Embracing Reflections: A journey through Patricia A. Fleming’s Poetic Mirror.

In the vast tapestry of literature, there are moments when a poem resonates so deeply that it feels like a mirror reflecting our own experiences, emotions, and innermost thoughts. Patricia A.Fleming, a wordsmith with profound ability to capture the essence of the human soul, weaves such a tapestry in her poignant poem. As I stumbled upon these verses, I find myself transported into a world where the lines between the poet’s words and my own reflections blurred. Let us embark on this poetic journey together, where the words of the poet become a mirror reflecting the tapestry of our own lives.

I still matter.

 by Patricia A. Fleming

I am still here.

My looks are nothing special.

My face reveals my age.

My body shows some wear and tear,

And my energy is not the same.

Too often my memory fails me,

And I lose things all the time.

One minute I know what I plan to do,

And the next it may just slip my mind.

I try hard to avoid my mirror.

There are things I would rather not see,

And even those times when I just catch a glimpse,

I can no longer recognise me.

The things I used to do with ease,

Can now cause aches and pains.

And the quality of things I do

Will never be quite the same.

I always compare my older self,

To those younger versions of me,

And I know I am wasting too much time,

Missing who I used to be.

But the things that makes me sad

Is despite what people see,

Underneath my tattered, worn-out shell,

I am still the same old me.

My heart can still feel endless love,

And at times it still can ache.

My heart can fill with so much joy,

And then it can suddenly break.

My soul can still feel sympathy,

And longs for forgiveness and peace.

And there are times its light shines boldly through,

And times when it longs for release.

It is true, may be now that I am older,

Feeling lonely may be status quo,

But it also has made me more willing.

Forgive and let past conflicts go.

So may be to some I look ugly and old,

A person who barely exists,

I am still quite aware of the beauty inside,

And my value should not be dismissed.

So, although not so strong and no beauty, it is true,

I am still here and want so much to live,

And I know that there is no one in this world quite like me,

And no one who has more to give.

Food Nostalgia; A Culinary Journey through time

Back in the 1970s, while immersed in the vibrant city of Trivandrum, I discovered a hidden gem – a Gujarati Restaurant in Pazhavangadi. This culinary haven was renowned for its small, piping hot purees paired with a subtly sweet curry. The ambience was always bustling, with eager customers patiently awaiting a seat for at least half an hour. During my stay, this eatery became my preferred choice, leaving me with fond memories of delectable meals.

Fast forward to 1972 – 73, my sojourn in Alleppey introduced me to the Popular Bakery, strategically located opposite the Boat jetty. This charming spot soon became a regular haunt for evening snacks, with my friend Govindan often accompanying me. Babu, a friendly face at the bakery, would delight us with a dish comprising, bread and green peas masala with eggs perfectly scrambled on it. The flavours were exquisite, prompting weekly visits to savour this special creation.

Upon my arrival in Calcutta in 1974, Chung Wah, the venerable Chinese Restaurant opposite Hindustan Building on CR avenue, captured my culinary affection. Known for serving the finest Chinese cuisine of its time, their dry and crispy Chilly Chicken was an unrivalled delight. Even in the 80s, dining at Chung Wah with Maya and Hema, who shared our enthusiasm for their food, was a cherished tradition. I have heard that the restaurant continues to thrive, preserving the flavours of yesteryears.

In late 70s, another entrancing addition to the Kolkata food scene was Vineet on Theatre Road, a delightful vegetarian restaurant nestled in the basement of the IOCL building. Accompanied by my brother Unnikrishnan and our little ones, we frequented this establishment for their irresistible Navratan Masala with Butter Nan. Today, Vineet remains a significant culinary landmark, preserving its legacy as an essential food destination.

Upon relocating to Chennai, Southern Spices at Taj Coromandel became our go-to spot for delightful South Indian cuisine. The flavours are unparalleled, making our dinners a delightful experience.

Our love for authentic Kerala cuisine found its haven in Ente Keralam, located in the Poes garden area of Chennai. The food here is not just a meal; It’s a journey into luscious and delicious Kerala flavours.

Despite the myriad of food options in Kolkata and Chennai, our hearts continue to gravitate towards the cherished establishments mentioned above. These culinary landmarks have become a part of our personal history, creating a tapestry of memories woven with the threads of exquisite flavours and shared moments.

LIFE LESSONS FOR PEACE

I have learned valuable lessons from my experience that I hope can help us lead a stress-free and peaceful life.

Do your work without Expecting Appreciation

Remember the wisdom imparted by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita: “You have the right to perform your duties, but never to the fruits of your actions.” Believe in yourself and do your work without being motivated solely by the results. Whether you receive appreciation or not, do not let it affect your dedication to your tasks. Detach from the outcomes.

Be Simple and Helpful

People respect us for two main reasons: Power and Helpful behavior. While power is temporary, a helpful and courteous demeanor lasts. Embrace simplicity, cleanliness, and politeness, and you will earn love and respect not only during your career but also in retirement. Avoid egoism and conceit, as they will hinder your ability to garner respect later in life.

See the Good in Others

It is easy to notice both the good and bad qualities in a person, but it is advisable to focus on and learn from their positive attributes. By emphasizing the good in others, we can foster harmonious relationships and build more a positive environment.

Never Give Unsolicited advice

Refrain from offering advice or opinions without being asked. Even your children may not appreciate unsolicited advice, and others may find it unwelcome. Your opinions, while possibly well-intentioned, may not align with the recipient’s

perspective. It is often best to remain silent unless your advice is sought.

These principles, drawn from your experience, can serve as a guide to a more fulfilling and harmonious life.

Autumn of Life

You know… time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.

I was young and embarking on my new life. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

 But here it is… the last quarter of my life and it catches me by surprise… How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?

 I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that I was only on the first quarter and the fourth quarter was so far off that I could not visualise it or imagine fully what it would be like.

 But here it is… my friends are retired and getting grey… they move slower, and I see an older person now. There are people in better shape and there are people worse shape than me… but, I see the momentous change. Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant. But, like me, their age is beginning to show, and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we had become.

 Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore… it is mandatory! Cause if I do not on my own free will… I fall asleep where I sit!

 And so… now I enter this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But at least I know, though I’m on the last quarter and I’m not sure how long it will last… this I know, that when it’s over on this earth… it’s over. A new adventure will begin!

 Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I had not done… things I should have done, but indeed, there are so many things I am happy to have done. It is all in a lifetime.

 So, if you are not on the last quarter yet… let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to conduct in your life do it quickly! Do not put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you are on the last quarter or not!

 You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life…. so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember. And hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!

 “Life” is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.

LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY!

DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

 Remember “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

LASTLY, CONSIDER THIS:

~ Going out is good…

 Coming home is better!

 ~ You forget names….

But it is OK because there are people who do not remember that they even knew you!!!

 ~ You realize you are never going to be good at anything like golf.

 ~ The things you used to care to do, you are not as interested in anymore, but you really do not care that you are not as interested.

 ~ You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV ‘ON’ than in bed. It may be “pre-sleep”.

 ~ You miss the days when everything worked with just an “ON” and “OFF” switch.

 ~ You tend to use more 4 letter words …

 What, When??

You have lot of clothes in your wardrobe, more than half of which you will never wear.

But old is good for

Old songs

Old Movies

And best of all – OLD FRIENDS!!

Genlite’s success Principles

(Speech by KPR in the Ruby Jubilee Celebrations of Genlite )

It is an immense pleasure to have you all gathered here today to celebrate our ruby jubilee. We have traversed many stages together and played a significant role in making Genlite what it is today. I am grateful to each one of you for taking the time to be here today for contributing to our success.

As we celebrate our company’s 40th anniversary, it is important to reflect on the key factors that have contributed to our growth and success.

One such factor is undoubtedly the dedication of our longstanding employees, many of whom have been with us for a significant portion of our journey.

These employees have been instrumental in helping us build and maintain a strong corporate culture that values hard work, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. They have also played a crucial role in mentoring and training new employees, passing down their knowledge and expertise to the next generation.

But our success would not be possible without another group of individuals: our dealers. Our dealers have been essential partners in helping us build our brand and expand our reach over the past four decades. They have worked tirelessly to promote our products and services and have always gone above and beyond to ensure that our customers are satisfied.

Together, our dedicated team and dealers have helped us achieve our goals and have positioned us for continued growth and success in the years to come. On behalf of Genlite I want to thank each one of you for your hard work and dedication over the years.

Another factor is our relationships.

We have cultivated strong and positive connections with our customers, which has resulted in consistent repeat business. Our commitment to excellent service has left our customers happy, leading to a steady stream of referrals and new business. On this special occasion I take a moment to reflect on the invaluable contributions of our customers and express my sincere gratitude to them. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey.

Since our establishment in 1983, we have maintained a strong and warm relationship with Kirloskar Oil Engines . Even before the exclusive dealerships came in to existence in 2000 Kirloskar trusted us as an OEM. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we also celebrate our 40 years of partnership with Kirloskar. We would like to express our gratitude to the Chairman and the entire Kirloskar team for their unwavering support.

We have maintained positive and cordial relationships with our suppliers, who have consistently provided us with timely delivery of raw materials, enabling us to fulfill our orders promptly.

We are grateful for the invaluable support provided by our service dealers, whose timely and effective services have helped us maintain a formidable reputation and customer satisfaction.

We are proud to have been a valued and special customer of Federal Bank for many years, and we deeply appreciate their continued support.

Another important factor is the quality of our products. We have always maintained uncompromising standards of quality in all our products. Genlite has consistently scored high points in internal audits by KOEL, in ISO audits, and financial audits by CRISIL. Our stakeholders have come to trust us for our unwavering commitment to quality.

Another factor for our success is our financial discipline. Genlite has always reinvested its profits back into business. This internal financing has enabled us to modernize and expand our operations, reducing our dependance on external funding.

On this auspicious occasion, I feel humbled and grateful to all of you who have helped us withstand the competition for the last 40 years. Together, we have created something remarkable that we can all take pride in.

Once again, I thank you all for being a part of our celebration today.

GIVE RESPECT TO GET RESPECT

If you are humble, people around you will respect you. Humility makes you more attractive. When you are in a leadership position, it is imperative that the people with whom you work respect you, but respect is never a given. It must always be earned. Your team might respect your work habits, your intelligence or your ability to close a deal but there is more to respect than that. If you can earn their respect as a person, then you have really won the game.

Always be polite to everyone you meet during the day, from your spouse and children to your co-workers, to the check out person at the grocery store. I know, this is easier said than done, especially when you are having a bad day. But if you want to be treated respectfully; so does everyone else. Give others the same respect you’d like to receive yourself. Seek out  actions you can take to offer politeness. Smile and say please and thank you wherever possible.

Foster an environment of respectful listening. Everyone deserves to be heard , even if you don’t agree always with one’s ideas or opinions. Consider how you would like to be treated if you have something to say, especially if there is an issue at hand. Actively listen by taking your own opinions and thoughts out of your mind , and actually hear what the other person is trying to convey. When you practice effective listening skills , you will make others feel important and validated.

People earn respect by always being ready to lend a hand or an ear whenever the’re needed. Take responsibilty and do things without waiting for someone to ask for assistance. See how many times you can be helpful in a day.

Your actions are based on your choices, and barring some unforeseen circumstance, there is no reason for excuses. If you did not finish a job, it’s most likely that you didn’t focus on the task at hand or you caught up doing unnecessary tasks. Own up to your mistakes and instead of dwelling on them, look for opportinities to move past them and commit to doing better.

Holding on to anger or a grudge does not hurt any one but yourself. It doesn’t help to dwell on a situation. Not to mention, the stress will cause anxiety and may be even cause health problems. Allow others, and yourself, to gracefully recover and focus on a positive new target. Forgive, and then forget.

Being stubborn won’t get you anywhere. Realize that the process of evolution includes change. Change is a big part of being successful. But, if you don’t learn to embrace change and if you don’t move forward, you will be left behind. Make an effort to grow as a person ; learn new skills, try new activities , and especially, re- examine your automatic behaviors. And don’t forget to congratulate yourself on progress you make along the way to becoming a better person.

A valuable advice

My friend who occupied top position in a Government undertaking spent his retired life happily and peacefully with his family and friends. When asked the secret of his well contented retired life he told me that he followed these simple rules which ensured happiness and peaceful living.

The first one was to be patient and tolerant.  You may see unpleasant situations or hear incorrect talk or arguments. Do not try to interfere . Never advise or correct anybody on the basis of your knowledge or experience. The younger generation may not like your advices or sermons.   It is also likely that you may be wrong. Hence keeping quite and tolerant is the best thing to do in such situations.

You had certain preferences or obsessions. Once retired and dependent on others you have to forgo these desires and preferences . Accept whatever is given to you.  Learn to live a simple life without troubling others. Be happy to live with whatever you get. Fifty or sixty years back, life of senior citizens was much more comfortable.Their needs and preferences were taken care by children dutifully. Today’s children have their own desires and preferences. They want their parents to live by their likes and dislikes.

At the old age, you may like solitude to enjoy your own aloneness.  Many of the younger generations may not understand this. Their activities and celeberations may deny that ambience to you . You have to accept this unwillingly for peaceful coexistence.

In the old age you may miss your friends. You have to live with illness and ailments as your new friends. Do not fantasize about stable, quiet days without any trouble in your body. Maintain positive mentality with adequate execise to encourage yourself. Reading of spiritual books like vedas , Upanishad, Bhagavatham etc will difinitely help to avoid stress and depression. This will help to create a positive frame of mind.

Oh, Calcutta

In our decade old life in Calcutta in 70s/80s the following features of Calcutta have fascinated us.

• Calcuttans were quite hospitable and warm. Unlike the other metros the people in Calcutta used to come forward and welcome new comers. Our  neibhours were always at our beck and call. Wherever we lived we were comfortable due to this attitude of Calcuttans.
• Another unique of Calcutta is the electric tram which used to be a convenient transport at low fares. You can board a running tram with ease. There used to be first class and second class compartments. Trams used to be very ideal transport to get familiarize with the places.
• The new market in the central Calcutta was similar to the shopping mall of today. Everything under one roof. When we enter the new market some labourers with big basket on their shoulders used to follow us ( reminding us the railway coolies coming around us when train stops at a major station.) Once we select a fellow, we can put the items we buy in the basket. He will carry and follow us while we move. Finally these goods would be loaded in our vehicle for a paltry sum.
•  When we go to parks to unwind we see young boys approaching with box of candies ( home made fruit lozenges of different shapes). They deliver candies for a small sum  in a piece of paper for nibbling . This is similar to the peanuts we see anywhere.
• Another unique and heart wrenching scene was the hand pulled rikshaws being used every where. Auto rikshaw was not available in the Calcutta city on those days and people used to avail these rikshaws for small distance travel. We could see lot of such rikshaws in railway/bus stations, markets etc. They used to charge only Re.0.75 to Rs.1.25 depending on the distance. On rainy days they were more popular as these rikshaws moved with ease in water logged roads.
• The street food used to be very tasty and hygienic in Calcutta and most of the people used to come and eat these from street vendors in the evenings. Many big people used to enjoy these chats, made hygienically in front of them.

Even after four decades we fondly remember these specialties of Calcutta. Calcutta gave us lot of fond memories/experiences.

BIRTH OF SANGAMAM

It was in 1983 that Genlite set foot in the Genset business in a small way. In those days, genset market was dominated by corporates like Parry & company, Batliboi , Escorts and Voltas. At that time Genlite was a small fry in that business. It was a steep ascent in the next 10 years at the end of which Genlite emerged as a leading Genset OEM in the South. For Engine manufacturers like KOEL, Ashok Leyland and Caterpillar Genlite was one of the best  Genset assemblers. In 1993, while evaluating the growth and performance of Genlite reached the conclusion that the best dealer net work , rapport with Principals, strong customer goodwill, and efficient teamwork  were the factors promoting us. In order to foster and fortify our rating we thought of organising family get-together every year involving our dealers, our sales team and the Principals

Consequently the first get-together was organised in January 1993. The venue was the Bolgatti palace, Bolgatti Islands, Kochi. We checked in the after noon of 13^th Jan 1993. All the participants had checked in before evening. That day we had a relaxed and warm curtain raiser session that evening. The next day all of us, the entire Genlite family gathered in the conference hall for the all-important business session in full formal style and mood. The senior executives of Koel, KEC, Leyland, and Caterpillar energised us with their excellent technical presentations. Genlite executives and dealers enlightened the session with their feedback observations. It went up to 1.30 pm. Lunch and a short seista and all were set for the thrilling sunset cruise. The vessel was a fully equipped Kerala Tourism Entertainment ship exclusively set for the purpose. After a round of backwater cruise the ship made for the mouth of the harbour from where one could catch a thrilling view of the sunset. After the sun had fully dipped in the sea the ship returned to the resort and docked there for the whole evening. The beautiful deck was to host our evening get – together. Cocktails were served and a variety of entertainment programs followed. Dinner followed in the garden. The participants had their heart , head and belly full. Everyone returned to their room/cottage at their own time.

 The next day sight seeing trip was organised to take all participants around the city and finally to the Athirappilly Waterfalls. The entire program ended in three days and two night. As the meet was jointly held with dealers , Principals and Genlite we aptly named it as Sangamam – the confluence of three entities. The format of Sangamam made in our first meet is being followed even today. Even Koel has also adopted same format for their GOEM/Dealers meets.

Genlite has conducted 23 Sangamams so far covering,

• Scenic hill stations – Munnar , Ooty , Kodaikanal , Coorg , Thekkady , Dharamshala , Yercaud, Wayanad , Panshet Pune and Mysore.
• Ideal beach resorts  – Kovalam, Goa, Poovar, Chennai, Alleppey and Pondicherry.
• Foreign locations – Singapore , Malaysia / Langkawi.

Our Poovar Sangamam in 2008  to commemorate Genlite’s Silver Jubilee was inaugurated by Mr.Atul Kirloskar Chairman of Koel. Mr.Kirloskar came with his wife, stayed with us and  enlightened us by partaking in all activities

Mr.Kirloskar was also chief guest for our Pune Sangamam of 1998. All the directors and Senior executives of Koel joined us for dinner at Panshet resort.

   Mr.Ashok Jamenis who was Vice President and later Director of Koel attended many of our meets and entertained our members with his experience and interesting anecdots. Mr.R R Deshpande who retired as MD of Koel also attended many of our Sangamams and was all praise for our Kumbakonam Sangamam in 2003 which was in Ethnic style.Our Sangamams at Singapore and Malaysia were in grand style. In Singapore we covered most of the attractive places including Sentosa islands.At Malaysia covering Langkawi we had a world class sea cruise which is still live in our memories with overnight stay in the cruise ship.

From 2013 onwards in all our Sangamams Mr. Sanjiv Nimkar, present MD of Koel is a regular guest. He is all praise for our regular Sangamams and  advised all other GOEMs to follow Genlite’s style of appeasing their dealers and sales team.

We cherish the fact that this Sangamam has helped us to hold the ground for the last four decades.

For senior citizens

All the seniors should know and follow these rules in order to get harmonious relations and amity in the rest of your life.

First of all you should have patience and tolerence.

You may think that you have  better knowledge from experience. Never try to teach others what you know even if you are right, unless requested. Do not impose yourself on anyone on any subject. Do not give unsolicited opinion all the time. Do not expect every one to follow your opinion.

Do not try to protect your loved ones from all misfortunes of the world.Just love them and pray for them. Do not expect gratitude from children. There are no ungrateful children, there are only stupid parents who expect gratitude from children. If you are not getting your preference, never complain. Instead, accept them without any soreness.

Take care of your spouse all the time who is your soulmate. Keep her cheerful always. Remember that she is the only one lives for you and she is the only one who really needs you all the time by her side.

Do not live in your past. Many elders glorify their past and like their peers to follow that. This is a great mistake. Don’t cry over the past, its gone. Don’t let the past steal your present. Be happy and contented with the present.

Do not complain about your health and woes all the time. Old age issues are common for all. Engage yourself in reading, writing, farming, cooking or a game. These will keep you happy.

As Lord Krishna advised Uddhava in Bhagavatham the woe and distress of man is due to his own mind/attitude. It is not due to his past deeds or his stars or act of God. His own ego or character is the soul reason for the distress.

Hence live humbly to enjoy the rest of your life.