Recently I had written a 4 part article on LinkedIn about ‘UPSC Beyond TVF Aspirants:A REAList Perspective!’, where I have attempted to talk about the Overhype/Overglorification/Misconceptions/LargerThanLife consideration about the exam.
It was much appreciated among Ex-aspirants/Officers/Non-upsc crowd. Do read whenever you can🙏.
Part 1👇
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vijaybhandare11_iasexam-upscexam-activity-6857484906436591617-gBLl
Part 2👇
Part 3👇
Part 4👇
Since many days I wanted to write something about the living legend- Amitabh Bacchan. There were some (actually many) reasons behind it.
Obviously, sharing same birth date of 11th Oct has made him a special celebrity for me. Even more special was- him playing character named “Vijay” in 20 odd movies till date!
But more substantive reasons stand via the kind of personality traits he possesses.
He is regarded as arguably the Biggest Movie Star of India and other associated titles with him include – Don, Shehenshah and The Angry Young Man etc. Freshness associated with these characters even today symbolises his unparalleled Acting Acumen. However, this is not the only reason why I (and in fact we all) admire him.
He is very humble, honest and down to earth DESPITE HAVING HEIGHT TO TOUCH THE SKY (both Literally and Metaphorically!!). He still values time, discipline and commitment- which may not be the case when one becomes celebrity of such stature.
Moreover, apart from injuries of Cooli set, Bofors allegations there was one major setback he faced- which is related to huge financial loss due to failure of his venture ABC corporation- to the extent that he went bankrupt.
He, in one of the interviews reminds how those people who while investing in ABC corp stood in queues to meet me had started using rash language/abusing inorder to take their pending money back.
And,then he described how he had spent many days without any work and nights- awake thinking about way out. He recalls that once he once went to office at 4 AM and wrote down possible options best he could do in that time..And then KBC started, where also he was suggested by many not to choose this otherwise you would be reduced as a television actor.
His response was that life has put me at such a bottom that I can’t go down further and ‘ab to upar hi jana hai!’. Needless to say, KBC became superhit, accompanied by success in movies like Mohabbatein. Then he never looked back and reached a stage where even at 78 age, he is one of the busiest celebrity in the world.
And more importantly, now, when asked if that ABC corporation loss is the phase of life which you hate the most, then he says the diagonally opposite! He says that he is eternally grateful to God that this happened to him as it has taught me to value money, to read people, to experiment things like KBC etc.
So in nutshell, I admire him not because of his reel life characters, but , ‘because of The Kind of Character He is in Real life– which inspires, motivates and transforms a human being into a Legend who touches the sky with roots intact!’
Recently, I came across famous poem of Javed Akhtar called ‘Dil Akhir Tu Kyon Rota Hai’ which was pictorized at a crucial scene in popular movie –Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.
I was elated to Realize that – somewhere down the line, that poem by Javed Akhtar and a piece written by me, few years back, have somewhat commonalities. Obviously, comparing my literary skills(!) with that of Javed Akhtar, in Lenvinson’ words would be- “Comparing the Incomparables!” but, Yes- one thing is sure that ‘The Essence, Purity of Thought and Intention’ behind both is same!
Everyone wants herself to be (Massively) Succeeded at some point of time, actually always!
But, here are some Reasons Why failures are good?
– they make yourself more closer to you bcoz though your closer ones are there for u but inner pain can be minimized by you only
– they show u your ‘real’ people
– they give chance to evaluate yourself-your actions, your behaviour, your thought process
– you get to know importance of your family
– you are intriguined with humility, your ego dies
– they expose you to new challenges- which eventually develops yourself as the person.
– they reiterates the fact that there are some things, which as a human are certainly out of our reach.
– They teach you how to get yourself going, how to raise yourself when odds are against you.
Everyone has failed, everyone fails and everyone will fail – eventually at one point of time. However, since it has multifold advantages, Let’s not afraid of Failing! Let’s try Harder, fail Harder- bcoz success may make our life easy,but failures teaches you how to live! So, Let’s Fail Better, let’s learn Better!
The third war of Panipat was one of the most important wars ever fought in India. Repercussions of which were witnessed in diverse spheres like social, economical, political, geographical etc. However, there are some life lessons which can be learned from the battle. So ,following is the human centric approach towards the learnings from the epic battle.
1. Strong willpower at testing times is a must necessity.
Sadashivrao Bhau was suffering from lack of enough basic necessities like food, especially in the last part of the travel (before reaching Delhi). However, he had the strong will power to win over the invading enemy. This led and the Marathas him not to get affected due to external problems.
2. Everyone has problems (even the enemies!)
It is widely known fact that Marathas under the able leadership of Sadashivaro Bhau faced a lot of hardships. However, even the invader, Ahamad Shah Abdali had several problems like troubles in sustaining the throne of Afghan in absence of him. Even he was worried about it, while planning for the war of panipat.
3. There are some things which are not in our hands
When Marathas reached Yamuna, Monsoon of that year, was unusually preponed by 1 month than the normal dates. It led them to wait idle for 1 month. Large extent of food and other resources were consumed during this period whose effects led in the shortage of food in crucial times ahead.
4. We must accept our failures
During the war, especially after the death of Vishwasrao, the aggression of Sadashivrao was phenomenal. He was furiously attacking to more than 10 men at one time. Abdali was watching it from some distance. And after the win, when he went to Afghan, he wrote one letter to Marathas. He mentioned that he openheartedly acknowledges the bravery and courage of Marathas. And, he also accepted that among all the battles he fought, this war of Panipat was his biggest war and though technically he has won but it is his moral defeat.
5. A leader should be a motivator
This is an important requirement for a good leader. Having known the history of Marathas, we know that Maratha Commanders were good motivators. One instance of Ahmad Shah Abdali during the (in)famous war is popular. In first half of the battle, Marathas were seen more aggressive and dominant. Watching this, Abdali’s army started fleeing away from the battleground. Ahamd Abdali stood in the midway and shouted to the fleeing army men. He motivated them to go and fight the battle. This acted as a crucial turning point in the win of Abdali.
History thus, teaches us many lessons. Certainly, the takeaways would help us shape our future in better manner.
Recently, I watched ‘Bala’ Movie. It revolves around the protagonist who tries everything to get his lost hairs back. But, unfortunately, couldn’t! Later, due to dramatic circumstances in his life,he realizes his ‘own lack of acceptance of original self’. So, at the climax, we witness the protagonist appealing people not to change oneself but accept as it is. And,he now,no longer feels embarrassed due to his bald head. But, is it good not to change ourself?
It is said that ‘extremities of a thing often lead to loss’. It applies here too. For the features which we cannot change –we should not think to change. And, for the things we can change – we should think to change.
For example, the color, gender, background, baldness are the things which we cannot change. So, why to change them? On the other side there are things like laziness, untruthfulness , lack of hardworking nature are the things which can be changed. Moreover, these things have very high return value for changing. Like, if one changes himself/herself to a hardworking one, then there are chances of good career prospects.
Thus, lets not change somethings but lets must change somethings as well!!
In one of his interviews, Kedar Jadhav told that he believes in signs. He mentioned 2 incidents.
First of his 1st international century in Zimbabwe and other of match winning Century at Pune.
This was his first bilateral series. The ground of Harare was inaugurated exactly on his birthday. He considered his as sign(!). And, faced the ball positively and, ended up scoring his maiden century.
Another interesting case is of Pune’s match. He CONNECTED the dots like “he was 1st Pune cricketer to
represent nation on Pune ground and England Team was the opposition with which he always wished to play”. He mentioned that he was extremely affirmative about his knock. He didn’t have had single negative thought. And, he not only went on to score century but played crucial role in India’s victory therein!
Now, when I do reflective thinking on this, I came across a question. In both incidents “was it just a COINCIDENCE or Positive Biproduct of Optimist Thinking??”
Indeed, it was the later. I also think otherwise that–He could’ve taken this case otherwise(in his mind) with Title of “PRESSURE of Playing at Home Stadium”, which could’ve hampered his performance..
Therefore, I think we can replicate this as effective mind technique- obviously, ALONG WITH OUR HARDWORK. So, lets join all the Possible dots towards our success, even if they are Childish for others.
While ending this, I am reminded of belief in Superstitions like ‘using right leg firstly while entering ground’ by none other than God of Cricket i.e. Sachin Tendulkar! This is surely somewhat analogous with Kedar’s!
So, Yes, these are the classic examples BENEFITS of popular saying-‘it is all in your mind’. So, lets use ‘OUR MIND’ to ‘SHAPE OUR FUTURE’.
Recently on youtube,I came across few speeches of R Madhavan and Virat Kohli.I found some similarities in their thinking.The question was asked about their source of motivation behind relentless hardwork.
R Madhavan told that he wanted to be the best and not Medicore-which is not necessarily followed by everyone(he explained this via example of his father who
was happy being a common man).So he chose a field(of film industry) where he can give his best.And, now that he CHOSE his field he Strives to be the best.He told how he is keen in learning new things which can make himeslf a better Actor than yesterday.
Virat Kohli told that he has sacrificed many things in the life to be in the Indian National Cricket Team.And that “being and sustaining the position” in the team
makes him work harder.He mentions that ‘being able to represent India in TOP 11’ in country of 130 Crore population,drives hims the power to work harder.
He also tells that whien he is in the field he donesn’t care about anyone else.
This era is called by many as ‘era of Post-Truth’. So,emotions play important role.But, at the same time, being emphirical and CRYSTAL-CLEAR about your objective,
at places is important to larger extent..
Vijay Bhandare 