I admire Gurcharan Das. He was a former CEO of Proctor & Gamble India and now an author and news paper column writer.
He has written a book called Difficulties of Being Good. It revolves around various episodes of Mahabharata and raises ethical questions. One classic one is where Arjun questions the war against his own family members. There is link to a youtube video at the end of the blog
In IIIT, we have always believed in being truthful and being honest. It is not easy when the truth and honesty involves talking about not so nice things about ourselves.
This year I made a rather long presentation before the parents of freshman students. Among the many things I talked about, here are a few:
I have often wondered whether such true but negative incidents will turn away potential students and their parents. Whether we will be perceived as a pessimistic Institute.
One of the parents of a freshman student met me later. He told me that he had investigated (he is a vigilance officer) about the Institute. In fact he had more refined statistics about the Institute than I had. He knew about most the negative incidents I mentioned above. He appreciated the courage and the honesty of the Institute in narrating such stuff while meeting the parents the first time. He told that he is now certain that his ward is in the right place for next four years.
One may achieve temporary results through lie and deceit but lasting achievements come from being being truthful and honest, having a vision and working towards it, accepting both success and failure and learning from them. This strategy has paid rich dividends in last few years.
And, I hope that being truthful and honest never becomes too difficult a job for us.
In two days time, 69th Independence will be on us. Jai Hind.
He has written a book called Difficulties of Being Good. It revolves around various episodes of Mahabharata and raises ethical questions. One classic one is where Arjun questions the war against his own family members. There is link to a youtube video at the end of the blog
In IIIT, we have always believed in being truthful and being honest. It is not easy when the truth and honesty involves talking about not so nice things about ourselves.
This year I made a rather long presentation before the parents of freshman students. Among the many things I talked about, here are a few:
- Students have lost lives due to misadventure or illness
- Students have flunked in examinations
- Students have been detained for a year due to indiscipline
- Students have been fined heavily for stealing or damaging Institute property
- Students do not become eligible for placement due to poor CGPA
- and a few more..
I have often wondered whether such true but negative incidents will turn away potential students and their parents. Whether we will be perceived as a pessimistic Institute.
One of the parents of a freshman student met me later. He told me that he had investigated (he is a vigilance officer) about the Institute. In fact he had more refined statistics about the Institute than I had. He knew about most the negative incidents I mentioned above. He appreciated the courage and the honesty of the Institute in narrating such stuff while meeting the parents the first time. He told that he is now certain that his ward is in the right place for next four years.
One may achieve temporary results through lie and deceit but lasting achievements come from being being truthful and honest, having a vision and working towards it, accepting both success and failure and learning from them. This strategy has paid rich dividends in last few years.
And, I hope that being truthful and honest never becomes too difficult a job for us.
In two days time, 69th Independence will be on us. Jai Hind.
3 comments:
Sir
Congratulations for being so bold in your presentation before the parents. My daughter is there in B Tech Ist Year. I also feel secure that my daughter is in the right place. Moreover I would request you to kindly communicate with the parents more often through the blog. This would help in building up confidence level.
thanking you
K Srinivas Rao
Cuttack
SIR,
Thanks for the presentation /facts being presented for such a long period and thanks for your patient hearing to the parents questions and clarifying the doubts of the anxious parents .But it is fact that "TRUTH ALWAYS GIVES DIVIDEND .ONE DAY SURELY YOU WILL FIND YOUR STUDENTS WILL BE AT GOOD POSITION HIGHLIGHTING YOUR NAME & FAME " .My daughter has taken admission in B Tech CSE this year and I am secured that she has entered at the right place and at right time of her life.Sir, Please give your valuable advice to students in between .Counsel the 1st year students and please share their feelings inside your campus after completion of 1 month .
Thanking you
Surya Kanta Sahoo
NTPC Ltd.
Talcher
Dear Sir,
I have rarely seen a Director like you, who is so practical and motivating.
Best Wishes
Dr Hasibuddin
Post a Comment