We meet so many people in life. With some, even if we spend very few minutes, we get inspired. But few others, though we spend months and years together, make little or no impact.
Recently I met a very special person, very successful in life, tremendous source of inspiration, yet so humble and friendly.
Normally I could not even have thought of talking to him directly. But he is my father's friend's friend :) (I usually meet great people through this route!). That made him my dad's friend.
He is Mr.Satyanarayana, commercial tax D.C i.e, Deputy commissioner for AP. He had been in IPS for 2 years, then he wrote APPSC group I and he is working as Commercial tax DC now. I went to him for guidance for my UPSC exams. First time when we met, he said "you have taken a very brave step" and after listening to why I quit my job he was very happy. He said "you must have single focussed approach. Usually people have 2 problems at this stage to sit at home and prepare for this exam. One monetary, the other matrimonial. I'm sure you don't have both. So be focussed and just prepare and there's nothing that stops you." I got very enthused.
Then he spoke about his ideas and his hobbies to my father. He has so many ideas. Usually we see people with many aims at early age and soon they die out as they settle in life. They sail with the wind and they are just complacent with whatever they have/do in life or they think that they cant do anything to change the society. But he is so determined and clear in his aim, no wonder that he has been inspiration to hundreds of students. He has started an organization to send a message to people. That everyone should utilize all their abilities to be the best they can.
And after becoming successful, it is each one's duty to give it back to the society. This quality according to him, is not prevalent in Indians. Bill Gates after becoming richest person in the world, donated nearly half of his wealth to Gates and Melinda foundation to help poor and needy all over the world. There is a branch in Mahboobnagar dt of AP too. But multi millionaires in India never did such a thing. From top to bottom its hard to find this quality in Indians. He says we cant change old now. Its youth who has to instill this and carry it. So he started this organization to train youth in required skills to become successful in first place and then reach out for the society later. What a meaningful way to live! He also wrote a book on personality development(PD) in Telugu. There's no dearth for such books in English though many do not utilize them. e.g. Robin Sharma's "The monk who sold his Ferrari" or Shiv Khera's "You can win" or Dale Carnegie's writings. But its hard to find such writings in telugu. Again Im impressed by the way he is trying not to impress but express! Any other person would have written it in English. But he wants to inform those who have scanty resources. He based his book on "Ashtanga marga" i.e, "Eight-fold path" propounded by Buddha. Usually PD mentors take it all from western research scholars because that is where this subject has been recognized and worked upon.
But this approach may seem alien to us. So he made it so dear to us by relating it to Buddha's preachings. Its title - 'Ashtanga Margam tho Vyaktitva vikasam'.
Again we met in another PD workshop. He suggested me to attend that. This time his personality had greater impact on me. He is a highly accomplished person, he even wrote a book on PD, yet he was there, sitting very humbly with not even slightest indication that he knows it all. 'Why should I even leave my work and attend that seminar?' I guess anybody else would have thought so. He looks so simple that no one believes that he is a D.C (if you go by the impression we get through our movies). He came with a book and pen like a student. We were early and he introduced us to the speaker there. After introducing my father, he said about me very happily. That I got the passion for IAS, that I quit my software job and came here. I cant forget the way he was expressing his pleasure with my decision. Big people dont do that! they dont care! But he is different. Class started and I couldn't stop myself from observing him. I usually sit with my legs crossed if I have to sit for a long time. Even his posture shows that humility. He sat upright with two feet on floor. I immediately changed my posture. I'm telling this to convey how inspired I was and how much I was trying to emulate/imitate him even in such minute aspects.
I started thinking about why we are not reaching out for society. Why we don't give it back!
This may be because we were poor all the time and are very apprehensive about parting with some of the wealth we accumulated. But if you think properly it is only the right thing to do. Many people live and die. Their birth doesn't make the slightest difference to anyone. But very few live for few years and they still inspire us in every possible way. Life becomes meaningful only when we remain in the hearts of people even after death. Life does not become meaningful by earning money, leading lavish life and dying someday with no memories left on the Earth except the pollution we created or resources we consumed. But to give it we gotta have it! so Lets work from today to earn it with a target to give it back!
Signing off..
LEO
P.S. In his book he wrote about time management and gave some valuable tips. I would love to share them with you. I'll soon find time and do that. till then.. Keep pondering :)
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