Competition Vs Cooperation

In one of my children school function, the chief guest while addressing the gathering, said, “All great achievements that the ever been accomplished by man is owing to one of the 2 things – Competition or Co-operation”. This line caught my attention and forced me to probe a little further. These two words, Competition and Co-operation do not sound like complementary words, but sound like contrary words. How then can one say that all great achievements are achieved by two contrary things? But if we look at the way our lives have evolved, we would find it is true.

Let us first talk about competition. Competition creates a spirit to excel the other, out beat the other, break an old record. Once in 4years an Olympic game is organized. Sportsmen from nations across the globe meet, to compete. At the end of every Olympic Games, a new record is set, which serves as a new benchmark for the future sportsmen. The next generation needs to find ways of breaking this record, and setting a new record. The ultimate purpose of an event like this is not to see which country has won the maximum number of gold or silver, but an event to explore the human potential. It is a place where learning happens: where the human potential, is challenged again and again.

Let us say, you play one of your favourite sport with someone, where you are an ace player and the other is a amateur. You will be winning all the time, but you will lose interest in the game. You know why? Because, there will be no sense of accomplishment. There is no spirit of challenge. In due course you will find yourself playing like an amateur, because the amateur by the way he plays, has brought you down to his level. On the other hand, when you play the game with an equally tough apponent, you will face the risk of losing, but the spirit of challenge will make you put your level best to win the game. In the process your game technics and tactics will improve. When you win this game, the amount of happiness and satisfaction, you experience, would be beyond words. Therefore the purpose of playing a match is not only to decide who is better than the other, but to bring out the best in us. The essence of competition is therefore to bring out our hidden potential.

We are all proud to be Indians. This pride is a result of our previous achievements. We cannot afford to continue basking in this glory for long. We need to constantly improve our performance in order to be ahead from the rest of the world. For this to happen, we need competition. Competition therefore, should not be something to be feared about, but something we look forward to as an opportunity for our growth. We compete to excel and winning is just a topping in the cake.

Now let us talk about Cooperation. Cooperation strives for team work, team coordination, team building and works on the principle of give and take. It believes in Synergy. Each one of us, have a different strength. As a team, when your strength adds to the strength of the group, there is a great synergy. It defies the mathematics logic and says1+1 is not 2, but 3.

In most of the inaugural and closing ceremony of grand occassions like the Olympics, we see a number of team events performed with great level of synchronization accuracy, which is a treat to our eyes. It could be a group dance, a musical orchestra, a parade, a mass drill or whatsoever. We are awestruck by the magnanimity of such fete.

Competence is therefore a blend of Competition and Co-operation. While you need to have a competitive spirit to succeed, we also need to have a co-operative spirit to be a good team player. The most important quality of a good leader is that he should be a good team player. As an individual we compete with each other in our school, our career, our chosen game to come to the top and gain a leadership position. But as a leader our major role is to make sure there is co-operative effort.

Team work is therefore nothing but collective competence. This collective competence in full bloom is the ultimate flowering of human accomplishment. Let us learn to compete and cooperate in our effort to achieve our goals.

Happy Reading,

D. Senthil Kannan

Article Dated Feb 2011

Believe in Miracles

Dear Readers,

I would like to share with you about an interesting incident that happened in my life, about 15years ago. The incident, I am about to share with you, may be too hard for you to believe to be true, but honestly, it a real life incident.

Me, my wife, my son along with my father in-law and mother in law, had gone to Chennai for a holiday.  As usual, we had made an advanced booking of the tickets. As I had to spend few extra days at Chennai, for my official work, I had booked my tickets for a different date and for all my family members on an earlier date.

After the end of the holiday, it was time for my family members to start back to Madurai.  I decided to go with them to the railway station and send them off. So, we all left to the Egmore railway station. They were to leave by Pandyan Express. We checked the Platform number, and as we reached the platform, I got the train ticket which my father in law was having, to check for the coach number and seat number. Once I saw it, I located the coach, got the luggage’s loaded and stowed them under the seats. Having got them comfortably settled, without a second thought, I kept their train ticket inside my shirt pocket.

In a short while from then, the train started and my family members happily waved their hands to me, bidding good bye. Having seen them off, I returned to my apartment at Nungambakkam, to unwind for the day. As I emptied my shirt pocket, I noticed that I had the train ticket and there they have already waved their hands and left.

It was a shock! What a blunder, I told to myself and was thinking about what could be done. Those were the days, when there was no mobile phone. I could not even communicate, to my family members, that the tickets were with me.  I was worried that, they may be de-boarded from the train, somewhere en route, for not having the tickets.

My mind started running quickly. I was thinking of options, of how I could set this right. The first thought that came to my mind, was to hire a cab and rush to Tambaram and catch them there. If I miss out there, I can still go and give it at Chengalpet. But, with the road traffic, will I be able to make it. It was already 30 minutes since the train had left. I was puzzled.

Anyway, I thought let me call up the railway station and find out the time “Pandyan express” will reach the different succeeding stations.  So, I called up the Egmore railway station, got connected to the station master and explained to him what happened.

Here is where, something mysterious happened. The station master asked again, which train did you say?  I repeated, “Pandyan Express”. What he told me was something unbelievable, He said, “there was a problem with that train engine and that train is returning back to egmore station, for changing over to a new engine.” I was sure that the station master was not kidding, with me. 

I rushed to the station.  In a few minutes of my arrival, I could see the train returning to the platform. I could see my father in law and son, waiting at the compartment door, trying to see if I was still there. I waved my hands, and I could see a big sigh of relief, in their face.  I went and gave them the ticket.

Then I listened to their side of the story. My father in law said, that when the TTR came for checking he explained the situation to the TTR. The TTR could understand the situation, as the name appeared in the passenger’s chart. But the TTR could not help them in any other way, except by issuing them a new ticket with some extra fine. Left with no other option, my father in law was about to pay, just then they heard the announcement that the train will return back to Egmore.  So, the TTR himself told, “Let us wait and see, till we get back to Egmore.” Luckily, I had come back and they did not have to pay again. They took the ticket and in another few minutes, the train was ready with a new engine, and they set off again.

This time, making doubly sure that the ticket was not in my shirt pocket, I came back home for my night rest. As I went to bed, I could not believe what had just happened. It was something unbelievable. I just signed off to bed, with a thought, well it is true. “Miracles do happen”.

Happy Reading

D. Senthil Kannan

Article date Feb 2007

Education in Mother Tongue

We are aware that our country follows multiple sylabbus such as State Board, Matric, Anglo Indian, CBSE, ICSE, and such. In State Board schools there is again an option of Tamil medium and English medium. Children who study in Tamil medium schools find a difficulty in transition at College level.  In order to enable the student to cope up with the transition, some bridge programmes, like spoken English are being made available for students. This patch work at this late stage of time,  does not really make any significant difference. Students continue to face the problem, even after they complete their college. Employabilty becomes a problem, for those who are not fluent in English.  This is not only the case with Tamil medium students, but also students studying in English medium in rural parts of the country.

In the above context, I was alarmed to read the news in the Hindu, which stated “Tamil medium of instruction will be introduced in B.E. civil and mechanical courses at engineering colleges in Anna University from the coming academic year as an experimental measure.”

I don’t think it is a good way forward plan. While existing engineering college students are finding it hard to match their job profiles, owing to lack of English Skills, are we not making the situation worse by doing this in the name of giving importance to the language.  While it is good to recognize the importance of preserving our language, let us not blind fold ourselves to the practical realities of the world.

Finland, which is rated as No.1, in the world for its education, offers education to their  students in their mother tongue - Finnish. Even, when they go to college for higher studies, like Engineering and Medicine, they learn in Finnish.  Finland has a very small population, and therefore finding a job within the home country is not a major issue.  However, if a person wants to migrate to a foreign country, seeking a better job he needs to take the pains of learning a foreign language. Therefore, in spite the best of education provided to them, their adamancy to stick to their own language makes it difficult for them to migrate to a foreign land in search of better openings. The same is true with countries like Japan and Germany.

Japanese believe that a student should do their studies only in their mother tongue. The reason they say is that, there is a difference between a “thinking language” and a “expression language”.  A child learns to think in its mother tongue and it will feel easy to express, what it thinks in its mother tongue, in its mother tongue itself rather than trying to find equivalent words in a foreign language to express its thoughts. By making a child to think for foreign words to express their thoughts, they loose focus and depth of meaning. Japanese, feel a lot of child’s mental energy will be drained when it tries to convert every thought into another language. They can possibly use this energy to learn more things in depth in their native language itself.

While their argument stands good, for them, it does not stand good for India. In a country like India, where there is so much of competition and where pluralistic languages are in existence, it becomes necessary for a person to study in English. Only by doing so can a person find himself comfortablly placed some where, within the country or outside the country. As we even cross the border of the state, we have a problem in communicating with another indian brother. With such a situation in place, education in the mother tongue will only limit a person’s growth and not enhance his growth.

Well, looking at a broader perspective the purpose of language is nothing more than just to communicate.  Without communication, you cannot connect with people. Relationship happens where communication happens.  Business happens where communication happens. Language is therefore a need based tool. When we need to communciate with a computer, to get things done, we learn the computer language.  So why not learn, English to communicate with a wider variety of people across the globe.  After all English, has only 26 Alphabets. Therefore, let us not develop a taboo towards learning a foreign language.

Let language be an enabler to our growth and not a limiting factor for our growth.

Happy Reading,

D. Senthil Kannan

Article Dated Jan 2011

Some financial Tips

Information 1:

In the future, banks will give personal loans, based on your credit card transactions and nothing else. Credit card transaction statement is a far better proof of your ability to pay, than your Income Tax records or your Networth statement. The financial integrity of the person can be easily judged, by taking a closer look at the 3 years record of your credit card statement. This is what is happening in advanced countries like USA and Europe. Therefore it is wise to have a credit card and try to pay most of our bills by credit card and also to settle the credit card bills promptly. When you settle your credit card bills promptly, it talks good about your financial discipline and also your credibility.  Today the criteria for lending loans, by banks or money lendors, is not just based on your capacity to pay, but also about your willingness to pay.

Information 2:

Take a insurance to the extent of the loans you have. For example, you have a loan of Rs.20 lakhs, for yourself or your own business, then we should have a insurance policy to the extent of the same amount, so that in the unfortunate event of our death, our children do not have to face the beating. This means, your family does not have to dispose any asset in order to clear your loan. Your family does not have to face the liability of the loan. If there is a insurance cover, the insurance will take care of your debts and the loan will not affect the existing life standard of your family. We strive hard for their well being and we certainly do not want them to be in trouble at any point of time. The next important thing is, this also gives you the freedom to play the business game without big hesitations.

I think the strength of the positive side of life depends upon our preparedness for the negative things.

Happy Reading,

D. Senthil Kannan

A MISSION WITH A VISION

Questioning is the key to human development. In fact every invention and discovery in this world is a result of a questioning mind. Questioning is a powerful technique, which triggers the mind to find a solution. Every question is prefixed by one the following elements which is shortly called as “5W and 1H”, i.e What, When, Where, Who, Why and How. The mind has a unique way of working and it is triggered to work, when questions are posed against itself.

All Social Reforms takes one of the following route. Political route, Economical route and Educational route.

The Political route is about using power and law to bring in the needed reforms, which is perhaps the easiest of all. However the limitation is that there is a lot of vested interest in the decision making process and therefore social justice is not fully achieved. The Economic route is about using money, in the form of builiding infrastructure or doing charity to combat many social issues. In a developing country like India, with a massive population and with mixed priorities of the Govt, the money needed is often found inadequate.

Stephen Covey, talks about “Circle of Influence” Vs “Circle of Concern”. There are so many things happening around us that come under our circle of concern. For example, Poverty, Illiteracy, Beggary, Joblessness, Physical or mental handicap, Corruption, Road Safety, Theft, Crime, Unclean surrounding,  Environmental pollutions and hazards, so on and so forth. Though we talk a lot about it and have our expert opinion of how this situation could be tackled by political leaders, we have our own limitations in doing something about it.

Blaming what is wrong or who is wrong is one part of the story. Finding a way to fix the problems is the PALMS Story

At PALMS we work within the Circle of influence. We try to empower people and organisations, with the knowledege, skills and attitude needed to thrive in this competitive world. Our motto is, “Exploring Potential, Enriching Lives”. With this single minded goal, we work with a cross section of the society, ranging from Corporate houses to School Students.

At this major milestone of the PALMS mission, I wish to thank the patronizers, faculty members, corporate clients, members, and the general public for bestowing their trust upon us.

I express my heartfelt thanks to my friends and teammates, who have supported me in this mission,  the whole way through.

I am sure this special issue of PALMS PLUS, with more articles is a treat, for you to enjoy and relish.

Happy Reading,

D. Senthil Kannan

Article Dated Nov 2010

Let us Agree to Disagree

One fine day, Akbar and Birbal were walking in the Garden. Akbar pointed his fingers at a crow and said, look Birbal that crow is white in colour. Birbal replied, “Yes, your majesty that crow is white in colour”. Akbar was puzzled by Birbal’s reply, because this crow like any other crow was black in colour. However, Akbar decided not to react on the first day. The next day, again they walked in the garden and Akbar again pointed out to the crow and said, look Birbal, that crow is black in colour. Birbal replied, “Yes, your majesty that crow is black in colour”. Akbar got angry with Birbal and asked Birbal, “Yesterday when I pointed out to the crow and said it is white in colour, you said, yes it is white. Today, when I point out to the same crow and tell it is black in colour, you again say it is black. Are you trying to fool around with me?”

For which wise Birbal replied, “My Majesty, I am fully aware that all crows are black in colour. But the point here is, I work for you and not the crow.  Moreover,  I don’t gain anything by pleasing the crow, but there is a chance I may get something by pleasing you”. Akbar laughed at Birbal’s sense of wit.

Like in the above story, many of us, are comfortable only, with people who agree to whatever we say.  As long as people agree with what we say, we like them. The moment they contradict our views we tend to dislike them. We are not concerned over, what is right rather we are concerned who is right.

Of all the human desire one of man’s most dominating desire is to make people accept what he says. Whether it is among family members, friends or business associates, we try hard to convince someone to accept our idea or thought. We argue hard to make our point accepted by others. We try to justify our point, using logical inferences such as citing examples, giving proof’s and even go to the extent of emotional coercion such as making  our voice loud or even intimidating somebody in order for our point to be taken. Is it not true?

Why is that we always want others to accept our point of view. Why is that we do not give the others, their right to their opinion. No two human beings are same and therefore it is impossible for two people to think alike. A person’s ideologies, beliefs and thoughts are shaped by his cultural background, his environment, his experiences, his perceptions, his learnings, his attitude and so many factors.  As we do not have these factors in common, we are different from each other. In every relationship, we find there are some areas where we get along with a particular person and in some areas we don’t agree at all.  It is this variety, that in fact makes a relationship beautiful. Infosys, Chief Mentor Mr.Naryanamoorthy, once said, “If two people in an organisation think the same, then there is no need for one of them”.

In a gathering when ideas are sought and you express your idea, and if your idea is mocked by someone, we tend to take it too personal.  An idea is a product of our imagination and when our idea is rejected, we feel rejected. What we need to understand is that, rejection of an idea does not mean rejection of the person. Our thinking determines our individuality. It is normal for us to have thoughts and ideas that are different from others. We don’t have to feel guilty about it, no matter who the other person is. It may be your parents, your siblings, your spouse, your boss, or your friend. We have the right to think differently.

With this ‘right to think differently’ being intact on both sides, how do we tide over problems in which we are not able to arrive at a consensus. Here is where, the concept of, “Agree to disagree” comes in.  By using this approach, we learn to alienate the issue from the relationship and argue only the issue, without causing any damage to the relationship. Whenever there is an issue and you need to sort out, you could define the issue in hand and then say – “You think that way, I think this way and so we have a difference of opinion. This difference of opinion is about a specific issue and not about us. So, let this in no way affect our relationship.”

To agree to disagree is a model of a matured mind. It is a sign of a healthy relationship. There is no need to get into a consensus, always. Let us make our relationships, thrive amidst our differences. 

Happy Reading,

D. Senthil Kannan

Article Dated Oct 2010

A Language, A Culture

The “Ulaga Tamil Chemozhi Manadu” - World Tamil Conference 2010, which was organised with huge pomp and glory at Coimbatore between 23^rd and 27^th June, drew a huge crowd of Tamil speaking population, from across the globe. Being a native speaker of Tamil, I too was one among the many curious visitors, who wanted to have a feel of the event and therefore went on a post event trip to see the exhibition and displays of this mega event.

The displays in the exhibitions showcased the antiquity of the language and the strength of Tamil literature. There was an impressive display of 40 decorated rathas, titled “Iniyavai Naapathu” which carried a model of a story or theme related to Tamil culture. The exhibition had a number of displays on how the Tamil language has evolved. While there are mixed findings on dating the origin of this language, it is undoubtedly atleast 2000 years old.  The olden day script called “Tamil brami” carved on stones, brass strips and palm leaves, and the later evolved “Vatta ezhuthu” which was totally unrecognizable to me, were among the many displays. It was a great experience for me to gain a better insight of my mother tongue and it certainly made me feel proud, to be a native speaker of this ancient language.

A search in wikepedia reveals that Tamil is among the top 20 most popular spoken language in the world. The first 5 being, Mandarin (Chinese), English,  Spanish,  Hindi and Russian respectively. 

One of the greatest challenges of each language is its sustainability. I am happy to find that a lot of appreciatable work is happening in the scope of sustaining Tamil, as a living language of the world. A lot of Tamil literary work has been computerized and is now available as online content. Softwares with Tamil interface are being developed. Tamil stories and poems are created in animated formats and made available on CD for children to learn. Even, the English movies are now voice dubbed in Tamil. Though it looks funny to see the foreign actors, speaking in Tamil, the good part is it becomes understandable and a delightful experience to the common man.

A language will continue to live, as long as it has a written script, which could be documented for the future generations to read and relate to. Languages that have lost their script but still exist as an oral langauge will soon die or perish. A classical example is the Egyptian language, which became extinct because it lost the script.

Similarly, languages that are not adaptable to changes will perish. For example: The invention of computer and internet has brought into use a set of terminologies, which does not find a matching word in another language. In these situations, words need to be created in that language. The entire list of computer terminologies is now available in Tamil, though the day to day usage of the same is minimal. 

With the advent of the western culture and more and more number of people speaking in English the usage of the mother tongue has decreased. Our chilldren find it hard to spell words rightly, in Tamil. The SMS and Online Chat culture among college students is about writing Tamil in English. For example, to ask, “Where are you”, they type “enga irukka” using English alphabets. Well, it certainly makes life easy. It certainly sounds more sensible to call coffee as coffee and not to search for the equivalent Tamil word for cofee.

Every language has its own sweetness. For example a poem or song written in Tamil, will have its unique flavour, which the translation of the same, cannot deliver. There is a rich knowledge base found in Tamil literature, right from the age old Thirukural to the inspiring songs of Bharthiyar. Even today there are a many insightful novelists, writers and poets who are making great contributions in Tamil language. So along side getting our children educated learning in English schools, let us encourage our children to also read stories, novel and poetry in Tamil. Let them develop a taste and liking to their mother tongue, by reading what they like to read, and not just the academics.

Remember, there is a close affinity between a language and a culture. If we are interested in preserving our culture we also need to preserve our language.

Happy Reading,

D.Senthil Kannan

Article Dated Sep'10