Money, money and more money OR goodness

Since time immemorial, professionally educated, middle class guys like us have been trying to strike a balance between whether to make money and more money (through ethical means of course, I am sure what we call middle class values, do teach us to be ethical at least), as much as possible Vs. a sense of contentment and be good, be humble.

Sometimes the thin line between ambition and greed blurs and in our passionate pursuits we end up losing touch with the real reality.

Money is important. No, money is very important!!! It is essential to live and gather comforts of life.

I read a nice saying “You amass wealth, positions of power , feel on top of the world and then one day you meet someone who gives a damn to all this and then you wonder if it has been worth the time.”

Honestly, I got pretty impressed by this saying and when I read in newspapers that one film actress performed at a stage for 15 minutes on a New Year night and pocketed a cool 1.5 crores, I lost my respect for money. I am not a socialist/ communist by any means but the fact that money can be available so cheaply made me lose my respect for it.

Respect; not need!!!

Some of us also feel that we are very good human beings. This illusion gets reinforced when other people tell us that we are great guys because we don’t hurt others, don’t have ill intentions, are great company to be with etc etc. In our busy lives and to suit our egos, we start believing this without realizing that even though this may be true, this goodness is impotent.

I am a great guy but I can’t help a needy find a job, help him run his house/ pay his debt, or bring some positive change to society because the money and cash flow that I have is not even enough to fulfill my own desires for a bigger car, a bigger house, a second house, an international holiday and so many endless desires. Doing something for others can wait. How good is this goodness?

Isn't this goodness impotent?

So, the question is money vs. the goodness and the answer that came to my mind is money in the hand of goodness. If a good guy has money, if he has power, he will bring about some positive changes in some people’s lives.

Condition is that either his personal need for money/ power has to be low or he has to have more money and power than his needs.

Will a middle class guy, working for an organization in a middle level position fulfill either of this condition? Probability is NO.

So, what’s the answer?

Entrepreneurship!!!

Entrepreneurship not only for the purpose of wealth creation but to lend potency to your goodness. And a prime example is a company called “HarVa” (www.harva.co.in). Please do not mistake this company to be a NGO. This company is a business venture like any other; sorry, not like any other.

Kudos to you, Ajay!!!

Have I seen God?

I read a small story few years back and am reminded of that. It goes like:

Once upon a time, in a village there was a Priest. He had immense faith in God. One day it started raining profusely and soon there was a danger of floods. Priest was standing outside his house when a car stopped.

The driver invited priest to come aboard and leave the village. Priest said “You are a mere mortal, who are you to save me??? My God will save me”. The water level started increasing and then a boat passed by. The same incident was repeated.

Soon, the entire village was drowning and the priest had to go on the top of his house. A rescue helicopter came looking for survivors but the Priest turned him also away saying the same thing “ God will save me”. He soon drowned and died....

When he met God in heaven, he complained “I worshiped you whole life but when I was drowning, you never came to save me. How uncool is that?”

God smiled and said “First I sent a car for you, then a boat and finally a helicopter. What else were you waiting for, a direct ladder from heaven?”

Few days back I was in the beautiful city of Pune. I visited my very old friend Shivendu’s parents’ house. Shivendu is now APAC head for Pringles at P & G and lives in Singapore; his parents have settled down in Pune. It was great meeting them after almost 18 years.

There is a great uniqueness in this family. Uncle, Shivangi (Shivendu’s elder sister) and Shivendu, all three did their management from IIM, Calcutta. When Shivangi was in her second year at IIM- C and Shivendu in his first year, IIM- C had the re union of their first five batches. Uncle was the first batch pass out. The Father, daughter and son were felicitated on stage and surprisingly it was Aunty who was presented with an award for the best manager (to be able to manage three IIM- C people at home :). I am sure it was a very proud moment for the family.

Somebody once asked uncle if he believed in God. He answered back that he didn’t only believe; he had actually seen God. His theory is that if anyone does anything that makes a difference in your life, it is God that has appeared through him/ her. Interesting thought and made me think:

- In 1990, I was waitlisted in some engineering colleges but was not sure of admission. My friend Anurag Batra (He is now chairman of www.exchange4media.com) gave me a BITS, Pilani form and asked me to rush as next day was the last day for submission. He had already got confirmation for computers science in a good engineering college and gave his form to me. I took the first bus to Pilani to submit the form. I was later selected and was the last ID of 1990 batch at BITS, Pilani. That one moment when I met Anurag and he gave me his form changed my life, my destiny forever.

- I did my schooling in Hindi medium and when I went to BITS, I felt completely out of place. There were not many Hindi speaking people there and I was embarassed to admit my problem of English speaking . Then I met Shivendu, who understood my problem without mentioning it. He pushed me to start talking in English with him. He never made fun of me and helped me correct my mistakes. I have now headed India business at few multinationals and am acknowledged for my public speaking skills. :)

- In 2002, my career was not progressing much. It was OK but not moving ahead. I received an interview call from a company called VERITAS. Their national sales head Savio Monteiro met me and though I didn’t have the relevant experience that they wanted, offered me the position. He said “All we want is good attitude, technology we will teach”. I consider VERITAS the reincarnation of my career.

These are some of the incidents that changed my life forever. I am sure there will be some more that I am unable to recall.

My "Rubaru" moment : Is there a similarity in the Priest’s and my experience? Have I seen God?