Simple Stories Shabbir Haider

This is the story of Utsav Mishra

I have known him for a decade now. Met him first at the campus of IRMA, where he fit every description of the classic senior from the hostel block - always beaming with confidence, leading from the front in all competitive activities, doing the pep talk every now and then and just being there - ready to bail you out from tough spots.

Down the line, I don’t think he has changed a lot.

When I saw him sometime back deliver his Ted Talk, he was pretty much the same. An inspiration to those around him.

There’s one key difference with his school of motivation though - he keeps it very very simple and practical.

As you listen to his life story, I am sure you will also realise the sublime power of simplicity and keeping it matter of fact.

I was browsing through social media one day and came across the video of this gentleman who I knew very little about. Purely from his appearance, he came across as someone who was in his late 50s. He was dressed in a neatly ironed kurta, a bright golden microphone in his and singing away to glory.

It was clear from his pronunciation that he was not a native Hindi speaker, but it was also clear from the brightness in his eyes that he didn’t care about such insignificant things as pronunciation. He was singing with his heart and that’s all that mattered.

It was that video that got me intrigued about Dr. Selvarajan Rajeswaran - or as he likes to call himself, Dr. Waran.

In this discussion with him, filled with numerous instances of deep, devil may care fits of laughter, I try to understand his long and illustrious career from being a veterinary doctor to a manager to a long career followed by going back to school as a Ph.D. student and a professor.

I try to get his view of the vast changes he has seen in his lifetime and how he thinks the future will like shape up as.

Overall though this is the story of someone who has remained a passionate young man, no matter what his age.

I hope you laugh and enjoy as much as I did, listening to Dr. Waran’s simple story!

Hello and Welcome to another episode of Simple Stories.

This is the story of Abhishek Gupta.

Abhishek was my batchmate at the Institute of Rural Management, and all of us used to call him Guruji back in the day, for a reason I no longer remember!

I always had this image of Abhishek as this very sorted, happy guy and though its almost been 10 years that we studied together, he has not changed much.

I wanted to talk to him in particular because of a unique field of work he has devoted his professional life to - the area of skill development and training of BPL youth. With his experience of working with the youth, I was naturally keen on understanding his view of we as a country are headed. Are we really going to reap the “demographic dividend”. What are his suggestions for youngsters trying to build a career in this highly critical field?

While I got an answer to all these questions, as a bonus, I also got to understand the personal side of him - which went on to reveal the reason behind his inherent simple nature.

So sit back, relax and enjoy one more ... Simple story.

Welcome to another episode of Simple Stories.

Today, we will hear the story of Govind Kumar Rai.

I first met Govindbhai, as I fondly call him, at the Institute of Rural Management, Anand.

Amongst the 100+ participants in my senior batch at IRMA, Govind Bhai stood out for one unique reason: he seemed to be the calmest and most relaxed person on campus – a figure of stillness moving around in a sea of turbulent energy.

He would often join us in our evening musical sessions, and sing along,  with a bright smile on his face. You always felt a sense of comfort and ease, around Govind Bhai.

We kept in touch, on and off, for the last 10 years and though we never talked beyond the casual, brief catchup over the internet, I felt happy to see him carve a path for himself in a domain a little unusual for mainstream managers, in the world of spirituality.

Therefore, with a lot of curiosity, I decided to finally sit with him and know the secret behind that calm and composed mind of his.

What came out of a very satisfying conversation was a heart-warming story of a sacred bond between a caring father and his responsible son. Of a migration from an earthy small town in UP, while forever being attached to the root. Of a journey to understand the wide world that lies within.

Please sit back, relax and enjoy this conversation: I had a smile on my face all through this discussion, and I know, so will you.

There are times in life when you meet a person who you think is so full of bravery and courage – but person in question has no idea about it. This is how I felt – when I talked to Geeta. I think she is a hero – and as you will listen to her story, so will you. But I also know this won’t change Geeta’s view about her own self, even a bit.

Her story will take you in a unique journey – that of experiencing small town Haryana from the eyes of a young girl. And India, from the eyes of a female professional manager.

You will experience discrimination and partiality and fear that comes from being born a girl in a highly patriarchal setting. But you will also hear Geeta’s voice all through these experiences –a voice full of courage and conviction to not let anything come in the way of her dreams.  And her travels!

Ladies and gentleman – have a great time listening to a powerful, but simple story.

This episode tells the story of Jasimuddin – my friend Jassi.
We dwell on many chapters of his life – his early days growing up in a conservative Muslim family in Calcutta. His love for quizzing which makes him meet his (and my) beloved mentor and inspiration , Mr Ram Chandra Chakraborty.
We talk about the legendary Jadavpur University, about student politics and about his MBA stint in IIT Bombay.
We also dwell on travelling and the dire need to  experience solo travel at least once in life.
And in between it all, Jassi takes us to a beautiful evening in Spain – where he experienced the most amazing, soul stirring sunset of his life.
This is an unfiltered, unadulterated story, told straight from the heart – have a great time listening!