As I ended yet another day and rushed for my last minute shopping for the launch tomorrow, I couldn't help thinking about the same question over and over again: Heart or Brain? Rationality or Emotions? Of course, part reason of this thought was also the fact that despite having done so much for the company, I had not received my due recognition.I was still at their mercy for the validation of my efforts to grow. But the fact that I had the support and empathy of all my colleagues and that the company wants me to represent them in London reduced the agony to some extent.
I hired an auto on my way back home. After a lot of haggling with the driver, I managed to reduce the rates to a price acceptable to both of us.
It's not a usual experience to come across an auto driver who would treat you in a friendly manner after a round of hard bargaining. But Wasim was unlike the other autowallahs. After I got into the auto, he briefed me on the route that he would be taking to drop me to Indira Nagar. Despite having spent two years in Bangalore, I must say I am still clueless when some one talks about routes and roads. In an attempt hide my lack of knowledge in this domain, I frowned at Wasim and asked him to take me through the shortest route possible immediately.
Jovial and chirpy, Wasim was only happy to help. We had just reached the traffic signal at the Brigade Road, when his phone rang. Though it was not unusual for me to hear the auto wallahs speaking in English, I was quite surprised at the fluency with which Wasim talked to his friend over the phone in English.
A 20 something young boy in a black leather jacket with profieciency in spoken English driving an auto? Something must have gone terribly wrong with him.. I couldn't curb my curiosity and ended up with an abrupt question to him,"Why an auto?" The unexpected interrogation puzzled him. It took him time to understand the curious expression on my face. He replied with a smile, "Why not Ma'am?" The traffic signal turned green. With a smile, Wasim pulled the lever and started the auto. After moving few inches further, he stopped at a gas station. He inquired politely if I minded sparing some time for filling the gas. I smiled back and asked him to take his time.
It was a long queue at the gas station. I realized this was the right opportunity to initiate a conversation with him and know him better. Why did I want to initiate a conversation with him? Why was I feeling so curious about him? I could not understand. An instinctive species myself, I asked him the question again. I wanted to check if he was willing to answer my question. To my surprise, not only was he willing to answer my queries but also share his perspectives on things which were bothering me.
An undergraduate who studied till the II year in the university, Wasim finds travelling more appealing than working within the confines of the air-conditioned glass cubicles. He has many friends, most of whom are professionals in the Middle East. Wasim too wanted to travel and explore the world. Due to his weak financial background, he bid adieu to those dreams long back. He however doesn't regret having done so. Unlike the youngsters of his age, Wasim appeared to be very close to his family and responsible towards them. His family snapshots and videos showed how happy they felt in each other's company. For a moment, I envied him and his family members of being able to stay happy and cheerful even in lesser wealth. It felt as if they were more richer than us emotionally. They had the privilege of spending time with each other, chide each other on the lamest of the topics and the ability to laugh their heart out on the lamest of jokes.
Wasim chose to keep himself as a free bird by opting for driving an auto. "At least I can take the road I want to. I can start the day as I wish, I can call it over when I want. I am my own boss. I don't have to fear anyone, I don't have to please anyone. At least I am not at someone's mercy for my earning my bread. I do what I enjoy the most. And the fact that I do what I enjoy the most helps me have a sound sleep at night. How many people are privileged enough to have a sound, peaceful sleep at night Ma'am?".
During my journey which lasted for 30 minutes, Wasim told me about his friends, showed me their photos stored in his phone and told me how much he missed them. An active watsapp user, he was constantly chatting with them as we spoke. He showed me the videos of the stunts that he had done for some of the Kannada movies. To the question if he wasn't afraid of getting hurt, he replied he had overcome the fear of getting hurt by getting hurt. There was no other remedy. He enjoyed performing stunts and will do it till his age and body permits.
On asking what he wanted to do next, he expressed an unusual desire of becoming a bus conductor in KSRTC. Amused by his answer, I asked him the reason for such a wish. His reply was right from the heart. At some stage of his life, he would have to settle down and search for a vocation that offered him money as well as job security. A person who loves travelling and detests being tied down to a particular place, he feels this post would not only give him both decent money and job security but he could also pursue his love of travelling. "For some success is measured in terms of the promotions they get and the fat purses they carry home, irrespective of the innumerable sacrifices they make at personal levels. For me, success is being able to live my dream, do what I wish, and be remembered by one and all for the joy and smiles I am able to give them."
So true... I couldn't agree more to what he said. There lay the answer to my question. The perspective changes from person to person. For some, making it big in life means going up the ladder, holding a key position/ designation, having a say in the decision making process and earning big moolah. Then there are people like Wasim, for whom life is all about living on their own terms..doing things they love the most and finding joy in the simplest things of life...
I hired an auto on my way back home. After a lot of haggling with the driver, I managed to reduce the rates to a price acceptable to both of us.
It's not a usual experience to come across an auto driver who would treat you in a friendly manner after a round of hard bargaining. But Wasim was unlike the other autowallahs. After I got into the auto, he briefed me on the route that he would be taking to drop me to Indira Nagar. Despite having spent two years in Bangalore, I must say I am still clueless when some one talks about routes and roads. In an attempt hide my lack of knowledge in this domain, I frowned at Wasim and asked him to take me through the shortest route possible immediately.
Jovial and chirpy, Wasim was only happy to help. We had just reached the traffic signal at the Brigade Road, when his phone rang. Though it was not unusual for me to hear the auto wallahs speaking in English, I was quite surprised at the fluency with which Wasim talked to his friend over the phone in English.
A 20 something young boy in a black leather jacket with profieciency in spoken English driving an auto? Something must have gone terribly wrong with him.. I couldn't curb my curiosity and ended up with an abrupt question to him,"Why an auto?" The unexpected interrogation puzzled him. It took him time to understand the curious expression on my face. He replied with a smile, "Why not Ma'am?" The traffic signal turned green. With a smile, Wasim pulled the lever and started the auto. After moving few inches further, he stopped at a gas station. He inquired politely if I minded sparing some time for filling the gas. I smiled back and asked him to take his time.
It was a long queue at the gas station. I realized this was the right opportunity to initiate a conversation with him and know him better. Why did I want to initiate a conversation with him? Why was I feeling so curious about him? I could not understand. An instinctive species myself, I asked him the question again. I wanted to check if he was willing to answer my question. To my surprise, not only was he willing to answer my queries but also share his perspectives on things which were bothering me.
An undergraduate who studied till the II year in the university, Wasim finds travelling more appealing than working within the confines of the air-conditioned glass cubicles. He has many friends, most of whom are professionals in the Middle East. Wasim too wanted to travel and explore the world. Due to his weak financial background, he bid adieu to those dreams long back. He however doesn't regret having done so. Unlike the youngsters of his age, Wasim appeared to be very close to his family and responsible towards them. His family snapshots and videos showed how happy they felt in each other's company. For a moment, I envied him and his family members of being able to stay happy and cheerful even in lesser wealth. It felt as if they were more richer than us emotionally. They had the privilege of spending time with each other, chide each other on the lamest of the topics and the ability to laugh their heart out on the lamest of jokes.
Wasim chose to keep himself as a free bird by opting for driving an auto. "At least I can take the road I want to. I can start the day as I wish, I can call it over when I want. I am my own boss. I don't have to fear anyone, I don't have to please anyone. At least I am not at someone's mercy for my earning my bread. I do what I enjoy the most. And the fact that I do what I enjoy the most helps me have a sound sleep at night. How many people are privileged enough to have a sound, peaceful sleep at night Ma'am?".
During my journey which lasted for 30 minutes, Wasim told me about his friends, showed me their photos stored in his phone and told me how much he missed them. An active watsapp user, he was constantly chatting with them as we spoke. He showed me the videos of the stunts that he had done for some of the Kannada movies. To the question if he wasn't afraid of getting hurt, he replied he had overcome the fear of getting hurt by getting hurt. There was no other remedy. He enjoyed performing stunts and will do it till his age and body permits.
On asking what he wanted to do next, he expressed an unusual desire of becoming a bus conductor in KSRTC. Amused by his answer, I asked him the reason for such a wish. His reply was right from the heart. At some stage of his life, he would have to settle down and search for a vocation that offered him money as well as job security. A person who loves travelling and detests being tied down to a particular place, he feels this post would not only give him both decent money and job security but he could also pursue his love of travelling. "For some success is measured in terms of the promotions they get and the fat purses they carry home, irrespective of the innumerable sacrifices they make at personal levels. For me, success is being able to live my dream, do what I wish, and be remembered by one and all for the joy and smiles I am able to give them."
So true... I couldn't agree more to what he said. There lay the answer to my question. The perspective changes from person to person. For some, making it big in life means going up the ladder, holding a key position/ designation, having a say in the decision making process and earning big moolah. Then there are people like Wasim, for whom life is all about living on their own terms..doing things they love the most and finding joy in the simplest things of life...
