I went on a heritage tour of temples of the Pandya dynasty (3rd century to 8th century AD). This tour was more from a temple architecture, and history perspective rather than a religious one.

These heritage tours ,can be invaluable learning lessons, in our lives. If we are willing to learn from history, the opportunities to learn are limitless. Let me illustrate with my learning’s from the Pandya dynasty, which ruled South India.

While the learnings were many, I would like to highlight a few of them. It was indeed an eye opener for me and I learnt the following life lessons from the tour :

1. Being minimalistic : The Pandyas believed in minimalistic living. If we look at their architecture or living styles, we realise, it was more functional than exhibitionistic. They did not want to waste money on architecture, which did not serve any purpose. This proved that, although they had all the money needed to lead a pompous life, they utilised it effectively, to lead a meaningful life.

2. Fairness and equity : The Kings in the Pandya dynasty ,were guided by fairness and equity ,in all their dealings. Even succession of the king was defined clearly ,so that there is no conflict ,in the minds of their heirs. Managing land or distribution of rewards, was linked to contributions by the citizens.

3. Respect for all : One of the traits, which really impressed me was their respect, for all citizens. The well read were respected and so were the artisans and the farming community. Everyone was given their place and respect in society and made to feel valued ,for their contributions to the community.

4. Care for the common man: The king was always cognisant ,of the fact that ,all their actions should ultimately lead to the care of common man. The common man ,believed in the fairness and justice of the kings, since everything was done transparently and thereby kings earned the respect of their citizens.

5. Fairness in all trade dealings: Another important learning was the fairness in trade dealings. We were told ,that if a consignment got damaged or lost in the high seas, the loss was borne by the supplier and the customer ,in equal proportions. This was a sign of fairness, which was agreed upon, even before a consignment left the shores for the customer.

6. Respecting knowledge and rewarding intellectuals: The intellectuals were respected and rewarded. The men and women of letters ,were identified and given special land and houses ,so that they can continue to pursue their journey ,to acquire more knowledge. The society was geared ,to respect the intellectuals, at all times.

7. Transparency in all walks of life : Every process in the society, was attempted to be made transparent and fair ,for all citizens. For eg, how the elections are to be held for the local village communities, was well defined. It was also defined, as to who could contest and who could not. The criminals and their close relatives were debarred ,from participating in the election process.

8. Respect for all religions: Today, we speak of secularism and respect for all religions. The Pandyas practised this ,centuries before and their culture and tradition ,still pervades in the territories they ruled, during their time. There is no known case of religious intolerance in the towns and cities even today, which owe their lineage to the pandya dynasty.

9. Water management: Water has always been a valued resource, in time. The Pandyas taught us how to manage water by building dams and canals and ensuring availability of water, in all regions of their kingdom ,right through the year. Even today, we struggle in managing water effectively ,even in areas where there is abundant rainfall and natural sources of water, like rivers and lakes.

10. Managing finances: The Pandya Kings always managed their finances of the state ,very optimally. The kings believed ,never to touch the money inherited from their predecessors ,in the treasury. Every king believed in generating revenue and spending it ,for their citizens. This is quite unlike the modern governments, where the ruling parties empty the coffers before the next government takes over.

We have a lot to learn from history and heritage. Let us open our eyes today.

S Ramesh Shankar

23rd Dec 2024

Today is Father’s Day and the world celebrates the same. I do not believe in these marketing gimmicks to promote sales of products by companies. However, today I would like to share ten life lessons, I learnt from my father.

A. Patience : Patience in life can win over enemies as much as your friends and family. My father was a true embodiment of patience right through his life and I have learnt over the years to instil patience in my life.

B. Role modelling: As a father, he never gave advise to us on anything in life. Whatever he believed was good was by lived by him in real life. He was and he is my best role model in life till date.

C. Unconditional love : My father was not an emotional person. He did not believe in hugs and kisses. But his love was unconditional and more in action than in his words.

D. Lead by example : Even at the workplace, I have met his colleagues who adored him for his behaviour and actions. His friends always like him more for his actions since on any case he was a man of few words.

E. Silence : My father proved through his life and living that “Silence” is more powerful than his words. He hardly spoke and his silence was always admirable. He would make his presence felt by his silence than his words.

G. Giving unconditionally : My father completed his homeopathy post retirement from service and practised at home to serve the underprivileged with no fees. He never expected anything in return for his services in life from anyone.

H. Family first : His love and care for his family was to be seen to believed. Having lost his father early, he took care of his siblings, their education and marriage and did not expect anything in return from anyone.

I. Simplicity : My father lived a simple life. He was a central government employee but never lived beyond his means. He managed to build a house for his family with his own earnings and did not leave a single rupee as debt even after his death.

J. Fairness and equity: My father was always fair and equitable to all his children and siblings. He never differentiated between daughters and son or sister and brothers. No wonder he was admired by one and all – even friends and foes ( do no remember he had any ).

I wish I continue to imbibe some of my father’s noble qualities every day I live and continue to serve society and family, unconditionally.

S Ramesh Shankar

15th June 2025

I hear a lot of good things about people, when they die. I recently saw a movie, where a lady was suffering from a terminal illness and she arranged a funeral service for herself even before she died. When asked, why it was arranged, she said, she was keen to know good things about herself before she died.

I found this very insightful. I have always noticed people talking good about other people, after they die. When we attend a funeral or a prayer meeting after a person’s death, we suddenly realise how good the person was.

My question to everyone is – “Why do we not speak good about others, when they are alive ?” We find it difficult to appreciate our own family members or friends, leave alone people we work with or do not know. What prevents us from appreciating others, when we notice something good in them.

Imagine appreciating a bus conductor for her service or behaviour and the impact it can have on her future service. A young employee who is just starting her career in the organisation will be overwhelmed if we speak positively about something we observe ,during her first few days at work.

Generally ,mothers are more generous in appreciating their family members than other members. But imagine ,if talking good about each other ,becomes a culture in the family. It may be fine not to criticise someone, when something is not ok. But not to appreciate a good deed or a good act ,is surprising to me.

I remember ,my father never criticised my mother’s cooking at home. If the food was tasty, he would always appreciate it but if salt was missed, he will not even mention. This is a trait, which made my father adorable ,to all of us. Many of us specialise in critiquing others but fail to say good things, when people are around us.

We wait for someone to die ,to realise how good they were. Why does this phenomenon occur. I am not sure ,if it is a family trait or a societal curse. I am not even sure ,if our scriptures teach us ,not to appreciate people, when they are around. Everyone of us feel good, when we are appreciated in public and criticised in private. But in reality, we do it the other way around.

Is it possible for each of us today ,to start our life afresh. Let us plan and appreciate at least one person every day ,for a good trait we observe in them. It could be a family member, a colleague at work, a friend or even a security guard at work. It does not matter. All humans feel good in appreciation. Animals also love to be cared and appreciated. Then ,why not we practise amongst humans too and extend to all living beings ,in the future.

Let the journey of saying good things, when people are alive begin from today. Just call someone you like, appreciate what you like in them and make their day. It may work like magic. Try it to believe it.

S Ramesh Shankar

23rd Dec 2024