Today was one of those leisurely days when I found myself
settled into my favourite sunlit spot, cup of tea in hand, two crisp Suji rusks
ready, and the HT Chandigarh edition newspaper open beside me. This routine
brings a sense of comfort—a moment to pause and observe the world. I quickly
skimmed the headlines and articles on the first eleven pages, making sure to
stay informed. But page 12 offered something different: the editorial, “Must
Lutyens fall so that Bharat can rise again?” by Rahul Sagar. The thoughtful
piece slowed me down, inviting me not just to read, but to reflect. Its gentle
message nudged me to reconsider my usual perspectives, reminding me how ideas,
even from afar, can shift the way we see life. As I lingered over the words,
the story of Madhava Rao from Presidency College resonated deeply. Those first
students, personally taught by Principal Eyre Burton Powell, became “Powell’s
boys”—a living testament to the quiet impact of mentorship.
Years
later, Madhava Rao surpassed his British teacher, earning the titles of Sir and
Raja, while Powell was named Companion of the Order of the British Empire. When
Rao addressed a convocation at Presidency College, he remembered Powell with
heartfelt gratitude, tears in his eyes, crediting his teacher for shaping his
life. This simple acknowledgement carried a profound truth—the influence of
others, often unseen, shapes who we become.
Reflecting
on this, I realized how our lives are shaped by those around us—teachers,
colleagues, friends, and sometimes even strangers. These small, everyday
encounters leave lasting marks, guiding our thoughts and actions. It’s these
subtle influences that build the fabric of who we are.
Feeling
inspired, I turned to page 16 and found another piece that continued this
thread: “30 things to do before you turn 30”. The article, usually glanced at
and forgotten, caught my attention, perhaps because my mind was already open to
ideas about habits and change. Both the editorial and this list prompted me to
reflect on how everyday actions—whether influenced by mentorship or by personal
intention—can shape our lives. The article celebrated ordinary habits: being
authentic, showing grace instead of judgement, practising kindness and
compassion, acknowledging others—a simple hello, Hi, or smile—giving credit
where it’s due, and finding your passion. These aren’t grand achievements, but
rather small, meaningful ways to live. Awareness and willingness are the only
requirements.
These
reflections reminded me of my first trip abroad in 1989. At the Washington DC
airport, I queued nervously for immigration, like so many first-time
travellers. The officer greeted me politely, handled the paperwork efficiently,
and sent me off with a warm “Welcome to the US.” Though brief, this simple act
of kindness left a lasting impression. It showed me that even small gestures
can make a world of difference. This lesson—that change begins when we see that
things can be done differently and better—stayed with me and resurfaced again
during my travels in Japan.
Picture of Self with the Bullet Train Driver
Growing
up, I admired Japan for its resilience and transformation after the devastation
of the Second World War. When my wife and I finally visited in 2017, travelling
between Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo on the Shinkansen, we saw firsthand how small,
mindful habits shape a society. The Japanese practice of leaving spaces clean,
carrying one’s own garbage, and helping strangers—even with language
barriers—was everywhere. Integrity showed itself in moments like a taxi driver
reducing the fare because he’d taken a longer route by mistake. Unlocked
umbrella and cycle stand, people standing patiently on the left side of
escalators, and crowded trains managed without pushing or shoving all reflected
a collective mindfulness. These habits, repeated daily, quietly transform a
nation.
Viewed
in isolation, such acts seem trivial. But woven into the fabric of daily
life—at work, at home, in public spaces—they have the power to reshape entire
communities. Mindfulness, courtesy, integrity, patience, professionalism, and
acknowledging others aren’t grand gestures; they’re simple habits that change
how we live, travel, and interact.
Habits
are personal changes, crafted day by day. Our daily world is made up of
countless small actions, performed out of routine. Simple, mindful adjustments
to our habits can ripple outward, transforming the world around us. It’s not
about waiting for perfection, but about living with patience, responsibility,
integrity, compassion, and kindness. The collective impact of these actions is
immense: as my travels revealed, simple, doable acts are the easiest first
steps toward positive change, needing nothing more than our own commitment.
Grand plans take time and resources, but these small steps are always within
reach.
Ultimately,
it’s the small, mindful habits we cultivate within ourselves that quietly
transform the world around us. Rather than trying to fix everything, we can
begin by making small edits within ourselves. The world is shaped not by
perfection, but by millions of individual habits—when each becomes a little
kinder, calmer, patient, professional, and thoughtful, the world changes for
the better.
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