MONDAY MUSINGS Season 2 - Episode 255 - Taking Responsibility

MONDAY MUSINGS SEASON 2 - EPISODE 255

Taking Responsibility

1st April 2024

Yet another lesson from the same sargam (Sarga 100 of Ayodhya Kand) of Valmiki Ramayan

#ImpliedResponsibilities

?????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? | ?????? ???????????? ????????? ???????? || Valmiki Ramayan 2-100-27

"O, Kaikeyi’s son! I hope your ministers do not watch as mere witnesses, while your subjects in the kingdom feel grieved in your reign”

This is a snub for those in responsible positions but turn blind eye on the problems they come across because it is not their responsibility though they have the capability to solve the problem.

A king’s responsibility is to make the subjects happy. The responsibility of a minister is to guide and advice the king in discharging his responsibilities. Hence it becomes an implied responsibility of a minister to keep the subjects happy though not directly responsible. Lord Ram’s message is not just for the ministers but for the kings as well. Kings must ensure that they encourage their ministers to express their advice openly without fear. Kings must discuss with the ministers and listen to the ministers actively.

Ramayan has many instances where great people showed courage and commitment to fight for a cause voluntarily. Nobody told Jadayu that it is his duty to fight with Ravan for saving Sita Mata but he did fight and lost his life.

Lord Ram readily agreed to fight the demons to save Viswamitra’s tapas when he was still a teen.

#CorporateResponsibilities

This advice extends to corporate responsibilities as well. Good leaders must encourage and develop subordinates who are knowledgeable, committed as well as courageous in expressing their opinions. Similarly, every team member must take responsibility voluntarily and readily when they notice a problem which they can resolve whether it is their assigned responsibility or not.

#TalkersAndDoers

Take a step back and introspect. What will you do when you see someone littering the road?

·?????? Would you crib about the irresponsible behaviour and how people on the contrary behave very sensibly in Singapore but still move away without doing anything? Or

·?????? Turn a blind eye and move forward, Or

·?????? Advise the person who is littering and collect the garbage and throw it in the garbage bin.

·?????? Or even better, make it a habit to run regular awareness campaigns about cleanliness and probably organize ‘cleanliness drives’ in the neighbourhood. .

When we notice a problem for someone in the family, We don’t wait for people to assign the responsibility to us. Why cannot we apply the same level of involvement in our workplace?

When we see wrong things around us, in our family, in our neighbourhood, with our team, with our organization, it should automatically become our implied responsibility to take cudgels to resolve the issue. ?

If Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi would have thought that India gaining independence cannot be his responsibility as lakhs of other countrymen are not bothered about it, India would not have got independence.

Nature or the universe accepts only responsible persons to higher positions, where stakes are decided by the percentage of responsibility one takes on. Those who would like to grow should always be ready to take responsibility of everything in their life.

#Bhagirath’sTapas

My second book #GrandmaInTheBoardRoom included a chapter on taking voluntary responsibility along with the story of #BhagirathTapas. Bhagirath took up the cause of salvation for his cursed forefathers though many of his predecessors did not make any effort. Bhagirath thought he could make a difference and it is a worthy cause and he took up the responsibility on his shoulders. Read the story of Bhagirath Tapas.

A folk story on taking voluntary responsibility “Story of a stone in the road’ in the next episode.

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GOOD NEWS COLUMN

Slums To Spotlight

Courtesy – The New Indian Express

Panchsheel Nagar area of Bhopal is weighed down by the tales of bootlegging, drug abuse, and the presence of unruly elements. However, amid the desolation of this urban landscape, emerges a beacon of hope —a young 18-year-old girl named Ekta Pradeep Dey, who is single-handedly rewriting the narrative of her community through her extraordinary feats in the realm of athletics. Hailing from an economically disadvantaged family, Ekta’s journey is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.

Despite the daunting obstacles that have littered her path, she has emerged as one of India’s most promising talents in long-distance and steeplechase running. Her recent triumphs at the National Junior Federation Cup in Lucknow not only earned her two coveted gold medals but also saw her shattering the national record in the U-20 girls 3000m steeplechase event by an astounding 19 seconds. The significance of Ekta’s achievements reverberates far beyond the confines of the athletic arena.

Her journey from the narrow alleyways of Panchsheel Nagar to the grandeur of international athletics serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of perseverance and self-belief. Raised in a humble two-room shanty, she has borne witness to the hardships endured by her family, particularly during times of financial distress. However, far from being deterred by these adversities, Ekta has channelled her struggles into a source of strength, propelling her towards ever greater heights of achievement. Her mother, Mamta Dey, speaks with a mixture of pride and emotion as she recounts the sacrifices made by the family to support Ekta’s dreams. “Ekta has seen the worst of times in our family... Our poor economic status and pains have actually made her stronger,” she says, her voice trembling with emotion.

Ekta’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of unwavering support and self-belief. From running in tattered shoes at the MP State Athletics Academy trials to clinching gold medals while wearing second-hand footwear, she has surmounted every obstacle with resilience. Her story serves as a testament to the boundless potential that lies within each individual, regardless of their socio-economic background or circumstances.

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PROMOTIONS