A Shobhaa De Day

A hall full event at Mysore literature fest, 2019, Shobhaa De , appeared more calm at Mysore as compared to what I had seen with Devdutt Pattanaik at times LitFest fest Bangalore 2018.

It was her 71st year; made more sense for me to be all ears for the conversations and moreover for life lessons. Shobhaa De talked about the emergency period in India, media, tough time she had with twitter issues with Shiva Sena and about, suggestions of her spouse to tread carefully on social media.

As readers know, I take time and interest to understand the success habits which has led individuals to peak of their chosen field of work. What I gather up on that morning hours is as follows.

• Moment you talk about the previous era you are already irrelevant. She insisted, if I am not relevant with my six grand children, they don’t spend time with me

• Staying up-to-date with generation is possible easily by following the movies and music of the generation

• Films are effective media in India to convey the message to mass

• Young today are restless and energetic, if you don’t understand young you lose them

Change or become irrelevant. If you don’t do your home work, you are out of the game

• When it becomes popular I feel it is no more encouraging me and I change my area of focus

• If I am still in print, and it takes lot of discipline behind the scene to be there for an extended period of time. Commitment of writing 4 columns a week for last 45 years could not happen without it

• On controversies, she was clear; it hurts if one allowed it. Better look objectively at it.

• You have to take your stand and be firm. It depends on who blinks first. I have not budged a centimeters from it, in courage and tenacity

• Moral courage and patience is essential. Try it as a test case

• We have lot to give to the world around, and there are lots of expectations

• Know clearly who you are. What your short comings are. Nobody is infallible. Be yourself

• I have made my informed choices, on what I say and portray

• Be filled with gratitude each day. I am very optimistic. Have discipline; work with deadlines, in personal, social, professional areas, myself disciplined since last 45 years

• People can be as youthful and look good, as they feel it. May be secret also lies in my usage of organic cold pressed coconut oil.

I observed bright and cheerful, as witnessed last year, appears to be natural though; it matters when one has active public life and live their message real time consistently.