Power of Encouragement

In my blog post titled "Ovation for over 15 minutes" (Click here to read it) I had made a mention of the tonic of encouragement an artiste or a performer gets when the audience or group watching the performance applauds their effort.

There is a story about the famous 19th-century poet and artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti, popularly known as Dante. Dante came from a very talented family and his siblings were also writers and made their own mark in literature. Many budding artistes and poets visited him to seek his opinion on their paintings and poems. Dante was a kind man and quick to encourage any genuine talent that he spotted.
  
Once Dante was approached by an elderly man. The old man had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Dante to look at and tell him if they were any good, or if they at least showed potential talent. Dante looked them over carefully. After the first few, he knew that they were worthless, showing not the least sign of artistic talent. Being a kind man, Dante told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent. He was sorry, but he could not lie to the man. The visitor was disappointed, but seemed to expect Dante's judgment and left.

The old man was back after a few days with some more paintings. He apologized for taking up Dante's time and requested him to just look at a few more drawings, those done by a young art student. Dante looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became enthusiastic over the talent they revealed. "These," Dante said, "oh, these are good. This young student has great talent. He should be given every help and encouragement in his career as an artist. He has a great future if he will work hard and stick to it."

The elderly man was deeply moved. "Who is this fine young artist, Your son?" Dante asked.  "No," said the old man sadly. "It is me - 40 years ago. If only I had heard your praise then!  For you see, I got discouraged and gave up - too soon."  Dante realized the power of encouraging young talent or more than that the negative effect of discouraging young talents.  Dante is credited with founding the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood movement that inspired a generation of writers and painters.  It is a paradox that Dante himself was attacked by the critics on his poems and paintings.  Such criticism led him to a depression and he became an alcoholic.  It is said that he buried many of his unpublished poems along with his wife's body in her grave, when she died.  It is also said that he got the grave dug up later on to retrieve the poems.

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Why talented youngsters get discouraged and give up?  Why they do not get the tonic of appreciation?  This question often comes up.  The first problem lies in the ability of the elders to identify or spot the talent.  In order to catch them young, the elderly require two qualities; capacity to spot the talent and the broad mindedness to appreciate it.  There is a need for the elderly to realize that the world belongs to the young. The second problem lies in miserly behavior when it comes to conveying the genuine recognition of the hidden capacities. Misplaced appreciation could result in more damage. Appreciation should not be confused with flattery.  Encouragement should be in proportion to the hidden talent and not excessive.  It should also be fair to other competitors, if there are any.  An extra consolation prize in a competition does not cost much to the organisers or judges, but goes a long way in encouraging one more talented youngster.

What does our ancient wisdom say about talent spotting and appreciation?  Our forefathers have identified three levels of appreciation of good qualities - Guna Grahana (identification of good qualities in others), Guna Prakashana (telling others about someone's good qualities) and Guna Sankeerthana (repeated and emphatic appreciation of the good qualities of a person in all possible methods).  An excellent example of Guna Sankeerthana, the highest form of appreciation, is James Boswell, biographer of Dr Samuel Johnson.  His "Life of Samuel Johnson" is considered as the most famous single work of biographical art in the whole of literature.  In fact, Boswell's "Life of Samuel Johnson" became as famous as Dr Johnson's "A dictionary of English Language"!  James Boswell was himself a man of many talents, but he chose to be a shadow of Dr Johnson and spent many years as a constant companion of the great man while writing his biography. His was Guna Sankeertana of the ultimate level.

Coconut saplings receive little quantities of water when they are planted.  As they grow up and stand tall, they remember this kind act of some one and hold on their head many fruits full of sweet water and ready to offer to others.  Encouragement given to a young talent may continue the tradition and the world may be a better place to live in future. A bowl of water to a young sapling is more valuable than a tankful of water to a fully grown tree. A just and due appreciation to a youngster is far more valuable than flattery of an already well established personality. 

I am no Thief, Mom!

 

Last week I had made a post titled "GrandFather and GrandSon" (click here to read it). Some friends have mailed me asking for similar stories. Saint Purandaradasa has left many such stories for us, in the form of beautiful songs. These songs were sung daily in almost every household some decades ago. Pressures of modern life and  change of life style have rendered such songs redundant. "Jack and Jill" and "Humpty Dumpty" have replaced those songs.

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ನೀಲವರ್ಣನೆ ಕೃಷ್ಣ,  ನಾರಿಯರು ನಿನ್ನ ಬಲು ಚೋರ ಎಂಬುವರೊ ಕೃಷ್ಣ
ಗಯ್ಯಾಳಿ ಶಟವಿಯರ ನುಡಿ ಕೇಳಿ ಎನ್ನ ಮೇಲೆ ಕೋಪವನ್ನು ಮಾಳ್ದೆಯಮ್ಮಾ, ಗೋಪ್ಯಮ್ಮ

ಬಡವರರಾಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊಡ ಹಾಲು ಮೊಸರು ನೀ ಕುಡಿದುಬಂದ್ಯಂತಲ್ಲೋ ಕೃಷ್ಣ?
ನಾ ಹುಡುಗ ಕೊಡ ಹಾಲು ಕುಡಿವ ಬಗೆ ಹ್ಯಾಂಗಮ್ಮ, ಇದ ನಿಜ ಮಾಡಿ ತೋರಿಸಮ್ಮ, ಗೋಪ್ಯಮ್ಮ
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Neelavarnane Krishna, naariyaru ninna balu chooranembuvaro krishna
Gayyali shataviyara nudi keeli enna meele koopavanu maaldeyamma gopyamma!

Badavaraa maneyalli koda haalu mosaru nee kudidu bandyantallo Krishna?
Naa huduga koda haalu kudiva bage hyaangamma, ida nija maadi torisamma, Gopyamma

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Yashoda is in a very angry mood. She is fed up with umpteen complaints on Krishna from almost every one in the area. Some of the complaints are unbelievable and her heart does not permit her to accept them. But she cannot ignore them also. This boy is also very mischievous and she herself knows his exploits at home. Complaints are made by the women when Krishna is not around. When  Krishna is with her and she questions him, he manages to digress and her motherly love makes her adore her son and forget the complaints. All the complaints are repeated the next day. She has decided to put an end to all these complaints. Little Krishna is strictly admonished and tied to the wooden pillar. He has been denied his share of  butter in the morning. Krishna is weeping  and begging his mother to release him.  She strongly rebukes him again. He is firmly told that he will be released only after the complaints are sorted out in the afternoon. Krishna promises her that he will stay at home and be available when all the complainants arrive. Yashoda does no relent. She knows very well that once released, she cannot find him easily. He may even run away to the banks of river Yamuna and start dancing on the head of some dangerous snake. She stays firm much against her motherly urge to release him. Krishna has stopped begging to be released. He appears hurt by the turn of events and two drops of tears, looking like pearls, are still on the edge of the beautiful eyes.

One by one the complainants are arriving in the palatial house of Nanda Gopa. Nanda Gopa is not at home. The court is in session. Yashoda is the presiding Judge. She is also the prosecutor. Many women from nearby streets are complainants. Accused Krishna is standing tied to the pillar. Balarama and other boys are just outside the main hall which is now converted into a court room. They are peeping through the window, anxious to know what is going to happen next. Yashoda  knows the list of complaints by heart and does not need any records to refer to. She has heard the complaint so many times.

"Krishna, this woman complains that you have gone to their house and stealthily drank a full pot of milk. They are very poor people. They make a living  by selling the milk. What should they do if a pot of milk is finished by you? Am I not giving you sufficient milk at home?"

"I am no thief, Mom. Do not believe this woman. You know I am such a small boy. My whole body can be put inside that big pot. Is it possible for my stomach to hold a pot of milk? See, how small is my stomach is! Let her bring a boy like me and make him drink a pot of milk.  Then we can accept her charge."

The charge is unsubstantiated and dropped. Yashoda takes up the next complaint. "Krishna, this other woman has a complaint that you took their sarees and ran away. What do you say for this?".  "Mom, I am only six years old and alone. They are sixteen years old, grown up and outnumber me. See my feet. How small they are. How can I run faster than them?". Charge is to be dropped again.

All other complaints are tried one by one. Krishna has a convincing reply to each charge. All charges are dropped and Krishna is released. He runs to meet his brother and friends waiting outside.

All the women come out of the palatial house. The first complainant comes to Krishna and begs him: "Krishna, please come to our house tomorrow. You can drink as much milk as you want. After your last visit our cow is giving three times the usual quantity of milk. Please forgive me and come tomorrow". Krishna smiles. Other complainants follow one by one. Each one requests him to visit their respective houses. Krishna is all smiles. Yashoda  comes in search of Krishna with a big ball of butter.

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Saint Purandaradasa must have observed children very closely. He probably saw a Krishna in every child around him. His was not a case of dry devotion to the Lord. It was devotion filled with humanly love and divine feelings.

Saraswati's Son and Parvathy's Daughter

Long long ago, Godess Saraswati, who is the presiding deity of all knowledge, desired to have a son. She went to Himalayas and undertook a long penance with this as the goal. After a long time Lord Brahma appeared and gave her a boon to have a son. She delivered a son as a result of the boon. The boy got up as soon as he was born and prostrated before her. He sang in praise of her in rhythmic and perfect meters; his utterance was the earliest poetry. Saraswati was extremely happy and told him that he embodied everything poetry represents. She also told him that there was only prose before him and he is the first person to bring poetry to this world. She blessed him wholeheartedly and named him as "Kavya Purusha" (काव्य पुरुष). As she wanted to have the pleasure of tending to her child for sometime, she advised him to go back to the state of a child for the time being, which he dutifully did. 

Saraswati lifted the child and proceeded towards the sacred river Ganga to take a holy dip in the river. She placed the child below a tree and went to the river. The child started crying after sometime. Maharshi Shukracharya who heard the noise came to the child and took him to his hut. Maharshi Shukracharya was mesmerized by the child's beauty and composed a poem in praise of Mother Saraswati. Saraswati returned from the river but could not find the child. Maharshi Valmeeki who was close by informed her about the child being taken by Maharshi Shukracharya and took her to the Rishi's hut. When Maharshi Valmeeki saw the child, he also composed a poem that led to his writing Ramayana. Later on Maharshi Vyasa also saw the child and composed Mahabharata. Thus Shukracharya, Valmeeki and Vyasa become earliest poets in history of development of rhythmic poetry.

As Kavya Purusha was growing up and Mother Saraswati was enjoying the growth process, a dispute arose between Rishis and Devatas on the interpretation of an important issue in the scriptures. Lord Brahma advised Mother Saraswati to proceed to heaven and mediate in satisfactorily resolving the dispute. Saraswati proceeded to heaven. Kavya Purusha also followed her. Saraswati told him that he cannot go with her without permission from Lord Brahma and he has to stay behind till her return. Kavya Purusha stayed back and grew into a handsome man. He became friends with Kumara Swamy, son of Lord Shiva and Godess Parvati. In due course of time, Kavya Purusha felt lonely, became restless and started wandering aimlessly.

Kumara Swamy could not tolerate the suffering of his dear friend. He went to his mother Parvati and requested her to help his friend Kavya Purusha. Parvati thought for a while and decided that the best way to bring Kavya Purusha on track was to tie him in the knots of love of a girl. She produced a beautiful girl and named her as Saahitya Vidyaa (साहित्य विद्या). She told the girl that her fiancee was going away from her and she should follow him and get married to him.  Saahitya Vidyaa started following Kavya Purusha and followed him wherever he went.   

Kavya Purusha wandered into different parts of the country. Saahitya Vidyaa followed him wherever he went. She tried different varieties of dresses and methods of beautification. Womenfolk of the respective areas also followed the same methods of dresses and beautifications. She tried different methods of music, dance and other allied methods to please Kavya Purusha. Kavya Purusha slowly took interest in her and started his own methods of dressing and appearances. The menfolk of the respective areas also followed him and therefore we have different methods of dresses and appearances in various parts of the country!

While moving around in the various parts of our large country thus, Kavya Purusha and Saahitya Vidyaa reached a city in Vidarbha called Vatsagulma, on the outskirts of Dandakaranya. The place got the name Vatsagulma as a Rishi by name Vatsa lived there. Saahitya Vidyaa and Kavya Purusha finally got married in this Vatsagulma city. (This Vatsagulma is presently known as Washim and is the headquarters of the Washim district in Maharashtra.) 

The newly wed pair went to Saraswati and Parvati and sought their blessings. Both the mothers were very happy and blessed the pair and gave them many boons. They created a special heaven for them and named it as Kaviloka (कविलोक). The mothers advised Kavya Purusha and Saahitya Vidyaa to reside in the minds of all poets and bless them by inspiring them from time to time. The couple are following the advice of their mothers and are thus a source of inspiration to all poets even today.

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Mention of Kavya Purusha is found in many places in puranas and also in Mahabharata. However, the story of Kavya Purusha and Saahitya Vidyaa in the above form is given to us by poet Raajashekhara in his "Kaavyameemamsa", considered as an epic in the field of Poetics.  The story is indeed interesting and inspiring!

Black and White

"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character", is a famous quote of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. A bright example to the spirit of this quote is found in the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy. 

The Frank Worrell Trophy (picture given above is taken from the internet) is awarded to the winner of the Cricket Test Series played between the Australian Cricket Team and West indies Cricket Team from the 1960-61 series onwards. The life story of Sir Frank Worrell (Knighted in the year 1964 for his services to Cricket) is worth remembering in these days when George Floyd Protests are raging all over the world.

The period was during the years 1960-61. Those were the days of "White Australia Policy", where blacks in Australia did not have the right of a full citizen. A 5-match Cricket Test series was played in Australia between the Australia team and the West Indies team. Members of the West Indian team were welcome as cricket players, but not as citizen. The two teams played under the leadership of Richie Benaud and Frank Worrell respectively. All the matches were played with record number of spectators thronging the stadia.  The series started with the great "Tied Test" at Brisbane, the first ever tied test between two cricket teams where both teams had equal number of runs at the end of two innings. This is as against a draw where the match is inconclusive and ends due to expiry of the time allotted for the game.  Australia won the second test at Melbourne but West Indies won the third test at Sydney. Fourth match at Adelaide was drawn leaving the final match at Melbourne to decide the series winner. The series could have gone either way till the finish in Melbourne. Last test was viewed by over 91,000 spectators in the Melbourne Cricket Ground with many disappointed viewers being unable to get entry into the stadium. The 5-Test series was ultimately won by Australia 2-1, with Australia winning the last match by two wickets.  

Sir Donald Bradman was the Chairman of the Australian Cricket Board of Control. He commissioned a former cricketer and jeweller by profession, Earnie McCormick to make a trophy to be awarded to the winner of the series between these two teams. The Ashes was already a well-known name for a trophy played between the England and Australia Cricket Test Series. The new trophy was to be on similar lines for series played between Australia and West Indies teams. The trophy was named after the captain of the losing team, considering the popularity of the visiting team and the great leadership qualities exhibited by Frank Worrell. That the trophy was named after the captain of a visiting cricket team of predominantly black players which lost the series is a testimony to the great values that Frank Worrell stood for. 

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It is a sheer coincidence that the lives of Dr Martin Luther King Jr and Sir Frank Worrell run parallel to each other. Frank Worrell (01-08-1924) was born 5 years earlier to Dr Martin Luther King Jr (15-01-1929) and died (13-03-1967) one year before him (04-04-1968). Both lived a short life before events cut short their life. Worrell lived for 42 years before Leukaemia ended his life. Dr King lived for 39 years before his assassination. For a period of 38 years they lived in the same era (1929-1967) during their short lives, but remembered for their great contributions to the society. 

"We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now" is a famous saying of Dr King. Sir Frank Worrell practiced this all the way in his life, both on and off the cricket field. 

"A genuine leader is not a searcher for Consensus, but a moulder of Consensus" is another famous quote of Dr King. Sir Frank Worrell showed this in his efforts as a leader of men not just in Cricket, but in diverse fields of life as well.

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What is so great about Sir Frank Worrell that we have to remember him during the times of George Floyd protests? George Floyd Jr was an African American who was killed by a white police officer during an arrest in Minneapolis, USA, on 25th May, 2020. The killing was due to use of excessive force as shown by subsequent investigations. This has led to protests under BLM movement (Black Lives Matter) in several cities. The protests spread to several parts of the country and required Special Police forces to be deployed to bring calm to the surcharged atmosphere.

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What were the accomplishments of Frank Worrell? Sir Frank Mortimer Maglinne Worrell was born in Bridgetown, Barbados on 1st August, 1924. He later moved to Kingston, Jamaica. He was a Right hand Batsman and Left Arm Bowler, bowling both seam and slow types. He played First Class Cricket for both Barbados and Jamaica. He scored 15,025 runs with an average of 54.24 and got 349 wickets in first Class matches. He was associated in two 500-run partnerships in first class cricket. He played 51 test matches for West Indies (1948-63) scoring 3,860 runs at an average of 49.48 and 69 test wickets. He scored 9 test centuries and 22 fifties. He also carried his bat through a test innings, opening the innings and remaining not out at the end of the innings. The games were played in the days of no helmets, uncovered pitches and no additional protections. The above statistics themselves is enough to show that he was a successful cricketer in an era when matches were not played throughout the year like present times. 

More than the quantity of his statistics, it was the way he played and inspired others to play that made him a great name to remember for ever. His great leadership qualities enabled him to become the first black captain of the West Indies team. All Cricket Teams represent a country unlike West indies which is not a country, but a combination of various island nations in the Carribean islands. Frank Worrell was able to combine players from different island countries into a formidable team to challenge the great teams of that time. Along with Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Everton Weeks, Sir Frank Worrell formed the great 3Ws group of players who earned highest respect from the opponents on the field and off it as well. The 3Ws memorial, picture given alongside, is a living testimony to their accomplishments.

The 1960-61 series between Australia and West Indies was played when test cricket was at its dullest periods and there were days when even the team totals did not reach 200 runs. The slow tiring games were driving the spectators away from cricket grounds. Both Worrell and Benaud encouraged aggressive cricket. Aggression was in the way they fought with skills and not the physical show of aggression we see in many today's players. The teams fought hard on cricket field, but there were no sledging or exaggerated celebrations as we see today. Celebration on the field were more when an opposing player achieved a milestone. The players were darlings of the crowds. There was never a moment of dissent on the field against umpires rulings. In one such instance, in the last and delicate moments of the deciding test at Melbourne, an Australian batsman (Wally Grout) was ruled not out when the bail had fallen to the ground and the batsmen were running between the wickets. A mere look from Frank Worrell made the teammates get on with the game without a murmur! 

The Trophy was not just named after the visiting defeated team's captain, but over half a million people came out on the streets to bid farewell to the West Indies team taken in an open car procession. As one player (Conrad Hunte) recalls, the ticker-tape parade was a response normally reserved for Presidents and Prime Ministers. There were people on the streets, roof tops and balconies, waving and greeting the visiting players. A reception was given at the Melbourne Town Hall to them attended by many dignitaries. Another player recalls that they had lipstick and kisses marks allover their body with shouts of thanks and appreciation of the players cricketing skills as well as their exemplary conduct.

Worrell had many qualities that made him acceptable to everyone around him. He was the first player to donate blood when Indian cricket team Captain Nari Contractor was injured (3rd February, 1962) while facing a bouncer from Charlie Griffith. He treated everyone equally but had a special talent for identifying young talents and nursing them. Cricket's greatest allrounder of all times, Sir Garfield Sobers (again knighted for his services to Cricket) was Worrell's find and mentee. Worrell was made a Senator of Jamaica after he retired from cricket. He became a warden of Irvine Hall at the University of West Indies. He was diagnosed with Leukaemia while on a tour to India in 1966-67 and died a month later after return to Jamaica at a young age of 42 years. He was laid to rest the University of Barbados. His grave is visited by several people every day and remains a place to inspire people to follow the values he stood for. He taught a generation of people to play the game hard and fair, and end with good humour. He stood for political, economical and cultural cohesion and lived with a genuine smile. Not a put on one. The legacy of Sir Frank was carried on by his successors like Sir Garfield Sobers and Clive Lloyd.

Sir Frank Worrell had an Indian connection too. He was on a tour of India with the cricket team in 1966 (not as a player) when he was identified as suffering from Blood Cancer. He made many friends in India during that visit. That was the series in which B S Chandrashekar came into prominence by bowling 93 overs and taking 11 of the 14 West indies wickets that fell in the first test match at Bombay.  

There is a Hindi Movie by name "Around the World" (1967) starring Raj Kapoor and Rajshri. The song "Around the world in 8 dollars" from the film is famous. The sum 8 Dollars refers to the amount of Foreign Exchange allowed to Indian travellers in those days! The film is dedicated to Sir Frank Worell as can be seen in the beginning of titles. He can be seen in the film for a short while, when actor Om Prakash talks to him. 

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Luckily for the present generation, some of Worrell's actions can be seen on YouTube. A three part recording of the 1960-61 series is available on it. The third part (33 minutes) especially records the final test followed by the Trophy presentation by Frank Worrell to Richie Benaud in the presence of Don Bradman. There are scenes of the procession and farewell as well. Please click on this to see it. Click on this link to watch the cricketing greats of yesteryears Gary sobers, Neil Harvey, Colin McDonald, Alan Davidson, Bob Simpson, Rohan Kanhai, Wesley Hall, Alfred Valentine, Lance Gibbs, Gerry alexander, Cameroon Smith and Conrad Hunte recall the great qualities of Sir Frank Worrell.

The words of the captain of the opposing team, Richie Benaud, at the conclusion of the 1960-61 series, after receiving the Trophy and Worrell's cap, tie and blazer, sums up the whole episode: "He gave us his scalp (Cap), neck (Tie) and upper half of the body (Blazer). But he himself will remain in the hearts of cricket lovers in this country for many long day."

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People like Sir Frank Worrell and Dr Martin Luther King Jr are indeed more relevant today, in the background of George Floyd protests.

Everything Will Be Perfect

A train arrives on the platform of Istanbul City Railway Station (formerly known as Constantinople) and screeches to a halt. There is a rush of people on the platform towards the train to board it. Those inside the train make way to get out of it. A family of five, a man, a woman, two sons and a daughter, arriving on the train from a village, get down and walk to the exit gate. As they move to the gate, the man tells his wife: "One day we will conquer this Golden City". 

The family moves into the city. Many things happen in their life thereafter in the next few years. The elder son grows up to be a strong man but gets into bad company. He gets arrested and jailed. The younger son grows up to be a very handsome man. He falls in love with a rich girl. He marries her and moves away to stay with the wife's family. Some bad developments in the daughter's life make her mentally disturbed. The old parents are now left with this daughter and find life difficult in the city. They decide to go back to their village and reach the same railway platform.

The train arrives on the platform and screeches to a halt. As the disappointed old parents move to the compartment holding their daughter, another family from the village coming on this train makes way to the gate. As the two families cross each other, the old parents hear the head of that family telling his wife:"One day we will conquer this Golden City". 

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The above is the story in brief of "Conquerers of the Golden City", a 1965 movie directed by Getin Gurtop. Constantinople or Istambul has been considered as the "Gateway to Europe" or "Gateway to Asia" depending on which side you are standing. Situate between Sea of Marmara and Black Sea, this 40 million populated city connects Europe with Asia. Its importance was even more during the days when travel between Asia and Europe was either through land or sea. Known as the Golden City, The 1965 movie referred above deals with the plight of migrant labour who move into large cities looking for work and a comfortable life. The crisis of migrant labour doing rounds in the time of COVID-19 has been there all the time, but its tremendous manifestation during the last three months has shook the conscience of those who have it. Coming with a lot expectations to the cities, realising harsh realities of city life the hard way, getting stuck in the slums without basic amenities, and often ending in the crime world are all appear too close for comfort.  

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Nagarame Nanni (or Nagarame Nandi) is a Malayalam Movie screened in 1967 and the plot is similar to the one of Conquerors of the Golden City. Written by M T Vasudevan Nair, directed by  A Vincent with Prem Nazir and Usha Nandini in the lead roles, this is considered as one of the best movies ever made in Malayalam. It the story of a family moving into the City of Madras (now Chennai) looking for better life in the city. The song "Nagaram Nagaram Mahasagaram" (meaning that the city is a big ocean) sung by K J Yesudas became a big hit along with other songs in the film. The film was also a success from the commercial angle.

K Balachander's 1977 Tamil Film "Pattina Pravesham" also has a similar theme. All these three movies refer to the life of migrants which turns sour in the city. High expectations denied in the end.

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Does it mean that all dreams of migrants lie shattered in the big cities with no chance of success? Are there no success stories of migrants in any of the films? A Kannada movie made in 1969 titled "Mayor Muthanna" gives the other side of the story. Muthanna, an illiterate village boy is thrown out of the area and forced to move into the city of Bangalore. He manages to move up by his hard work and ultimately rises to become Mayor of the city. The film with Dr Rajkumar as the hero, became a roaring success and is considered as a major milestone in the life of the actor as well. It was a commercial success too. The film gave two important personalities for the Kannada movie industry. It was the first movie directed by noted Director Siddalingaiah. It was also the first movie produced by Dwarakeesh who produced and directed many movies later on.

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Transfers of bank officers every two or three years is a part of their life. This is even more so for the Branch Managers and other senior executives. Every time there is a transfer, the person has to move into a new place and start all over again. More often than not, the moving is into an unknown place with starting from the scratch as far as personal life is concerned. No place is permanent and it is adventure all over again when the new transfer order is received. There are some lucky ones who manage to stay around a single place for several years, but the more common experience is otherwise. Each transfer brings with it new responsibilities as he becomes answerable to the happenings in the new branch.

All Branch Managers start their innings in the new place with the resolve that "Everything will be perfect" in the new branch. They promise themselves that they will not deviate from the rules set for functioning of the branch and ensure that everything they do in the branch will be just perfect. The promise made to oneself is the one of conquering the golden city. 

In the early 70s, the new Branch Manager would arrive at the branch before the old Branch Manager left the place. There would be a period of one week or ten days for handing over and taking over charge. The two would sit together, see and discuss branch related issues, visit important customers and personalities etc. There would be a document signed by the two, recording the date of handing over and taking over a branch with branch business figures and other relevant details. 

With large expansion of banking network and shortage of manpower, this charge change procedure became a luxury that bank's could not afford. The style of conducting business and styles of managing a bank branch also changed tremendously. This resulted in doing away with this formality of charge change system. Nowadays, a Manager leaves the old branch by handing over the charge temporarily to his second-in-command and proceeds to his new place of posting. He then takes charge at the new branch from the one holding temporary charge at that office. This process continues on and on.....

The role of a Branch Manager when he takes charge of a new branch is not one of an auditor. Branch Manager is basically a development man. Business Development is the basic purpose of the existence of a bank branch. He should remember that his predecessor also started at the branch with the goal of "Everything will be perfect". Despite his best efforts certain distortions might have crept in. Just as his predecessor, the present man is also starting with a promise that "Everything will be perfect". But there may be some distortions developing in due course for various reasons. 

The show goes on.......

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How would the dream of a new Branch Manager turn out to be when he leaves the branch a couple of years later? Would it be like the "Conquerors of the Golden City" or like "Mayor Muthanna"? Time will tell. 

The present generation of bankers managing bank branches are tech savvy and have their hands on the pulse of the market. They have abundant opportunities to learn the skills of managing branches efficiently. For every one problem story there are ten success stories. The industry is going through difficult phase now, but that is not new to banking industry. It has seen many ups and downs and emerged stronger from each crisis. Each problem will have a new answer. Task is always difficult but it is one industry that is growing year after year even in times of great adversity.

The hardworking and skilled young bankers will always succeed!

Coach, Teacher and Mentor

The word "Mentor" is often used in present day situations. The words "Coach" and "Teacher" are also used in similar contexts. Are they synonyms or is there any difference between these three words?

To understand the origin of the word "Mentor", we have to turn to Greek mythology. "Epics of Gilgamesh", "Iliad and Odyssey" and our own "Ramayana" and "Mahabharata" are reckoned among the oldest epics in the history of mankind. Homer's "Iliad and Odyssey" has the evergreen story of Helen and the Trojan War. Helen of Troy is considered as the most beautiful woman ever born in reality or fiction.  "Was this the face that launched a thousand ships? And burnt the topless towers of Ilium? Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a sweet kiss.....", says Christopher Marlowe in his poem titled "The face that launch'd a thousand ships". Odysseus, King of Ithaca was one of the men who wanted to marry this beautiful girl. When Helen's mother Queen Leda's husband (not father because Greek God Zeus is considered as her father)  and King of Sparta, Tyndareus decides that it is time for Helen to marry, Odysseus convinces him to make all the innumerable suitors to take a oath to accept the choice of Helen and support her husband when the need arises in future. Helen chose the prince of Mycenae, Menelaus. They lived happily for sometime and Menelaus even became King of Sparta. On the advice of the Greek Goddess Aphrodite, Prince of Troy Paris comes to Sparta and sees Helen. On a day when Menelaus is away in Crete, Paris takes Helen to Troy. Some versions say she was kidnapped and some others say she was seduced by the charms of Paris and went willingly. When Menelaus returned and found that his wife was gone, he sought the assistance of the former suitors of Helen to wage a war on Troy, as per their previous agreement. Having been the one to suggest such an arrangement, Odysseus was in the forefront of those who went to Troy to bring back Helen.

When Odysseus left for the Trojan war, his son Telemachus was an infant.  Odysseus did not return for twenty years and Telemachus grew up into a young man in the meantime. Telemachus went in search of his father and met his father's friend by name "Mentor". It is said that Greek Goddess Athena took the appearance of Mentor and guided young Telemachus at different times to search his father. Father and son duo return to Ithaca and ensure the defeat of the many suitors who had camped in their house seeking the hand of Penelope, Odysseus's wife and Telemachus's mother. Since Mentor encouraged Telemachus to stand up to all the suitors of his mother and find his father, the word "Mentor" has come to stay to denote a "wise and trusted counselor who imparts wisdom and share knowledge to solve personal problems".

The origin of the word "Coach" is said to come from Hungary. Hungarian city of Kocs is credited with being the first place to make carriages which are used to carry people from one place to another. In those days coaches were drawn by horses and were used as one of the earliest means of transport. The word coach is used even today in railway and other transports. "Sleeper coach" and "Luxury coach" are examples of such usage. In air transport also "Coach Class" is used by many airlines to denote "Economy class". This aspect of carrying people from place to place was later used to identify a person who could carry a less able student to pass an examination or a course, and was called a "Coach". In our childhood, coaching classes were a popular name for according special training to students who have failed in an examination to appear and get through a supplementary examination later on. This term is now used extensively in the field of sports. The word now denotes anyone who acts as a person to guide the youngsters in his charge to achieve excellence in their chosen fields or disciplines. Nowadays there are even teams of coaches and assistants to attend to the various requirements of the activity called coaching.  As defined by Cummings and Worley, "Coaching is a development process whereby an individual meets his wards on a regular basis to clarify goals, deal with potential stumbling blocks and improve their performance".

The word "Teacher" has its origin in the word "Teach".  "Teach" takes its form from "Index finger" and indicates to "show or point out" or "give instruction". On-line dictionary defines a teacher as one who teaches or instructs, as a profession. A teacher usually teaches in a public place where a number of students come to learn. If the teaching is done privately or at home, a person imparting education thus is called as a "Tutor" (man) or "Governess" (woman). A teacher of a higher rank doing the same job in a place of advanced learning like a University is called a "Professor". He is a person who professes (lays a claim to) as an expert in a particular field.

In the background of the above, the three words can be said to have the following characteristics and differences:

• Coaching is an intervention that is highly personal and usually involves a one-to-one relationship between the coach and those coached. Teaching is a general activity of instructing or imparting education in a public place where a number of students enroll themselves. Teachers follow structured learning and process is based on a course curriculum. Mentoring is a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a lesser experienced or lesser knowledgeable person.

• The relationships are called Coach and Coachee or more commonly client, Teacher and Student and Mentor and Protege or Mentee respectively.

• A coach often has the freedom to choose his clients whereas a teacher instructs a class entrusted to him and does not enjoy this freedom. In mentoring, the relationship between mentor and mentee is more sensitive and is usually between two persons in the same organization or profession.

• Coaching and Teaching can be at elementary levels whereas Mentoring generally happens at a higher plane.

• Coaching and Teaching are formal processes whereas Mentoring is more of an informal process.

• Coaching and Teaching can be professional activities whereas Mentoring is more voluntary in nature. Coach and Teacher are paid a remuneration for their efforts whereas there may not be such payment in Mentoring.

• Coaches have technical expertise while teachers have professional qualifications. Mentors are chosen on the basis of their experience and skills and are paired with a less experienced colleague in the organization or profession. Peer mentoring is often an informal activity and revolves around hand-holding in crucial phases of development.

The above characteristics are general in nature and cover the broad contours of the three activities. There can be many instances wherein a coach or a teacher may emerge as a mentor for a few of their wards or students. One such example is of the famous combination of Ramakant Achrekar and Sachin Tendulkar. Achrekar has been a coach for many but Tendulkar considers him as more than a coach, a mentor.

In Mahabharata, Krishna was a mentor for Arjuna. Shakuni was Duryodhana's mentor. Results are there for all to see. Among the famous Mentors and Mentees are Chanakya and Chandragupta, Aristotle and Alexander the great, Bobby Charlton and David Beckham, and more recently Rahul Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane.

To be a Mentor is not a matter of pride; it is a rare privilege and distinction. It is far-removed from arrogance; humbleness is its hallmark. To act as a Mentor is a wonderful opportunity to repay a small part of the investment made by the society in one's own development over the years.

Jayadratha, COVID and Limitation

Vriddhakshatra was the King of Sindhu Kingdom.  The name Sindhu Kingdom comes from the area being around the Sindhu River, referred by Alexander as Indus after he won the area in 325 BC. The state is now a province in the present Pakistan and shares a part of the border with Gujarat and Rajasthan. It has a long history and was always a prosperous state due to the fertile soil on the banks of the Sindhu River and its tributaries.

Vriddhakshatra was naturally overjoyed when his son was born and named him Jayadratha, the one who always commands a winning chariot or a winner in all wars. He grew up into a very tall handsome man. Since he was from Sindhu Desha, he was also known as Saindhava and Sindhu Naresh.  Even today, in villages tall persons are referred as Saindhava.  Vriddhakshatra handed over the Kingdom to Jayadratha in due course and left to the forests to lead the life of an ascetic. While doing so, he gave a boon to Jayadratha that any one throwing his head to the ground will be cursed and have his own head shattered into a thousand pieces.

Sindhu Naresh married Dusshala, the only sister of the 100 Kauravas. Duryodhana, the eldest of the 101 siblings, was very fond of Sindhu Naresh. Sindhu Naresh went to Kampilya for the Swayamvar of Draupadi, with the intention of marrying her having heard of her beauty. He failed to break the target set for the Swayamvar, like Duryodhana and many others. Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers succeeded and later Draupadi became the wife of the five Pandava brothers. Sindhu Naresh naturally developed jealousy towards the Pandavas. This made the bond between Jayadratha and Duryodhana even stronger.

When Pandavas were in the midst of their 12-year Forest life, Jayadratha while passing through the forest found Draupadi alone near her hut. The Pandavas were gone on their errands like getting fruits, firewood etc. Jayadratha was welcome by Draupadi as he was the brother-in-law of her husbands and offered him hospitality he deserved. Jayadratha kidnapped Draupadi much against her wishes. Having come to know of the kidnapping Yudhishtira commanded his brothers Bhīma and Arjuna to follow Jayadratha and rescue Draupadi. Draupadi was rescued and Jayadratha was captured and presented before Yudhishtira. Yudhishtira excused Jayadratha considering his being the husband of Dusshala, but Bhīma tonsured Jayadratha’s head leaving five tufts. Jayadratha had to hide till the hair grew evenly and went to his Kingdom much later.

Unable to reconcile with his insult, Jayadratha handed over reins of administration to his trusted lieutenants and sat on a long penance to please lord Shiva. The goal was to get a boon to defeat Pandavas. He put froth his request to Lord Shiva when he appeared before him. Shiva told Jayadratha that it would not be possible as Arjuna has his Pashupata Astra.  Instead Shiva allowed him the strength to hold back the other four Pandavas on any one day of his choosing. Before Jayadratha could think of something else Shiva vanished. Jayadratha, now armed with the boon, waited for the right day.

Kurukshetra war between Kauravas and Pandavas offered him one such opportunity. Jayadratha naturally allied with the Kauravas. On the 13^th day of the 18 day war, Arjuna was weaned away from the main battlefield by Susharma and his army. Dronacharya arranged for “Chakravyuha”, an army formation in a circle to catch Yudhishtira. Except Arjuna none of the others knew of breaking this formation. Abhimanyu, Arjun’s son knew how to enter but did not know how to come out of the formation. The other Pandavas assured him that they would follow him and manage to break the formation. Jayadratha chose this day to use his boon. He stood at the entrance and blocked the other four Pandava brothers. Caught alone in the circle formation, Abhimanyu fought valiantly but was killed brutally by a combination of six Kauravas warriors.

Arjuna returned at the end of the day to learn about the sad episode of his son’s death. He held Jayadratha primarily responsible for the killing of Abhimanyu. His rage knew no bounds and declared immediately that he would ensure Jayadratha’s death before the sunset on the next day, the 14^th day of the war. He also vowed that in case he fails in his mission, he would burn himself to death by entering a raging pyre. The message spread like wild fire and reached Kauravas and Jayadratha as well.

The “Cause of Action” arose on various days starting from the kidnapping of Draupadi, continued with the blocking of the four Pandava brothers and culminated with the killing of Abhimanyu. The relief for the cause of actions was by repayment by taking away the life of Jayadratha. Arjuna was the executor. Limitation would expire at sunset on the next day. And as a corollary, Arjuna’s life would also end at sunset if he failed to achieve the goal.

Jayadratha was naturally scared. But other Kauravas warriors assured him that they would protect him till sunset on the next day.  A pit was dug in the middle of the army formation to make Jayadratha stand in it so that the tall man could not be spotted from a distance. Despite all his bravery and archery Arjun could not reach Jayadratha as all his efforts were spoiled by Kauravas army. Limitation was expiring. Everyone from both armies were looking at the Sun. As sun set and limitation expired, Jayadratha would be saved, but Arjun will be dead. Limitation became super important at this point in time. Kauravas wanted Limitation to expire, but Pandavas somehow wanted it to extend and not expire at any cost.

Krishna was not the one to allow the limitation to expire. He somehow managed to create an illusion of sunset. Kauravas were elated at the apparent expiry of limitation, but Pandavas were crestfallen. As Arjun lit the pyre for self-immolation, Jayadratha was encouraged to come out of the pit and see the glorious sight in person. Jayadratha came out of the pit. Krishna managed to lift the illusion, limitation had not expired and Arjun succeeded to kill Jayadratha. Krishna advised Arjun to send the head of Jayadratha to the faraway forest and fall in the lap of his father Vriddhakshatra. Startled at something falling in his lap, Vriddhakshatra got up suddenly, thus letting the son’s head fall to the ground. He fell a victim of his own boon and his head was blown into a thousand fragments. Krishna saved the Limitation and saved Arjun’s life twice that day.

The illusion of expiry of Limitation was the cause and actual availability of Limitation was the result of this entire episode. The saga that started many many years ago culminated thus, making it one of the key and dramatic scenes of the epic Mahabharata.

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What is Limitation Act?

In our country, Limitation Act, 1963 is an Act to consolidate and amend the law for the limitation of suits and other proceedings and for purposes connected therewith. The Act prescribes the time within which actions are to be initiated for enforcement of rights prescribed under various Acts. An action initiated after this period of limitation is to be rejected as time-barred. The act provides a timeframe beyond which the defendants are protected from actions through courts of law.

Why Limitation Act?

Limitation Acts are enacted with the following basic objectives:

• There should be a definite time before which legal rights are to be enforced as a perpetual threat of legal action is not conducive to life in a civil society. If this is not available, the system may end up in more cruelty than dispensing justice.
• Any action must be initiated and decided before the evidences are lost, witnesses die or situations change so drastically that the balance of justice tilts in favour of any one party for dispute.
• All parties must have a definite idea about the time frame available to them for resolving any disputes that may arise in future, much before they enter into transactions or contractual obligations, creating mutual rights and obligations.

Scheme of Limitation Act

Schedules to the Limitation Act provide a three column chart giving the application of the act containing (a) Description of Cause of Action (b) Period of Limitation and (c) Date from which the period of Limitation starts. Though general perception is that limitation period is three years, it is not so and actually depends on the type of action, contract or applicable provision.

A simple example is one of a loan transaction with a bank. General understanding is that the period of limitation is three years from the lending date. But in case of “Mutual and Open Current Accounts” it is actually three years from the last date of the calendar year (the close of the year, as per the act) in which the last item admitted or proved is entered in the account; such year to be computed as in the account. Thus, in respect of a Cash Credit or overdraft account with a bank the period of Limitation will be more than three years. If the last admitted transaction is on 14^th July, 2017, the limitation extends up to 31^st December, 2020, since 31^st December, 2017 will be the last calendar date of the admitted transaction entered in the account.

In case of a term loan account with a bank also, the limitation is three years from the date an instillment in the account falls due. In term loans there are multiple limitation dates, unless the account is recalled when all future instillments will also be treated as having fallen due at once.

To enforce payment of money secured by a mortgage or otherwise charged upon immovable property, it is twelve years from the time money sued becomes due (and not the date on which it is lent).

However, as a matter of abundant precaution, bankers do not fall back on these provisions and rely on the dates of documents itself, to avoid the challenge of proving an admitted transaction.

The period of Limitation is always to be computed with reference to the cause of action and applicable period as per the schedule to the Limitation Act. A careful scrutiny of the nature of the transaction, cause of action and applicability of the schedule part of the Limitation Act becomes very important while handling such issues in the organisation.

There is no Limitation holiday

Section 9 of the Limitation Act mandates that the period of limitation runs continuously and is not stopped by any event. (One exception is for the duration of the period for which the borrower is out of the country. such period can be excluded while computing limitation). Thus there is no Limitation holiday and it is like a ticking time bomb. It explodes on the date set for it. However, there is a provision to rewind this ticking time bomb by certain actions of the contracting parties, as mentioned in the Act itself. The period of Limitation can be extended by:

• An acknowledgement of debt by the borrower or his authorised agent.
• An acknowledgement with promise to pay extends limitation and creates a fresh cause of action by rewinding the ticking bomb.
• An acknowledgement is a must. An acknowledgement without promise to pay is fine. An acknowledgement with refusal to pay is also fine.
• Part payment of the dues by borrower or his agent also extends limitation. A part payment by an unconnected party (say Branch Manager himself pays some amount to extend Limitation) does not extend Limitation.
• Unless there are firm documents to make this claim, the lender may have to prove his claim to adduce evidence as it becomes a question of fact.

Condoning delay by Courts

Section 5 of the Act gives freedom to the courts to admit and condone delay if the applicant can show sufficient cause for any delays. This is left to the judicial discretion of the courts and not an arbitrary exercise of power.

When courts are closed

Courts are closed on certain days due to holidays or unforeseen circumstances. What should the affected parties do in such cases, if the limitation expires on the day courts are closed? Section 4 of the limitation act provides relief in such cases. It reads as under:

When the prescribed period for any suit, appeal or application expires on a day when the court is closed, the suit, appeal or application may be instituted, preferred or made on the day when the court reopens.

Explanation given to the section also states that “A court shall be deemed to be closed on any day within the meaning of this section if during any part of its normal working hours it remains closed on that day”. Thus if the court is not open for the full normal working hours and there is disruption even part of the day, it gives relief to the litigants.

It is to be noted that the above provision does not extend limitation, but only provides for filing of the suit on the day court reopens. There is no extension of Limitation and it is only extension of relief.

Bankers, CORONA and Limitation

There are many interesting discussions going on about application of Limitation period for banking transactions and cases during the lockdown due to Corona Covid-19. Let us take some specific cases and see the applicability of Limitation Act, 1963 to them.

For the purpose of this discussion, 17^th March, 2020 (Tuesday) is taken as the date on which courts have closed for Corona issue, though it may slightly vary from court to court. Some courts including Supreme Courts have been accepting urgent matters hearing through Video Conferencing, but this does not make them as working to full capacity. Hence Section 4 of the limitation act is in operation.

Case 1: A loan transaction on which limitation has expired on 14^th March, 2020. Bank should have filed suit on 14^th March, 2020. If not done, limitation is lost.

Case2: A loan transaction on which limitation has expired on 17^th March, 2020. Bank can file suit on the day of reopening day of the court of appropriate jurisdiction. It cannot be beyond that date. (An acknowledgement of debt obtained after 17^th March but before reopening of the court does not extend limitation). If for any reason bank is unable to do so (due to confusion, rush, or any other such eventuality) on the day of reopening of the court, bank may make an application of condoning of delay under Section 5 of the Act, but there is no guarantee that it will succeed. The condoning is left to the judicial discretion of the court.

Case 3: A loan transaction on which limitation has expired on 30^th March, 2020. Bank can file suit on the day of reopening day of the court of appropriate jurisdiction. It cannot be beyond that date. (An acknowledgement of debt obtained after 30^th March but before reopening of the court does not extend limitation). If for any reason bank is unable to do so (due to confusion, rush, or any other such eventuality) on the day of reopening of the court, bank may make an application of condoning of delay under Section 5 of the Act, but there is no guarantee that it will succeed. The condoning is left to the judicial discretion of the court.

Case 4: A loan transaction on which limitation expires on 15^th April, 2020 and court reopens on that day. Suit should be filed on 15^th April, 2020.

Protection to the Defendants under Section 3 (1) of the limitation Act and Order VII Rule XI of CPC

As discussed earlier, one of the objectives of Limitation Act is to protect the rights of the defendants. The right of the Plaintiffs/Applicants is protected by giving reasonable time of Limitation from the date of “Cause of Action”. Similar right is due to be given to the defendants as well. Section 3 (1) of the Limitation Act, 1963 and Order VII Rule XI of CPC (Civil Procedure Code) make it necessary for the Presiding Officer (Judge) to look into three things before taking the suit into consideration:

• Whether the court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of the suit;
• Whether appropriate Stamp Duty has been paid by the Plaintiff; and
• Whether the suit is prima facie filed within period of Limitation.

Judgments of superior courts have reiterated that the suit may be dismissed any time thereafter also on these grounds. These provisions also stipulate that the plaint may be dismissed even if limitation expiry is not set up as a defense. It is for this reason that as per established practice, Plaints make specific averments on these three issues.

Let us take an example of a plaint with 20 paragraphs. Para 20 deals with the “Prayer” part where the applicant/plaintiff makes specific requests about the relief to be given by the court. In a money suit it may be for passing a decree for recovery of dues and future interest and costs. In a mortgage suit it may be for selling the property and recovery of monies, interest and cost etc. Para 19 deals with the “valuation of suit” for purpose of payment of stamp duty and the fact of having paid the same. Para 18 specifically deals with the various dates on which “Cause of Action” arose, the jurisdiction of the court and availability of Limitation at the time of filing of the suit.

All the above discussions are within the available legal framework before COVID occurrence.

Delhi High Court and Supreme Court observations on COVID Holidays

An excellent article dated 6^th April, 2020, in barandbench.com analyses the effect of COVID holidays on Limitation. It refers to the Delhi High Court order as under:

The issue of limitation was first addressed by the High Court of Delhi in the office order dated March 23, 2020 wherein the following directions were passed:

“Lockdown/Suspension of work of Courts shall be treated as “closure” within the meaning of the Explanation appended to Section 4 of the Limitation Act, 1963 and other enabling provisions of the Act and other Statutes, as may be applied to court proceedings. Thus, the limitation for any court proceeding shall not run w.e.f. 23.03.2020 to 04.04.2020 subject to further orders.”

It also mentions of the Supreme Court observations in a case before it, as under:

"To obviate such difficulties and to ensure that the lawyers/litigants do not have to come physically to file such proceedings in respective Courts/Tribunals across the country including this Court, it is hereby ordered that a period of limitation in all such proceedings, irrespective of the limitation prescribed under general law or Special laws whether condonable or not shall stand extended w.e.f. 15th March, 2020 till further orders to be passed by this Court in present proceedings."


In view of the above two observations we have to watch out for the following:

• Whether the applicability of COVID holidays/disruptions to the functioning of the courts will be limited to the scope of Section 4 of The Limitation Act, 1963?
• whether Supreme Court would give some relief to litigants due to the likely rush in courts immediately after resumption of work by the Courts, especially in the background of the devastation caused by COVID on social and commercial life?
• Whether the period of closure of Courts right now will be treated as a "Limitation Holiday" for the purpose of computation of Limitation in applicable cases?
• In case the above contingency becomes a reality, what would be the exact nature of the reliefs that would be so granted?

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Whether Sindhu Naresh's death at the hands of Arjun aided by Krishna was in order?

Whether COVID holidays for courts will be a Limitation Holiday?

Opinions are divided. The jury is still out....