I don’t believe in ghosts. Not the supernatural kind, anyway. The ones of regret and memory? Those I’ve wrestled with all my life. So, when the receptionist at the hotel warned me that the previous guest in Room 407 had a “supernatural encounter,” I smiled politely. Corporate travel fatigue is worse than any ghost, I … Continue reading The Mirror in Room 407
The Business Pitch for Sainthood
It was raining in Mumbai. Not the charming drizzle that inspires poetry, but the relentless, bucket-over-the-head sort that turns streets into rivers and replaces fancy cars on streets with life-boats. Rohan Kapoor, 34, investment banker of some repute and notoriety and proud owner of a penthouse in Parel far too big for its occupants, was … Continue reading The Business Pitch for Sainthood
The Burden of the Rose
"We’re restructuring, Jatin. You’ve done well, but your role is… well, redundant.” Jatin was not prepared for the words his boss spoke that morning. The sentence rang in his ears like the hollow clang of an iron gate closing. He had been one of the top performers in Sales, meeting or exceeding targets, diligent in … Continue reading The Burden of the Rose
The Boy Who Missed The Train
Came across this hauntingly wonderful song “500 Miles” sung by Joan Baez on YouTube. It rekindled the old memories of non-internet era when I heard this beautiful rendition on short wave radio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_K6z3HiRAs While I was viewing it, I thought of following it up with a story – of the boy who misses the train, … Continue reading The Boy Who Missed The Train
Real Impact is in mindset shifts, not in numbers
When we talk about impact in the social sector, it is often measured in visible, measurable outcomes:- A person trained and placed in a job- Increased household income- Improved Socio-Economic statusThese are important, as they change lives in real, demonstrable ways.But over the little time I have spent at TRRAIN (Trust for Retailers and Retail … Continue reading Real Impact is in mindset shifts, not in numbers
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗼’𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿?
A while ago, I had read The Changing World Order by Ray Dalio, where he explores why empires rise and fall, the cycles they go through, and the impact these shifts have on the world.Back then, I wasn’t in the social sector. But earlier today, when I happened to spot the book in my collection, … Continue reading 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗼’𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿?
The Equity of Guilt
It was dusk when Rajeev Kumar stood in front of the rusting gate, hesitating like a man caught between two times. The narrow alley behind him stretched like a forgotten memory, and the modest house before him looked weary, as if carrying years of quiet battles. He knocked on the door. He heard a creaking … Continue reading The Equity of Guilt
Return Ticket
“Due to the delay, the train is running out of water. An unscheduled stoppage has been approved at your station, make sure to service it when it arrives”. The wireless device on his table sputtered. He confirmed that he will have the arrangements in place, and then hung up. The express train would arrive at … Continue reading Return Ticket
The sound of thought 