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What is your legacy?
A leader is remembered not by what he or she possessed or consumed, not by how much power they had or whether they were charming or beautiful, but by the legacy they leave behind. This is what I want to talk to you about; leaving a legacy. I want to start by saying two things…
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If tomorrow starts without me…
If tomorrow starts without me, then remember that great goals need great commitment. The SBA is a great goal. Ask yourself, ‘Do I have the commitment to make it happen?’ I know this sounds unkind but I ask you to bear with me and think dispassionately. The question in my mind with respect to the…
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Difference of Opinion
A difference of opinion indicates interest and commitment. Not stupidity and ignorance. Only the interested and committed, disagree. _______________________________________________________________________________ We Muslims are perhaps a people who have the highest number of differences of opinion in the world, when it comes to understanding our religion. I am sure someone will disagree with this statement as well.…
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Parenting – The Unexpected Task
Parenting for most couples is something that they are ill prepared for. Everyone acknowledges that to bring up children to be responsible citizens is a primary task but there is no formal instruction about how to do it. Parents are given the rare privilege of scripting whether their children will be winners or losers, but…
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The Problem with the C – Word
One of the things that I have been very fond of, is trekking, especially climbing mountains. I have done a good bit of that in the Western Ghats in Southern India, climbing on one occasion through thick forest straight up the side of the mountain, 4500 feet. I went up to Singampatti from Kanyakumari. 4500…
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Tera Kya Hoga Kaliya?
Tera Kya Hoga Kaliya? That line from Sholay is what comes to mind listening to Rajnath Singh’s ‘apology’. The antics of politicians never fail to amuse but BJP is giving full value for money. First come the senile prattlings – Hindus must have at least 5 children – We will give shelter to Hindu Bangladeshis…
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If I were President of Egypt
The first thing that I would remind myself is that in politics facts mean nothing. Statistics less than nothing. Spectacle, impression, symbolism and communication mean everything. Symbolism, visibility and public eye are the platform on which politics runs. In politics being truthful is less important than being believable. That is the basis of all mythology.…
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Easy to kill
30thJanuary, 1948 – Nathuram Godse fired a bullet which ended a life that impacted millions of others and continues to do so 66 years later. Gandhiji was perhaps the only Father of the Nation to be killed by his own people. We all share the shame. Easy to kill. Impossible to forget. So what do…
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Same Chairs, Different Bottoms
An over 12 year old cartoon that featured in the national media to mark 50 years of India’s independence: the situation is as grim Once upon a time there was a beautiful land in which clear rivers flowed through lush forests. Birds flocked to the trees which were heavy with fruit until one was almost…
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Differentiating between ‘Saying’ and ‘Doing’
Speaking against the law is freedom; breaking it is a crime I had a very interesting conversation one morning. A very dear friend called and said in effect, “Renuka Chowdhury is after Pramod Mutalik because his people beat up girls in Mangalore pubs but did you know that someone has given a fatwa in UP…