My Sister My Inspiration

Written by Lipika Singh Chouhan, Certificate Course in Leadership 2023 

My sister is an inspiration to me. She has helped me to lead an effective life. Being a guiding light in my life has taught me a few valuable life lessons. Her wisdom, kindness, creativity, and imagination have inspired me to become a better person and achieve my goals. She shares her life lessons with me. My sister has taught me to learn from her mistakes. She has been through many ups and downs in her life and has learned from her mistakes and she tries that I don’t make those mistakes She has always encouraged me to take good decisions based on my values, morals, and beliefs. She has shown me the importance of making choices that align with my goals and aspirations as well as my ethics.

My sister is a kind and compassionate person. She always helps others whenever she can and encourages me to do the same without any expectations. Her creative and imaginative mind has inspired me to pursue my own creative interests and develop a love for literature. She is always encouraging me to live a life on my own terms.

Moreover, my sister is an exceptional mediator between me and our family. She keeps our family in check and is always there to listen and offer advice. She has taught me the importance of communication and how to effectively resolve conflict without hurting other people. She is a source of comfort and support for me whenever I need it the most.

Most importantly, my sister has inspired me to dream big and go beyond my own limits. She has taught me that anything and everything is possible if I work hard and believe in myself. She has always encouraged me to pursue my passions and to not up on my dreams. She has made my life more effective and helped me to become a 2.0 version of myself.

My sister has also taught me an important lesson about the importance of personal goals. She tells me that professional issues are temporary but personal goals are permanent. This has been an important reminder to me to focus on my personal goals and not just on my career or professional ones. It has helped me to maintain balance in my life and to prioritize the things that matter most to me.

My sister is an amazing person who has had a significant impact on my life. Her leadership, kindness, creativity, and wisdom have inspired me to become a better person in my life. She has taught me valuable lessons that have helped me to navigate through life with grace and confidence. I seriously don’t know how would I exist without her. She is an amazing woman, and I aspire to be like her. If I ever conquer the world, it would be because she would be backing me up.

Transformative Teacher

Written By Yashi Khera for Certificate Course in Leadership 2023

Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the minds and characters of students. Beyond imparting knowledge, they have the power to inspire, motivate, and instill leadership qualities in their pupils. Effective leaders are not just born; they are nurtured and influenced by exceptional teachers who serve as beacons of inspiration. This essay explores the profound impact teachers can have on developing leadership skills, highlighting their ability to foster confidence, empathy, and a sense of purpose in students. My inspiration and idol is surprisingly not a celebrity but my high school teacher, Pooja Ma’am.

What truly makes Pooja Maam exceptional is her adaptability and responsiveness to our individual needs as students. She understands that each one of us is unique, with our own learning styles, strengths, and weaknesses. Instead of following a rigid one-size-fits-all approach, she embraces flexibility in her teaching.

She takes the time to get to know us as individuals, learning about our interests and abilities, and tailoring her lessons accordingly. This personalized approach ensures that we are appropriately challenged and given the opportunity to thrive academically. It is inspiring to see how she goes above and beyond to ensure that each student receives the support they need to succeed.

Pooja Maams dedication extends far beyond her lesson planning. She consistently demonstrates unwavering commitment and support to her students. From guiding us to giving us the ability to pave our own paths and take our own decisions, it is evident that she genuinely cares about our academic progress and overall well-being. Her passion for teaching shines through her interactions with us, as she consistently goes the extra mile to provide additional resources, guidance, and support. She creates a nurturing and inclusive classroom environment, where we feel valued, encouraged, and motivated to do our best. Her dedication serves as a powerful motivator for us to put in our own effort and strive for excellence. One of the most remarkable aspects of Pooja Maams teaching is her infectious enthusiasm. Her positive energy radiates throughout the classroom, creating an atmosphere of excitement and engagement. Even the most challenging topics become accessible and interesting under her guidance. Pooja Maam's enthusiasm for her subject, Business Studies, is contagious, igniting a love for learning within her students.

She encourages us to ask questions, think critically, and explore beyond the confines of our textbooks. Her enthusiasm inspires us to embrace curiosity and pursue knowledge with passion. She also serves as a role model of perseverance and resilience. She remains calm and composed in the face of setbacks and challenges, guiding us through difficult times and teaching us the importance of resilience. Witnessing her unwavering determination to overcome obstacles motivates us to develop a similar mindset. She taught me that with hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude, I can overcome any hurdle and achieve my goals.

Therefore, I dedicate this essay on my leadership journey to Pooja Maam. It is she who has played a transformative role in shaping my growth as a leader and as an individual. She has left an indelible mark on my life. Her unwavering support has empowered me to believe in my potential and strive for excellence. I am forever grateful for her guidance and inspiration, and I carry the lessons she has taught me into my future endeavors. She will always remain my idol and a beacon of inspiration in my leadership journey.

Life is Precious

Written by Amala Johnson, Creative Empowerment Batch 3

 "A father's love is the light that guides you through life's darkest moment”.

Johnson, my father at 63 years who has been married for 26 years and has two grown children, me and my brother Arun. He lost his mother at a young age, but instead of dwelling on the loss, he learned to focus on the present and the future. He has always been a positive person and has a happy outlook on life. When I asked about his childhood, Appa talks about how the loss of his mother had a profound impact on his life but he never let it bring him down. He learned to appreciate life and to make the most of it.

As Appa looks back on his life, he cites his marriage and the birth of his children as the most important events. He has always tried to be the best husband and father he could be, and he is proud of the family he has built. He has always believed that family is the most important thing in life and has made sure to spend quality time with his loved ones. 

He also values hard work, honesty, and loyalty, and has always tried to live by those principles. He always cared for others and he always trust others easily. I am shocked to see that he still has good connections with his B.Com friends and he always cherishes all the memories.

When asked about a significant challenge he faced, Appa reflects on the difficult time he went through when his business faced a setback. Instead of getting tensed about it, he looked at it as an opportunity to learn and grow. He worked hard and was able to bounce back and make his business successful again. He is not stressed with any of the incidents. He always feels that everything is happening for a good reason which I admire a lot and he also learned that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. Being happy in life is not very easy and my superhero is always happy. Through this experience, Appa learned that failure is just a part of life and it's important to have a positive attitude and never give up.

Appa's advice to someone just starting out in life is to always stay positive, to never be afraid of failure because failures make us successful and to focus on the present and the future. He also stresses the importance of being true to oneself and never giving up on one's dreams. He always encourages me and my brother to follow our passion and dreams. He hopes to be remembered as a loving husband, father, and as an amazing friend. He also hopes to be remembered as a hardworking and honest person who always tried to do the right thing and who lived a happy and fulfilling life.

The most valuable lesson Appa has learned over the course of his life is that life is precious and should be appreciated. He has learned to not take anything for granted and to always be happy and positive. He also learned that family is everything and that no matter what happens, you should always cherish the time you have with your loved ones. He believes that being happy and having a positive outlook on life is truly the most important thing.  It's amazing to see the dedication and love that he puts into being a great father and husband while still pursuing his career and personal goals. So I learned to cherish each and every moment and thus I am following it.

“A good father is a balancing act of being strict enough to teach right from wrong and chill enough to enjoy life's adventures.”

Inspirational Essays : Creative Empowerment Batch 3

Aai by Shivani Jadhav

Ex Seminarian by Mariya K Joseph

Life Flow by Kalyani Abhyanakar

My Wonder Woman by Jessia Saji

Rebel and Achieve by Pancinovia Neelu P

My Smile My Life by Harshita Jain

Simple act of caring is heroic by Ayana Shaji

Nishkama Karma by Kruthik P S

Life is Precious by Amala Johnson

My Smile- My life

Written by Harshita Jain, Creative Empowerment Batch 3

“No matter where you are, just don’t break trust of your family.”

 “Make them proud not let them down.”

Mahendra Jain Poddar

The reason I am writing about my father is that he is my role model. I want to be like him. His childhood was amazing full of funny, adventures & lovely stories. In short, I can describe as –

“छोटे से गाँव मे एक बड़ा सा परिवार है

7 भाई बहनो का उसमे प्यार है

मेरे पापा उनमे सबसे जिद्दी, सबसे हाँहर है

वसूलों के पक्के, समय के punctual

एक इंसान मे छुपे 100 किरदार है

और हर किरदार मै वो बेमिसाल है!”!!

I asked about my father to my grandfather, his sisters, his buddies, I get to know he used to be the funniest guy in his gang. he loved to do comedy. He was the champion of kushti group. May be that's the reason people still scare to say wrong  Infront of my father. I feel luckiest daughter in the world to have him as a father in my life. I feel proud when people say " ye DADA ki beti hai". In my area people say "DADA" to my father with love & honour. Even he is not that much educated but he is open minded. He never says no to me for anything. He believes on my dreams more than me. My father is a great business man. We are 4 siblings but we never felt lacking of any type. How beautifully he does all these things.

­­­Some memories of him: Once upon a time when he was a student of class 8th, his friend copied his paper & got higher marks than him. He slapped his classmate & said "never talk to me again, I don't talk to cheaters. He is very honest in his life. In his class 10th he fought with a teacher & after it he never went school. His family was very upset by this incident . They worried about his future. But he proved all wrong as he succeeds in his business more than anyone in his family. he is a hard worker & has a very good communication skill. In a very young age, he started to earn & became a great business man. I learnt the value of time from him. he gave us leadership qualities. He is the leader of my family. I always see himself like a boss " when he speaks all become silent ".

“सपने सच होते है या नही ये मुझे नही पता पर सपने देखना मुझे मेरे पापा ने सिखाया है। खुली आँखो से सपने देखना और उन्हे पुरा करने की पूरी कोशिश करना। पापा हमारे खुशियो की चाबी है। “

I love him so much. I can do anything if he is with me.

He says – “Believe in yourself”. He believes – “Apun hi Bhagavan chhe.”. 

Harshita Jain

 

Simple act of caring is heroic

Written by Ayana Shaji, Creative Empowerment Batch 3 

Born in July 1967 in Kaarachal, a village in Wayanad was a boy full of mischief and ambition. I cannot think of another person who cares for us as much as he does. I cannot imagine another person cooler than him.  Shaji Ouseph was the youngest among 6 children born to Annamma and Ouseph. Though being the youngest of all, he wasn't pampered…he paved his own path. From those exciting stories that I heard, I could understand that his childhood was a mixture of both, great joy and misery. His sisters vividly remember how short-tempered, stubborn and loving at the same time he was. People's opinions and judgements never affected him negatively. He is very optimistic about most of the things in life and even if he is feeling out of sorts, he never showcased it.

My father started his career as a teacher in 1994 and later on became a firefighter. He is a great storyteller. When it comes to the evening walk, that was the story time…he would go on elaborating the precious funny stories of his childhood. And yes…he had the most elegant way of delivering them. The story which intrigued me the most was the one he said about his schooling. He never bothered to study until 10th grade, when the appreciation of a single teacher changes the entire course of his life.  My dad used to walk miles to reach school every day barefoot. It was during his 8th grade he bought a pair of black fancy shoes with the money that he earned by going to part-time bookbinding work. The struggles were there always, as he had to figure out his own path with little or almost no guidance and support from others. He had a great passion for knowledge which made him go back to pre-degree (12th ) once again to pursue Math after completing his polytechnic diploma. My dad is a jack of all trades and he has tried various activities in his life. He made sure that he made the best use of all the opportunities he got. He was into theatre…which explains why he is such a good storyteller, he tried out martial arts, chess, and swimming and in his late 40s, he enthusiastically joined football, volleyball and badminton matches. Unlike my mother, my father is not someone who spends a lot of time praying. His religious perspective is slightly different as he says it's not important to go go to church to pray and so on, to which I don't agree. Raising three children is not an easy task. He never forced his children to do what they didn't want to, instead, he guided them beautifully to make their own decisions. He encouraged us to express ourselves and our opinions and always reminded us to be ourselves and celebrate our uniqueness. As my younger sister is growing, I can see a clear reflection of our father in her. She is confident, creative, organized, extremely caring and also short-tempered like my dad. My father moved to Dubai when I was in 1st grade. The struggles he has been through were never shared with us. It was easier to quit, but he continued to squeeze out every drop of that opportunity. I always admired his hardworking nature, and the dedication he puts into everything he does, be it small or big he believed that one must give the best one can in all one do. 

My dad never gave utmost importance to money. He always says that real wealth is health and happiness. Be it a friend, family member, colleague, superior officer, a stranger…he always said to others what he believes is right and never sway away from it.

 I once asked him to share a motto to which he cling on to, and his response was:

“ Live a life with no regrets and not hurting any soul”.

Aai

Written by Shivani Jadhav, Creative Empowerment Batch 3

 “हॅलो शिवानी! माझा प्लीझ एक काम करशील? यांचा बरोबर मी धनादेश पाठवले आहे, ते बँकेत जमा  करशील?” (Hello Shivani! Can you do me a favour? I have sent a cheque with Sir, can you please deposit it in the bank?) Confused, I called Vinaya to ask what exactly am I supposed to do. dhanadesh is cheque in pure Marathi clarified Vinaya after mocking me for not knowing! Aai’s commendable fluency in Marathi can be credited to her working at Dnyan Prabodhini in the Santrika department. It is the conversation I remember I had with Aai back in around 2015-16 when I started interning at Vinaya’s father’s law office in Pune. What began as a friendship over shared study notes quickly turned into a special bond. I would frequently visit their home to enjoy lovely meals prepared by Aai and Vinaya.

Aai came to Pune after her marriage from Kopargaon in Maharashtra. She started working at Dnyan Prabodhini shortly after Vinaya was born. Vinaya’s aunt wanted to apply for a position but couldn’t draft an application so Aai wrote it for her. While applying she thought of giving it a try herself and got selected! Even though she started working coincidentally, in retrospect she attributes her personality development and self confidence to this educational institution. Not only did the job give her financial independence but also developed her understanding of the society and a positive perspective to life. This she says is the reason why she has been working there for 27 years. She says previously she struggled to talk but over the years she developed the confidence to hold a conversation with people from all walks of life. When I asked her about what is the one thing or choice in her past that she would want to change, she said she always postponed her wishes to spend on herself for clothes and travelling as life struggles and other’s needs took priority. Given a chance she would definitely pamper herself more and travel a lot. However, she says she has now learned to embrace the moment and enjoy it to the fullest. Through an institution where she works which is socially conscious, she wishes to continue contributing in her small ways to the society and country.. 

From just being my friend’s mother and Sir’s wife, I have developed immense admiration towards Aai over the past years. Her sincerity to work, her soft heart, caring words, love for eating and cooking for others; and most importantly her resilience is what I adore. 

Aai was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and is currently recovering with smiling eyes!