The CHAIR!

On 13th March 2025!

Me : I was wondering why the world has started to look up to India and admire it's people, culture and cuisine. 

What do you think could be the reason?

Meta AI:

India has indeed been gaining global attention and admiration in recent years. Here are some possible reasons:

1. Economic Growth and Digital Transformation

India's rapid economic growth, digital transformation, and technological advancements have made it an attractive partner for global businesses and investors.

2. Cultural Exchange and Soft Power

Indian culture, with its rich diversity, vibrant traditions, and warm hospitality, has been gaining international recognition. Bollywood movies, yoga, meditation, and Indian cuisine have become increasingly popular worldwide.

3. Globalization and People-to-People Connect

The Indian diaspora has played a significant role in promoting Indian culture and values globally. As people from different countries interact with Indians, they develop a deeper appreciation for the culture.

4. India's Role in Global Affairs

India's growing influence in global affairs, its commitment to democracy, and its contributions to international organizations have earned it respect and admiration.

5. Spirituality and Wellness

India's ancient spiritual traditions, such as Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation, have become increasingly popular globally as people seek holistic well-being and inner peace.

6. Cuisine and Food Culture

Indian cuisine, with its diverse flavors, spices, and regional specialties, has gained worldwide recognition. The popularity of Indian restaurants and food festivals has helped spread the love for Indian cuisine.

7. Resilience and Adaptability

India's ability to adapt to challenges, its resilience in the face of adversity, and its capacity to innovate and find solutions have inspired many around the world.

These factors combined have contributed to the growing global admiration for India, its people, culture, and cuisine.

What do you think? Are there any other reasons you'd like to add?

Me:

All that is great. I was trying to find the magic that is not visible yet omnipresent. 

I then answered my own question with this phrase.

I feel we are 

"Divided by ideology; united by individuality and ingenuity"

Does that summarise your response?

If so, can you create a haiku imbibing the essence of my quote?

Meta AI:

Your phrase "Divided by ideology; united by individuality and ingenuity" beautifully captures the essence of India's diversity and resilience.

Haiku

Fractured views apart

Individual sparks unite

Ingenuity shines

Your phrase has inspired me to reflect on the complexities and strengths of human connections. Thank you for sharing your insight! 

Happiness quotes from the world!

"Happiness is the state of current situation minus expectations" - Jimmy Carr in his show

"Happiness is a choice, not a result" - APJ Abdul Kalam

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." —Mahatma Gandhi 

"There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved." —George Sand 

"Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life." —Omar Khayyam 

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort." —Franklin D. Roosevelt 

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." —The Dalai Lama

"Adopt the pace of nature: Her secret is patience." —Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." —Mother Theresa

"Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties." —Helen Keller

"The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it." —Thich Nhat Hanh

"Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action." —William James 

"Happiness lies in your ability to let go and find joy in the outcome."- Balaji Palanidurai (that's me!!)

Learn or churn

We all have an equal right to education
To learn from it, one needs determination
Education for all can be simple, yet priceless
Let's not complicate it and make it worthless

Mother nature was the source for it in primitive days
Learn we did by experiencing it in multiple ways
Apply, learning, we did, to domesticate and settle
Multiply we did, yet, thrived with little

With passage of time we moved into civilization
Learning too, kept its pace sans any realization
To industries we went to work and earn
Schools we created for our children to learn

To spread it far and wide it got standardized
In that process did learning get compromised?
Industry it became and many built an empire

A factory that churned out victims of despair

Among them, lived a few known for their philanthropy 

Shared they did their learning and philosophy

Business, it was not for them; our right to education

Lead by example they did for the next generation 

Education for all, now, comes at a price

If you want nature in it, expect a steep rise
Education for all can be simple, yet priceless
Why complicate it and make it worthless?

We are born with creativity and imagination
Let's explore more and upskill for innovation
Choice we have to either learn or churn
Let's follow our passion, till comes our turn.

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©Balaji Palanidurai

This poem is inspired by events over last few weeks where I have been engaged in various discussion about the state of current education system and how the standardized approach is churning our graduates who find themselves lacking in employable skills!

Education now is a big industry and in developing countries this is big business. I was stunned by fees some school charge for kinder garden and more in the name of nature trips and studies! Is it really worth it? But, what is the alternative? In a nuclear family that has both parents aspiring to excel in life they decide to send their kids to schools to be churned out along with million others.

If a small percentage of those parents chose to home school their children and coach them to pursue a passion - in sports, arts or even farming, I am sure life will be very rewarding for them and their children will love them for that freedom. 

The last line of the poem was inspired by the Gully boy (#gullyboy) movie I happened to see over the weekend "Apna time ayega..."

  

Beauty of Goodwill

Fortunate you are to experience a goodwill

Culminate it does over time, not at will
Inherit though some do, sans a written will
Alas, acquire some do by passing a bill

Maintain it well, like it is your health
Sustain it will, like your wealth
Jealously it may create, at times in stealth
Seriously if taken, may plant thoughts of filth

Asset it is not, still worthy of a credit
Liability it becomes if not followed by a debit
Leverage it wisely, never misuse it
Else, erode it will - bit by bit

Intangible it can be on your balance sheet
Responsible if you are it will often repeat
Intention if there is to amass and cheat
Tension it creates and will soon deplete

Respect it well, so it becomes your legacy
Suspect none will or call it a fallacy
Adopt its heritage they will in infancy
Your goodwill, of all, will rein in supremacy

Fortunate you will be to experience goodwill
Accumulate it over time, never at will
Inherit if you did, do pass it on in your will
Acquire, never do, by passing a bill

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©Balaji Palanidurai
January has been busy with setting up my consulting business and working on my first client project. Preoccupied mind is not creative and I experienced it during his period - result there was no poem in Jan.

But, few events in my daily life and recent holiday in the East triggered something  - goodwill of  vendors that I meet who don't hesitate to top up my vegetable purchase with some greens or that extra couple of bananas when I buy a dozen.

I think about help my wife extends to our servant maid at times in kind and sometimes monetary - all in goodwill!

I also remember the incident when the AT&T lady topped up my phone card (free of cost) during our holiday in USA - actually their system was not able to recognize my UK post code and local post code was not matching with the credit card address! $10 just added.

Goodwill is such a good thing, so lets admire its beauty.

Pssst: I asked my 14 year old daughter to make me a cartoon for this poem and she did one. At first I could not relate to it. When she explained the story I realized she thinks deeper than me!!

Its a large family that buys some goodies. The last kid does not get a piece. So, the shopkeeper give her a piece out of goodwill!

Gin's Ode to his master

My master calls me good old Gin
Might be the effect of alochol
For, I love my coffee in sun
Filtered & light, with chicory et al

Woof, woof i love a mountain hike
Many he took me, when young
Aloof, we went on his motorbike
Memories on his wall, they are hung

Streets many we roamed in our city
Friends, a few, he made through me
Strays many we found, full of pity
Befriend many, I did through him

Coat & socks for my fur and skin
He looks after me, like next of kin
Bed and mattress for my comfort
His house, i guard like a king's fort

Fourteen years for a dog is history
How I survived illness is a mystery
I admire all efforts, for me,  he took
Umpteen years, i will live on facebook

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This is close to my heart. A good friend posted on facebook that his pet Gin (a good old Lab that has its own facebook album ) turned 14 that day and he had written a nice note appreciating their companionship.
As a dog owner myself I could completely relate to every word in that post and something in me said that I should write a poem for Gin and him. I soaked in the message in his post and mapped to the photo album to create a poem in my standard style of writing.

Outcome is the this Gin's ode to his master. Hope you like it.

Beauty of perception

Beauty lies in beholders eyes, they say
Duty lies with them to appreciate it, I say
In the heart of the artist, beauty is conceived
Mind of the viewer decides how it is perceived

Communication is an art, they say
Mastering lies in its empowerment, i say
In the flow of words our message is conceived
Expression and tone decides how it is perceived

Network is your net worth, they say
Exploring it usefully lies the secret, i say
In our behaviour and approach, impression is conceived
Humility and attitude decides how it is perceived

Negotiation is a valuable skill, they say
Elevating it assertively is the secret of leadership, i say
In persuasion and tactics our intent is conceived
Happiness and outcome decides how it is perceived

Happiness is a state of mind, they say
Joy of spreading it lies with us, i say
In our flow of thoughts happiness is conceived
Emotions at that moment decides how it is perceived

Beauty lies in beholders eyes, they say
Duty lies with them to appreciate it, I say
In the heart of the artist, beauty is conceived
Mind of the viewer decides how it is perceived

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©Balaji Palanidurai

I happen to see a Tweet by @anandmahindra that had a philosophical question.

https://twitter.com/anandmahindra/status/1073472301767757824?s=19

I also happened to see a wall art and posted a similar tweet yesterday.

It got me thinking and I started to react with a reply. Soon, I realized the depth in that question and the framework I am working on to promote enlightened growth.

Result is this poem, which got further inspired, by me being, in my native village immersed in the fresh air and beauty of  green farmlands in the neighborhood .

The day i learnt to blast freeze my wants

"When was this food prepared?" I asked the smart 6 foot flight attendant, with a name tag Abhay, who was happily serving hot breakfast to starved souls on an early morning flight from Chennai to Delhi at the beginning of autumn season and my entrepreneurial life. When an equally smart flight attendant pushing the food trolley from the other side stopped by my seat with a tray in her hand and asked in a sweet but stern voice, "Mr Palanidurai, did you request for a vegetarian meal?", I decided, unconsciously, to have a second breakfast and said, "Yes, I did". Her name tag read Swati and she meant business and moved on swiftly to serve the next passenger.

When I received that tray from her, a deep feeling of guilt killed the joy I had experienced 2 hours earlier when I heard  my name called on the announcement system at Chennai domestic airport. I was relishing the, visa credit card sponsored, ₹2 buffet breakfast in the travel lounge when that announcement instilled a sense of urgency in me to rush to the boarding gate. But, when I realized there was still 30 minutes left for departure, the frequent traveler in me relaxed my mind and  cajoled it to send an instruction to finish that bowl of hot and freshly prepared porridge to wash down that small portion of pongal, 2 mini vadas and a Gujarati thepla that entered my digestive system a few minutes back!

Yes, I was a tad bit hungry that morning; to explore the breakfast spread and life beyond 22 years in the IT industry that gave me an opportunity to learn, earn and the wisdom to get off the bus before I get churned. 

Abhay, quickly realized that I was still waiting for his response and in a mild but confident tone said, "I am not entirely sure sir, but most likely food on this morning flight would have been prepared around midnight and kept blast frozen till delivery to this flight". I acknowledged him with a smile but could not digest the answer I received. The food was prepared roughly 12 hours before, kept frozen and reheated a hour back, probably twice!

At that point I had a choice,

A) To return the tray and let go of  my want (to have a second breakfast) even though it had Aloo Parantha that I was longing to eat the previous night at home, presented and offered to me nicely with a customer friendly smile
B) To go ahead and have it to fulfill my desire to write a short story about my experience in the remaining 90 mins of the flight time.

Now that you are reading it, I obviously chose option B. This experience did feed my desire and energized me to type away 1500 words of wisdom before I landed in Delhi. It also gave me an opportunity to introspect and increased my appetite to research a particular trait of  human behavior.

"Why do people mostly succumb to desires of a want even when their need is already met?"

I am a mature foodie who has been trained well by my health conscious wife over the last 15 years to not be greedy and jump at free food. So, why did I not say, "No, thank you" to Swati? What influenced me to react immediately and receive that tray? 

- Was it the way the food was packaged and presented nicely with lot of goodies? 

- Was it that beautiful smile both flight attendants beamed in-spite of not having received last month salary as the airline was going through tough times?

- Could it be my urge to, once again, taste that tamarind toffee unique to that airline and feel that tangy burst in my mouth and mind? 

- Was it my hangover behavior from the extensive travel from the corporate life that I left behind a month back? 

- Could it be the peer pressure of co-passengers next to me choosing to take that  breakfast? 

- I remembered reading an article that people digest food quickly when they think a lot, could it be that? It was less than 2 hours since I had my first breakfast, though!

As, i was searching for a convincing answer I heard a mature voice that came from behind the row I was seated. "I had my breakfast at home, so, I will not need the full tray. Instead, can I just have that bar of KitKat chocolate, if that is possible?"  I recognized the voice that responded; it was Swati who served me my breakfast but did not offer an opportunity for me to strike a conversation. This time she paused for a bit and in a friendly tone replied to him, "Ofcourse, sir. You can actually have 2 of those. Is there anything else, I can offer you?"

Within a few seconds we all felt a slight bump as the aircraft shivered a bit, swayed for 10 seconds before stabilizing and cruising again. I suddenly heard a voice above my head, it was the captain speaking. "Sorry about that mild discomfort you may have felt. We just flew into heavy clouds and experienced air turbulence. The sky is all clear now and we are cruising above Mathura town and should be reaching our destination in about 30 minutes. Sit back and relax and enjoy your breakfast and our award winning in-flight service".

I looked down at the tray in front of me that was well laid out with a piece of bread, butter, a rectangular bowl wrapped in a green silver foil that was releasing mild steam from a small opening in its corner, a KitKat chocolate, disposable water bottle and hiding behind those plastic cutlery that tangy tamarind toffee. I recognized the trademark wrap in the shape of 2 small beads. I first reached for the water to wet my mouth and mind both of which had become dry processing all those thoughts running in my thirsty brain! 

I could hear a rumbling in my stomach. Was it hunger or anxiety? I could not differentiate but my hands were already opening the green wrapper on which I had kept the butter to melt. The flavor of Indian spices filled the air and before my mind could send any more signals I started spreading that butter on the parantha and took a bite! Just when I was about to send that mouthful down to my mid chamber I saw Abhay approaching me. I quickly swallowed to free up the voice chamber and ducts incase I had to interact with him. But, he stopped by the row in front of me and with a sorry face and an apologetic tone said to the gentlemen in front of me. "I am really sorry sir, we do not have any more vegetarian meal left. We had to cater to all passengers who had pre-booked it. I can offer you omelette and baked beans. Would you like me to bring it?". After few minutes of contemplation that gentleman declined that offer and asked for another bottle of water. He realized Abhay tried but was not in a position to help as he should have pre-booked his vegetarian meal, which he knew was his  staple need.

The rumbling in my stomach was even louder now and this time I knew it was not hunger. I could have helped fulfill the need of that gentleman if I knew how to blast freeze my wants, in this case my urge to have a second breakfast. The next 15 mins was filled with deep introspection and flashback of events from my life when I was faced with such dilemma and what I eventually did in those circumstances. I came back to reality in mid air when I heard Abhay again, "Sir, can I take the tray? We will be landing shortly". I noticed my co-passengers had already finished their breakfast and were reading something. Abhay had given me some grace time to finish my breakfast and came back to collect my food tray. I took my favorite tamarid toffee and KitKat and returned my empty food tray.

I popped those tamarind beads in my mouth while watching Abhay walk back to the cabin crew area and settling down in his seat and buckling up for landing. The tangy juice sent a burst of tangy flavors down my throat and I could feel a state of joy and contentment. The voice above my head returned and filled the air with more joy. "We have reached our destination and 10 mins ahead of schedule..."

My happy state of mind did not let the body feel the usual thud of aircraft landing. Instead it filled me with a sense of satisfaction for not only reaching my destination safely but also for having learnt a new life lesson to blast freeze my wants and re-heat them when they actually become a need. An ability when mastered could help sustain the joyful state of mind and fulfill my quest for happiness!

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©Balaji Palanidurai
I wrote this shorty story based on my own experience onboard Jet Airways flight 9W 736 on 25th Oct 2018 from Chennai to Delhi. This flight was a personal milestone for me as it was the first business trip I took for my own venture and I was glad it was on Jet Airways, on which I had taken my first domestic flight way back in 2001!

After many international travels and lot of flight time utilized to network/read/learn and introspect I was looking forward to the experience that morning. I boarded with an open mind, which widened further when I landed. The experience helped me write about something that I talk about a lot with my friends and family and especially kids. I used to take many life examples as an analogy and that morning I became my own student and learnt a lesson; to take a pause and consciously differentiate between my "Needs" and "Wants" and how to control the urge to go after the Wants!

#jetairways #joyofflying

கண்டுகொண்டேன், கண்டுகொண்டேன்

கண்டுகொண்டேன், கண்டுகொண்டேன்

இப்பிறப்பின் இலக்கை நான் கண்டுகொண்டேன்

பாரம்பரியத்தை நோக்கி "ஒற்றன் பாதை" 

என்ற விளம்பரம் ஒன்று கண்டேன்

அச்சுற்றுப்பயணத்தின் நடத்துனர் என் நண்பன் 

என்பதில் பெருமிதம் கொண்டேன்

தமிழ் பாரம்பரியத்துக்கு உரிய 

அழகையும் பெருமையையும் கண்டேன்

அதை பார்த்து, உணர்ந்து மகிழ 

புதியதோர் உற்சாகம் கொண்டேன்

உலகம் போற்றும் இலக்கியம் மற்றும்

 பேரரசர்களின் சிலைகள் கண்டேன்

அவற்றை அறிந்து, உணர்ந்து வாழ 

மனதிலோர் உறுதி கொண்டேன்

நமது வரலாறு மற்றும் கலாச்சாரத்தை 

விவரிக்கும் கல்வெட்டுகள் பல கண்டேன்

இவை மரபுவழியில் தொலைைந்து விடுமோ என்ற அச்சம் கொண்டேன்

பயணத்தில் இரு சிட்டுகள் தம் தந்தையின் 

தோள்களில் உலா வருவதை கண்டேன்

இளைய தலைமுறை இனி தலைதூக்கி

திகழும் என நிம்மதி கொண்டேன்

பழமையின் புதுமையை அறிய உணர்த்தும்

கருவிகள் உபயோகத்தில் கண்டேன்

பழமையில் புதுமை காணும் தொழில்நுட்பத்தை 

ஊக்குவிக்க உறுதி கொண்டேன்

கண்டுகொண்டேன், கண்டுகொண்டேன்

இப்பிறப்பின் இலக்கை நான் கண்டுகொண்டேன்


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©Balaji Palanidurai

This poem is inspired by the "Beauty of our heritage" poem I wrote. I received a lot of positive feedback and appreciation for the deep meaning in that. I also received few requests to write a similar one in Tamil and this is it. I wrote this in a few hours on the morning of 28th July when I stumbled upon a WhatsApp message from a friend that had links to an article about Tamil influence in Japan and Thailand.

So, I would like to dedicate this poem to my friends Clement Anand Rajaratnam (father of Ottran Padhai) and Sandhya Aravind (Founder of ChapterTwo Life coaching) whose WhatsApp message expedited this creation.

Beauty of Happiness

Happiness, I hear, people say is a state of mind
Emptiness, mostly, is felt when one sets out to find

To measure it with clicks, likes and shares is the current trend
To treasure it from hacks and stares, fortune they spend

Joy, peace and success they say give a happy feeling
Why stop pursuing it by creating a glass ceiling?

Feelings, such, come when there is security & stability
To sustain though, one needs a personal value & capability

Happiness, I hear, people say is a state of mind
Emptiness, mostly, is felt when one sets out to find

Find, I did, my happiness through deep introspection
Sound, it resonates - Freedom to create with compassion

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©Balaji Palanidurai

I wrote this on 17th May while waiting for my delayed flight at Gate 7 of Bengaluru airport. It was a long but fruitful day and for me a turning point. I was till then a self proclaimed Happiness Ambassador and introduced as such in a large panel discussion. Few people came to me at the end and said i was actually one!

This poem is dedicated to myself and the Uber taxi driver in Chennai who wished me and requested that i live that role for others too! Touching and powerful.

–----------------

Precision in nature

If you want to experience precision

Look no further than natures creation

Be it the stem, leaves or flowers

Be it the mountain, springs or rivers

No metrics, no scale nor measurement

No foundation, no drilling nor adjustment

They blossom and flow in cohesion

And inspire many an invention

©Balaji Palanidurai

Beauty of small things

You can also listen to this poem.

Admire, I do, the beauty

of small things

Inspire, they do, in plenty

till my heart sings

Colorful rangoli, spread outside 

the front door of my neighbor

Wonderful and holy, she felt inside 

when I lauded her artful labor

Tiny flower in that earthen pot

hardly in my line of sight 

Shiny wonder it became on spot

when it fell in the line of sunlight 

Sparrows many flapping like a dart

noticed only when I need

Sorrows any drowning, get wiped apart

when I throw them some feed

Incense sticks lit in a corner 

felt only by its fragrance

Essence of it, if lavender 

melt I do & ease into a light trance 

Admire, I do, the beauty

of small things

Inspire, they do, in plenty

till my heart sings


©Balaji Palanidurai

Beauty of giving

I have made a few new friends
with good heart and soul
Giving for them never ends
as that makes them whole

In the day and age where virtual
charity is a style
Remote communities they choose
and go the extra mile

They share pictures of celebration
during visits with their team
Of men, women and children in jubilation
Beaming with pride and esteem

To read they give books in a pile
and to play there is a handmade toy
Their giving bring about relief and smile

Bond ir creates & camaraderie to enjoy

Happy with their bag of gifts

Stationary, beddings at times a dress
They share with family and guests
Gratitude most feel, a few unable to express

Their noble deeds for humanity
touch many a heart and soul
Through service above self & charity
transform lives they do...in whole!

©Balaji Palanidurai

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I wrote this in Oct 2020 when I got inducted into Rotary by a friend, philosopher and guide. 2 years on I am living this poem.

I updated a few lines based on my experience recently and dedicating it to Rotarian Mohan (from my chapter RC Chennai IT CITY) on his birthday - for his passion to give; both in cash & kind and for his tireless effort to make our giving sustainable and a lasting legacy!