Thoughts on Communication

Communication is multi-layered and multi-dimensional. People express themselves in layers. At the top most layer of the discovery process are “facts.” Stuff we put into forms and documkents. Below this is slightly complex inteelectual sheath that shares thoughts and opinions. And finally you have an emotional ore feeling circle. Further thoughts are ometimes expressed verbally and expressly. Sometimes thoughts are not shared at all. Emotions too are suppressed totally in socially driven culture where what others think matters more than what we truly want to do.

Inspirational leaders continuously sharpen the saw and learn to hone their communication skills. They no longer see people and their communication as black and white; they are able to see rich color and 3D images that bring out the underlying thoughts and emotions. They are also able to detect suppressed emotions pretty fast and help the other party to articulate and express them. When the issue is out it becomes an object available for analysis and resolution.

Floatel--Kolkata

20.11.2011

I am here at Kolkata to conduct a session at the certification course on Valuation at Hotel Floatel (lit. a floating Hotel!)

The venue is a renovated ship on the river Ganges adjacent to Baboo Ghat. The main hotel with the state rooms is on the ship which is accessed by a narrow pontoon bridge. The conference halls and reception are on the boat jetty.

The balcony, terrace and walkways both on the ship and on the jetty provide a nice view of the Ganges River and the stately buildings on either side. The steamers and boats plying on the river are a pleasant sight. It is pleasantly cold and there is mist. The atmosphere so early in the morning (8:00 AM) is pretty sleepy!

Both the Howrah Bridge as well as the new bridge are visible on either side from the Hotel.

• Howrah Bridge uses only suspensions and is built without letting down any pillars into the middle of the Ganga.
• Just opposite Floatel is Rama Krishna Ghatt where every Saturday the same pundits who perform aarthi puja at Haridwar perform the same Pooja in the evenings.

In search of the Striped Cat

I am at Bhandara to conduct a programme on Financial Awareness for the engineers od Ashok Leyland at the Bhandara unit. I decided to use Saturday to visit a few places of interest near Bhandara. Bhandara is very near the Tiger territory. Large reserves like Kaanha and Bhandavgarh are not very far. But the nearest and most feasible visit was to Nagjeera about 70 kms east north east of Bhandara.

The wildlife park is accessed by a well maintained road. Private vehicles are allowed inside provided they are accompanied by a guide. I took a guide as wellas the jeep with open roof and raised seating in anticipation of a face to face meeting with striped cat! But I had no such luck. There were reports of a sighting at waterhole at 8:00 AM that morning of a mother and two cubs. There are about twelve of these beasts at Nagjeera together with a whole lot of fauna like owls, eagles, deer—both Chital and Sambhar, bear, leopard, gaur and of course the ubiquitous langur. A wildlife spotter must have keen eyes and patience. This is because most animals have hides and featrhers that are camouflaged and meant to fade into the background of russet brown and faded green.

I did get a nice shot of an owl inside a hole in a tree. The owl was sleeping with its head sticking out of the hole high on top of a tree.

I also saw herds of Chital. I had a magical moment when a herd of Chital crossed the road and went grazing on the otherside. I stood up for a better shot and the herd started running away. One of them, a doe stood, turned her head srraight at me and posed for a perfect shot. Since I used my Sony DSLR and not the Canon EOS 450D, the shot is a bit grainy. But still it is a real wild life shot and arguably my very first.

As I wended my way back to Nagpur airport without having glimpsed even the tail of a live wild tiger, I made up my mind that one day somewhere or the other I will shoot a real, live, tiger I the wild from at least twenty feet.

Korambhi

12.11.2011

I am at Bhandara to conduct a programme on Financial Awareness for the engineers od Ashok Leyland at the Bhandara unit. I decided to use Saturday to visit a few places of interest near Bhandara. Bhandara is very near the Tiger territory. Large reserves like Kaanha and Bhandavgarh are not very far. But the nearest and most feasible visit was to Nagjeera about 70 kms east north east of Bhandara.

Before leaving for the Tiger reserve, I visited the temple of Amrutha Devi at Korambhi. Near the banks of the Wain Ganga perched atop a hill is the Temple. From the hill there is a breathtaking view of the river as it bends around a curve. At the foot of the hill ias a bathing ghat and boat jetty.

There about 150 stairs making for a strenuous but short climb. I enjoyed the view from the top and spent a few serene moments in front of the deity and invoked her blessings on my endeavours. The pujari was a friendly chap whio readily agreed to permit me to take a photograph. At the entrance of the temple before approaching the main entrance is a small shrine on the left dedicated to Kala Bhairav. The idol is terrifying and symbolic of the primordial energy that is uncontrollable and unpredictable.

After the visit I came down and walked to the river bank to have glimpse of the Wain Ganga. Thereafter we left for Nagjeera.

Back in Bhandara

11.11.11

Here I am once again in Bhandara, Maharashtra. I am here to conduct a training progrmme for the engineers of Ashok Leyland Limited on Financial Awareness.

The weather is quite cold in the early morning as well as late at night. As Bhandara is very close to the jungle area the surroundings are calm and sylvan. A short drive out of the city towards MP would take one into verdant forest area. In fact the Leyland unit is almost inside the jungle. Black faced langurs and other kinds of monkeys are a common sight. Similarly different varieties of birds including herons and other waterfowl can be observed.

In the morning I walk over to the terrace adjacent to my spacious room and I am greeted by the shining disc of the rising sun in the east.