The Misfit - Ready to Go

And so one almost year after the long chat I had with my good friend and editor Keerti Ramachandra on whether 'The Misfit' has a story worth publishing, getting a positive response from her, noting down the changes that Keerti said might improve the presentation and getting back to Hyderabad and pondering over the same as it meddled with my mind, I finally got the Misfit to a shape where I feel it is under control. It is probably in the best shape I have seen over the last 12 years and believe me, I saw it many hundreds of times, tinkered with it and wrote and rewrote it. There could be another 10% improvement (or more) but it is now a manageable animal and I know it now.

Having started writing it with no structure and just a whim, as an amateur wannabe novelis,t and having started writing also about nothing more than a feeling, of discomfort, 'The Misfit' is easily the toughest for me to change, write or rewrite because I feel trapped in it. It has an unconventional structure, an unconventional story and the one thing going for it is the honest effort I put into it. And it is the only thing that will sustain it.

In its earlier avatar it appealed to youngsters for it is about four young men and the ones who read it liked it. In the current avatar I hope it may still appeal to them and perhaps more. But first the rounds of publishers and all that before we get anywhere close to all that.

But for now, after innumerable edits, versions, the manuscript now stands at 212 pages, 84, 330 words. Tomorrow it should be off to Keerti again and I shall get her feedback on this before I pitch it forward. The last few days have been crazy as I tried to get it done to satisfaction and I finally have. It is a fine feeling and I think I will now relax with a cup of well deserved chai, my feet off the ground. Nothing is more satisfying than a job completed to satisfaction. And with the Misfit, it is more so as it is my first.

How Many Times Have Others Inpired My World View

I have found this happening often. Our worldview or our truth is heavily borrowed from others thoughts, writings, movies etc. Many times unconsciously of course. We find the same expressions, the same language, the mixing up of events and achievements, people fighting to death over a perception that they feel is true and original when all else indicates otherwise - it is fantastic to see how clouded we can get with our perceptions of the truth.

For example you relate an idea or an incident to someone and he or she might at some point use the same to build an incident himself and completely forget the source. So deeply does he believes that it is his own thought. Storylines, works of art, ideas all have a way of getting into people's minds and at some point the truth gets clouded. It can happen on a small level or it could happen at a big level. And I am referring here to the ones that happen unitentionally (the intentional ones are straight plagiarism for which I have no respect anyway).

As a case in point, I have had many people tell me with great authority of certain things I did, certain achievements of mine (some very fine ones too) and regaling many listeners with the stories about what 'we all did'. I know for true that many of them are not true - like getting a century in a game I did not bat in, getting eight wickets, beating up someone, impressing some beautiful woman or some stuff like that. When I protest the narrator of these stories tells me to shut up. I might have forgotten the truth but he has not. And he proceeds. What chance do I have here.

With great stories, movies, music and ideas that resonate at some deeper level it is therefore easier to believe that what we create sometime might appear original. But in truth it has been inspired by something somewhere. Most thought out there is mediocre. Some rise above the level of mediocrity because of honesty. Rarely we find the creative genius who completely trashes structures and creates new rules. What chance do we, those in the middle, have of creating anything new unless we are in the realm of genius? We can only relate parts of our life that we can remember and at best we can do an honest job of reporting it. To come up with pure fiction, a pure piece of imagination, it would need amazing concentration and clarity of an idea.

It makes sense as the great quote goes - We create nothing. We merely plagiarise nature.

The Great Indian Paradox - Rushing to Get out of Planes

Why do people snap out of their seat belts the moment the plane touches the runway? The sound of a million clicks of belts coming off resounds as the plane is still steadying itself from its landing. Its as if the belts are scalding hot or have transformed into some live snakes and these people have to get out of them to save their lives. I'd think practically everyone knows that its still a while before the plane stops and the doors open and then the others disembark and then you get off but no. Seats belts are ripped off, people are jumping up quickly as if its a race, opening baggage cabins and are ready to go, switching on their blackberrys and calling their drivers who in all likelihood are sleeping off faraway and saving on the parking fees and announcing to everyone who cares to listen that they have arrived!

And then as the plane taxis carefully and the announcement goes on that you can now take off the seat belts but remain seated still for your own safety - and about 90% of the passengers are ready to get off, bag on shoulder, phones at ears and leaning on the seats impatiently as if the plane is on fire. And most of them are educated, responsible people. What is it people?

I wonder what could be the root cause for this completely irrational behavior. Even if you do get off first you still have to get the bus, pick your luggage, why this ungodly hurry? Do they do the same thing when their car slows down? Rip off the belt, get the bags and wait for the car to slow down so they can jump off?

What is it with us that we do not queue where we are asked to. We do not hurry when we are asked to. We do not shut down the cell phones when we are asked to (and glare at the air hostess for telling you to switch off). And we hurry up when we are asked not to. To top it all we feel offended at the state of the world and how people are getting these days. Its simply amazing.

Story Idea - The Murderous Air Hostesses

Thought of a story idea while flying the other day. A plane is highjacked and taken to a remote location with some high profile people on board. There are no demands forthcoming and it is obvious that the hijackers are playing for time. The chief air hostess negotiates on behalf of the airline and the government.

Until it is revealed (before the interval) that the entire drama is orchestrated by the murderous crew, each for his or her own gain. One for money, one for love, one for fame and so on. It is the movie star on board who has a huge fan in one of the air hostesses who shows up as the real villain but the stuntsman does the job and falls in love with the pretty lass and rescues the lot. Looks like a racy plot what with air hostesses, movie stars, politicians, hijacks and beautiful islands. Many fine options crop up.

Thought for the Day - The Biggest Motivators Are Insults, Jibes and Barbs

The more I think of it, the more I am convinced that most people are motivated to big achievements, expertise, success etc - thanks to some well chosen unkind words, barbs and jibes. People who would have told them that they are no good at this or that, that they can never do certain things etc are sometimes the biggest causes for people to want to prove it wrong, even if it is the last thing in the world. Sometimes they become world leaders because of these barbs.

Movie stars who have been trashed, students who have been told they are worth nothing, poor people told that they are nothing but slaves, racism faced by those who live abroad - you read any biography of a famous person and you see that they are inspired by the sheer hopelessness and the sheer dismissal of their capabilities by someone who himself is not a great model. And from that humiliation, from that utter lack of respect, from that show of complete disregard for another human arises the biggest motivator of all - pride. And once that is stirred mountains move.

No one thing drives anyone to madness, to prove himself than this factor - pride. Trample on it fully, drive him enough to get back and he will come back and prove to you - 'you thought I was worthless, I proved it'. Of course many people choose the easy way out and die when others prick their ego but here lies the key if insult has to be used as a motivator. It should be stinging enough to prick their pride but you must leave enough room for them to want to get back. To prove to you they can do it. It should challenge them, hurt them, lash at their souls day and night that their pride has been violated. Much good can come out of that.

Many use barbs and insults thoughtlessly (they are insensitive by nature) and hurt people - but they actually do them good if the same people gear up and work for it. Some are too harsh that they leave no scope for them to get up and show what they can be really and they can crush the spirit. But most, do just enough to wound the sleeping spirit and that can work wonders. Those are the sweetest hurts that one never forgets. 'I remember someone telling me I was no good at.... I'd like to see his face now.'

Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman were voted the least likely to succeed in their acting class. Gene Hackman actually met his tutor from the class when he was working as a doorman in New York as he awaited his big break and the turor said 'See I told you you'd never come to anything.' Muralitharan was called for chucking early in his career and insulted repeatedly and he went on to become the highest wicket taker in the world. There are tons of example here.

It is a cause of anguish no doubt to do it but it is sometimes necessary to wake people up from stupor with some bad medicine if you are a good coach. Normally their current performances are bad enough to accept for them. Make them own it, that you think they cannot do better and they will show that they can.

The key is to do it right. I am reminded of Machiavelli's line which went something like - if you have to insult a person, do it such that it is too light so he ignores it, or that it is too harsh that he is crushed by it. Anything in between, and he will get back at you.

To use this line as a motivator, one must do the middle thing, do just enough so he gets back and shows you his fist and say 'I did it'. You can always smile and say 'Is that all?' and push him further. Then you have done your job as a coach, a motivator. And he or she will always remember in their twilight years how you had goaded them on - with love wrapped in some sharp medicine.

Thought for the Day - How To Go Through Fear

We hear this many times - that the best way to deal with fear is to go through it. Easier said than done. How does one actually do it? Should one close one's eyes and go through it blindly and hope for the best? Should one get it over with quickly by clenching one's teeth? Should one take it step by step, fearing every bit of the way? Should one hold on to something external? This is something that always bothered me. Everyone fears something or the other and our growth lies in overcoming the fears we have. But how does one actually do it.

I have a theory. Fear is something one must go into with eyes open wide. Any other way is harmful and detrimental to the cause and might even set you back. It must be a deliberate and careful, look-fear-in-the-eye act for the best results. That is the first part out of the way.

The actual doing could be this way. While starting the fear ridden job think that you are writing a journal or a diary or a book or a blog. Anything written as a step-by-step guide (the 'How I did It') will require extreme concentration. The book could be for yourself or for anyone else, for someone you love who might go through that experience again like your children. All the points of fear, which actually cause you to close your eyes and numb your mind, will open your mind up because these are the uncertain details you want to know more about to write or recount your experience. You will capture your true feelings about it, your reactions will be careful and deliberate, and you will normally let the experience sink in well. Go through each detail with your mind, you can even talk to yourself, or even talk to the person next to you about the details. It is after all the details, that scare you. Once you get down to seeing them, its easy.

Writing becomes a great tool then to know of so any things. People, places, ideas. Interviews done with your own family will yield so much information about them to you that you can never find even after a lifetime. Try doing interviews with your family members and put it on your blog or your diary. Its a great bonding experience. Or do an interview with someone who troubles you, or makes you uncomfortable. You will see him or her in a totally different light after the interview.

To go through fear is a great thing. Make a list of all things that frighten you and decide to do an article or a blog on each experience. Easy. Now it has a totally different flavour - you are the seeker, not the supposedly 'learned' one who can make mistakes or be like a fool. The seeker can make as many mistakes, ask as many foolish questions as he wants. To be the seeker then, is the best way to be. Like they say - stay foolish, stay hungry. And to win, you must learn to let go.

Srini Alluri - The Man Who Cycled 11,350 kms in 109 days for Humanity

I met Srini Alluri when Sinivas Bulusu, an old acquaintance of mine, called me one day and asked if I would be interested in helping in the writing of a book on a cycling expedition. The person who had undertaken this expedition from London to Srinagar, a distance of 11,350 kms in 109 days, covering 14 countries along the way, was Srini Alluri, the 38 year old CEO of a software company Sandhata.com and a friend of Srinivas. The stats he reeled off shook me up and I wondered why anyone would do such a thing. I can understand cycling long distances over a long period of time as an exploratory trip but 11,350 kms in 109 days is almost 100 kms a day! It was when saw the 'cycling for humanity' site and blog (http://www.cyclingforhumanity.org/) that it struck me that this incredibly demanding and dangerous adventure had a purpose. But I had to know more because this was not just about cycling nor about the awareness - there seemed to be much more. It all seemed to centre around Srini's NGO www.manavata.org' which is Telugu for 'Humanity'.

So I coaxed the highly efficient and competent Gowri Bhavadas who does a wonderful job of writing to take up the project of helping with the writing and promised to help her to the extent that I can. I was pretty keen on knowing more about Srini which is one reason why I went along with Gowri for the first meeting - one to assess the job and two to learn more. In a sparse, low key office that works out of a residential building sat Srini, who at first sight looks like a cyclist, because of his thin frame, certainly showing the after effects of the arduous journey he had undertaken not too long ago. But he is incredibly alert, almost hawk-like, very healthy and energetic. He is also very polite, has a boyish smile and is of an indeterminate age. As his office, so is Srini, as he dresses in spartan clothes, serves water in steel glasses, does not use electricity any more than required and so on. He cycles to work.

For someone who comes from Lolla, a small village in East Godavari district, and born to parents who were farmers, Srini has come a long way. And if one hears him, one knows that he has a long way to go too - such are his ambitions, ideals and goals. Brought up on the ideals and wisdom of his parents, books like the Gita, Mahabaharata and Ramayana, young Srini learnt yoga, the right way of living and decided to put his life to good use. His purpose - to serve others, to make people live the 3H way (healthy, happy and harmonious), to make people aware of living in harmony with one another and with nature. He helped his parents, studied, served others and did all his duties to the best he could from a young age, not accepting any limitations. Not for him time wasting activities such as movies and loitering around - he was fully focused on making this a better world. At a tender age of 16 he started his organization 'Chaitanya Bharathi Youth Association' in his village and took up social work like building a bus shelter, getting hand pumps for water and so on. The activities carried on into other areas. Srini completed his B.Sc. Electronics and MCA from Ramachandrapuram and came to Hyderabad where he became an expert programmer. Jobs, setting up his own firm Advanced Computer Solutions (ACS) now managed by his younger brother Prakash, more jobs, exposure and then his second firm Sandhata.com, which is based in the UK as well, travel round the world professionally - nothing swayed him from the original passion - to serve others. So continued his NGO manavata.org which now boasts of 7000 members in 11 countries, spreading awareness about the 3H way of life.

The journey had a few small precedents or trial runs. Srini did smaller cycling expeditions - Bangalore-Hyderabad, Udaipur-Mumbai and other smaller ones (he alwasy cycled to school college and to work and still does) but he decided to do something that would touch almost 2.5 million people (based on the thought that one takes 2.5 million breaths in 100 days!). So the big one. 500 volunteers got involved, arranged 500 events along the way, as Srini started from London on June 25, 2011 and traversed through a route that was to originally go through UK, France, Germany, Serbia, Slovakia, Belgium, Luxemburg, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan before entering India. He hoped to create awareness and bring a positive change in the attitude of the common man, to integrate like-minded people for a humanitarian cause and to motivate youth towards social responsibility. Apart from cycling there were charity events, health &environmental awareness, medical camps, planting of at least 1,00,000 saplings, personality development sessions in universities and volunteering with regional charities.

Before the journey Srini spoke to many experts who had undertaken such long journeys before and that included Mark Beaumont (author of ‘The Man Who cycled the world), John & Selly, Jon Slade who had cycled Alaska to Mexico last year. The bike he chose was a Daws Galaxy touring cycle with 27 gears. It is a fascinating experience as one can read in his blog cyclingforhumanity - lonely rides, unfriendly terrain, harsh weather, hilly terrain and so many more issues. And tales of humanity reaching out for him, the warmth of people, strangers, cyclist whom he met travelling the world like him, animals, hosility - its wonderful stuff. But driven by his burning need to make a difference to humanity (you must meet him to understand how deeply he believes in his cause and purpose, I have not seen anyone who has such high standards for himself), Srini pushed through the journey on time. Unfortunately due to Pakistan not giving the VISA he had to stop at Iran, fly to Thiruvanantapuram and take up the second leg of cycling from Kanya Kumari to Srinagar. Total distance covered - 11,350 in 109 days.

It is probably typical of Srini that this event did not get the publicity it could have got but I am amazed at what a man can do if he believes in a higher purpose. I am amazed and inspired at his single minded focus to serve humanity. 'Cycling is not a passion,' he says simply. 'It is just a means of transport that I use to spread awareness.' His day starts at 430 a.a. with yoga and meditation, his NGO runs three ashrams with orphans and the disabled, he conducts Personality Development Programs regularly, plans to plant 10,000 saplings, adopt 500 villages, conducts blood donation camps and oh so many more. Whatever he does in his life, and I think Srini has aready done a lot, will make a big impact as he works in rural areas a lot, Srini Alluri, you are doing a magnificent job and I wish you the very best in this long journey and hard route you have chosen. If anything, you have inspired me to adopt the 3H lifestyle, perhaps cycle more often and live within my means. Mostly, to serve humanity and live in peace with nature. I will certainly mention your wonderful effort in my talks and of the path you have chosen that we could all emulate. Wonderful work Srini and you can always count on my support for your activities.

But this is only the tip of the iceberg. I am sure there is more to Srini than I have mentioned. I will follow this blog up with more information later.