AISM Debate Zonal Round | Mumbai July 2023

As a teenager and even as a young adult, I had struggled but fought against the crippling effect of stage fright. Real bad fright…increased heartbeat, uncontrolled knuckle cracking, shivering, anxiousness, and the whole adrenaline rush effect. After years of practice alongside overcoming several mental blocks, and indeed guidance received from the best mentors and trainers throughout my academic and career journey, today addressing any audience on any stage, planned or impromptu, isn’t a problem. If I can conquer this phobia, then anyone can.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. So is the idiom. I had seen one side. And Nanavati School gave me a chance to witness the other side by being one of the judges on the jury panel for the AISM Debate Zonal Round which had participants from the ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) Schools, hosted by Nanavati School, Vile Parle, Mumbai on the 18^th and 19^th of July 2023.

It is only when you have experienced being on the stage, facing a huge audience that you have to address, sensing all eyes on you, memorizing the topic and related content you are expected to focus and speak on while ensuring you make no mistakes, then you would know how relaxed it feels to be on the other side of the stage. As a judge I was relaxed, but eager to learn the ‘for’ and ‘against’ arguments presented by the GenZ contestants on the very interesting debate topics.

The topic for Day-1: AISM Debate Zonal Round ISC Section (ISC Grades 11^th and 12^th contestants) was ‘Virtual Influencers And The So-Called New Age Digital Careers Are A Mirage, Here Today Gone Tomorrow.’ And the Day-2: AISM Debate Zonal Section Junior’s Section (ISCE Grades 9^th and 10^th contestants) topic was ‘In This Era Of Super-Tech, Our Imagination And Creativity Are Not Just Inspired, But Also Blatantly Plagiarized And Compromised On Privacy.’

Well, I won’t debate here on the topics. Readers can do so in the comment section. It would be interesting to know various diverse views on these topics as technology now is an integral part of our lives.

I am glad and grateful for the opportunity to be on the Jury Panel of the prestigious AISM Debate. Thank you Team – Nanavati School! An excellent host! Congratulations to the winners and every participant, with or without stage fright! Best wishes to the winners for the upcoming AISM Debate Maharashtra Regional Round!

The AISM Event experience hosted by Nanavati School is well described in the words of one the esteemed AISM Judge, Mr. Soumitra Sen, Past President – DDB Mudra Remedy and Present Co-Founder, Thinker, Mentor – Storytellers, “It was a soul churning experience for me. Got to meet a bunch of kids who are being prepared so well by the principal and her team of teachers who are so dedicated to the cause of building lives and careers. I could see that the students of the school are well on their way towards becoming amazing global citizens. The debating competition was also so well organized. Meticulously organized and wonderfully implemented. My interaction during the day filled me up with enthusiasm and energy which I needed to give me the impetus to carry on with my life’s journey. The debating was of a very high standard and the students showed immense maturity while communicating their ideas to their peers. Last but not the least were the well-choreographed and coordinated cultural extravaganza that really took my breath away. All in all, this was an experience that I secretly wish happens to me again and again.”

And what more can I add…well, let’s say this…grass is greener on both sides!

Some glimpses, more on the Nanavati School Instagram page.

Until next, take care!

…Ashu Bolar
ashubolar@gmail.com

Firewalk: I walk on fire

As a child, I was fascinated whenever I saw firewalk scenes in the movies.  Some old Bollywood movies did have coal walk scenes. However, as an adult I never thought I would participate in one until yesterday.

On a paper, I wrote my goal that I aim to achieve yet I am struggling to achieve, as the rest of the participating members, under the guidance of the coach, which was followed by the firewalk. You may wonder what’s the connect between my goal and me walking on a fire (burnt wood, coal bed)…well I have tried to answer that in the 6Ws as below.

What and How of Firewalk?

Build the bed.

Light the bed.

Rake the bed.

A bed made of wooden bars (recycled wood from discarded packaging materials); mentioned on one of the bars was that one thing stopping me from reaching my goal, my full potential. 

Every bar with inhibitions written on it by every participating member comprised of the bed on a grass layout on ground; the bed was then burnt using camphor and fire.

A silent prayer with sandalwood powder…

A round around the fire bed to get familiar with it…

And once the wood is burnt, it was spread across the grass to set the coal to walk on, with the rhythmic drumbeats and chants said out loud as an encouragement, a reminder and a final push. In the direction North East…North to reach Heights and East for New Beginnings…this firewalk is to fight and rise…to reach new heights.

Why the firewalk?

To get past, the past.

To overcome the self limiting beliefs.

To do away with the inhibitions.

Who-Where-When?

Performed by a trained professional, Dr RM Rai at Anandism – an ashram situated at Itharna, a yoga/spiritual retreat near Dehradun, Uttarakhand, yesterday in the early evening hours, in the mountains, in the chilling December winters.

It was some experience. I wasn’t sure if I would participate, but post the guidance, I was like let’s do it, and I did it. The first step for me was to inhibit the inhibition of participating, and the rest just followed. 

I walk on fire everyday.

Everyday there is one or more obstacles to overcome.

Knowingly unknowingly, we overcome these barriers.

But some remain with us, within us.

A little coaching, a little guidance has always helped me.

Over the years one thing I have learnt, and learnt the hard way, is that there is no harm in asking for a little help, a little guidance. I may know most, but I yet don’t know all, and maybe I never will. That’s where help, helps…and when it comes from a professional or an expert it turns out to be very useful.

Self acquired wisdom versus wisdom of others…I think a combination of both help us sail through the ocean called life. However, the collective wisdom should help you leverage your strengths and not be your weakness. If it is the latter then that wisdom becomes the tip of a very dangerous iceberg and you become the unfortunate Titanic. That’s when firewalk or the likes help.

More on Dehradun and Anandism in the upcoming posts…

Until then, wishing Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate and Happy Holidays…

…Ashu Bolar

Divine Confusion: Rejection-Protection-Redirection

Nah, this isn’t even close to the title the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. However, I think on numerous occasions I have been through the Inferno-Purgatorio-Paradiso moments in my life. I don’t know how and in what intensity these phases will be applicable in my afterlife. But in the living life, I can guess these moments on many occasions.

It is said that: Any Rejection is God’s way of Protection and Redirection. 

However,
What I want,
What I pray,
Versus…
What I am granted,
By the Divine…
Well, there has always been a massive Confusion.

What I pray is to grant me the best.
What I am attracted towards is somewhere between bad and worst.
Now, my expectation is the worst to become the best.
But the Divine knows it all.
And hence I get the best.
But I’m dissatisfied because it doesn’t match my worst-to-best expectation.

There is a huge disparity between the want and the ask.

And I am confused. Like perpetually confused. Sometimes I think I even make the Divine confused. Now, that’s an art very few of us possess! 

After any rejection, big or small, personal or professional, formal or informal, a person is disheartened. Deep down it is clear that whatever happens, happens for a good reason. Yet there is a building dissatisfaction, a void that needs to be filled till you find that right direction. However, in haste sometimes that void is blocked by another wrong choice—an unfulfilling job, a mismatched relation, a toxic friendship, an unhealthy lifestyle choice, some wrong indulgence—just to name a few. What is the result? Confusion, followed by more confusion and maybe depression. (Inferno; what the hell scenario.)

I think I was and I am protected, more than the number of times I can think of, by the Divine Intervention. But the time between Protection and Redirection is the worst phase. A person may be so confused and lost that you could be out of one mistake and directly land in another mess. Patience is the key here. What you want, why you want, and is your want going to make you happy in the long run—the answers to these very intense questions can save one from a lot of trouble, while impatience can ruin everything. (Purgatorio; the thinking, cleansing, purging, clearing stage.)

I personally think Redirection can take a long time if you aren’t clear in your head and it gets worst when you are surrounded by haters who do not want to see you rise. (Inferno and Purgatorio both at the same time…super bad phase.)

That’s my conclusion.

Until next, let’s rise by lifting others. Whoever said this knew how to generate good karma. Balance in the Karma Account comes in handy during the low phases of life—I am certain on this through personal experience. (Paradiso; a state of bliss, time to count on your blessings and be grateful.)

Hmmm, for now I am yet to get redirected and to gain clearance on my confusion. Or the vice versa. I am trying to figure that out. And I am sure I will be guided in that direction sometime soon.

May the Divine guide us, protect us and solve all our Confusions!

…Ashu Bolar
ashubolar@gmail.com

#BreakTheBias #HappyWomen’sDay!

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#BreakTheBias begins with us.

Happy Women’s Day!

#GICED #GarwareDarpanMagazine #March2022 #MumbaiUniversity #KalinaSantacruz

Hope Springs Eternal

In conversation with myself,
the mind mapping session, one day,
a question leading to another,
I asked myself:
Asma, what was in the jar,
the jar that Pandora carried?
Many things, not-so good things,
along with curiosity on her mind.
And what happened?
Well, curiosity killed the cat,
it did then, it still does now.
Now, as in?
Could there be a better example,
than the year we almost survived;
not all, but most?
Hmmm, isn’t curiosity a good thing?
Depends,
on the situation, on the surrounding.
So, what next, then and now?
Hope remained in the jar,
and in her mind,
contained before it could escape,
both then and now.
What’s the difference?
Then the jar was a mud pithos,
huge and heavy.
Now, the jar is a glass container,
small and secured.
If you were to be in the story,
what would you be?
Hope, I hope so.
And what does Hope say?
Same as did Alexander Pope,
“Hope springs eternal
in the human breast.”
We survived then,
we will survive now.
Will it be the same,
for those who survived?
It is never the same,
except for curiosity and hope.
Hope springs eternal.
Curiosity brings change.
And, Change is constant.
Meaning?
Adapt and survive, or
Resist and perish.
Use your free will,
But make a wise choice.
So, what does Asma wish?
A hopeful and healthful future.
Is that a possibility?
Well, Hope says yes,
And, so does Asma.

…Ashu Bolar
ashubolar@gmail.com

TedxGateway 2020

Another Sunday well spent!

Yes, TedxGateway 2020, held at NSCI Dome Worli, Mumbai on 23^rd February 2020, had some wonderful speakers who gave insight into topics that are the need of the hour like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its Application in Healthcare/Medicine, AI-The Unprecedented Change, Plants and Implants, Climate Crisis and Some Suggestions & Some Solutions, Emergency Medical Services – Life Saving Flash Mob via Voluntary Para Medic, Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis & Prognosis, Voice as a biomarker in some diseases like Pulmonary Disorders, Botanical Artist-Plant Blindness-The Hidden Kingdom, Cultivated Meat in the Food Industry, The Invisible Journalism & the Untold Stories.

What is important after attending an event is what remains with you, and some things that remained with me…

“Making Passion into Profession. Being one’s own boss – can be a gift or a curse (depends on how we manage it.)” – Tom Thum

“Rural Journalism – the untold stories…let’s not lose them amidst the noise created by the sponsored news.” – Gangadhar Patil

“In nature, organisms are self-assembled (not screwed or glued. On Orthopedic Implants that can be made from human collagen injected into tobacco plants instead of animal cadaver collagen or other sources.) If you want a new idea, open an old book.” – Oded Shoseyov

“In words of Albert Einsten…I am neither especially clever nor especially gifted. I am only very very curious. (on Pancreatic Cancr detection using AI).” – Rishab Jain

“From managing illness to managing wellness…Scientist, Doctors and Engineers when work together can result in a bigger happier and healthier life (on AI in healthcare/medicine)” – Dr. Lily Peng @GoogleHealth

“If you can change yourself, then you can change your family, if you can change your family then you can change the neighborhood, if you can change the neighborhood then you can change the community, if you can change the community then you can change the country and if you can change the country then you can change the whole world.” – Licypriya Kangujam – the youngest 8-year old speaker who received a standing ovation

“Tumhe maloom nahi tum kaun ho, tumhe maloom nahi tum kaun ho…tum kaiyed nahi jo ijazat lo. Jindabad.” – Mohammad Muneem, a poet singer-songwriter and co-founder of the live act, Alif: Urdu & Kashmiri poetry

“Just ambulance doesn’t save lives, People & Community save lives. Four elements that are essential in Life Saving are 1. Training 2. Medical Supplies 3. Transportation: AmbuCycle 4. Information.” – Eli Beer, Founder and President of United Hatzalah

“There is always another top (after you reach the highest mountain point. It’s never over. There is always more to achieve.)” – Hajer Sharief

The session which I liked the most was the discussion between Ralph Simon and the Former Prime Minister of Bhutan and Environmentalist, Tshering Tobgay, on Climate Crisis, Shrinking Himalayan Glaciers, and the possible ways to manage the situation. And how Bhutan is a Carbon Neutral Country (the country has maintained its rain forest – that is 70 percent of the geography, less population, spirituality and a great leadership.)

I enjoyed Lili Haydn (a Grammy award-winning film composer) & the Opium Moon Performance.

Shyamal Vallabhjee was a good host. It isn’t easy to engage a crowd as huge as NSCI Dome accommodates.

For those who are interested in watching the talks or reading the quotes, then you can visit TedxGateway Facebook page.

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Photo Credit: Lalita C and My Archive

…Ashu Bolar
ashubolar@gmail.com

Kokani Hapus

An engineer with a successful professional life, my very dear friend—Prashant Narvarkar—whom I met at SPJIMR while pursuing Project Management Program, now has an interesting concept called Kokani Hapus – Royal Fruit for Royal Taste!

Here are some excerpts from our conversation on Kokani Hapus, the very famous Alphonso Mangoes from the Kokan Belt of Maharashtra, India.

ASMA: Prashant, why a business in Mangoes? What made you think about this interesting concept?

PRASHANT: It’s not just mangoes; it was the feeling of doing something apart from the monotonous 9 to 5 job. Something that will give me satisfaction of doing something and concept of any business gives me sense of attraction.

Mangoes…because I know this fruit since my childhood. There are so many childhood memories and I know about mango plantation in detail, so there was no doubt on the quality. I knew it’s going to stand out in market where sellers sell any mango in the name of Hapus. I was confident that people going to love mango from my native place.

ASMA: What is the story behind introducing Kokani Hapus?

PRASHANT: Well, how I began Kokani Hapus…my distant uncle is in this business since last 15 years or so. However, the scale of the business there is larger with a list of privilege customers. I have seen closely how he cultivates and takes care of the mango trees throughout the year. He has taken efforts in growing mangoes in a natural way as he has academic knowledge on agriculture and regularly visits agricultural college in Dapoli to stay up to date on the latest information on the management of mango plantation. He was my advisor and mentor in this business as well as supplier of mangoes.

This is the second season for Kokani Hapus. Besides, my uncle, my dear wife has been a great help in supporting me and yes, I do share the remuneration gained with her.

As of now, I am not a big organization with mission and vision. However, I had a small target of 1 lakh rupees this year, which I have successful achieved.

ASMA: Where are these plantations located and how are they managed?

PRASHANT: The mango plantation flourishes not very far from Kokan Sea Shore, i.e., at round distance of 1 to 2 km from sea inside the villages of Maharashtra, India. Prominent locations where Kokani Hapus grows are Harne, Hadkhal, Palande and Karde. These villages are few kilometres away from Dapoli District, which is well known for its Agriculture College.

Kokani Hapus grows in red soil of Kokan that is rich Iron, so the fruit gets iron naturally from Kokan soil. Red soil is the type of soil that develops in a warm, temperate, moist climate under deciduous or mixed forests and which has thin organic and organic-mineral layers .All these parameters help mango to be rich in nutrition value.

Kokani Hapus is fed with decomposed Cow Dung.  The cow dung used is decomposed over 2.5 years to make it rich in nutrition value before utilizing it as a fertilizer in our plantation. The soil is also fed with Cow Urine (Gau Mutra) because it acts as a disinfectant.

Furthermore, to make mangoes nutritious, Kokani Hapus plantation is fed with calcium and phosphorus in small amounts as they are essential micro nutrients. This process is done manually.

The plantation is protected from fruit bees in a very innovative way. Small pieces of cakes are hung to the tree, which have the scent of female bee; male bees get attracted to this scent to this piece of cake and get stuck to it. These are later removed, thus, tree is kept safe from bee attack.

Some anti fungal and small amount of sulphur containing disinfectant is sprayed on the trees in very early days. All the spraying of natural fertilizers and disinfectants is done in the monsoon season. These are fed through spraying and by mixing in the soil.

The area near trees is cleaned and dried. This creates certain strain on the roots, which catalyzes the growth of the mango.

The growth of the fruit is judged by its roundness of shape—a little oval in shape indicates mango is ready to ripen on its own. We never use any external factor to ripe the mango faster or in any unnatural way.

Mango that are have stains due to bee attack or because of friction caused by the branches, are separated from good ones.

Finally, mango is weighed and categorized depending on its shape. We ensure export quality mangoes to all our customers.

And yes, after all the hard work, Kokani Hapus is ready for its lovers to relish!

ASMA: Prashant, how does one get to relish Kokani Hapus?

PRASHANT: By connecting with me at +91 9870385821.

Or by liking Kokani Hapus Facebook Page; link as below.

https://m.facebook.com/Kokani-Hapus-465832766944725/?ref=m_notif&notif_t=feed_comment_reply

So, friends who have tasted the royal fruit with royal taste will know what Prashant is talking about. This year, I did get the royal taste and I was a very happy and satisfied customer. For those, who are in love with Alphonso mangoes now know the way to get Royal!

Thank you Prashant for your time! And here are some pictures of Prashant and his wife (whom he fondly calls as WiFi 🙂 ) at work while promoting and distributing Kokani Hapus in and around Mumbai…

 

…Ashu Bolar