Since some contents of the message were a bit personal, I have removed them ensuring that such removal does not impact the flow. However, it would defeat the purpose if I do not disclose the name of the author and as such, I introduce him as the young, promising and ever-enthusiastic Sajith Kumar with whom my association dates back by a few years. I thought this to be the best way to honour the author who deserves to be admired for this year-end note and the best way for me to preserve this work. Trust readers of this blog would also enjoy the way it is written, the vocabulary used and the style of presentation.
Let me make it clear that I do not necessarily subscribe to all the views expressed by Sajith in this note, but still I enjoy the flow and style. Well done Sajith!
"Hello Everybody....
I am pleased to continue the New Year Musing edition for the 7th year in succession now….. I enjoy reflecting my thoughts to my friends, colleagues, well-wishers and supporters at-least once in a year……..
31.12.2010 marks the end of an eventful year and more eventful decade…. A decade which saw ups and downs I bet any decade would not have registered…!!!! ….. I am sure it was not too way back when we were talking about Y2K and other issues related to year 2000… Incredibly, we are now crossing 10 years after that landmark.….! Time rockets……
Personally…another year of great satisfaction …...Undoubtedly this is the best phase in my professional and personal life…I am proud to be part of a great Company : Marsh and thoroughly enjoying my role and very much fascinated and passionate about working with a fantastic team, great mentor and leader. Indeed a great place for outstanding people - truly it is a dream for any professional to be part of such myriad of opportunities and I am grateful to God and my well-wishers for all the support.
My better half
2010 will be over today …..
Oman where I stay had a great 2010… very good year.. Oman celebrated the 40th National Day in impeccable traditional style. Indeed, lucky to be part of Oman to witness this. Oman hosted the 2nd Asian Beach Games and World Fireworks competition as well this year. The fabric of Oman this year was celebration....A true mark of respect to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said whose wise leadership that took Oman through a path of prosperity and development in the last 40 years.
Talking of my motherland….India … again a mixed year…if the economy can be seen to have revived with steady growth, inflation remained a concern and reforms were sluggish. …Though the world hailed India as an “emerged” power….. At home, however, governance hit a new low, as corruption charges against the government dampened overall morale, affected its functioning and paralysed the entire winter session of Parliament. Never before in recent past had a year seen such stark contrasts. I look at the positives though…..The Indian economy roared back in 2010, with the GDP, growing at 8+ per cent ….Industrial output, export growth are all positive…..and good a monsoon brightening the prospects of agricultural production. The biggest concern arose from inflation, which the government failed to tame for almost all of 2010. The wholesale price index-based inflation ruled at well above 10 per cent for the first three quarters and declined to around 9 per cent only Q4. Pundits, Government economists and even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, hope that the inflation rate would decline to 5.5 per cent by the end of March 2011… I am sure it will move southwards if not to the 5.5 levels..
Signs of India's Strength…………Heads of five countries – all of them permanent members of the Security Council – visited New Delhi in 2010. And, all of them – M/s. David Cameron, Barack Obama, Nicolas Sarkozy, Wen Jiabao and Dmitry Medvedev – endorsed the need for United Nations reforms and supported, or recognised, India’s claims to be a permanent member of the Security Council….
Whatever criticism Government had to face for delays and alleged corruption of CW games in New Delhi, India showcased one of the best events in contrary to the world’s expectations. CW made Indians proud both in terms of its organizing and also our performance - was also the best ever. India completed 2nd (in terms of gold medal)…thanks to our athletes, boxers, shooters and other performers….!!! Asian Games performance also re-inforced the emerging power india in Sports.
I am personally sad that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh whom I respect so much…. was picture of paradox in 2010. The world hailed him as a great leader and the G-20 summits at Montreal and Seoul showed how global leaders looked up to him for guidance and advice. Never before had leaders of five members of the Security Council visited India in the same year in the gap of a few weeks and made friendly noises. Yet, at home, Singh has appeared as a leader beleaguered by charges of corruption against his government on the CW Games and the allocation of 2G telecom licences. His move to offer himself before the Public Accounts Committee for its scrutiny on the telecom case is indeed a desperate and bold move…
Globally...as Morgen Stanleys correctly sums up 2010 was another year with the same theme...tale of two worlds i.e robust growth in EM economies trumping the creditless, jobless and joyless recovery in mature economies The sovereign debt concerns in the mature economies should continue to remain in front and centre in 2011. European sovereign debt crisis will eat its way through the periphery and start to affect the core? To be seen. 2011 will revolve around three ‘Rs' - rebalancing, reflation and reconciliation.
I was extremely pleased when my favourite personality scored the monumental 50th Ton in Test Cricket…Sachin is a magnificent person (I consider that no words are in dictionary to best describe him..so do not want to try that)….and I consider myself lucky to be part of the era he lived. Youngsters should try to emulate his incredible level of focus and commitment in anything we do…..
Before I move a little philosophical… a couple of more points worth mentioning ….After a couple of unsuccessful attempts in 2006 and 2008, I was third time lucky... in 2010 we could connect 36 of our 39 classmates together ….!! we formed a group called Evergreen Mates !!! It is incredible that 20 years have passed since I left my school…the group has become very interactive and kindling the favourite pastimes we had in the school. Also satisfying was the fact that I could track 2 of my 3 Insurance Gurus of my school. Glad they could recognize me when I spoke to them at length…..!
Moving a little philosophical…
I have no doubt in my mind that each of us has come here for a specific duration or, in commercial terms with a shelf life. I believe birth and death are simultaneously decided and there are no surprises or accidents…. It is all pre-contracted. I believe we are here to shop…!!!!!..... the shopping list is ‘Karma’. Body, mind and intellect must exist together as long as the specified Karma is accomplished. Karma is happening, whether one likes it or not. Each situation, event and experience of ones life is formed out of it. You have only your present to handle your karma. You can only do something now as tomorrow never exists in the now, and past is history and not in existence in the present. The simplest operating principles to perform your Karma are purity and faith viz. Purity in thoughts, words and deeds/actions. This also means self-less-ness in thoughts, words and actions. Faith in oneself and existence and purpose of life. This will make our mind like a mirror ...actually a shining mirror, without any dust or smoke. The more shining the mirror is, the better is the image. As you know, no image stays in a mirror permanently...it just It vanishes when the object moves away...Yes.... Mirror is objective always. Mirror never follows the object, nor does it capture and store an image, even if the image in front is celestial. It stays neutral all the time. Likewise, if our mind stays completely unattached to any sense object, it stays liberated all the time. Easier said than done... but atleast we should realise and try to practice purity and faith.....Let us start trying to become aware of some of these fundamental truths and try to make progress spiritually as well...
Let me wish you all a very Happy Life………..and let me borrow a few Road-signs on the Path of Self-less-ness from the writings of a spiritual leader:
Quote:
· There are no do’s or don’ts. Just live a selfless life, without resisting, judging or criticizing oneself and others.
· Complete Non-Violence – in thought, word, action, food, as well as in all your other expressions.
· Respect and perform the individual karma as well as dharma (duty) towards own family and dharma towards the society, with perfect equanimity and zero expectation.
· Purity in thought, word and action. This also means perfect self-less-ness and equanimity in pleasure and pain. Serve selflessly. No discrimination at all, on any basis.
· Do not worry about what you do not have. Rejoice at what you have. Never compare yourself with another.
· Avoid anything that binds you, irrespective of whether the habit is positive or negative. If you cannot live without something, it is definitely a binding for you.
· Live in the present. Act in the present. Keep time. Do not waste even a moment, because, time in existence is specified, measured and un-extendable. Do what ever your current tasks are – right now.
· Understand all individuals as karmic beings. Everyone lives their karma. Each pattern is unique. Respect it.
· Every being on earth has a definite purpose. No creation is by accident. Respect every being, animate and inanimate. Never disturb or destroy. Live and let live.
· Love is the most beautiful of all feelings. Express it unconditionally.
· Do everything with full application, sincerity and objective commitment. Never do anything absent mindedly or half-heartedly. You will always be true to yourself and life will be regret free, ego free and fulfilling.
Unquote
With this..I am signing off .............by once again wishing you all a very happy new year ....the best that life can bring you 'Good health, luck, peace, strength, happiness, success thereby achieving the very purpose of your existence- A bountiful wish for 2011 and rest of your life....
Kind regards
Sajith"
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