieve anything.

The Gentleman smiled & got up to leave. As soon as he got up, his four security guards surrounded him & his driver brought his red beacon fitted official car. Seeing all this the youth panicked & asked the Gentleman, who are you

The Gentleman replied that his name is Vikram Sarabhai, the Chairman of the same organization, where the youth had come to make his career.

At that point of time, there were 13 research organizations in the name of Vikram Sarabhai, along with which he was also the Chairman of Commitee for Atomic Planning, having being appointed to the same by the PM Indira Gandhi.

Now, it was the turn of the youth to be ashamed & he fell down on Sarabhai's feet, crying profusely. It was then that Sarabhai said a very Wonderful thing.

He said, "*Behind every creation, there's always the Creator. So, it doesn't matter, whether it is the time of the Mahabharat or Today's India. Never Forget God !!!

Today's Atheist people, by invoking the name of science, may dance as much as they want but history is witness that Science has been created by God believing Theists only.

*God is Eternal Truth. God's speech (Bhagavad Gita) is true; it cannot be Falsified at all. Just by worshipping it, troubles will surely get resolved.*

TATA Rules the Heart of People

TATA Rules the Heart of People

There is a blood bank inside the Tata Motors premises in Jamshedpur (there are Blood Banks in other plants as well).

This rule is also applied in Tata Steel too. If you donate a bottle of blood, not only you are given off for that day, but you can also avail an extra leave within 7 days of donating the blood.

Employees use it to extend their holidays. So, there is no shortage of leaves ever!!!

Needless to say, Tata loses several man-hours through this policy.

Once, while having a conversation with the employees of the company, Ratan Tata was asked a question (by a senior official), "People take undue advantage of the policy. We lose several man-hours due to this. The blood is replenished within 24 hours, you know. Why to give that extra holiday within 7 days of donating blood."

Ratan Tata smiled. He always does. And then came a calm reply. *"Encouragement is something I don't need to teach you. Only a few people donate because they want to. Talking about man-hours, we may be losing some man-hours doing that, but have you ever thought of the number of man-hours that get added to the person's life who receives that blood in the time of necessity? I am ready to sacrifice some of our man-hours for the better good of humanity."*

Ratan Tata is really inspiring Person and everyone should learn a lot with this.

Never underestimate anybody

Never underestimate anybody; Stay Humble.

THE SALES GIRL IN CHENNAI GIRI STORE, THROUGH THE EYES OF “ WASHINGTON POST.”

After the Temple Darshan at the Kapaleeswarar Koil at Mylapore, we entered the "Giri Trading stores" 

and started searching for this Book on "Thatva Bodha".

We found many people buying various Books and CDs and from their smart walks and accumulation of CDs 

from Abhang to Aruna Sairam and Bhajans to Bombay Jaishree, sent a nice feeling in us, that we have come to

the right place indeed.

I was looking for this Book while my wife started collecting Bharathiar's songs and MS's Music. I searched 

everywhere for this Book.

There was this Girl, standing next to the Cashier, sincerely watching all our movements - a dark complexioned Girl, should be from a nearby Village, might be 17 or 18, should not have crossed 8th Std., might be out of poverty she is here.. All my Journalist's brain unnecessarily calculated about this Gullible Girl..and tho' she was repeatedly

watching me, I ignored her and started searching for "Thathva Bodha".

I saw many books from "Sandhya Vandanam" to Swami VIvekananda's "Chicago Speech" but having spent a 

good 40 minutes. I looked at her, she also looked at me curiously.

I did not asked her, knowing fully well that such a girl cannot have any idea of anything, leave alone "Thathva Bodah".

"Sir, may I help you?" (in Tamil)

"Yes. I am looking for 'Thatva Bodha' "

"Sanskrit Text or English/Sanskrit?"

God..she knows. "Sanskrit & English"

"Do you like to have the Publication from Chinmaya Mission or Indu Publications or by Ramakrishna Mutt?"

"I don't know..I just want to only Learn you see.. I don't really know indeed"

"Do you read Tamil Sir?"

"Yes I am a Tamilian " (thinking to myself how most of mylife time I like to act in most Other places that I am not)

"Then Sir, you can take this"..she ran to the shelf where I had searched for 30 minutes, removed the books in

the front and came out with a Book in Tamil. 

"This one in Tamil by N.Sivaraman by Indu Publications infact is simple and wonderful. You have the Sanskrit Text too inside."

My God! Why did I under estimate such a Genius. Just because of my Arrogance that I am an NRI. Or Just 

because I presumed such a Black, dark complexioned, gullible girl, who would have come for this job out of absolute 

poverty, wouldn't have any idea of "Thatva Bodha".

I decided to change my attitude and realized that I am absolutely an 'Idiot' at this moment in front of this 

wonderful girl and submitted myself in all humility. "Madam, I really don't have any idea of even who wrote 'Thatva 

Bodha' till yesterday. I just attended a lecture on this subject and was fascinated by the lecture and hence....."

"Did you attend Goda Venkateswara Sastri's lecture in Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan?" 

"Oh God. How did you know?"

"He regularly takes classes on such subjects. In fact he is one of the best Sir, in the city on such subjects."

"You are interested in such subjects?"

"Yes Sir, I read a lot about Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna and Thathva Bodha incidentally is my favourite Subject"

"Do you mean to say you have read Thatva Bodha?" 

"I have read this one by Sivaraman. Once you read it you won't feel like keeping that book on the table at all."

"Why what is so great about this Book?"

"Sir,you must be joking that you don't know about 'Thatva Bodha'."

"Really. I accept my ignorance."

My wife was watching from the corner, admiring all her CD collections.

"Sir, according to me, if you read this it gives the entire Vedanthic Saramsam and to say it in-one-word you become a bit more humble in life, leaving Ahamkaram once for all."

"Is it a fact that reading this simple book one would get so humble?"

"Of course one should be involved totally into the text. Needs a lot of conviction and devotion."

My wife joined the conversation and she felt this girl is indeed a very very talented intelligent girl, so she told 

me, "Why don't you interview her for Washington Post? Why at all you should think of Paris Hilton?"

I also felt that I owe something to her.. So, I asked her whether she can spare sometime for an interview.

She politely refused saying "My boss is to give me permission. Besides, many people are looking for guidance 

or help, like you and hence I have to go."

"What is your name?"

"Kalaivani."

My wife's admiration for her devotion to duty and her total involvement in her work, made her go direct to the Boss and said, "Sir,that girl Kalaivani."

"Yes very hard working Girl."

"This is my husband Viswanath."

"Nice meeting you Sir"

"He is the Senior Journalist in Washington Post."

The Boss stood up." Washington Post?"

"Yes Sir. I would like to interview this girl. I am highly impressed with her ethics."

The Boss called her. Time was 5:45 Pm. "Kalaivani, they have come all the way from USA., They would like 

to spend some time with you. Can you?"

"Sir, there are so many customers waiting for some guidance. as it is a rush time. If they can come again 

tomorrow."

"OK. I can come again tomorrow."

I came back next day morning leaving all my appointments with 'Times of India 'and “Madras Press Club “ just 

to see this girl. It was no rush hour. 

My wife and myself found out. Kalaivani is from a small village near Arcot. She has 5 sisters, she being is the eldest. Her father was a drunkard and he died a few years ago caring for none of them. Her mother used to work as 

a helper in Masonry and passed away two years back, leaving all the 6 on the streets.

This girl who had completed her 9th std decided to search for a job and 'Giri Trading' came forward to help her out. She brought up all her 5 sisters with her and with her meagre salary she is taking care of them. All the 5 sisters 

are going to a nearby Chennai Corporation School.

"Kalaivani. But when did you get this enthusiasm to learn about 'ThatvaBodha'?"

"Sir after joining here, I decided that the best way to be of help to the customers is to know the Subject first. 

I took small Books on Ramana, Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and started reading. I found the subject so fascinating..

I decided to read other books in Tamil like Bhagavad Gita, and Viveka Choodamani. Thats how...."

"What is your salary?"

"Rs 2,500/ a month, Sir."

"Are you able to manage all your expenses with the 5 sisters?"

"Not at all Sir, but the Boss helps me a lot."

"What is your aim in Life ?"

"I want all my sisters to get education. Then they would easily get employment. Is it not Sir?"

"If I give you Rs 10,000 per month, for meeting all your expenses, would that suffice?"

"It is indeed too much, but I would accept it only through my Boss."

We took her to the Boss and told him that we would like to send Rs.10,000 every month so that all her sisters' education would be completed.

The Boss said "She deserves it Sir. You can trust me - I will hand over the amount to her every month 

or alternately you can open an account in her name and start transferring to the account."

My friend John Paul, who is the Regional Manager of 'Times of India' had also come with me. He said, "You have done a good thing."

My wife said, "I pray that 'Karpagambal' helps Kalaivani to become an expert in 'Vedantha' and start giving lectures in USA . We can arrange for her lectures."

We left wonder struck! If we go into the interiors of India, how many more 'Jewels' like Kalaivani can 

be found!!

I really became humbled!

Really the above incident teaches you an important lesson. Be humble and open always. Never underestimate others without knowing them. It can be misleading