Apathy ???

I have always wondered why individuals and organisations show an apathetic attitude. According to Oxford dictionary, “Apathy” is a noun meaning – “ an absence of emotion, interest or enthusiasm ,about things in general or a specific subject”.

I was recently having a chat, with one of the best young talents, I have worked with ,in my life. She works in a reputed organisation, I once worked in. I always had this habit of calling some of the young talents and have some rich conversations with them. This kept me updated of how things are going in the organisation and also helped me understand their expectations from the organisation ,for their own personal growth and development.

But, this time ,I was shocked ,to say the least. This young talent, who was on personal leave ,shocked me by her statements. She said, if you have the interest to talk to me, why do people within the organisation including my managers and senior managers, do not do the same. She was on a vacation when I called and told me, she was contemplating to leave the organisation ,after she returned.

I tried my best to persuade her ,to reconsider her view and consider looking at so many opportunities within the organisation ,if she wanted a change of role. She replied that she was aware ,that the organisation had multiple opportunities and if she requested she could get any of them. But, her decision ,was based on a much deeper hurt. She said, today – “nobody cares” and there is an apathetic attitude ,towards employees in the organisation.

I would give my right hand ,to retain such an invaluable talent. But what she said, made me reflect. Is this attitude not only restricted to organisations but all pervasive in the society today. We are not aware ,if someone in our neighbourhood ,has died. We drive past a tragic road accident ,when we could have stopped and saved a life, by shifting the injured to a nearby hospital.

I do agree that life has become hectic and we do not have time to breathe ,in a very competitive world around us. But, does this mean, that we lose our basic human values. I recently heard of someone, not being aware of a neighbour’s death, who worked with him and lived in the same street, a few houses away.

I have heard of families where the mother or father ,is suffering from cancer and is hospitalised and the well to do children, do not have the time to visit them since they are busy with their careers in India or abroad. They send money and do video calls ,to take care of their ailing parents, when the least they could do is to be with them ,during their hour of crisis.

I feel this apathetic attitude towards others ,will make us an animalistic society. The only difference between humans and other living being, is that ,we have emotions and can express them . If we fail to do this basic human act, can we call ourselves humans. We need to be around, listen to people and express our emotions in words and deeds.

Let us resolve to eliminate apathy ,from the places we can influence, from today.

S Ramesh Shankar

11th Aug 2025

Life & travel

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
– Saint Augustine

This was a quote ,written on the walls of an airport and it is quite insightful. I fully endorse this view. One of the best ways of education for adults and children alike ,is travel around India and the world. The learning through these travels, are more valuable than any book can teach us.

I love travelling any way and like to drive or go by train, bus or a plane. Every travel both within my own beautiful country or outside, has taught me something. Every single time, I meet people from different cultures and observe different things around me ,and learn from it.

If you travel by road, you stop at unknown places for a coffee and meet interesting people from the local community. They can teach you important life lessons ,of service and hospitality. I remember a recent travel, when a lady told me, while sitting in a rickshaw ,that with love, you can get anything done in life.

It could be these simple interactions, which transform your life. This observation was based on a simple human act ,of the auto rickshaw driver to a passenger ,but it is etched in my mind forever. I will always remember that with love, you can get anything done in life.

I remember another travel to Kashmir ,long time back. It was the time when terrorists were on the rampage in the valley. A taxi driver, who was taking us around ,told us ,how most people are human and loveable but a few unkind terrorist spoil the social fabric. He further emphasised the value of unity in diversity.

Another interesting aspect of travelling, especially by train ,is that you end up meeting interesting people from different walks of life and they can share their knowledge and wisdom with you ,during the journey, through your conversations with them.

When you travel to countries outside India, you end up learning interesting aspects of different cultures and their behaviour. I recall my visit to Japan, where the common people -interactions teach you about how one can be courteous ,in every aspect of life.

My visit to many European countries have taught me, how to protect and preserve our heritage. They not only preserve them but are proud of retaining their beauty and sanctity. They make you realise how much history and heritage ,can teach us in life.

I was recently travelling to Delhi with a friend, to conduct a workshop and this friend shared this beautiful quote, written on the walls of an airport and it excited me to write about it.

If you have not yet travelled around India or the world, just try to visit a place you have never been to before, with an open mind. You will realise ,that you learn more than any other experience, you have had in life ,so far.

Life is a journey and travel is a book,which teaches you through the pages of this book.

S Ramesh Shankar

15th Aug 2025

Discipline

I was listening to ,one of the world tennis champions ,recently. He said – “ Discipline is the bridge between goals and achievements. This struck a chord with me.

I also believe .that we all need to dream and set stretched goals in life. Then, we need to work meticulously ,to achieve those goals. It may be a good idea to set a long term goal and break them down, into smaller achievable goals in the short and medium term.

A good example could be ,our career and life goals. We could set our career goals as becoming a CEO of a publicly listed company. This means ,we need to develop ourselves as a leader and have all the capabilities, to lead a big enterprise.

This appears a desirable goal and can be achieved. But, what we see in reality is that, many of us falter along the way. The main reason for our failing in achieving, most of our goals in life ,is lack of discipline. We shy away from hard work and also do not break our goals into milestones, to be achieved along the way.

Imagine a marathon runner, who sets the goal of running a marathaon after one year of effort. If the runner thinks he can just plan for it and book his air tickets to the marathon city, the job is done, he may be in for a shock. It requires meticulous planning and seamless execution, to practise every day and achieve a lot of milestones along the way.

The first step could be to run a 100 metres race and check our stamina. Then move from 100 to 200, 400, 800, and so on. It could be a few kilometres of run ,after a month of diligent practise. Then ,aim to run a half marathon ,after six months. We may fail in this process or may not be able to complete the race.

Our ability to continue this journey and not give up ,will lead us ultimately, to run the full marathon after a year of hard work ,if we are disciplined every day of the year ,till we achieve our goal.

Life is no different. We need to set goals and work zealously, toward the sub goals ,along the way and achieve them. We could even celebrate the milestones achieved ,but should not lose our focus ,in continuation of our journey ,till we reach our goal.

Many of us set laudable goals in life. We blink at the slightest distraction and fail in our efforts to achieve our first milestone. If nobody is looking at us or monitoring our progress, we do not move towards our goal.

So, discipline is the differentiator between those who achieve their dream goals in life and those who do not. The tennis great beautifully put it as -“Discipline is the bridge between goals and achievement.”

Our goal is the destination but discipline is the road, which takes us to the destination. Many of us ,do not have self discipline too. We strive hard ,when someone is monitoring us or supervising us. The best of sports persons ,work hard every day ,without anyone watching them over their shoulder.

Let discipline be the road to achieve our goals from today.

S Ramesh Shankar

17th July 2025