Welcome again to a new edition of Monday Truclusions. Thank you all for your encouraging feedback for last week’s write-up. Today, I am going to tell you some very interesting true stories.
They say, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” The stories I am going to narrate to you are of inspiring leaders. Then, I shall introduce you to one awe-inspiring thought leader in the space of inclusion.
The Master Of My Master
Now, to begin with, let me narrate an incident between a traveller and Dr. Kumarappa, who was one of the greatest followers of a man who, in my opinion, redefined the meaning of words like ‘struggle’, ‘war’ and ‘non-cooperation’. M.K. Gandhi, fondly known as the Mahatma or Bapu was one of the greatest leaders to set foot on this earth and the father of our nation.
Once a traveller visited Kumarappa at his house, a hut that he had built for himself. On an inner wall of the hut, a photograph featuring a poor farmer was hung. The traveller asked, “What was that photo of an important looking man doing in your house? Who is he?”
Many important visitors asked Kumarappa the same question and he would say, “It is the picture of my master’s master”. Kumarappa’s master was the Mahatma. But who was the Mahatma’s master? It wasn’t common knowledge.
The insight that I draw from this story is that leaders like the Mahatma, believe that anybody can be moved from within by our actions. He once said, “My life is my message.” His thought process was geared towards changing the society for the better. There was no discrimination ever. As a leader, to affect such change, you must lead by example.
A Lesson In Leadership
This leads me to another important incident, which took place between a mother, her child, and Bapu.
The mother was trying her best to stop her son from eating a lot of sugar as it was not good for his health. She failed to convince the child, so she decided to request Bapu to talk to the kid. Bapu didn’t say anything to the kid at that point, but asked the woman to come back after two weeks. As requested, the woman returned with her son after a fortnight had passed.
The Mahatma called the child to his side and made him promise that he would listen to his mother. The woman was intrigued, and wanted to know why Bapu didn’t advise the child to do so earlier. Bapu replied, “I wanted to myself keep away from sugar first, and then advise the kid.”
It is not only the methodology of practising before preaching that we notice in this small incident. Bapu’s ability to connect instantly to anyone regardless of age, culture or background is an important aspect of it.
A Touch Of Kindness
Bapu dedicated his life to attaining freedom for his countrymen, now let me tell you about another true incident, where a lesser known person exhibited extraordinary leadership skills while fighting to end the civil war in America in the 1860’s.
It so happened that the Union army attacked the Confederate army who had fortified themselves behind a stone wall. By the time the Union soldiers reached the wall, close 8,000 soldiers had been shot dead. Those who were still alive on the battlefield were suffering from their wounds, cold and thirst. That is when Richard Rowland Kirkland, an Infantry Sergeant for the Confederates, could no longer bear to hear the screams of the injured soldiers, though they were his enemies.
He asked his commander if he could at least provide water to the sufferers. The commander was human enough to eventually agree though he hesitated initially. As Richard climbed the wall, there were shots fired at him, as the Union soldiers assumed that his intent was to wound more people.
But once they realised his intent, the firing ceased. Richard climbed the wall multiple times to reach each struggling soldier to comfort them the best way he could and to give them some water. Richard’s selfless kindness moved the hearts of both sides. This story touched me deeply.
To me, this exemplifies the highest calling of leadership and embodies the purpose of leadership – to care.
Spotlight On A Special Leader
The person I am going to introduce you to today is truly one-of-a-kind. She believes in being a ladder rather than a leader. I’m both privileged and proud to introduce the MD of Vindhya Infomedia, Pavithra Y.S.
I first met Pavithra in 2010 at the Young Achiever Awards organised by the Brigade group and Rotary Club. She was chosen as a Young Achiever. Today, I have the privilege of calling her a friend.
Vindhya began because Pavithra always wanted to work in a social space. She says, “During my interactions, I had seen a lot of people who were looking for an opportunity in life to showcase their abilities and lead a life with independence.”
That’s when she and Ashok, her husband and eternal support, came across a person with a disability who was crossing a road, and learned more about them.
They came up with the idea that persons with disabilities could be given a job where they could sit comfortably and perform well. Taking a leap of faith, they decided to give the idea a shot and employ them. Their first two experiences were wonderful, and Vindhya started employing more people with disabilities.
Pavithra says, “Our work has always been appreciated by our customers for the quality and our dedication.”
She is a leader who believes that a successful business is not only about good numbers, but caring for the people you work with and for. The numbers in your business will automatically grow if you do. Her belief bore fruit, and over time, Vindhya has won accolades for their extraordinary work.
They have received various awards for their work including the Shell – Helen Keller award and the NDTV business leadership award.
To conclude this week’s Monday Truclusions, here’s a small poem dedicated to Pavithra and rare leaders like her:
By example you lead,
You are the strength we need.
In our minds, you sow the seed,
On which for life we feed.
Every step you walk,
Every word you say.
Does lead our way,
And is etched in stone; not written in chalk.
Like the sun you light the universe,
And the stars that never let our world in darkness immerse.
A shield from every curse,
You, to us, are a divine verse.
Liked reading this? Then you might also like to read Monday Truclusions – Appreciating The World’s Most Selfless Profession.
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