A Global Mindset

 What does that mean? Probably means that you could function equally well, no matter where you lived -of course, given time to adapt to local language, conditions. It's the mindset that enables you to do so.

I may choose to live in one place, but treat people from around the world as the same, like me. I don't look down on anyone that is economically or socially less fortunate, nor look up to the Rich man or a King or a Lord (or a President).

This is tough to bring about, due to many kinds of conditioning we have had. There are a few souls who have demonstrated that it's possible. J. Krishnamurti and Osho, Gandhi and Nelson Mandela come to mind. I am sure there are common citizens not as well-known as they were also, in all parts of the world. 

If we could propagate the idea that all humans are valuable and equal in practice, the world might truly be a better place. Wouldn't it?

Nice People

 Ok, forget everything else. How many nice people do you know?

I started counting, and gave up. So many that I know one-to-one. It boggles the mind!

What makes a person nice? My definition-

He/she is not annoying. A good listener, and maybe a talker.

Genuinely interested in you/other people. Not self-obsessed.

Does not crib about their life. Instead, acts to do something about it. Could be quitting a job,.. or something else.

He/she has interests of some kind, like reading books, music, sport, dance, or travel.

Interest in food. Not constantly on a weird diet.

Ok, not counting, but you are one, right? Don't worry, we will still be friends 😂

Gitanjali- A Music Show

 The latest in the series of music shows we attended had two or three singers who were good- Ghafar Momin, quite a popular one, and two female singers who are decent- Pournima Waghmare and Amruta Deshpande.

This one had focussed on Chitragupt Shrivastav, music director, and a bit on Suman Kalyanpur too. Na tum hame jano was a highlight.

Can We Do Things Differently?

 Most of the time, the answer is yes. But we don't. 

Teaching- there are many ways to teach so that students enjoy the process, and learn better. But we don't try hard enough..

Improving Admissions in Institutions- many untried ways exist. Paying commissions to agents is not one of them.

Recruiting faculty- Going out to meet Ph.D. scholars instead of just advertising.. how many have tried this? I have, with some success. At a new university..

Motivating Faculty as a leader- having a tea and a chat with them regularly helps. Have a chai room in your institute if you don't. 

Spending Your Time- in a way that you enjoy it, doing things you like, minimising things you don't like to do (visiting govt. offices is one I don't), and so on.. listening to the radio doesn't cost anything, for example.

Hum Donon Milke - Music Show

 It was a feast of duets, with three good singers- Vaiju Chandavale, Shalaka Ghaisas and Manjiri Latkar, accompanied by a decent set of male singers. Organised by Rajabhau Tikhe. A bit short on Kishore Kumar duets, saw a couple of rare ones like those of Shailendra Singh (from Do Jasoos- Purvaiyya leke chali meri naiyya), and Mukesh.

Shalaka with her partner.. she sang well!

 Another Marathi classic - a play called Duritanchey Timir Jawo. Saw it at Bharat Natya Mandir. Written by Bal Kolhatkar, it talks about a spiritual soul who resides in a house where he is ill-treated by a conman who has married his sister. He is called stupid by the whole village, but he transforms suddenly into a wise person, who is willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the village. He also pardons his brother in law for his atrocities.

Musical Theatre- Sangeet Sanshaykallol

 Saw an entirely different kind of play- a musical, called a sangeet-natak. Instead of dialogues, the characters converse through songs. Specially written for the situation, of course. This was a great traditional art form that's almost dead now. I got to see one such play, Sangeet Sanshaykallol, with a plot like a Hrishikesh Mukherjee film. Spouses who suspect each other of ifidelity, without justification. Superb performances from everyone in the cast!

Hope the tradition gets revived.

The cast, and the main characters.