My Lessons Series-2: Reverse Learning

Lessons learnt in school, college, I used to question. I ask "Why" to almost everything right through my school, college, work and after work. Relating to and reflections also help me to understand a matter. Abstract concepts if simplified to a 'school student's level' with live examples from live life anecdotes will make 'internalisation' easy. Test, it, verify and validate every other time.

"Why" developed was inoculated in me by Prof TSN Pillai (Loyola College of Social Sciences, Trivandrum, Kerala, India). He enabled me to look through a larger lens. I travelled in my journey in my relentless quest for TRUTH! He narrated Socrates' 'Thesis, Anti-thesis and Synthesis', philosophy and history. His lucid and simple narration in the class and later (several times' last narrated from ABC, in 2018 at his home), in connection with his request to help him write 2 chapters of a research project: ["Modern Trends of Labour Market in Kerala"] with Government of Kerala. That was my tribute to my guru!

Concepts, in abstract terms, were explained at my level. Prof Pillai made to understand/he oft=repeated and insisted that I explain to others in much simpler language to ordinary people at the level and pace in which they understand. His narration was excellent. All concepts were linked to practical situations and settings, till I understood. He is an epitome of patience and perseverance. My association started way back during my Pre-Degree days; coached staying on the sidelines of a 'football field' (last on 29 Feb @ his home & breathed his last on 10th June 2020). He watched me, like many of his students, question, blossom, question, grow, chasing truth. Remember he took through basics every time I met him, to set the context.

He came on 2 year sabbaticals to Keltron Equipment Complex, largest factory of KELTRON, heading HR of 1000 people. I was reporting to him. He used to ask me how am I doing, issues & challenges in my role, what are innovations tried out my me etc. On being asked, I used to narrate incidents. He used to analyse, appreciate and 'crticise'. These were mainly on Industrial Relations. He used to listen attentively (lessons "re-learnt" every time he interacts with me), ask for [in his ow terminology: "Nature" "Extent" and "Gravity" of the issue, in numbers, facts, data, evidence..."taught" me 'data quality; and explained the importance and dynamics of 'intangibles' and the need to make them 'tangibles' over time.....objective of social science research.

Prof TSN Pillai turns too often a "learning" student; I experienced & understood the term through 'experiential learning''-format that he is doing "REVERSE LEARNING". His listening was impeccable, uninterrupted, attentive 100%. Curiosity and inquisitiveness were unparalleled. He takes his diary and starts noting down. His avid learner quality is what every student has to emulate. He asks doubts, seeks clarifications, ask me whether I can relate to existing theory, newer/emerging theories. I re-started referring to Elsevier, Lancet, Nature, Academia and took through a pursuit of new knowledge/pursuit of new theories. He was out of academia, active NIPM, active research etc. Yet, he was current, uptodate have "learned-yet-equi balanced" view ("objectivity"). In him, in his eyes, ears, smell, sensing, I saw the serious "mindset" of 'Reverse Learner'. Once, when I was explaining to him how I took feedback from my HR Team members, in his characteristic "Ha..Haa...Haaa...." he reminded me, 'you're doing reverse learning' from your junior team member!

Prof, you are a master craftsman!