Engai Poi Vidum Kalam?

When I was going through some trying times, my mother would comfort me with a gentle reminder: “Pray to God, Engae Poi Vidum Kalam.” Back then, I didn't fully grasp the depth of those words. Today, no matter where I am in the world, whenever I hear this masterpiece penned by the legendary poet Kannadasan, my mother’s voice and warmth come flooding back.

Kannadasan’s poetry carries an enduring message: do your duty, stay patient, work hard, and let time do the rest.

"எங்கே போய்விடும் காலம்? அது என்னையும் வாழ வைக்கும்

நீ இதயத்தைத் திறந்து வைத்தால் அது உன்னையும் வாழவைக்கும்..."

• Meaning: Where can time run away? It will eventually make me prosper. If you keep your heart open and receptive to hope, it will make you prosper too.

உள்ளதை சொல்லி, நல்லதை செய்து, வருவது வரட்டும் என்றிருப்போம்.

கண்ணீர் எல்லாம் புன்னகையாகும்! கடமையின் வழியே நின்றிருப்போம்.

• Meaning: Speak the truth, do good deeds, and face whatever comes with courage. All your tears will eventually turn into smiles if you stay firmly on the path of your duty.

ஒரு சில பேர்கள் ஒரு சில நாட்கள் உண்மையின் கண்களை மறைத்து வைப்பார்!

பொறுத்தவர் எல்லாம் பொங்கி எழுந்தே மூடிய கண்களை திறந்து வைப்பார்.

• Meaning: A few people might try to hide the truth for a short while. However, those who remain patient will eventually rise up and reveal the light of reality.

கால்கள் இருக்க, கைகள் இருக்க, கவலைகள் நம்மை என்ன செய்யும்?

உழைப்பது ஒன்றே செயல் என கொண்டால், நடப்பது நலமாய் நடந்துவிடும்.

• Meaning: When you are blessed with working hands and feet, why should worries defeat you? If you make hard work your sole focus, everything that happens in your life will naturally turn out for the best.

Givers vs Takers

 There are two kinds of people in this world: The givers and the takers. The takers sometimes eat better, but the givers always sleep better. 

Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others.

 (Quotes by Danny Thomas)

Never Die

 

To live in the hearts we leave behind is to never die.

- A line from a poem by Scottish poet Thomas Campbell.

Longing to return to India

 

I was talking to my nephew, who was born in America. He asked me why I would want to return to India eventually. He said his heart bleeds red, white, and blue. I gave him the example of Amrish Puri in DDLJ, who longs to return to Punjab after working in London. There is always a strong desire to return to our roots, especially if we had a happy childhood.  But the biggest pull, of course, is the family, especially ageing parents and siblings.

Sadly, a huge portion of the current generation has left India to pursue their careers abroad. The biggest losers were the parents of that generation. Initially, they all expressed joy in learning that their son or daughter has got a job in XYZ corporation and is doing well financially. But then, as years roll by, they realize that being very far from their wards is a curse rather than a blessing. Meeting them is at most once or twice a year. Is the money or the career worth it? At some point, the parents cannot travel for 24 hours.

The entire generation just went with the 'flow' and did not really question the downstream effects of their children not growing up in India. What happens 1 or 2 generations down? Would they still have links to India? Will they still follow all the Hindu rituals? At least the current generation has grown up in India and still has family there. 

The realization dawned on me quite late. While young, it is all focused on career, what to work on, buying a house, etc. As you get older, you start questioning the bigger purpose in life. Is money alone everything? What use are those 'career levels' when you get the dreaded phone call about your parents' health back in India, and you have to sit through 24 hours on a plane crying and praying? The peace of mind that one gets while being in India, closer to parents, is priceless. For some people, it is too late. 

The great sage of Kanchi used to advise everyone he met to stay in India. Maybe it is divine providence that H1Bs and Green cards are being restricted these days, so at least the next generation can stay together with their families.

Today we fight !!!

 

"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003)

This is what I tell myself on those days whenever I am down.

A day may come when the courage of men fails,

when we forsake our friends

and break all bonds of fellowship,

but it is not this day.

An hour of wolves and shattered shields,

when the age of men comes crashing down,

but it is not this day!

This day we fight!!

Divine Providence

 When I saw this ad "Every corpse on mount Everest was once an extremely motivated person.",  I got reminded of the role of Divine providence.

 Never underestimate the role of luck (read divine providence) on the outcomes of companies and people.

Pitch

 

Leo’s pitch in Wolf of Wall Street:

The name of the company, Aerotyne International. It is a cutting-edge high-tech firm out of the Midwest awaiting imminent patent approval on the next generation of radar detectors that have both huge military and civilian applications now. Right now, John, the stock trades over-the-counter at 10 cents a share. And by the way, John, our analysts indicate it could go a heck of a lot higher than that. Your profit on a mere $6,000 investment would be upwards of $60,000.