English Literature – Articles ☆ – A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being, and a Meaningful Life -☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

☆ – A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being, and a Meaningful Life – ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

“Happiness is not something that happens. It is not the result of good fortune or random chance. It is not something that money can buy or power command. It does not depend on outside events, but rather on how we interpret them. Happiness, in fact, is a condition that must be prepared for, cultivated, and defended privately by each person. People who learn to control inner experience will be able to determine the quality of their lives, which is as close as any one of us can come to being happy.”

-Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

What is Happiness?

Happiness is the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile. But what is the essence of happiness? Does it reside within us or in the outside world? Is it something we can truly cultivate, or is it a fleeting emotion dictated by circumstances?

Perspectives on Happiness:

Positive psychologists tell us that people flourish when they experience a balance of positive emotions, engagement with the world, meaningful relationships, a sense of purpose, and the accomplishment of valued goals. Jonathan Haidt offers an intriguing perspective, stating that happiness comes not merely from within or from external factors, but from “between.”

The Ancient Pursuit of Happiness:

Aristotle, twenty-four hundred years ago, proclaimed that happiness is the ultimate purpose of human existence, the end toward which all our actions aim. This raises another question: how can we identify a pathway to authentic happiness, one that fosters well-being and a fulfilling life?

The Holistic Approach to Happiness:

The answer lies in nurturing the body, mind, and spirit. Like a tripod, all three must be strong and balanced to support a life of harmony. Through years of exploration, I have found that a holistic approach blending positive psychology, meditation, yoga, laughter yoga, and spirituality offers a powerful pathway to authentic happiness.

  1. Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness

Positive psychology provides evidence-based strategies for enhancing well-being. By adopting practices rooted in this field, we can discover activities and mindsets that resonate with our unique personalities and circumstances.

  1. Meditation: Cultivating Inner Peace

Meditation helps us center ourselves, dispel distractions, and cultivate wisdom. Matthieu Ricard describes meditation as a skill that fosters the positive qualities essential for a fulfilling life.

  1. Yoga: Harmony of Body and Mind

Yoga harmonizes the body and mind, offering a path to physical and mental well-being. Even a simple practice like Surya Namaskara, requiring just five to fifteen minutes daily, can yield remarkable benefits.

  1. Laughter Yoga: The Joyful Remedy

Laughter yoga combines laughter exercises with yogic breathing techniques. It oxygenates the body, boosts the immune system, and relieves stress. Just ten minutes of laughter in the morning can transform your day.

  1. Spirituality: Finding Deeper Meaning

Spirituality offers a deeper perspective on life. It helps us understand the value of right speech, right action, and right livelihood, steering us toward a meaningful existence.

The Transformative Power of Integration:

When these elements—positive psychology, meditation, yoga, laughter yoga, and spirituality—are integrated, they bring about a profound transformation in how we experience life. The benefits extend beyond personal well-being to enrich workplaces, communities, and future generations.

A Journey Worth Taking:

The journey toward authentic happiness is not a destination but an evolving process. By nurturing the body, mind, and spirit, you can create a life imbued with joy, peace, and purpose.

♥♥♥♥

© Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

Founder:  LifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Articles ☆ – Recipe for Authentic Happiness and Well-Being -☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

☆ – Recipe for Authentic Happiness and Well-Being – ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

Can we experience continuous happiness? Is there a way to reclaim the child-like joy in our body, mind, and spirit? Can we shield ourselves from the stress of daily life and cultivate a tranquil mind?

More importantly, is it possible to develop a simple routine that keeps us energized throughout the day?

These are questions I have pondered for over two decades. I have not only reflected on them but also researched, experimented, and learned. Today, I feel fortunate and fulfilled to share the fruits of that journey—a recipe for authentic happiness that is practical, enriching, and transformative.

The Journey Begins:

My journey began as a behavioral science trainer, helping people discover their authentic selves. Spending long hours with them was deeply satisfying, but I struggled to share these meaningful experiences with my wife. That disconnect felt like a loss.

In response, we decided to embark on an activity we could share. That decision turned out to be life-changing. We discovered laughter yoga, an activity that brought joy and connection into our lives. Over time, we started conducting sessions to spread smiles and uplift others. What began as a shared interest became a profound purpose, drawing participants from across the world.

Laughter yoga is one of the most uplifting activities imaginable. It generates positivity, promotes health, and sparks instant joy. Unconditional laughter often leads to a meditative state, melting away stress and worry. There’s something profoundly spiritual about making others laugh, especially those who feel weighed down by life’s burdens.

Despite its immense benefits, we realized that laughter yoga had its limitations. It felt like a delightful dessert, but what people needed was a wholesome meal.

A Deeper Exploration:

This realization led us to explore yoga nidra, a systematic method for achieving deep physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. As we delved deeper, we unearthed hidden treasures. This path eventually led us to ancient meditation practices, including Buddha’s mindfulness and insight meditations.

Simultaneously, I immersed myself in the field of positive psychology. According to its founder, Martin Seligman, the five elements of well-being are positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Similarly, Sonja Lyubomirsky’s research highlights the most effective happiness practices, such as embracing spirituality, engaging in physical activity, meditating, and simply acting happy.

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi draws parallels between yoga and the state of flow – a joyous, self-forgetful involvement achieved through focused concentration. He describes yoga as a “thoroughly planned flow activity,” made possible through disciplined practice.

Influential figures like Stephen Covey, Daniel Goleman, Matthieu Ricard, and Richard Gere also attest to the transformative power of meditation. Their lives exemplify how regular practice contributes to enduring happiness.

Experiments in Happiness:

Building on these insights, we designed and implemented programs to promote happiness and well-being:

The Wheel of Happiness and Well-Being:

Designed for workplaces and educational institutions, this program integrates positive psychology, meditation, yoga, laughter yoga, and spirituality. Participants found it highly valuable, appreciating its comprehensive approach.

Meditate Like the Buddha:

A weekly, early-morning meditation session focused purely on mindfulness and inner stillness. Participants loved its simplicity and requested daily sessions.

Happiness Boot Camp:

Held on weekends in parks, this family-friendly program combined yoga, meditation, laughter yoga, and fun activities. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

East Meets West Retreat:

A week-long retreat blending modern science with ancient wisdom. Participants learned to create a meaningful and joyful life while training to become versatile Happiness and Well-Being Facilitators. The retreat featured practices such as yoga nidra, surya namaskara, the five Tibetans, anapana meditation, sufi meditation, and happiness activities.

The Recipe for Happiness:

After years of practice, experimentation, and interaction with thousands of participants, we believe we have discovered a genuine recipe for happiness and well-being. It is a blend of modern insights and ancient wisdom, woven together with the threads of mindfulness, physical vitality, and emotional connection.

Ultimately, the greatest fulfillment comes from touching lives -helping others discover their own paths to happiness and well-being.

© Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

Founder:  LifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Articles ☆ – ‘The Elusive Pursuit of Eternal Bliss…’ – ☆ Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ☆

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Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM

(Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi—an ex Naval Officer, possesses a multifaceted personality. He served as Senior Advisor in prestigious Supercomputer organisation C-DAC, Pune. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad was involved in various Artificial Intelligence and High-Performance Computing projects of national and international repute. He has got a long experience in the field of ‘Natural Language Processing’, especially, in the domain of Machine Translation. He has taken the mantle of translating the timeless beauties of Indian literature upon himself so that it reaches across the globe. He has also undertaken translation work for Shri Narendra Modi, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, which was highly appreciated by him. He is also a member of ‘Bombay Film Writer Association’.)

We present his thought for the day ~ ‘The Elusive Pursuit of Eternal Bliss...’ ~We extend our heartiest thanks to the learned author Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi Ji, who is very well conversant with Hindi, Sanskrit, English and Urdu languages for sharing this classic poem.  

☆ ~ ‘The Elusive Pursuit of Eternal Bliss…’ ~? ☆

☆

In the relentless quest for happiness, we often find ourselves lost in a labyrinth of fleeting pleasures. We mistake momentary highs for lasting bliss, and in doing so, we sacrifice our very essence on the altar of transience.

The truth is, eternal bliss is not a destination; it’s a state of being. It’s the culmination of a journey that begins with self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-transformation.

We must recognize that the happiness we derive from worldly pleasures is but a pale imitation of true bliss. It’s a temporary reprieve from the existential despair that gnaws at our very soul.

To experience eternal bliss, we must transcend the mundane and tap into the divine. We must silence the cacophony of our ego and listen to the whispers of our conscience.

It’s a journey that requires courage, conviction, and perseverance. But the reward is worth the effort. For when we finally attain eternal bliss, we realize that it’s not something we’ve acquired; it’s something we’ve always been.

So let us embark on this journey of self-discovery, and may we find the eternal bliss that lies within us.

☆

~ Pravin Raghuvanshi

© Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM

Pune

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Articles ☆ The Foundations of Happiness and Well-being: A Positive Psychology Perspective – ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

☆ – The Foundations of Happiness and Well-being: A Positive Psychology Perspective – ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

Happiness is more than fleeting joy; it encompasses a sense of contentment, purpose, and the belief that one’s life is meaningful and worthwhile. Positive psychology offers insights into how we can cultivate this deeper sense of well-being by focusing on key elements and practical strategies.

The Five Pillars of Well-being:

Positive psychology identifies five essential components of well-being:

  1. Positive Emotion: Experiencing joy, hope, warmth, and contentment. These emotions can relate to the past (e.g., satisfaction, pride), the present (e.g., calm, pleasure, flow), or the future (e.g., hope, optimism).
  2. Engagement: Deep involvement in activities that capture our interest and challenge us. This state, known as “flow,” occurs when we lose track of time and are fully absorbed in what we are doing.
  3. Relationships: Strong connections with family, friends, and colleagues bring richness to life. Relationships flourish through mutual support, regular interactions, and meaningful communication.
  4. Meaning: Finding purpose by connecting to something larger than ourselves, whether through work, spirituality, or contributing to society.
  5. Accomplishment: Achieving goals and recognising our successes provides motivation and fulfilment.

Each of these pillars can be cultivated to enhance overall well-being.

Understanding the Happiness Formula:

Happiness, according to positive psychology, is influenced by three factors:

H = S + C + V

  H: Enduring level of happiness.

  S: Set range of happiness, influenced by genetics (approximately 50%).

  C: Circumstances of life (around 10%).

  V: Voluntary activities (about 40%), which we can control.

While our genetic predisposition and life circumstances play a role, a significant portion of our happiness comes from intentional actions.

Common Barriers to Happiness:

  1. The Happiness Thermostat: Our happiness tends to revert to a baseline level regardless of life’s highs or lows.
  2. The Hedonic Treadmill: We quickly adapt to positive changes, leading to rising expectations and diminishing satisfaction.

 Strategies to Boost Happiness:

  1. Practise Gratitude: Reflect daily on three things you are grateful for. This “What-Went-Well” exercise shifts focus to the positives.
  2. Engage Fully: Immerse yourself in activities that bring you joy or challenge you. Pursue hobbies, sports, or creative endeavours.
  3. Foster Relationships: Build strong social ties by showing interest, offering support, and creating rituals, such as shared meals or regular outings.
  4. Find Meaning: Contribute to a cause larger than yourself. Volunteer, mentor, or participate in activities that resonate with your values.
  5. Savour Life’s Pleasures: Take time to enjoy small joys, like a beautiful sunset or a heartfelt conversation.
  6. Simplify: Declutter your schedule and focus on what truly matters. Say no to unnecessary commitments.

Cultivating Virtues and Strengths:

Happiness also stems from living virtuously. Positive psychology highlights six universal virtues:

Wisdom: Gained through curiosity and learning.

Courage: Shown through perseverance and integrity.

Humanity: Expressed in kindness and generosity.

Justice: Fostered by fairness and leadership.

Temperance: Practised through self-control and humility.

Transcendence: Found in gratitude, spirituality, and a sense of purpose.

Discovering and using your personal strengths daily can create lasting fulfilment.

The Three Lives of Happiness:

Positive psychology outlines three types of fulfilling lives:

  1. The Pleasant Life: Enjoying positive emotions and simple pleasures.
  2. The Good Life: Using personal strengths to find gratification in work, relationships, and play.
  3. The Meaningful Life: Connecting your strengths and virtues to a higher purpose.

Practical Exercises for Happiness:

The Gratitude Visit: Write a heartfelt letter to someone who has positively influenced your life, and deliver it in person.

Acts of Kindness: Perform three kind acts weekly, whether for friends, strangers, or family.

Mindful Living: Practise meditation, yoga, or mindful breathing to reduce stress and cultivate peace.

Forgiveness Exercise: Write a letter forgiving someone who hurt you, even if you don’t send it.

Embracing a Happier Life:

Happiness isn’t a destination but a journey. Engage deeply in meaningful activities, nurture your relationships, and practise gratitude. By aligning your actions with your values and strengths, you can build a life rich in joy, purpose, and connection.

© Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

Founder:  LifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

Please feel free to call/WhatsApp us at +917389938255 or email [email protected] if you wish to attend our program or would like to arrange one at your end.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Articles ☆ World Meditation Day: A Gateway to Inner Bliss ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

☆ – World Meditation Day: A Gateway to Inner Bliss – ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

In a world filled with chaos, conflict, and ceaseless activity, humanity finds itself yearning for an oasis of peace. As we stand on the threshold of the first-ever World Meditation Day on December 21, 2024, a unique opportunity arises for us to reflect on the timeless wisdom of meditation, a practice that has nurtured countless souls across millennia. Today, let us embark on a journey inward, seeking solace and serenity in the art of meditation—a journey that could transform our lives forever.

The Path to Freedom:

Amidst life’s turbulence, the ancient question persists: Is there a way to end suffering? Over 2,500 years ago, the Buddha illuminated this path. Through meditation, he discovered liberation from pain and sorrow, attaining enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree. His teachings, rooted in mindfulness and deep observation, offer a practical guide for cultivating inner peace.

Meditation is more than a practice—it is a profound healing process. As Matthieu Ricard aptly puts it, “Meditation is a practice that makes it possible to cultivate and develop certain basic positive human qualities in the same way as other forms of training make it possible to play a musical instrument or acquire any other skill.”

When we meditate, we calm the storm within. The mind finds clarity, anger dissipates, and the heart fills with love, compassion, and wisdom. With regular practice, meditation transforms us, leading to Nibbana—a state of supreme bliss where suffering ceases.

The Science of Stillness:

Meditation not only elevates the spirit but also nourishes the body and mind. Research reveals that long-term meditators experience a reduced cortisol response under stress, promoting biological calm and overall well-being. As Daniel Goleman emphasizes, “Meditation has the effect of creating biological calm and reducing stress.”

The simplicity of meditation is its beauty. In essence, it is “simply sitting, simply breathing, simply being.” The practice allows us to reconnect with our breath, described by Thich Nhat Hanh as “the bridge which connects life to consciousness.” This bridge anchors us in the present moment, helping us to let go of distractions and reclaim inner peace.

Insights from the Buddha:

The Buddha’s teachings on meditation offer a twofold approach: serenity meditation (samatha bhavana) and insight meditation (vipassana bhavana). Serenity meditation cultivates a calm and concentrated mind, while insight meditation reveals the true nature of reality. Central to these practices is the mindfulness of breathing, a meditation the Buddha practiced to achieve enlightenment.

His instructions are straightforward yet profound: observe the body, feelings, mind, and phenomena with unwavering mindfulness. These are the foundations of liberation. As the Buddha declared, “These four establishments of mindfulness, when developed and cultivated, lead to going beyond from the near shore to the far shore.”

A Call to Meditate:

Meditation is not merely an exercise; it is an exploration of life’s deepest truths. It empowers us to see things as they are, untangling the web of ignorance and attachment. Paramahansa Yogananda beautifully described it as “a portable paradise.”

For those seeking guidance, Meditate Like the Buddha: A Step-by-Step Guide by Jagat Singh Bisht offers practical insights. This book demystifies the art of meditation, presenting it as a universal practice that has enriched lives for centuries.

An Invitation to Stillness:

As we celebrate the inaugural World Meditation Day, let us resolve to embrace this timeless practice. Sit in stillness, breathe deeply, and embark on the journey within. The peace we cultivate today can ripple outward, touching the lives of those around us and creating a harmonious world.

In the words of the Buddha, “There is this one way to the purification of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow and distress, for the disappearance of pain and sadness…that is to say, the four foundations of mindfulness.”

Let us make this day a turning point—a moment to awaken to our true potential and weave meditation into the fabric of our lives. For in the quietude of meditation lies the answer to life’s most profound questions. Will you take the first step today?

© Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

Founder:  LifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

Please feel free to call/WhatsApp us at +917389938255 or email [email protected] if you wish to attend our program or would like to arrange one at your end.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Memoir ☆ The Citizenship journey: A Memoir ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

☆ – The Citizenship journey: A Memoir – ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

Life has a way of presenting opportunities that shape not just our careers but also our inner selves. My journey with Citizen SBI was one such transformative experience. It began with my selection as faculty for the State Bank Academy, Gurgaon—a position I never assumed. Instead, I was posted as the head of the learning center at Indore, a role that coincided with my appointment as the intervention leader for the Citizen-SBI program.

Citizen SBI was more than a training program. Inspired by Swami Ranganathananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, it aimed to cultivate ‘enlightened citizenship.’ This concept transcended political citizenship—focused on rights and freedoms—and emphasized a deeper engagement with collective welfare and individual fulfillment. The program was the brainchild of our chairman, O.P. Bhatt, who envisioned its impact extending to 200,000 employees and, through them, to 140 million customers.

The foundation of this initiative was engagement—true, deep involvement in one’s work. As I immersed myself in its philosophy, I discovered the transformative power of meaningful contribution. No longer was work just a duty; it became a purpose-driven act of service. This shift in mindset was a spiritual awakening for me.

The journey began with workshops and pilots across locations, from Mumbai to Hyderabad and Gurgaon. I remember vividly my first interaction with V. Srinivas, the visionary CEO of Illumine Knowledge Resources. His conviction was palpable, though his ideas initially seemed abstract to many. Over time, through detailed workshops and apprenticeships, the abstract became tangible, and the facilitators, including myself, underwent a profound transformation.

The program’s influence extended beyond professional training. It created a rich network of facilitators, bonded by a shared purpose. The ‘facilitator gym’ sessions at the Bandra-Kurla Complex honed our skills and deepened our understanding of citizenship. These moments of camaraderie and collective learning were deeply fulfilling.

Back in Indore, I was tasked with implementing Citizen SBI in the State Bank of Indore. Initially, there was resistance—they did not yet see themselves as citizens of SBI. However, with the help of facilitators like Suresh Iyer, Harinaxi Sharma, and Arun Kalway, we gradually earned their trust. The program’s ethos resonated, bringing about a noticeable shift in their attitudes.

The essence of Citizen SBI was not about personal gain but about contributing positively to others. It wasn’t ‘swantah sukhai’—happiness for oneself—but a collective welfare-driven joy. This philosophy became my way of life, influencing not just my work but my personal ethos.

The program’s success was also a testament to the incredible people involved. Intervention leaders like Bijaya Dash, R. Natarajan, and Balachandra Bhat became cherished friends. Vasudha Sundararaman, our deputy general manager, coordinated the program with unmatched efficiency and warmth. Yashi Sinha, general manager, was an epitome of grace and wisdom. Above all, V. Srinivas, with his dedication to the cause, became a source of inspiration—a guru whose example I sought to follow in words and deeds.

As I reflect on this journey, I find myself deeply fulfilled. I have reaped not only the ‘outer fruits’ of professional growth and recognition but also the ‘inner fruits’ of spiritual evolution and the joy of contribution. My experiences as a behavioral science trainer and student of positive psychology further enriched this journey, grounding it in the principles of authentic happiness.

Citizen SBI was not merely a program; it was a movement, a way of life. It taught me that true citizenship is an internal transformation, a continuous journey of growth, contribution, and engagement. It is a journey I carry forward with pride and gratitude, knowing that it has shaped me into not just a professional but a better human being.

© Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

Founder:  LifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

Please feel free to call/WhatsApp us at +917389938255 or email [email protected] if you wish to attend our program or would like to arrange one at your end.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Article ☆ Victory Day Special – Memories of the Victory Day 1971 ☆ Shri Ajeet Singh, Ex-Director (News) Doordarshan

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Shri Ajeet Singh 

(We present an article ‘Memories of the Victory Day 1971’ written by Shri Ajeet Singh ji, Ex-Director (News), Doordarshan.)

☆ Victory Day Special – Memories of the Victory Day 1971 ☆ Shri Ajeet Singh ☆

(Vijay Diwas – 16 December)

(Mr. Ajeet Singh is a Hisar based free lancer. He worked as Sub Editor in All India Radio, Shimla in early 1970’s and later as Sr. Corespondent in Srinagar during 1990s and retired as Director of News. Doordarshan Hisar in 2006.)

Bliss was it to be in the newsroom of All India Radio Simla this day 53 years ago. And it was heaven to be a young Sub-Editor listening to the relay of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi addressing Parliament on the fall of Dhaka garrison after the 16-day long Bangladesh liberation war. Clapping  and celebratory gestures erupted as she announced, “Dhaka is now the free capital of a free nation”.

Member after member hailed the indian victory over the Pakistani forces. I still remember Srinagar MP Shamim Ahmad Shamim who while congratulating the Prime Minister said, “She has not only created a new history but also a new geography”.

It was a bigger bliss for me as I was to read that evening’s regional news bulletin as our regular Newsreader veteran Ramkumar Kale had taken ill since the eruption of war itself.

A senior announcer    had been very keen to read a news bulletin. He frequently demanded to be given a chance but  Assistant News Editor Puran Chand didn’t oblige.

In his usual jovial manner, the announcer would plead that he had been PA to actor Premnath and was experienced enough.

The first reason to deny him reading a news bulletin was that he was a perpetual paan- eater and  we non-paan eaters were scared of his spitting paan while talking. Some time we even told him that.

Paan is essential for a clear throat. An announcer has to speak a lot. Paan, therefore, is a must for him. Your newsreader Ramkumar Kale speaks only for 10 minutes. That is no job. I speak for six hours”.  

Ramkumar Kale would say that job of a newsreader and that of an announcer are quite different. “An announcer could make a mess of a news bulletin if he didn’t practice off air in a studio for one month and listen to his recordings under professional guidance”.

When the December 1971 India- Pakistan war broke out, Newsreader Ramkumar Kale fell sick and the Regional News Unit Simla did not have a panel of casual newsreaders.

It was decided , though reluctantly, to try the senior Announcer for newsreading as he only was available on announcer duty that day.

The jovial Announcer was thrilled. “You should listen to the bulletin today. You will forget Ramkumar Kale”.

We pleaded with him to practice hard as this was his first chance. He didn’t care much.

I, as standby news editor in the studio, wished him all the best.

Hardly two minutes into the bulletin, he closed the fader switch and said, ” This bloody thing is choking my breath”.

I gestured him not to talk and concentrate on the bulletin. He opened the fader and read the next item but to close it again saying, “You will kill me today”.

I showed my eyes  hinting that he should calm down and read the bulletin.

At half time, he rose from his seat after closing the fader. I was shocked. I just got hold of him by his arm and gave a big rap on his back dragging him to the seat.

There was a gap of about half a minute or so. The Duty Officer and the Engineer on Duty rushed to the studio. By that time a humbled Announcer was in the chair and reading bulletin at a much slower speed. He threw no tantrums .

As he, somehow, finished the bulletin, the Duty Officer and the Engineer-on-Duty,  still in the studio, wanted to know what had happened. The Announcer mumbled something that wasn’t much audible.

They turned to me. I told them it may be a short studio failure. Check it up tomorrow.

I told the factual story in the newsroom. Everybody laughed. ANE Puranchand said, “No more chance taking with announcers. Ajeet Singh, you will read bulletins from tomorrow. Take these old bulletins home and practice. Will record you off air tomorrow at 2 PM”.

The jovial Announcer was friend from the following day but he never pestered for newsreading.

And I read the bulletins for the next about three months.

1971 war had ended after 17 days. We had  started an additional daily bulletin that continued long after.

The bulletins were also used to be relayed through a public address system on the Mall road Simla where people would crowd to listen to the latest on the war front. It was still the Radio age. Television had arrived but was still in its infancy, confined mainly to the national capital Delhi.

Due to some strategic consideration, Jalandhar and other stations of All India Radio used to stop transmission early as the enemy could locate the position of their transmitters  and bombard , especially during night when engaging them was rather difficult. Simla located among hills didn’t suffer this disadvantage. So it was listened to even in the plains of Punjab and Haryana.

It did give some sort of image or recognition to me.  People in my home village near Panipat would tell me having listened to the bulletins from Simla. It did please me.

Every experience makes one a better person. By and by I became more confident.

War ended and bulletins also came back to development and local stories. After about two months of my newsreading, came a letter from some listener saying that one Ajeet Singh who read news that day mispronounced

the word ‘zila’ as ‘jila’ 13 times. He was right as we counted the word was used 14 times in the bulletin, may be he missed one count. I improved not only that but started rehearsing for all Urdu words. Mr. Puranchand ANE was an Urdu man and a big help.

Newsreader Kale joined after about three months. He trained me in voice acculturation.

Jasdev Singh, the ace sports commentator used to do Newsreel from Delhi. I got hooked to that.

During 1980s and 90s when I was in J&K,  SFH Naqvi was incharge of the Newsreel section in the News Services Division in Delhi. The Statesman used to carry detailed review of radio programmes of the week those days. One of my despatches was praised therein. HT also appreciated some despatch later.

©  Shri Ajeet Singh 

Shri Ajeet Singh ji is a freelance journalist based at Hisar. He retired as Director of News , Doordarshan Hisar in 2006.

Mo. – 9466647037

≈  Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Article ☆ The Human Prompt ☆ Ms. Ashwini Abhyankar ☆

By Hemant Bawankar1 Comment

Ms. Ashwini Abhyankar

 

 ☆The Human Prompt ☆ Ms. Ashwini Abhyankar☆

I met a friend, after many months. Upon meeting, she enveloped me in a warm hug and on the heels, came her reaction,”Now you can write about this!”. I waited a beat, of course internally. Frankly, I felt like ChatGPT. Someone can give me a prompt and hey presto, I have the result ready!! Of all the requests that I have received, to date, to write, this took the cake! And believe you me, I have received plenty!!

I’ve been asked to write travelogues. Now, you might wonder why this would be weird. The answer is, not every place that I visit triggers anything, even though the places might be interesting in their own right. I am a vibe person. So, I can write only when a place, or rather a space, speaks to me. Sometimes, the vibe is so strong that you can lose yourself in that. Taking photos is also forgotten. And then, when I do write, I don’t write about what I saw, but rather what I felt. And for that, I don’t need any references or photos That vibe I enjoyed, flows out effortlessly in my writing.

I’ve been asked to write about movies, particularly if that movie carries a message. Firstly, I’m not a movie buff and secondly, again, only if a movie speaks to me, can I write. More often than not, the movies are lopsided and overdramatic, and it certainly doesn’t bode well for me ☺

I have people writing to me their opinions about certain matters and then, wanting me to write a piece about that or my reaction about that. Like I said before, it’s difficult to respond or react to a cause, if it doesn’t speak to me.

In fact, I often wonder myself, what sets me off and to date, I haven’t had any satisfactory answer. Sometimes, I have pent up emotions and have a feeling that they would come gushing out on paper. In fact, at times I want to unburden myself. But no, the pen doesn’t budge, if it doesn’t want to. And sometimes, a very small gesture, yes, even a hug or two words in a seminar are all that are needed to push me over. Thus, no, that hug did not push me into writing anything that day. But here I am, almost a month later, reacting to it, because it did push me into a purge. Though I didn’t write about what feeling the hug incited, I did think about what does provoke me. And I also came to the realisation that I’m not ChatGPT 😀 beholden to write at a prompt!

 Written by : Ms. Ashwini Abhyankar

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Article – ☆ Tribute – Ratan Tata ☆ Padmashree Padmaja Phenany Joglekar ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Padmashree Padmaja Phenany Joglekar

☆ Tribute – Ratan Tata ☆ Padmashree Padmaja Phenany Joglekar ☆

I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of Respected Ratan Tata ji. I vividly remember our meeting at a Tata Hospital function where I had the pleasure of performing. After my concert he met me warmly and was so appreciative.  I also had the honour of presenting to him the portrait of JRD crafted by my father Shankar Phenany thru a now forgotten but a very difficult art form called Scrapper board. He was thrilled to receive this portrait.

I am confident that his soul must have been welcomed in Heaven with Great enthusiasm. So let us celebrate the legacy of this great Human being and try to imbibe in our lives the path of rightiousness & Morality which he proudly prescribed all his life.  OM SHANTI 🙏🏻🕉️

Padmashree Padmaja Phenany Joglekar

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Article – ☆ Ratan Tata… । In His Own Words! ☆ Compiled by – Mrs Manjusha Sunit Mulay ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Mrs. Manjusha Sunit Mulay  

☆ Ratan Tata… । In His Own Words! ☆ Compiled by – Mrs Manjusha Sunit Mulay ☆

“I had a happy childhood, but as my brother & I got older, we faced ragging because of our parent’s divorce, which in those days wasn’t as common. My grandmom brought us up.

“Soon after, when my mother remarried, the boys at school started saying all kinds of things about us. But our grandmother taught us to retain dignity at all costs, a value that’s always stayed with me. It involved walking away from these situations instead of fighting back.

“And if it weren’t for grandmom, I wouldn’t be half the person I am today.

“My father and I couldn’t agree on the same thing – I wanted to go to college in the US, he insisted on UK. I wanted to be an architect, he insisted on me becoming an engineer. If it weren’t for my grandmother, I wouldn’t have ended up at Cornell University in the US. It was because of her that even though I enrolled for mechanical engineering, I switched majors & graduated with a degree in architecture. My father was upset, but I was finally my own, independent person in college & it was my grandmother who taught me that courage to speak up can also be soft.

“After college, I landed a job at an architecture firm in LA, where I worked for 2 years. It was a great time – the weather was beautiful & I loved my job. It was in LA that I fell in love & almost got married. But at the same time I’d made the decision to move back, at least temporarily, since grandmom wasn’t keeping too well. So I came back to visit her & thought that the person I wanted to marry would come to India with me, but because of the 1962 Indo-China war her parent’s weren’t okay with her making the move anymore & the relationship fell apart.

“After the move, I did spend some time with my grandmom. I’d run with my dog, catch up with her & we’d have long chats. I’m glad I got that time with her before she passed, because right after I moved to Jamshedpur for an internship at what’s known as Tata Motors now.

It was a waste of time – I was moved from one department to another & since I was a family member, no one told me what to do – I spent 6 months trying to be ‘useful’.

“It was only after I moved to Tata Steel that I got specific work & my job got interesting. I started from the floor & understood the plight of those working there. So years later, when we downsized Tata Steel from 78,000 to 40,000, we ensured to pay them their present day wages until retirement–it’s been in our DNA to serve those who serve us.

“Then, in 1991, JRD stepped down as the Chairman of Tata Industries and then from Tata Sons, there was vicious criticism.

There were other aspirants, who were vocal of him having made the wrong decision. I had been through this before, so I did what I knew best–maintained silence & focused on proving myself.

The criticism was personal–JRD got clubbed with nepotism & I, as the wrong choice. I was under scrutiny, but the time I spent on the floor served as a big plus – I hadn’t gotten there from nowhere!

“All in all, it was a big move. I remember after I was appointed Chairman, I walked with JRD to his office, where he told his secretary that he had to move out. I said, ‘No, J, don’t move out, this is your office for as long as you want.’ He said, ‘Where will you sit?’ I said, ‘Where I’m sitting today–I have an office down the hall & that’s fine.’

“I was lucky to have him there. He was my greatest mentor & the years that he was alive, I used to go into his office & say, ‘J, I wish this had happened 10 years ago, we have such a great relationship.’ He was like a father & a brother to me & not enough’s been said about that.

“Ever since, my life has been for & about growing the company. When I was appointed Chairman, it was believed my surname got me the position, but my focus was on creating something bigger than us all & on giving back, which has been in the TATA DNA since the start.

With Jamshedpur for instance, while our workers were thriving, the surrounding villages were suffering. It became our goal to uplift their quality of life as well … things like these came naturally to us.

“Even with the Nano – I remember seeing a family of 4 on a bike in the heavy Bombay rain—I wanted to do more for these families who were risking their lives for lack of an alternative. By the time we launched the Nano, our costs were higher, but I’d made a promise & we delivered. Looking back, I’m proud of the car & the decision to go ahead with it.

“That’s what my life has been about—work became a lifestyle. I was always at Bombay House or travelling, that’s why even though I came close to marriage with 2-3 different partners, I couldn’t go through with it because they’d have to adjust to my lifestyle & that didn’t sit right with me.

“Now that I’m retired, that lifestyle has changed again. People ask if I’m truly ‘retired’ & to that I say—there’s no doubt about it. I’m enjoying the separation from the company—I don’t look at newspapers & worry about the bad stuff anymore.

“But let me tell you, retirement isn’t about playing golf, or reading on a beach, whilst sipping on a cocktail. In fact, never before has the urge to do more, been greater. From affordable cancer treatment, to making the lives in rural India easier—I’m looking forward to making it happen at the Tata Trust. I’m trying to enjoy myself to be honest— I’m spending time with friends —old & new, across age groups, who I’m constantly learning from.

“At 82, I’m still learning, so when you ask me to give advice, I feel like the ‘right advice’ changes over a period of time—but the one thing that remains unchanged is the desire to do the right thing.

“So I’ll say this —leave the advice & do the right thing, even if it isn’t the easiest thing to do. When you look back at your life, that’s what’s going to matter the most. Doing the right thing.”

# RatanTata

Compiled by – Mrs Manjusha Sunit Mulay 

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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