The Creation.

   Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Creativity is characterised by the ability to perceive the world in new ways, to find hidden patterns, to make connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena, and to generate solutions. Creativity involves two processes: thinking, then producing.

If you have ideas but don’t act on them, you are imaginative but not creative.

“Creativity is a combinatorial force: it’s our ability to tap into our ‘inner’ pool of resources – knowledge, insight, information, inspiration and all the fragments populating our minds – that we’ve accumulated over the years just by being present and alive and awake to the world and to combine them in extraordinary new ways.” — Maria Popova, Brainpickings

“Creativity is the process of bringing something new into being. Creativity requires passion and commitment. It brings to our awareness what was previously hidden and points to new life. The experience is one of heightened consciousness: ecstasy.” – Rollo May, The Courage to Create 

Is this possible in business? I believe so, but you have to be willing to take risks and progress through discomfort to get to the finish line.

“A product is creative when it is (a) novel and (b) appropriate. A novel product is original not predictable. The bigger the concept, and the more the product stimulates further work and ideas, the more the product is creative.”
—Sternberg & Lubart, Defying the Crowd

             Ganesan was born and brought up in absolute rural back ground.Nature,what was happening arround him was his silent master  and he observed each and every activity with deep interest.Being in a agriculture family,he observed with interest,the process of seeds growing into trees.A mango seed will sprout and grow into mango tree only.When it grows,you can not expect coconut out of Mango trees.All mango trees through out the world will give mangoes only.That is what is programmed by nature.

                      But ,will that be applicable to human beings. ?

                                            certainly not.Human beings are equipped with a super instrument called "Mind ".He is the creater.He can transform himself into anything.But is that happenning in the world.Millions of people follow only a beaten path without realising their super power.

                    Ganesan was travelling in different plane.His activities were encompassing vertical,lateral, thinking.With the result,he had established a land mark in all his activities, for example an invitation.He had designed his 25 th year of wedding card in a different way.

 The format choosen,the words selected and the design certainly drew attention of many.

The marriage is like confluence two streams.After the marriage there will be only one river and the individuals will loose their identity and pick up a new path .In this case a mountain stream is joining a calm quiet river.What a fine example. ! .Ganesan is like a wild mountain  goat.Anathalakshimi is like a calm,quiet river.

                 The 25 years of their wedded life has brought to the world two "Parous Scions ".I leave it to the readers to decipher the meaning of this word.

 

Creativity continues in Ganesan's life .In the next post you will see his 60th birth day pictures.

                                                   The Great Expectations.

Great Expectations is the thirteenth novel by Charles Dickens and his penultimate completed novel. It depicts the education of an orphan nicknamed Pip (the book is a bildungsroman, a coming-of-age story).

The novel is set in Kent and London in the early to mid-19th century^[5] and contains some ofDickens's most celebrated scenes, starting in a graveyard, where the young Pip is accosted by the escaped convict Abel Magwitch. Great Expectations is full of extreme imagery – poverty, prison ships and chains, and fights to the death – and has a colourful cast of characters who have entered popular culture. These include the eccentric Miss Havisham, the beautiful but cold Estella, and Joe, the unsophisticated and kind blacksmith. Dickens's themes include wealth and poverty, love and rejection, and the eventual triumph of good over evil. Great Expectations, which is popular both with readers and literary critics,^[6][7] has been translated into many languages and adapted numerous times into various media.

    It was 03 30 in the early morning on 16 June 2021. Was it a dream or thought process ,not clear.A chain of events,thought process from my child hood till date was flooding my mind.Suddenly the Charles Dickens noval,"The Great Expectation "came to my mind as a flash back.

                                  It was early 1958.For the first time I left my home,village back ground and joined Annamalai Polytechnic,Chettinad pursuing three years Diploma in civil Engineering,and was staying in hostel.The student community was a mixed group in age and experience.I was 16 years old,and class mates were 22-23.I came from Tamil medium,village background,uneducated parents and agriculture life style.My classmates were mostly from English medium schooling, Pre university pass/fail,under graduate pass/fail  and well educated parenthood.But I Q level of me was far ahead of my class mates.I had started reading great Tamil litratures like Thirumanthiram,Thirukkural,Thiruvasakam and many novals of Dr,Mu.Varadarasan from very young age.So there was a general soft corner for me amongst students.I had no friends.I spent most of the time in Library or at sports ground.

                      Under these circumstances,the boy seated naxt to me in class by name Arunachalam was guiding me in english education and he was a day scholar. He is from local Nattukottai chettiar community. As a joke he had replaced my engineering instruments box with his,without my knowledge.when I came to know of that,I abused him badly, changed my seat away from him. A few days later I got a cover by post.

                      It was a letter ,written in English,by that boy,apologizing  for the incidence and wishing me great future.It was he,who wanted me to read Charles  Dicken's "Great Expectations " .Further he had writen," Ganesh,I want you to be a Gentleman,kind hearted and noble character.You should travel along the length and breadth of this noble land ,establishing a milestone where ever you go.Forget about my mistake.It was just for fun.I am sorry if I had hurt you.

               I was not knowing the meaning of that fully.I had never read anything in English other than my subject till then..How ever I could understand the love for me in his heart.But there was no reaction from me.Days rolled over.According to their customs,He went on "Adoptation "to another family. But he certainly lighted a lamp in my heart which was glowing and slowly and steadily enlightened me.

                      " Expectations" in human life is a great motivating factor.But at the same time great expectations without much effort will lead you to disappointments.Action is only our part;But the reaction or result is governed by many factors.So in the equation of happiness ,the denominator must be expectation and efforts should be numerator.Increase the effort and decrease the expectations, the resulting happiness will be more.

                         I became an Army Officer,took part in two wars,and certainly traveled along the roads less traveled by many. Human psychology,philosophy of life etc became my pet subjects.A harmonious association of powers,simultaneous and quick concentration of all senses leads to success unknown to history  is the dictum I had learnt. 

               The Army service and my honest and sincere efforts with least expectations gave me the frame of mind to enjoy what ever I get.So life goes on.

                            I had not met that boy Arunachalam  again,after my polytechnic days.I heard that he was working with "Coramandal Engineering company,way back in 1964-65.It is more than 50 years now.The time and tide might have drifted him in public ocean.But Provis,and Pip,the characters of the story "Great Expectations " rmain fresh in my mind.

                                           Beyond the call of Duty.

We must understand what is duty,before looking into "Beyond the call of Duty "

               The term "Duty " gains extra importance in Army service as offences and punishments are clearely defind in the Army act.So generally one can find more cases of performing  "Beyond the call of duty "

              People might not have forgotten the "Pulwama "attack.On 18 Feb 2019 the Pakistan supported terrorists had used a car Bomb to blow off one C R P F veh,in a convoy killing 40 personnel.The Prime minister directed the Army to do the needfull.It was decided to destroy the terrorist camps at Balakot,The Indian Airforce of western Air Command took up the challenge.

                Air Marshal Hari kumar,the then AOC-in C western Air Command was given the task to retalite and destroy the Terrorist camps.The operation code named "Bandar "was meticulously planned with super security.

             At 0115 hrs on 26 Feb 2019,20 fully armed aircrafts took off from Gwalior Airfield.Six of them were armed with Spice 2000 and crystal maze missiles.The Aircrafts first flew towards Bareilly,then headed for J &K,crossed LOC at 30,000 feet altitude to avoid Pak Radar detection.At the same time a decoy operation towards Bhawalpur was launched. The Indian Air convoy safely returned after 21 minutes,destroying maximum training camps of the terrorists.

                    Indian Air space was put high security alert as retaliation from Pakistan was expected.Sqn Ldr Minty Agarwal was on duty.

       A brilliant officer ,Minty Agarwal ,air traffic controller  was very alert in screening the Pak air space and observed unusual Air activities in Pakistan.She rightly alerted Indian Pilots.In Pakistan,28 Aircrafts took off to attack Indian bases.But they were rightly intercepted and driven back.

                    Wing commander Abhinandan who was flying an indian Mirage chased the Pak F-16 and shot,bringing down the aircraft.But unfortunetly his Aircraft was hit by an anti air craft gun and Abhinandan baled out.He was cought by Pakistani villagers and handed over to their military.At the same time the F-16 which was hit by Abhinandan also crashed and that pilot was killed by his own people in a mistaken idendity. Abhinandan later on was released through diplomatic channel.

                  The whole scenario was seen by the Air traffic controller Sqn Ldr Minty Agarwal.Both Abhinandan and Minty Agarwal were honoured by the President of India on 15 Aug 2019.Abhinandan was awarded Veerchakra,while Minty Agarwal was awarded Yudh Sewa Madal.  

War scenario does not differentiate gender difference but acknoledges the skill.Sqn Ldr Minty Agarwal has done proud to the Nation.She became the first women in Indian history to win a bravery award.

                                                   Calf path of Mind-6.

              It is customary amongst the Antarctic winter teams to wish other country's team on their important National  functions.The Indian station Dakshin Gangotri was in physical contact with Soviet Union station "Novolazaravskya" which was about 85 Km away and East German station "Georgefoster",near them.India was also in radio contact with japan,United Kingdom,South Africa  stations.

                       The Russians and Germans usually work together and visit Indian station on important Indian functions like Republic day and Independence day.Similarly Indian station members are invited by the Russians on their "October Revolution Day"

                      When Colonel Ganesan was invited by the Russian Station Commander,he along with 5 members attended the Function

 Colonel Ganesan  before attending the function prepared a short speach and got it translated into Russian,with the help of German friends.

                                 The Fifteen member Indian team in the Land of Penguins.

                                        The Russian Language in Ganesan's hand writings.

                 Here Colonel Ganesan discussing with leader of Russian station Novolazaravskya.

                     A routine thing when it is given to Col Ganesan,he thinks in different angle,to create something new out of that.

                        The poem "Calf path of Mind "is very good one which slaps those individuals who thinks that a routine work is very simple and it does not require any thinking.Remember that we may not be destined to do great things in life but we do the little things in great style.

                             The Calf Path of Mind-5.

        Unanimous letters are quite common in an organisation .Many such letters have got no basis and is written by vested interest.But It can not be ignored also.When Colonel Ganesan took over as Battalion Commander ,at M E G &Centre,Bangalore in Sep 1989,hectic activities were going on for the forth coming "President's Colour Presentation Parade " which was scheduled for 02 March 1990.A number of recruit trainees who had completed their training were retained as working parties. Under these circumstances interdisciplinary cases were increasing. Ganesan  was very strict and dealt with iron hand irrespective of their ranks.

                  In some of the cases where the offences committed could not be proved, the accused was over night posted out to border areas.Under these circumstances Col Ganesan received an unanimous letter.

       Since the letter is written in tamil ,the contents in general is like this, "Ganesan, it is a warning to you.Change your way of dealing with troops.Otherwise you will be murdered "

     

                 Generally  such letters would be written by the affected persons only.So Ganesan  implimented various means to get the hand writting  of the suspected persons and finally found out the person who wrote that letter.He was a Junior Commissioned officer who was involved in an immoral activity. Inspite of repeated warning,he continued his behavior and was over night posted out to an unit which was in Tiripura state.

                          Like a fool he wrote an apology letter,confirming that he was the one who wrote the initial unanimous letter.How ever Colonel Ganesan ,considering the other good aspects of the J C O  left him at that stage.

                      A few years later ,that J C O  got Regimental Commission and  in some other scenario he was introduced to Colonel Ganesan,With out any hesitation Ganesan shook hand with him and congratulated him.

                     The Calf Path of Mind-4

The picture  is self explanatory.It was a memento showing the end of wintering period of 5 thwinter team of Indian Antarctic Expedition. But the point to note is that four winter teams had 

 completed their tennure  and returned to India.What was the task generally assigned to a winter team.?Basically to project India's Image in the world Forum that an year long activities are conducted.The scientist to conduct experiments,the administrative staff ,and for command and control,a leader.

                     Having known the cruel nature of Atarctica,the wintering activies are mostly confined to the safety of the station and protecting the physical and mental state of the team.So it trickles down that the wintering at Antarctica is the soul responsibility of the leader.He must be physically and mentally fit himself ,creative,patriotic to establish his country,s image in the world forum.

                   Ganesan was selected as wintering leader in April-May 1987 and he was to leave in November 1987 for Antarctica.In this about six months time Ganesan ,not only acquainted himself with the Characteristics of the wild and cruel continent Antarctica,but also mentally designed his conduct of wintering.

                He started collecting materials and details about India's heritage and also discussed with the past wintering members.He felt that most of the people thought that the wintering activities in Antarctica was just like any other duty.But Ganesan did not accept their views.The world exhibits great wonders but to understand that the inner faculty of the man must be prepared to understand and makes his contribution for the benifit of posterity.

          The day to day activities of Ganesan, as India's wintering leader at Antarctica was based on this understanding.It was fortunate that his team members though unknown to him before were very much co operative and contributed their share.

                  Contrary to the pen picture given by the organisers about the Indian Station "Dakshingangotri",the first sight of the station was very much threatening whether the team will return safely back to India.

    The double story station was fully burried and every blizzard the first act of all members were to remove the snow from the roof.

             But every act was taken in National spirit and the team started enjoying the hazardous life.

        It was under these circumstances our wintering period was coming to an end.So we decided that a be fitting camp fire would be held.The old and unserviceable clothings and equipments were thrown into fire.Ganesan collected the remaining of an ice ax after the fire and made a momento out of that,which is displayed at the top.

                That is how the calf path of mind was broken by Col Ganesan.

 

                          Command is not a transitory appointment-2

                 In the previous article I had explained about the bond that develops between officer and P B O R.(personnel below officer rank ).Having understood that I had started paying attention to their welfare by suitably designing their living area.recreation room and dining hall.Sine we were in field area,all ranks get free forces envelopes.But these letters will be censored by unit censor board comprising of people who knows the language.

                The recreation was filled with many inspiring quotations and since I used to read many great leaders biographies,I used to select from that and place it in the recreation room.

                     On one fine evening one Havildar came to see me.After customary salutations ,he started crying and sobbing silently.I consoled him and asked what is the matter.He narrated a personal event.When he had gone on annual leave of two months,there was lot of works at home,and was very busy.In the last few days of his leave,there was lot of arguments on family matters between himself and his wife and he had even beaten her.He left home in the same angry mood and came to unit.For the last two months he did not write a letter to his wife  and did not reply to her letters also.

                 Under these circumstances,a few days before when he visited the recreation room one of the writing by me and kept there attracted him and felt emotionally weak for not writing to his wife.He immediately wrote an apology letter with love and affection to his wife regretting for the stupid thing he did before leaving home.His wife immediately broke the ice and also felt sorry and sentimentally replied.So the Havildar came to thank me for boosting his morale.

                 What was the writting ,that was kept in the recreation room. 

வானுயரப்பறக்கும் பறவையும் வந்து அமர்வதற்கு ஒரு இடத்தைத்தேடுகிறது.எல்லைப்புறத்தில் எதிரிகளுக்கும்,இயற்கைக்கொடுமைகளுக்கும் ஈடு கொடுத்துப்போராடும் நமக்கும் வீடும் உறவும் உண்டு என்பதை மறந்து விடாதீர்கள்.ஓய்வய் நேரத்தில் அவர்களுக்கு கடிதம் எழுதுங்கள்.விடுமுறையை மகிழ்ச்சியான நாட்களாக செலவிட்டு விட்டு புத்துணர்வோடுதேசசேவைக்கு வாருங்கள்.

                   இப்படி எழுதி வைத்து கீழே சில கடித உரைகளும் பேனாவும் வைத்திருந்தேன்.இது படிப்பவரின் மனதை நெகிழ வைத்துவிட்டது.

               The sky high flying bird also needs a resting place.Even though we are serving in the far flung border areas,do not forget that we too have family.and kith and kin.write letters to them regularly.when you go on annual leave ,enjoy the holidays with them and return fresh and rejuvenated.A board with this writing was kept in the recreation room and below that Free forces latter and a pen was kept

                           On reading this the Havildar changed his mind and their relationship had become normal.Having come to know these details, I had sent the Havildar on a short casual leave.It is needless to mention that the P B O R had grat respect for Colonel Ganesan.