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Leadership - Initial Steps

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Credit:  https://peopledevelopmentmagazine.com/2019/02/07/leadership-and-management/ Reaching nearly 37 years of age, have found myself in various situations working with leaders as well as working as one. Mind it, leadership is as important in personal lives as it is in profession / business. Through this article, I reflect on my experiences as a child which played a definitive role in my leadership skills. Are leaders born ? Well, one carries or forms leadership traits while developing as a child for sure; it makes them easier to lead. For example: some are born with the talent of communication, or say being assertive... However, as is the case with most things,  only with conscious and sustained efforts can one be a great leader. First Responsibility:  My first taste of leadership came in school and the playground: Being Class Monitors, Leading the football / cricket teams, Leading a band of boys for any social cause / celebration. Guess, the most important aspect to be looked up to
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Economic Conundrum - Sri Lanka

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  2018-19 was one of the best years in Sri Lanka modern history. Tourism was booming and the country was finally able to leave behind its tumultuous “war” past and making its mark in the world. April, 2019 changed all that. There were whispers and reports of radicalization in country and it manifested its ugly head during Easter celebrations when bombs ripped through Colombo. The country showed fortitude and eventually & around October / November 2019 was surely on the path of recovery; and then CoVID struck. Life came to a standstill and since then it has been a struggle for survival for this lovely yet vulnerable island nation. Will try and outline the reasons, which in my opinion has led to this economic crisis. The high dependence on “debt” to fuel economic growth always comes with significant risks; the debt which fuelled projects and infrastructure, if fail to generate projected revenues will lead to disaster. Quality of Projects implemented - cannot comment on that - howev
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Maldivian Get-Away

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Had heard about the pristine landscape of Maldives - so it was always on radar for a vacation. Residing in nearby Sri Lanka and the way Maldives managed the CoVID scenario encouraged me to head for a vacation in Jan, 2022 (4N/5D). When I did my search for the hotel, I didn't compromise on the quality of hotel - the factors which contributed in choosing Cinnamon Velifushi was:  safety, security was critical as was travelling with our  baby of 9 months choosing to stay in the unique Water Villas, bang on the ocean this particular island had only this resort - which reduced our exposure  excellent service always makes vacation much more enjoyable. I was privy to the excellent service of Cinnamon Yala (will recount the experience in future Blog), so it made my choice easier   Jan is the peak season in Maldives, so it's pretty important to book early - else you run out of options; for e.g. Water Villa wasn't available so we had to book the Sunset Water Villa. We had booked
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2021 Memoirs

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In another two hours, 2022 sets in. Another year, another chapter of our lives comes at an end - while another one begins. A difficult year in general for this planet - CoVID's variants continue to terrorize the planet, many nations continue to struggle with economic distress, political indecisiveness (Afghanistan / Migrants issue in EU / Climate Change issues etc.) continues to cost lives of innocents... amidst all gloom, little acts of humanity, compassion, love by common human beings continue to inspire us all. My nation, 🇮🇳 reeled in the 2nd wave of CoVID. Deaths & loss became a part of our lives and continue to haunt those of us who lost their near and dear ones. We may be on the path of economic recovery or our forex reserves may have been burgeoning, but it pales in comparison with the humane loss that we suffered - which I believe in a way could have been prevented. I pray for the departed souls and wish that their near & dear ones be bestowed with the strength to
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Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
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A Discourse on Religion

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In one of the recent Bollywood movies, "Oh My God", the protagonist is asked by an interviewer: "what is religion to you? and he replies, "Religion is which makes people helpless or a terrorist." There's another important thought mentioned: "We're a 'God-Fearing' Society and not a 'God-Loving one".  No doubt, the topic in itself is much controversial and the penned thoughts may only add fuel to the fire. I am from a devout Hindu household - learned to bow before the many Gods & Goddesses, celebrate all the religious festivals with pomp and fervour - but I was also taught few simple ideas at my home, my school and probably more in the environment that I grew up in, which I believe is far more important: 1. "Humanity" always comes first . 2. Trying to be a better version of yourself - to fathom the reason of one's existence, and also to chart which path will lead you to it  I truly learnt to appreciate t
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Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
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GRATEFULNESS

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The other day I was speaking with Aninda Kanti Maity , a dear friend of mine, whose journey towards being a confident-fit individual, transformation into one of the best version of himself has been really inspirational. During the end of our conversation, he opined that “ being grateful ” and “ expressing the same ” are two aspects which he has been diligently following over these years of transformation and urged me to make a habit out of it: remembering at the beginning of each day as to how blessed we are and being thankful for the same. So here goes, my first attempt to record things I am truly grateful for:  Now that I take a deep breath and pause to think – the enormity strikes me, the magic wonders me and the feeling overwhelms me! To the Supreme Creator who thought worthwhile to send me as a “human” in this wide beautiful world; to Mother Nature who has unfailingly continued to provide the means of life; to all people who have been with me through the travesties of the wond
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The “CECA” Experience

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And finally, CECA is back! After 5 months of spending time cooped up at home, maintaining social distancing and adjusting to the new normal, we took a break – though nonetheless in a guarded way. The joy of meeting one another; sharing, from a laugh to a meal warms the heart in unfathomable ways and that to me defines this wonderful community: Colombo Expats Cultural Association. We   had come to Sri Lanka in troubled times last year; the Easter blasts had shook the very foundation of peace and prosperity and the tension was palpable in the air. We reminisced of the times of unrest which this beautiful country had shaken off few years back. We were guarded and apprehensive as to how our tenure will be - but then we were yet to be enrolled in this beautiful community.  I remember the call from our dear Captain, whose initiative and unfailingly kind welcome, introduced us and many of our fellow members in the group. I also remember Chanchal Da’s immediate call, after joining the WhatsApp
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Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
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প্ল্যানচেট (Planchet) / Mediumship - A perspective

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  “IT WAS NOT SUICIDE, I WAS MURDERED!” How many times have we seen in a movie or read in a book ( the quintessential Bengali will remember in the popular Felu Da narratives) wherein in an eerie setting of a chilly dark room, a dim candle on a table, surrounded by a few excited and nervous people; the DEAD comes back with a bang ! The fear and the possibility of the unknown excites and thrills us! Human Being’s unending curiosity is one the traits which defines as well as separates us from other species in the planet. The urge to know and discover has taken us places, and situations, seemingly where imaginations and science converge ! Most religions have instructions pertaining to how we live and conduct our lives and few also have deciphered the journey beyond; Reincarnation / Nirvana / Moksha are all phases of the “life after death”. The concept of soul / spirit has also been mentioned in many religions which describes the fact that the human body is just a cloak and the true s
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Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
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