Three points for success

Boris Becker, the former world tennis champion, was asked on a radio programme whether he had always been a champion.

His answer was “No.” However, he admitted that in his younger days he was always considered a future champion though there were other boys who had been better than him and more naturally gifted.

When the interviewer asked what had happened to all those better boys, Becker replied: “They just didn’t make it. For all their talent they didn’t have what it takes” meaning they did not know how to cash in on their talent.

The interviewer asked how Becker had done so.

“You’ve got to want desperately to succeed,” said Becker.

“Is that the secret?”

“Yes, but there’s another. One needs discipline. No matter how much talent you have, you’ve got to have the discipline to nurture and develop it. You’ve got to prioritise and give up a lot of things that can seem very attractive at the time.”

“Is that all?” asked the interviewer.

“There’s another,” said the former tennis ace, “and it’s harder and more demanding than the first two put together. You need humility, no matter how good you are. You need humility to listen to your coaches, to take advice, to test new possibilities, and to admit you don’t know everything. Feedback is the breakfast of champions. These three things are the secrets of my success.”

LEARN FROM OTHERS.

Are these fashion shows relevant?

Few Days ago, a columnist in a news paper described a fashion show as “fashionably unfashionable’ and a sad show. This leaves us pondering on the relevance of such fashion shows. What is most striking in these fashion shows is that they are more of cultural nights without a pinch of fashion.

The reason for this is quite obvious. First of all, for most of the organizers the programme is merely a money-making process. Thus, it ends up being another cultural evening with a fashion show crammed between other shows. The question is why is it then called a fashion show. It can be called a cultural night. Probably, due to the popularity of the word ‘fashion’, these cultural shows with little fashion involved, are termed ‘fashion shows’.

The words ‘fashion’ and ‘fashion shows’ are misunderstood. In fact, a fashion show is more of a display show for launching or promoting a brand for the industry, market, foreign buyers or prospective buyers. In all these cases, the people watching the show, at least, have knowledge of the field. Most of these organized shows are meant for a select class in metro cities. In smaller towns, a fashion show turns out to be a cultural evening where people hoot and whistle on any skin show.

Most interesting is the fact that the people organizing these shows are usually not professionals of the field. They do not even know the basics of the design and garment industry. They just randomly pick garments from sponsors like boutique owners. Most of the time the models are locally picked who may not have the right attitude and skills for ramp shows. Very little thought is given to fittings or ramp appeal through right draping of the garments. So, if the show becomes a cropper, it should not be a wonder.

Most people in India believe that what is shown in channels, is fashion. No, it is not that because the most innovative and craziest designers need to sell their garments. For that purpose, they will have to be practical. No business runs just for the show. A designer is not successful unless his work sells. So, the bizarre things are more of an attention-grabbing process. Unless he creates a head-turning impact on the ramp with something truly different, you will not remember his name.

 This is how the entire advertising industry works where they show the truth in a dramatic way to create an impact. Even Gianni Versace got a world notice for his safety pin dress at the Oscar night.

The garments of the real fashion show are different and impractical and just for advertisement or concept preparation. If you walk into the same designer’s showroom, you will probably find more practical and wearable stuff.

What is really needed is the correct exposure and knowledge of any field before venturing into it. Till then, we may have to witness more of such sad, slip–shoddy cultural nights in the name of fashion shows. 

Candles are steeped in history

We have recently seen a series of candlelight rallies in many parts of the country, seeking justice for the 23-year-old girl who was raped in a bus in Delhi and succumbed to the brutalities inflicted on her after 13 days. In Bhubaneswar too, many organisations staged candlelight rallies.

All these candle marches and the fervour of Christmas and New Year makes one wonder about candles. 

Candles are one of the earliest inventions of the ancient world. We have candlesticks from Egypt and Greece dating back to 3000 BC. As a source of illumination, candles were the successors of early rush- lights which consisted of pith (tissue in stems and branches of plants) of reeds soaked in household grease (soft melted fat of animals) and the candlefish.

In course of time, an improvement was made by the introduction of flax and cotton thread. These were dipped in animal fat and called ‘tallow candles’.  They were widely used in Europe in the Middle Ages and led to the establishment of guilds of travelling candlemakers who would go from house to house making candles. Until the middle of the 18^th century, tallow and beeswax were the only materials used in the manufacture of candles.

Remember the English poem ‘Night of the Scorpion’? The father put paraffin on the stung area to relieve the mother’s pain. Today, a bulk of the world’s candles is made with paraffin wax. There are now five methods of making candles—dipping, moulding, pouring, drawing and extrusion.

In the West, the church is one of the best customers of candles. Sales of candles rise steeply before any religious holidays like Easter or Christmas. The large candles are generally for church altars. In European countries, some candles are real works of art. Germans and Scandinavians are very partial to candles.

If one is invited to a meal or even coffee and cakes, then one or several colourful candles in decorative stands will be placed on the dining table and lighted to mark the occasion. Ornate candle stands and candles are also presented as gifts.

Not all the candles are lit. Anything costing over Rs.200 or so is kept in the home as an ornament. Scented candles are used to fight insomnia or to just make the room aromatic and induce the sensation of relaxation.

Technology changing our lives

Technology is changing our lives at a frantic pace. Every year new applications and gadgets are introduced to make life comfortable and hassle-free. It is a topic of endless debate that these technological advancements have really helped human beings or made them completely dependent.

The trend of online shopping saw a new height in 2012. Many new e-shopping marts selling shoes, books, t-shirts and digital music set-up shop. According to market reports, e-commerce is set to take off in the country and Indian e-retailing sales will touch the $1 billion mark in 2013. People are buying books, shoes, and garments and even grocery items online.

Technology is changing our lives not only in the way we shop or make payments but also in the way we live our life. People do not halt at the crossroads to find their way to a restaurant or a bank. Global Positioning System (GPS) in their vehicles or mobile phones can easily direct them.

The social media has changed the way we interact with people. People may not be together all the time but they can remain in touch with their friends and colleagues on Black Berry Messenger, Instant Messenger or on social networking sites.

One could not imagine of video chatting ten years ago. Now, one can do it over phone with reasonably good video and sound quality; the cost is not high. According to a report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), India has the second largest mobile phone user base and third largest Internet user base. The report says that the numbers of mobile and Internet users will increase when the government expands its network in rural areas. Mobile phones and tablets will overtake computers as the most common gadgets for surfing the Internet in the years to come. 

BUILD A BETTER YOU

As we begin the New Year, we look with hope and eager expectation to those who guide the destiny of the nation. At the same time let all of us remember that the effort of each individual can make or mar the concerted effort of the nation as a whole.

If you are one of those who believe that you are too insignificant to play a part in the nation’s progress, read with care what God told a young teenager who prayed earnestly for a better world:

“YOU should build a better world!” God said.

Teenager questioned: “How? The world is such a wondrous place; so complicated now; and I so small and useless am, there’s nothing I can do.”

But God, all-wise and kind, replied:

“Just build a better YOU!”

No matter your age, the advent of the new year is the occasion for new resolutions and new plans. But to the teenager and the young worker, entering the new year can be compared to a bird that has just been caged.

Because its vision is not obstructed by the bars of the cage, the bird imagines that its freedom of movement is not permanently obstructed—there is a way out, if only it can find the opening.

After a few attempts have failed, the bird grows despondent and in time gives up in despair.

EAGER ZEAL

In the same way, youth faces the new year. First, full of enthusiasm, with rosy dreams and ambitious schemes.

With eager zeal and fresh vigour they devour the articles that fill the special new year issues of magazines and say with firmness: “This year nothing will stop me from my goal.”

Then as the weeks go by, things begin to get tough, and their resolutions weaken. They hear their companions say, “It’s no use!” and see them give up one by one.

When the time comes, remember that with a little more trying success will be yours.

Why? Because you are not a bird in a cage. The cage you are in is of your own making—barriers raised by past failures, bars put in your way by parents who lack faith in your powers, or companions who try to stop you succeeding where they themselves have failed through sheer laziness.

YOU can fly above them for they don’t enclose you; they are only fences that force you to mount higher.

BASIC RESOLUTIONS

Stick to basic and practical resolutions. Start with Punctuality. This is easy and it will build your confidence when you find how helpful being punctual can be. Your companions admire you and your elders begin to depend on you.

Second, learn to fulfil your promises and don’t be in a hurry to make them. Many a promising young person becomes unpopular by promising too much.

Next, try to improve your handwriting and your spelling. Learn to listen with attention and ask questions rather than air your views on topics you know very little about. This way you will learn more and make many more friends. Resolve to read at least two good books a month.

At the recent book fairs in Bhubaneswar, it was good to see more young boys and girls going in for self improvement books. These teach how to live a fuller life gaining both profit and pleasure through positive thinking and prompt action. If you are one of those who have been dogged by failure in the past, take courage and start anew under expert direction this time. With the dawn of each new day, say with courage and with confidence: “Yesterday ended last night. Today is a brand new day!”

New Year’s Day – A historical perspective

Almost every culture possesses a notion of time. It is specifically significant to the rhythms of the community life and its people. Related to birth, marriage, death and the advent of harvesting, food gathering and hunting, seasons are linked with the cycle of nature that marks renewal.

Also, there are a series of ‘extraordinary times’, the most significantly widespread is the ‘first time’, which is celebrated in certain communities like the event of a boy becoming an adult. With it are linked certain noticeable events like that of killing a bird, fish or tortoise. Besides, in most cultures there is an absolute first time, for example, “the time of the creation of the cosmos” being the object of complex celebration.

The significance of the ‘first time’ is because the act performed happens to be new, fresh and invigorating. The inherent theme of the New Year is a recitation and remembrance of the creation of the cosmos on the anniversary to help strengthen the cosmos and the community as a whole.

Before setting down finally on the calendar, the first day of the years has undergone metamorphosis many a time. It makes interesting reading in history. In the Gregoriancalendar this day occurs 12 days earlier than in the Julian. The Greeks, until the 5^th century B. C., began their year with the winter solstice (December 21). The Egyptians, Persians and Phoenicians commenced it at the autumnal equinox (September 21). The Jews reckoned their civil year from first day of the month of Tishri (September 6‑October 5) but their ecclesiastical year begins at the spring equinox (March 21).March 25 was usually observed as New Year’s Day by most Christians in the early medieval days. 

However, in Anglo-Saxon England December 25 was New Year’s Day. William the Conqueror ordered in the 11^th century that the New Year should commence on January 1 but later, England began its years, with the rest of Christendom, on March, 25. The Gregorian calendar (1582) restored January 1 to its position as New Year Day. Other countries followed it up gradually, for instance, Scotland in 1660; Germany and Denmark about 1700, England 1752, Sweden in 1753 and the Soviet Union in 1918.

Celebration of New Year’s Day is one of the oldest and most universally accepted festivals of human civilization which has been in vogue for more than 5000 years. Scholars striving to discern and draw a common pattern to New Year scenarios have outlined it broadly as an act of purification can endeavour to clean society from its past.

With the attributes of modern culture making inroads in our life, this day has assumed significance and as a mark of reviewing and conceiving the passage of time, the triumph and omissions of the past and anticipating a bright future. Arrival of this special day is, thus, impatiently awaited for the ceremonies.

 It begins with New Year’s Eve, traditionally observed and celebrated with singing in churches. The midnight hour is the occasion to welcome New Year loudly with fire crackers exploding, merrymaking and dancing. In parties, arranged for the occasion people sing and rejoice.

 People with faith in astrology, look into the astrologer’s columns in newspapers and magazines to read their fortunes during the coming year. It is interesting to note that in the west some people observe the direction of the wind too, like this:

“If on New Year’s Eve night it blow south

That betokeneth warmth and growth;

If north, much cold and storms will be;

If east, the trees will bear much fruit;

If north-east, flee it man and brute”

These people believe that what ever happens at this prophetic hour is sure to influence the course of the coming year.

The day has gained a socio-cultural tint and celebrated with great gusto, greeting friends and relatives and exchanging pleasantries for a prosperous future.