Have you seen elephants tied with a small piece of rope to one of their legs in temples? Did you ever wonder why a majestic animal like elephant didn’t just use its strength to break the rope?

It is because of the trained belief it upholds from a calf. The elephant got adopted to the belief that it was not possible. Elephants grew up being conditioned that the rope is stronger than they are.

Likewise, humans gradually accept their circumstances and assume to perform the maximum under the imposed environment, we are often exposed to. Delimiting ourselves and utilising our fullest potential is something we all don’t know! Rather I don’t know!

Humans are ultimately the biggest capital of any organization. If the most productive person lacks social skills, their proficiency is utterly a waste. People are expected to know themselves. Human adaptation, mental agility and the ability to continuously create, innovate and iteratively learn very quickly have become strategic differentiators.

So the question arises. How do you become ‘Human Excellent’?

Tracing the Trails

Looking past the trend, it urges one to deduce that scholars who renounce themselves understood the essence of Human Excellence.

  • Rama goes to the forest at the moment of his glory of coronation.
  • The Pandavas banish ultimately in the Himalayas after the great war.
  • Buddha renounces the world and goes to the forest.
  • Mahavira in his prime youth leaves everything, even his last apparel.
  • Ashoka in the glory of his victory over Kalinga renounces the war.

With these illustrations, I do not solicit to resign from your current state to seek excellence. The emphasis is that Knowledge and Skill alone are not enough to achieve our purpose in life. They should be complemented by faith and conviction. The external environment and circumstances may differ from person to person but the internal resolve and unshakable faith in our inner potential are the bedrock of human excellence. Rama, Pandavas, Buddha, Mahavira and Ashoka kept their motto in life as “not what one should do but what one ought to do” without the least concern for the worldly thralldom.

So the question arises, What should I do to seek excellence?

The Unfinished Symphony

A trespasser noticed a sculptor making an icon. He spotted the same idol lying nearby, already designed perfectly. He questioned the sculptor if he needs two pieces of the exact model. The reply was negative. Continuing his work with the chisel, the sculptor pointed out a scratch on the nose of the previous idol. Surprised by the notion, the gentleman asked if that tiniest mistake would get revealed when the statue is going to be placed far away from the pupils. The sculptor simply said “I will know the mistake”

The desire to excel is a drive from inside, not outside. It is not an exceptional act but a habit. Philosophies, Social & Global Awarenesses, Traditional Value Propaganda can only drill you to set into the pace. The Mahatma Gandhi Study Centre, Vivekandha Yoga Hall and Gnana Sabai of Kumaraguru can only be the tools to simulate the excellence in you. Its is up to you to stay physically fit, mentally strong and spiritually sound to follow it forever and excel in it throughout your life.

So the question arises, How did Human Excellence Education at the Institution help in moulding me?

The Indisputable Dimension

Well, as the title says, it has prepared me to gain a competitive edge, both directly and indirectly. The activities that I underwent imparted knowledge about Indian culture, ethics, values and spiritual principles in a modern idiom.

MY OLDS WAYS OF WORKING
  • Listening to confirm
  • Advocating/Telling
  • Internal Competition
  • Yes, but
MY NEW WAYS OF WORKING
  • Listening to learn
  • Asking Questions
  • Collaboration
  • Yes, and

It taught me that even small acts of kindness, courtesies, benevolence provide the impetus to bring out the best in us. It has enabled a different way of behaving within me. Maybe this is what the companies I had been recruited refer to when they say, “Caring Culture” & “Platonic Love”