Silk Route

Looking back at where we came from and where we stand today, it’s truly fascinating!  

There was a time when trade meant traversing vast continents on foot, braving harsh terrains, and risking lives and goods to connect with distant lands. Merchants on the Silk Route faced bandits, unfamiliar cultures, and relentless challenges. Yet, their determination bore fruit—they returned home enriched, not just economically but also with stories, knowledge, and connections that shaped civilizations.  

Now, the landscape of commerce has shifted entirely. Sitting comfortably in my chair, I can browse, click, and order almost anything from across the globe. A few days of waiting is all it takes for the item to arrive safely at my doorstep. It’s efficient, convenient, and astonishingly seamless.  

But this hyper-connectivity comes at a cost—we miss the human touch. Transactions today often lack the face-to-face exchanges that once fostered relationships, trust, and shared experiences. Perhaps, in our race for convenience, we’ve left behind the essence of connection.

The Shift

A constant complaint from parents is that their children don’t listen to them or show interest in studies. But if we dig a little deeper, we often find that the stress and tension accumulated at the office find their way home. And who bears the brunt? The children.

This is compounded by the heavy expectations we place on them. Whatever we struggle to master at work, we want our kids to excel in effortlessly. I recall attending a parent-teacher meeting where a father of a 6-year-old requested the school to start a German language course. His reasoning? He worked for a German-based company and envisioned his son acquiring the language early to secure a future in the same firm.

Perhaps it's time to pause. Let the kids play, explore, and learn at their own pace. Childhood is a journey, not a sprint toward adult goals.

Quiz time: why does the painting appear incomplete with the color spillage?

Organizational Behavior

Aim

This article studies the organizational behavior, it is implication, how HR contributes towards OB, and a detail study of an OB model.

What is Organizational Behavior?

Organizational behavior or OB in short, is about studying the interaction and dynamics of individuals, groups and the entire organization in an organizational setup.

Some of the interests to know about individuals are how a person is motivated, what is their personality, ability to learn new things, his/her interaction in the group.

Teamwork, communication style, leadership, decision-making, conflict resolution are few aspects of interest in a group.

An organizational culture, hierarchy, efficiency and satisfaction are few topics to highlight the organizational dynamics.

Why is it essential for a trainer to understand OB? 

Only after understanding the challenges faced by the organization and individuals, a trainer can effectively device a training program to address the concerns.

By knowing the motivating factors of the people, trainer can engage with modules that address different learning styles and personalities. That Paves way to better knowledge retention and implementation.

Knowing group behavior helps the trainer to guide people towards effective team building, conflict resolution, better communication. This ensure a collaborative environment.

What are the factors that influence OB? 

OB is influenced at individual, group and organization levels.

Individual

• Personality
• Perception
• Motivation
• Emotional Intelligence

Group

• Dynamics 
• Leadership style
• Communication
• Conflict
• Roles

Organization

• Culture
• Structure
• Technology
• Policies
• External environment

What is the role and contribution of HR in OB? 

HR takes an important role of setting up a work environment that brings smoothness to individual, group and organizational goals.

HR ensures increasing productivity, collaboration and employee satisfaction. This is possible by optimal settings of OB. 

Recruiting the right person, giving required training, introducing the organizational culture are part of HR activities.

HR mediates any workplace conflicts or misunderstandings. Here again the spirit of OB is retained.

Initiatives like stress management workshops, counseling services, and wellness programs improve overall employee morale and reduce absenteeism.

To summarize, HR bridges the organizational goals with individual capabilities. OB concepts are applied by HR to achieve optimal output and employee satisfaction.

Explain in detail about 1 model of OB. 

The following are five major models of OB.

1. Autocratic Model
2. Custodial Model
3. Supportive Model
4. Collegial Model
5. System Model

Let us explore the System model. It is a modern approach were organizational goals and employee needs are met in a harmonious manner. Trust, collaboration, and personal growth are integral to success.

The needs are people can be classified under physical, emotional, social and intellectual. A framework need to address these needs and provide scope for growth.  At the same time, investing in these areas ought to be aligned with the organizational goals. This approach would lead to a positive working environment.

What is your understanding of the module?

Here are the take away from this module.

• Studying OB is important to understand the individual, group dynamics.
• A trainer ought to apply these ideas to present effective trainings.
• HR's task is to align organization goals with the employee satisfaction and growth.

Calm nature

My wife noticed that I behaved in a calm manner compared to 2 months earlier.  We were going through the activities that might have caused this change.  One interesting thing is, I didn't do yoga in these 2 months. So, yoga is ruled out.

We had started a prayer practice in this duration. Four of us sing some hymns and share stories. That practice might have induced a peaceful mindset. Feels good to see some intangible changes in a short period. As I am exploring concepts on inner peace, this transformation is encouraging and motivating to take further steps.

Mere exposure phenomena

 I wrote this article on anima. In that, I made this statement.

I’ve observed instances where I found a woman unattractive at first, but over time, through conversations and shared experiences, I began to see her as beautiful or appealing.

Now, I got a proof for that. Robert Zajong had said this before.

The Gopura

The towering spire of the temple, the gopura, stands tall and proud, its intricate carvings visible from miles away. Its most striking feature is its ability to announce the temple’s presence long before one sets foot in the town. This architectural marvel serves not just as a beacon but as a symbolic guide. Even before we step into the sanctum sanctorum, the gopura invites us to glimpse the divine, manifest in the artistry and grandeur of its outer form.

There’s a deeper meaning here. In our quest for inner divinity, the journey often begins with external signs—a kind word, a moment of clarity, or an overwhelming sense of peace. These subtle markers guide us inward, preparing our hearts and minds for the sacred connection within. This concept resonated deeply with me when I painted my first canvas, capturing the essence of a gopura. It was between 1996 and 1998, during my time in Bangalore—a period marked by creative exploration and introspection.

Day and Night

Back in 1998, when I was living in Bangalore, I often found myself captivated by the beauty of nature. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, I sketched the silhouette of coconut trees against the vibrant hues of the sunset. The tranquility of that moment stayed with me, but it also sparked a curious thought—what becomes of the beach once we leave? Do the waves still hum their endless lullaby, or does the shore grow silent in our absence? Does the night bring new stories, even without an audience?

One night, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, a thought struck me—what if I returned to that very spot? Would the coconut trees look as majestic as they did at sunset, or would the moonlight cast a different spell? Driven by this whim, I revisited the place. Under the silvery beams of the moon, the scene transformed entirely. The same trees, now cloaked in a gentle, ethereal light, stood as silent witnesses to the dance of shadows. That became my second image—a contrast between the fiery farewell of the sun and the serene embrace of the moon.

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