Learning is a celebration of life.

Vinay has been heading one of the verticals of the knowledge services organization. He was facing some tough questions during the annual review of the performance. He was not able to answer what steps he had in mind to face the challenges being made by the contemporary organizations. “Sir, I have been in this field for twenty years. I can certainly ensure that our sales curve is up and going”. Said his boss “That is not the answer Vinay, do you see all others are learning and changing? We are only celebrating our past performances and our loyal customers. Their loyalty will evaporate once they find value in other products. And if you do not learn how will your team learn?’ Michaelangelo the celebrated sculptor once facing the question about the secret of his skills, said “I am still learning.”

Vinay was adamant on his perception. Over the years he had not developed a culture for further learning. He did not realise that without further learning, contemporary knowledge, and skills, he will face challenges for survival even in the same post. No learning curve is going to give him an exemption from learning. “Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets” says Leonardo da Vinci.

Soumitra Mukherjee was a popular principal of a leading school. She was in her early fifties and is acknowledged for her leadership qualities. “She is a tough lady, and it is difficult to work with her’ is the most common opinion among the fraternity. “My experience would speak volumes about the quality needed in the profession.” Her advocacy is not most welcome among her own team. “While all other schools are changing and rising their bar, we are still in the last decade. She never allows us to learn because she cannot learn herself” say her close colleagues. There are many people in different walks of life who believe that those who work with them and are great learners, are a big threat to them.

Vinay and Soumitra are only some representative cases. Anyone who thinks that learning is a pain, learning is a burden, learning is unnecessary and that we can continue to progress, grow, and excel with our past assets is sadly mistaken. It does not matter how much one learns, but learning is a social and professional necessity. Denial of learning is admission of intellectual death.

“I am done. I am happy with what I am and how I am” is not a valid counter argument. It is only a sublime expression of one’s arrogance or incompetence.

Pandey was upset that he was summoned by the principal of the school to discuss the poor performance of his son. Reacting to the Principal, he said with a smile “What will he do even if he learns? I have money for three generations. Even if he does not study, he can sit at home and enjoy.” Such arguments though display the arrogance of money, and insensitivity to,the meaning and purpose of life but show the person in the poor light. “Live as if you are going to die tomorrow; learn as if you are going to live for ever,” said Mahatma Gandhi.

Learning is not only for earning money. Learning is a privilege given to us by the nature to celebrate life, to discover the truth and beauty of life. May be, the end of learning, if there is any, will show only our inadequacy of learning. Said the famous poetess of Tamil "All that what you have learnt is handful, and what is not learnt is universeful."

How does learning help us?

a.???????? It helps in empowering self-esteem. One finds their enhanced comfort levels in knowledge platforms, their authentic confidence profile and will lead to open acknowledgement of their wisdom, participation, and leadership in a cohort. The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice” says Brian Herbert.

b.??????? It increases the professional value and the market value of any individual. It helps the person to face the competitions of any kind without stress and with clarity. Learning facilitates to see, accept and celebrate different and varied perceptions of concepts, people, and precepts.

c.???????? It helps to develop a positive mindset to any challenging situation and protects one from defeatist attitudes. With increased confidence it helps to handle situations with better emotional intelligence and take considered balanced views. “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other” said John F. Kennedy.

d.??????? Learning triggers passion for further learning. It helps you to navigate through any group of people with wisdom. It equally helps to protect you from any suffering of isolation of mind by providing around the clock company. Every unit of learning is a tribute to one’s competence and thus enhances the happiness index.

e.???????? Learning is not conditioned by time and space. It can transgress all formal structures or defined parameters of a pre-conceived mind.

f.????????? Learning is not an exclusive gift to any age, any geography, any culture, any country, or any institution.

g.??????? Learning is not defined by certificates, qualifications, or rewards.

Learning, in short, is a silent message to the world that I am alive to changes and challenges. It is a response to the world that has given the humans a biological profile leaving them as assets to build their life, giving them the responsibility to handle their bio-assets meaningfully, purposefully, effectively and productively.

Learning is indeed the celebration of life!