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Scribble Talk - Baachu Story - A Legacy of Wisdom: Celebrating My Father's Birthday and the Power of Kindness - Episode 23

Baachu Story - A Legacy of Wisdom: Celebrating My Father's Birthday and the Power of Kindness - Episode 23

07/16/23 • 12 min

Scribble Talk

Welcome back everyone, Baskar Sundaram here. Today is a special day. Today, we celebrate the birthday of my late father, Mr. Sundaram.

Every morning, I light a candle in front of his photo and for one minute, I recite a pair of phrases in Tamil.

எல்லாரும் நல்லா இருக்கணும்
எல்லாருக்கும் எல்லாம் கிடைக்கணும்

This translates to "Everyone should be well. Everyone should get everything."

These are the very words that my father would utter each morning when he woke up, and each night before he went to bed.

When I asked him about it, he told me, "If you develop a habit of praying for others, you will never need to pray for yourself." His wisdom echoed his selflessness.

As for the second line, he explained, "The universe is not fair and it is never going to be fair. Fools, cowards, liars, and the selfish often hide in high places. You have to remind yourself every day to stand up for some things in this world to ensure everyone gets everything."

Yesterday, during my son Kai's parent-teacher meeting, his teacher, Mr. Davies, mentioned something that filled me with immense pride. He said, "Kai is always kind and very curious. He likes questioning maths, science, religious studies - why is it done or said this way?"

Mr. Davies also told me about a school rugby final earlier this week. When high tackles injured Kai's team, he, as the captain, pointed out the unfairness to the referee. Kai received the fair play award, and his team won the finals.

As I stepped out of the school, looking up at the sky, I knew my father was smiling too.

Remember, one of the kindest things you can do for anyone is pray for them. And sometimes, you have to stand up and be counted. If you stand for nothing, you will find nobody against you and nobody for you.

The world changes with each generation, usually because of a few brave and kind individuals who dare to make a difference. So, I encourage you: stay kind, do not fear unpopularity, and dare to make that difference.

#HappyBirthday Appa. Your teachings have kept me standing even when people tried to push me down. You did not drag me up; you brought me up. #ThankYou Appa!

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Welcome back everyone, Baskar Sundaram here. Today is a special day. Today, we celebrate the birthday of my late father, Mr. Sundaram.

Every morning, I light a candle in front of his photo and for one minute, I recite a pair of phrases in Tamil.

எல்லாரும் நல்லா இருக்கணும்
எல்லாருக்கும் எல்லாம் கிடைக்கணும்

This translates to "Everyone should be well. Everyone should get everything."

These are the very words that my father would utter each morning when he woke up, and each night before he went to bed.

When I asked him about it, he told me, "If you develop a habit of praying for others, you will never need to pray for yourself." His wisdom echoed his selflessness.

As for the second line, he explained, "The universe is not fair and it is never going to be fair. Fools, cowards, liars, and the selfish often hide in high places. You have to remind yourself every day to stand up for some things in this world to ensure everyone gets everything."

Yesterday, during my son Kai's parent-teacher meeting, his teacher, Mr. Davies, mentioned something that filled me with immense pride. He said, "Kai is always kind and very curious. He likes questioning maths, science, religious studies - why is it done or said this way?"

Mr. Davies also told me about a school rugby final earlier this week. When high tackles injured Kai's team, he, as the captain, pointed out the unfairness to the referee. Kai received the fair play award, and his team won the finals.

As I stepped out of the school, looking up at the sky, I knew my father was smiling too.

Remember, one of the kindest things you can do for anyone is pray for them. And sometimes, you have to stand up and be counted. If you stand for nothing, you will find nobody against you and nobody for you.

The world changes with each generation, usually because of a few brave and kind individuals who dare to make a difference. So, I encourage you: stay kind, do not fear unpopularity, and dare to make that difference.

#HappyBirthday Appa. Your teachings have kept me standing even when people tried to push me down. You did not drag me up; you brought me up. #ThankYou Appa!

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Previous Episode

undefined - Baachu Story - Inspired by Howard Nutt: A Tribute to a Great Mentor, 3rd Death Anniversary Message - Episode 22

Baachu Story - Inspired by Howard Nutt: A Tribute to a Great Mentor, 3rd Death Anniversary Message - Episode 22

Three years ago, we lost a great mentor and friend, Howard Nutt. Howard was a true inspiration to many in the business development community including myself. He was a Fellow of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) and Executive Director of the Business Development Institute International.
Today, I find myself reflecting on the profound impact one person has had on my life, and so, this episode is devoted entirely to him. It's a tribute to a mentor, a friend, and an unwavering beacon of strength and wisdom - Howard Nutt.
When we speak of individuals who've made a significant impact on our lives, Howard's name comes to mind immediately. His unexpected departure has left a void that's hard to fill. But instead of dwelling on the loss, I want to use this time to celebrate Howard's life, the wisdom he imparted, and the incredible legacy he left behind.
Howard taught me many invaluable lessons, but three key values he embodied have continued to guide my life and career: Resilience, Generosity, and Joy.
Resilience: Howard had an innate ability to face any challenge with unyielding strength. He instilled in me the belief that setbacks are not failures, but learning experiences that help us grow and become resilient leaders.
Generosity: Howard's generosity was boundless. It was not about giving material things, but about sharing wisdom, time, and experiences. He believed that by imparting knowledge, we enrich not only others' lives but also our own understanding and perspective.
Joy: Above all, Howard was a beacon of joy. Despite any challenges he faced, his infectious smile never faded. He reminded us that life isn't solely about achieving success, but about relishing the journey and finding joy in every moment.
Howard's passing has left a void, but instead of perceiving this void as a pit of loss, I see it as a space filled with potential - potential for each one of us to continue his legacy. Today's episode will take a deeper dive into how we can ensure that Howard's legacy lives on.
If there's one thing Howard always emphasized, it was the importance of education. He was not just a teacher but a lifelong learner, continuously striving to acquire knowledge and, more importantly, share it with those around him.
In honoring Howard today, I want to assure that his guiding light is not extinguished. His wisdom, love, and the values he cherished will continue to guide our path. As we remember Howard, we commit to continuing the journey he inspired us to embark upon, embodying the same resilience, generosity, and joy he demonstrated throughout his life.
Howard Nutt's legacy is not just in the past, it's a living, evolving entity that exists in our actions, our values, and the journey we continue to navigate. It's in the resilience we demonstrate, the wisdom we share, and the joy we cultivate.
In today's fast-paced world, where success is often measured by material wealth, Howard's joyful spirit was a breath of fresh air. He demonstrated that finding joy in the journey, not just the destination, is what truly enriches our lives.
As we journey forward, it's my personal commitment to continue Howard's path. To educate, to learn, to share, and to live the values he embodied. It's not a task that can be accomplished alone, but a collective effort. We all have a role in ensuring that Howard's legacy lives on.
We'll continue to honor Howard's legacy in our future episodes, exploring his teachings, learning from his experiences, and celebrating his unwavering spirit. Remember, Howard's life may have ended, but his legacy lives on in each one of us. Let us honor him by nurturing this legacy, by keeping his flame of passion, resilience, and joy burning bright.

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Next Episode

undefined - Baachu Story: A Nostalgic Journey Through Time at my undergrad university Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham - Personal Happiness, Making the most of our time, and the Importance of Continuous Learning - Episode 24

Baachu Story: A Nostalgic Journey Through Time at my undergrad university Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham - Personal Happiness, Making the most of our time, and the Importance of Continuous Learning - Episode 24

Come along with me, Baskar Sundaram, as I journey back in time to the place where it all started for me - Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. I invite you to walk with me through the familiar campus of my undergraduate years, now globally renowned as one of the top 50 engineering institutions. As I meet my esteemed professors and peers from the past, now distinguished professionals, I am flooded with memories of the formative years I spent studying Electronics and Communications Engineering here.

In this episode, I reflect on the timeless wisdom I gleaned from my experiences, the essential lessons about personal happiness, making the most of our time, and the importance of continuous learning. I found myself chuckling when some of today's students mistook me for a lecturer, and it reminded me of the truth we often forget: we should always be students in life, constantly learning and growing.

Join me for this heartening, nostalgia-filled episode, where I share the insights that have shaped me and the lessons that continue to guide me. So, let's embark on this journey together and perhaps, you too may stumble upon your own passport to happiness!"

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