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TM_Project 3_GoldMines

A slum dweller, without any formal education, knew all the answers to a quiz show. Latter he reveals that he knew the answers unconsciously from incidents and people around him. This was the premise of much celebrated movie in recent times. Can it be useful in real life?
Mr. Toastmaster, fellow toastmaster and dear guests.
In my opinion one doesn't have to be scholar and read thousands of books to be knowledgeable. The whole world can be your teacher, only if you behave like attentive students you stand to learn a world from them. Also to be knowledgeable is not merely to know facts and figures; one has to learn to behave wisely also.
Could there be a better place to start learning than from one’s home.
I have learnt a lot from my family.
It’s said that mother is the first teacher, which is obvious, but in my case I am still learning from my mother. My mother in her 40’s, comfortably employed in government sector; choose to do her PhD at an age where most of women are worried about latest affairs and re-carnations in their favorite family soaps. This taught me that there is no stopping to the learning curve, there is always scope to do something extra if one is willing.
My father taught me humbleness; he has helped friends and far flung relatives, who don’t even call up in their good times, when they really wanted it most. According to him when we help others we merely act as agents to facilitate God’s will. Therefore it’s inappropriate to take credit or expect something in return when we help others.
I learnt to be self dependent from my grandfather. He has a separate household and an active practice in Mumbai High court in-spite of being in his 80’s and after one bypass surgery. He has steadfastly refused pleas from my uncles to quit working and enjoy retirement that he deserves.
I am sure that we all revere our elders in our family, but what about our friends. Agreed that they are our peers, which may lead our ego to block out their qualities, that can help us grow.
I consider myself lucky to have stayed four years in a hostel , along with an eclectic group of students , each were informed in some respect or the other ,which provided me ample learning opportunities.
I was part of many unique circles of friends who contributed to my progress in different ways.
A Extremely Studious group: They made me aware of the many opportunities which benefitted me, and also set example of sincerity and dedication to academics, which sadly I didn’t inculcate.
Computer Geek group : I got to know about graphic cards , games , RAM , processors and what not from them.
Rock Group: Initially I was ridiculed immensely for having almost no knowledge of English music industry, but quickly enough I grasped knowledge about Rock, R&B and hip hop. It’s often said music help break down the barriers; additionally it can help impress girls if you happen to know the perfect romantic songs which are new to them.
"Listen to this song! You will love it ". Believe me this line works always, if you have "THE" song lined up.
English movies lovers Group: I can claim to have seen some of the most celebrated cinematic masterpieces which I would have missed if not for them.
An annoyingly "know it all" group: They made me feel ashamed of my GK, and enforced on me habit of browsing newspaper on a regular basis.
All in all a truly humbling experience, I learnt so much from each one of them, I can’t thank them enough.
Family and friends done but what about strangers that you happen to meet? They are not to be treated lightly either. Sometimes you happen to meet interesting specimen of human species, who are only too eager to talk talk and talk, especially while travelling. They have tendency to pour out all their knowledge on absolutely anyone who is willing to hear. I failed to see their importance initially, but I have realized listening to their incessant chatter might help you.
It can be an over eager aunty relating her shopping experiences, one could know places to avoid beforehand, or know the places where one can avail cheap bargains.
Or a knowledgeable Uncle commenting on country’s present political scenario, which can save weeks of editorial reading.
One doesn’t have to necessarily need to participate in these discussions, merely active listening will do.
Once on our way to Goa, an overly helpful uncle, who we befriended on the train, made our entire itinerary in matter of minutes , he saw us struggle with an open map , not sure what to do and where to go. He came forward on his own, and helped us plan an efficient trip, which turned out to be one of the best ever! Sometimes one doesn’t need to ask also!
We all are software engineers here and know the value of reusability, if someone has made a module of knowledge , its common sense to borrow that module and install it in ourselves, rather than code it from scratch.
If we have a templates of behaviors that has been successful we don’t have to design them.
I urge you all to treat every person that you meet a potential goldmine of wisdom and decide wisely what you extract from him/her.
Over to you Mr Toastmaster.

Comments

Abhishek said…
You forgot "the pot-bellied, over-sleeping,under-exercising, chronically cynic , depressed and mind-numbingly boring group" of friends... which I can make some claim to be a member of..

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