Reveal Yourself...

There is something which restricts me, 
There is something which troubles me,
I don't know whether i am travelling in the right direction or not,
But i am sure that i am on the way. 

There is something which forces me to act, 
There is something which stops me from acting, 
I am always stuck with confusion, Sometimes it lowers my pace. 

There is something which makes me feel happy, 
but there is something too which feels me low. 
I always face difficult circumstances, 
Which forces me to give up, 
But there are a few things which heal me,
Like the whisper of a mother to her baby. 

There is something which stops me from looking forward, 
And there is something which pulls me to the darker side of life... 
But still, I find my way, 
Still i walk, 
i run,
i achieve and 
Still i am hungry to act.

-Manish Upadhyay

Writings of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.

Where The Mind Is Without Fear....

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high

Where knowledge is free

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments

By narrow domestic walls

Where words come out from the depth of truth

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way

Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit

Where the mind is led forward by thee

Into ever-widening thought and action

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake 

   

-Rabindranath Tagore.

A Moments Indulgence....

I ask for a moment's indulgence to sit by thy side. The works

that I have in hand I will finish afterwards.

Away from the sight of thy face my heart knows no rest nor respite,

and my work becomes an endless toil in a shoreless sea of toil.

Today the summer has come at my window with its sighs and murmurs; and

the bees are plying their minstrelsy at the court of the flowering grove.

Now it is time to sit quite, face to face with thee, and to sing

dedication of life in this silent and overflowing leisure. -

-Rabindranath Tagore

Clouds And Waves.... 

Mother, the folk who live up in the clouds call out to me-

"We play from the time we wake till the day ends.

We play with the golden dawn, we play with the silver moon."

I ask, "But how am I to get up to you ?"

They answer, "Come to the edge of the earth, lift up your

hands to the sky, and you will be taken up into the clouds."
"My mother is waiting for me at home, "I say, "How can I leave
her and come?"

Then they smile and float away.
But I know a nicer game than that, mother.
I shall be the cloud and you the moon.
I shall cover you with both my hands, and our house-top will
be the blue sky.

The folk who live in the waves call out to me-
"We sing from morning till night; on and on we travel and know
not where we pass."

I ask, "But how am I to join you?"
They tell me, "Come to the edge of the shore and stand with
your eyes tight shut, and you will be carried out upon the waves."

I say, "My mother always wants me at home in the everything-
how can I leave her and go?"

They smile, dance and pass by.
But I know a better game than that.

I will be the waves and you will be a strange shore.
I shall roll on and on and on, and break upon your lap with
laughter.
And no one in the world will know where we both are.

-Rabindranath Tagore

Laxman Rao...Always Respect Education & Learning.

Always Respect Education & Learning..

A writer drawing appreciation from the likes of the President, Pratibha Patil, and former Prime Minister, late Indira Gandhi may not seem out of ordinary. However, it does when the author turns out to be a menial roadside tea vendor.

Tea may be a social lubricant for many, but for Laxman Rao, it's a vocation to support his family that ultimately allows him to burn midnight oil every day to follow his passion for writing. And that has remained his calling for over 30 years even as he continues to go through the drudgery of selling tea on the roadside stall at Vishnu Digambar Marg near ITO.

At night, he squeezes in four hours for writing. Rao is a selftaught, self-made writer. He looks thrilled as his first novel, Ramdas, has been turned into a script and was successfully staged as a play at Shriram Centre in New Delhi.

Meetings with several prominent dignitaries during his journey as a writer and scores of awards/felicitations hasn't changed his life one bit. On the contrary it has helped him retain his enthusiasm for his litereray pursuit, which has nursed since childhood.

"I don't have an eye for good things in life or rewards, but writing gives me happiness," he says. "I am simply trying to build on my talent and take it forward." Little wonder there's not an iota of regret in his tone despite a tough financial condition.

This tea vendor has written 24 books. Seven have already been published with two reprints last year. However, what is surprising is Rao's conviction that has given him strength to brave rejection and condescending treatment from publishers, and hold his own. Having spent years doing the round of well known publishing houses in Delhi — all asked him to cough up huge sums to publish his book — Rao finally decided to start his own publishing outfit and carry on with his literary pursuit.

Apart from supporting a family of four — he has two sons and a wife — he would save money and borrow to publish his books albeit in small lots of 1,000 and 2,000 prints. "Initially, I did give up hope, but when my first book was published, it strengthed my resolve," he recalls. His first book, Nai Duniya Ki Nayi Kahani, based on his own real life experiences, was published in 1979. The book was an account of hardships Rao faced and how he mustered strength to evolve and sustain himself as a writer. His play, Pradhan Mantri written in 1984, came out of his encounter with the then Prime Minister, late Indira Gandhi, at Teen Murti Bhawan in 1984.

"The plot portrays the Prime Minister in a social set-up with her subordinates responsible for corruption," Rao says. "I wanted to gift it to her, but that remained a distant dream due to her sudden and shocking death." He published his next novel, Ramdas, in 1992 that sold in more than 200 schools in Delhi.

Whatever little money he made from one book went into the publication of another. His books have never been a bestseller, but they exude a rare sense of honesty and humility. Rao has retained that all through the years and has never let go off the hope of success as a writer. "I believe, a writer comes alive only after 50," says Rao, who is close to 60-years now. If one probes deeper, Rao's extraordinary story is not just about a tea-stall owner turning writer. It's also about self-learning and determination.

How a Marathi villager, whose fascination for Hindi literature uprooted him from a small village of Taregaon Dshasar in Amravati district in Maharashtra, landed in Delhi. His first brush with writing in his village — the tragic death of one Ramdas moved him to pen a book about his life — was modest. Rao taught himself Hindi by reading books by several great authors available in his village school library.

Rao's fondness for Hindi literature saw him complete his matriculation in Hindi medium from Mumbai in 1973.

"In Class VII, I got hooked to Gulshan Nanda's fiction novels," he says. "Pundits of literature never recognised his writings, but they proved very useful for me." Circumstances forced him to give up studies after Class X and he worked in a local spinning mill to earn extra money. After the closure of the mill he started assisting his father in the fields. "I was never at peace with myself," he recalls. "I was scared of calling it quits and surrendering to life's trials."

Soon after, with Rs 40 in his pocket, he left his hometown and headed for Bhopal in 1975 in search of greener pastures. He worked as a labourer at a construction site. "My friends told me to be a good Hindi writer. I needed to set up base in the Hindi belt and I had seen many Hindi books being published out of Delhi." Rao left Bhopal for Delhi. Here he did odd jobs to survive.Daryaganj's once famous Sunday market became a hunting ground for Rao. He read works of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Karl Marx, Wil liam Shakespeare and Lenin. Realising the need to educate himself, he gradually acquired a Bachelor of Arts from Delhi University through correspondence. Rao never forgets the day — July 19, 1999 — he was preparing for his exams sitting at his kiosk, when a demolition squad of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) razed it down. "It shattered me and was the most painful time of my life. I applied for the kiosk again in 1981 with supporting documents including court and MCD challans, but the authorities were apathetic."

Those who have seen and interacted with Rao for years are amazed at the man's ability to keep his passion alive despite adversities. Dr Baldev Vanshi, former professor of Hindi from Delhi University and writer himself, has seen Rao's ordeal for more than 30 years. "I regard Rao to be a saint whose respect for his vocation hasn't dwindled one bit simply because he has embarked on esoteric pursuit such as writing," says Vanshi.

"He still sells tea with the same devotion, a quality that puts him in league with Sant Kabir and Ravidas."

Laxman's writings are woven around ground realities of life. As he says, "I have led a turbulent life and understand the intensity of feelings of others in similar circumstances. My books epitomise the struggle and triumphs of ordinary people in a realistic manner." He lives in a rented house in Shakarpur in East Delhi with his wife and two sons.

Today, Rao's books can be found in various branches of the Delhi Public Library and at some school libraries. Despite making a name for himself, he has not earned from his writings.

"My family is my best critic," he says. "My wife often gets frustrated and says if you still have to sell chai and paan, why write?" But he knows that she is proud of me as a writer and as a responsible father and husband.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zm8lWQLqUs

MY LIFE IS LIKE A RAIN...

My life is like a rain,

Every time it makes me feel refresh as a drop of water hits my face.

My life is like a rain,

Every time it fills spirit in my whole body like a drop of water in every corner of the field

My life is like a rain,

Every time it reminds me that there is still a cheerfulness in life as childhood days,

My life is like a rain,

Every time it makes me stand up when clouds burning my faith with a drop of water,

My life is like a rain,

Every time it hides me in a shadow of his own happiness like never before.

My life is like a rain,

Every time it makes me happy  same as the happiness of small child enjoys with the first rain of the season.

-Manish Upadhyay

GREAT LEADERS.

LEARN THE LEADERSHIP QUALITIES FRM WORLD'S BEST LEADERS.


You can command obedience, you can cause fear, you can buy services, but respect? You’ve gotta earn that. It’s such a heavy word, filled with reverence and awe. Like an oak tree, it doesn’t grow overnight. But intentionally and mindfully living in a way that cultivates respect is an investment that will yield more than money could ever buy.

Here are 10 habits from 10 respected leaders that are more than worth mirroring and cultivating:

1. GETTING OUT OF THE MANSION : RICHARD BRANSON.

Respect may elevate you, but it’s found on the ground. High flying billionaire Branson is also down-to-earth. Richard constantly chats with passengers and crew, listening to opinions with notepad in hand. When a Virgin flight was delayed in San Francisco, the in-flight team took the drink cart out to the gate and offered complimentary drinks to passengers. Richard Branson picked up the phone and praised them for their creativity.

Respected people never let their success build walls of elitism. They’re more in the mud-hut than ivory tower.

It’s difficult to be respectable if you’re not accessible. Studies show that CEOs perceived as accessible and humble evoke greater productivity and job satisfaction from staff. Stepping out of the office to chat with staff is a small but significant act.

2. NEVER GETTING TIRED : DIANA NYAD

At 64, most people have taken up knitting or gardening. Diana Nyad chose to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. She became the first person, of any age and gender, to accomplish the feat.

Respect came not only from the incredible feat of 53 hours of swimming that left her vomiting, badly sunburned and swollen from absorbing saltwater, but because it was her fifth attempt since 1978, when she was 29. After her failed fourth attempt, she admitted the swim may be impossible. But that didn’t stop her.

Respected people are unrealistic and relentless. As Roger Banister unrealistically broke the four-minute mile, Diana took the unrealistic goal, added her impossible age and achieved the unthinkable.

An unrelenting perseverance, and unforgiving attitude against the impossible is great recipe for respect.

3. CREATING : STEVE JOBS

Those who add value to growing industries are appreciated, but those who solve problems, revolutionize and create new industries get a bow of respect.

With Steve Jobs at the helm, Apple became synonymous with revolution: the iPod made CD players obsolete, the iPhone took smartphones to another level, the iPad set the stage for tablets. Jobs made headlines with his improvements, but made history with his innovations.

Revolutions and solutions equal respect. Don’t just look to add, look to solve.

4.ALL HEART : MARK CUBAN

As the saying goes, those who stand for nothing fall for everything. Respected people are passionate and unabashed about their beliefs. They shape people’s opinions rather than succumb to it. But when it comes to passion, there’s a fine line between obnoxious and outspoken. Kanye is supposed to be the bad guy, not Mark.

Cuban is clearly opinionated, yet lovable. The reason Cuban remains respected is that, unlike Kanye, it’s more authenticity than publicity. Whether he’s the shark throwing someone in the tank, shouting from the Maverick’s bench or shedding tears at a press conference, everything that’s public comes across as genuine. People respect that.

Public perception can cause many to put on a performance. Passion that stems from authenticity, rather than expectation, is respect.

5. MINGLE WITH MANNER : PRINCESS DIANA

Everyone in leadership faces the challenge of countless people vying for their attention. The difference with Princess Diana was her obvious interest and engagement with all people, from HIV sufferers to the privileged. She said, “Everyone needs to be valued. Everyone has the potential to give something back.”

Although its impossible to converse with everyone, respected people acknowledge everyone. They don’t enter a group setting, shake hands with one or two and ignore the rest. We’ve all had that happen before and it's not a great feeling. It’s the modern version of getting picked last in third-grade baseball.

It’s not always intentional, however, respected people have that social awareness to be mindful in such situations. It’s important to acknowledge and greet everyone you meet in a group, look them in the eye and smile. It’ll mean more to the person than you realize, and it’ll gain you more respect than you realize.

Related: Respect, Power, Family Pride: How Do You Define Success?

6. NEVER TALK THE BAIT : BILL GATES

Steve Jobs had some harsh words against Bill Gates: “Unimaginative and has never invented anything…he just shamelessly ripped off other people’s ideas.”

With plenty of accusations (and evidence) that Jobs was far from innocent, Gates had plenty of hypocritical ammo to fire back. However, when Gates was asked to respond, he did so with class, brushing off the criticism and even praised Jobs for his contributions.

It’s no surprise that Bill Gates tops a survey across 13 countries as the world’s most admired person. Reflective of his philanthropic work is this characteristic of responding to negatives with tact.

Marcus Aurelius said, “To refrain from imitation is the best revenge.” Exactly what Gates did, and we should.

7.DISMANTLING DRAMAS : MICHELLE OBAMA

From her “unbecoming behavior” of doing push-ups on the Ellen show, to teaching middle-schoolers how to Dougie, Michelle’s breaks from the traditionally passive roles of the FLOTUS have won much adoration and respect.

While history is certainly there to be learned from, it doesn’t have to be imitated. Michelle’s unwillingness to fall into conformity has created an air of empowerment. She’s a constant catalyst for change with conversations on controversial topics such as the Trayvon Martin case.

In dissolving dogmas and confronting mainstream dramas, respected people enable and empower others while making new societal inroads. “That’s how it’s always been done” has never been a popular phrase. It takes courage to step outside of the mold, but respect comes as a result.

8. CONSISTENT KARMA : DALAI LAMA

More ironic than irony was Toronto Mayor Rob Ford cracking down on drug use while admitting to smoking crack. Respected people have a proven track record. History is littered with prominent figures rising to excellence only to crumble into scandal.

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born in 1935 and started his monastic education at the age of 6. The path of devotion is no walk in the park; the world is a buffet of temptations and distractions. His dedication and consistency of character over decades makes him one of the most revered and respected people in the world. The 8-million reading his tweets trust that his Twitter reflects his temple.

Consistency between what we think, say and do, both when nobody is watching, and when everyone is watching, will produce respect. Trust and admiration is never found in contradictions.

9. MULTIPLE ENDEAVORS : ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER

It’s remarkable for anyone to reach the top of their field, but to step into an entirely different context and dominate, that’s respect with a capital “R.”

From bodybuilder, to Terminator, to governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger made it look easy. Respected people aren’t afraid to enter a new field, or put on a different hat. They not only set the bar higher, but set it wider.

When we outgrow our initial pursuit for success, the inability to take on something new creates a stagnancy that produces misery. While achieving success in different fields wins respect, the broadening of life experience alone is enough motivation to step into uncharted waters.

10. SACRIFICE IS KEY : AUNG SAN SUU KYI.

With a military junta stifling her nation of Burma (Myanmar), political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi has become the adored catalyst for change.

During the violent clashes, thousands protesters were massacred. She rose to leadership fearlessly marching toward the military that was ordered to shoot. When she was presented with an opportunity to be freed from house arrest and return to England, she chose to stay and fight for her people’s rights.

Greatness and respect is synonymous with sacrifice. The road that’s absent of difficult decisions, of blood, sweat and tears leads to mediocrity