cogito ergo sum

Your name brings forth
the images - your images
and those of the ones you harboured:
the people, days, water
(not contained, it passed by)
feelings, lives, memories
(not contain-able, they passed by)
or minutes, hours, days, seasons
I spent on your steps, ,my life weaved 
around you in its circadian rhythm.
 
They flow through the tip of my pen
taking shape as the blue of the ink
shapes strange things - words -
that were in the mind-womb
before being thrown out, words
that dirty the pristine, blank space -
and create something of worth?
They are true, aren't they?
Digression's good, isn't it?
 
A poem too, is true
although made vomitingly sick
''by the pale cast of thought" before
the retching begins that finally
transfers words to their surface graves.
But what can I do?
When a polyphony I detect
It's not just one man within
that hates to follow my conscious agenda;
there's a full battalion
and each member -
uncivilized, unsubjugated
unprincipled, unchristened
trying to speak in a simultaneous cacophony
with an array of meanings and voices
arrayed variously - for or against -
one another.
 
Enough of this meta- stuff!
Return to the days and the level of material
materially verifiable facts.
That's what i'd planned initially
but I've reached the end of my tether
End...
 
abruptly...
 
 

 
I am no natural poet.
No sir!
Poetry comes very rarely,
Infrequently, to me.
It had been knocking
The last few days
Faintly.
I did not open the doors
(Metaphorical), of mind.

I'm a busy man,
You see.
How can a professional
Adult Indian male
Be so weak as to stop running
His private-public rat race
And take time out
For a thing so insignificant
As licking his wound
That rankles with pain of (good) old days?
 
I could not linger on the platform that night.
I had a train to catch,
3 bags to place,
With a status of RAC.
Delayed heartache.
The prognosis I prophetically knew.
It was true.
 
Home is not where the heart is;
Home is where the purse can be filled.
And the belly.
Heart and all it can do,
Is nothing -
When compared to
What stomach does when aroused.
 
Therefore, I have travelled 798 kilometers
And come
To the city where I work
From the only city where I ever lived
From the city I loved
(And hated, and tried to flee from
But that's another story.
I was a better/worse man/boy then).
 
So, I could not stay, 
While coming or going,
On platform # 1.
12 hours and so much to do.
You see
I could not even meet you
And you and you.
 
 
 
 
 

INTRODUCTION: - Time is scarce. Nobody will read long pages if they don't get something in return. These pages, I assure you, will be a great help to you .My confidence comes from my faith in human nature. We all like to improve, to progress, to develop and to excel-and our subject matter is about the fulfillment of that wish we have. We want people to listen to us, and to let us lead them. If you read carefully, and utilize the information provide here, you will definitely add value to your present personality level. But before we begin, remember while reading these pages that this is not a book, but a practical manual, and it must be followed to produce the desired results.
As a book must focus on its target audience, I must define my target audience first. My target audience is an average student of the age group 18-25, with an average level of intelligence and of psycho-social cravings. I will consistently use he for my target audience, which will mean both he and she. The chapters cover various aspects of personality development in a practical and easy manner. So, happy reading and grow on.

Speaking a language which is not your mother tongue is not easy, especially when you do not have an environment conducive for it. We are going to work on the environment so that learning and improving language becomes easier. People who live at home or people who live in rented rooms, will have to adopt slightly different strategies. At home one has a TV with cable connection, a DVD player and a walkman. Those who live in a rental room generally do not have all those things available at home. They must have at least one 2 in 1 player which has both transistor and cassette player. All these audio visual aids are required to create conducive environment for learning English language. One more essential supply is good English to English dictionary with pronunciations and word usage details. Such a dictionary is a valuable aid and must be possessed by all learners.

Once the mind is made and the resources assembled the time is just right to start. Get any good newspaper in English and read it for at least one hour actively. By active reading I mean taking notes and utilizing the same later. Note down the full sentence when you find a word or a couple of words that you do not understand. Encircle the different words and guess their meaning before you search their meanings from dictionary. Compare the guessed and dictionary meanings and mark the words you missed guessing correctly.

Here is a step by step demonstration

You copied down the following sentence –

1) “I was never so glib” said he.
The difficult word for you is “Glib” as you have encircled it now guess its meaning with the help of the words around it. Say you guessed 'happy' now look into the dictionary and match it. If both the meaning are similar let a tick ( ) mark otherwise put a cross ( ) mark

Repeat the process for 1 hour by the end of that time you will have written many sentences in your note book. Close the newspaper and read the full list. This list must be revised the next morning and on the morning of the next Sunday too. Use the sentences in conversation now.

If you honestly follow this method then at the end of the fourth month you will have hundreds of new sentences on your tongue tips. But then knowing a word is not owning it until you can use it in all the ranges of meanings it offers. Hence consciously look for different ways in which you can use these newly learnt words.

2) The method applied on newspapers can be used equally on novels but with a little different objective, Newspaper notes provides an exhaustive word / sentence list where as novel notes although are of similar nature, cover different type of sentences. These sentences use stages and common words, hence can be used very easily in the form of picked up from the pages. Therefore novels are a prompt help for those who wish to speak English. Choosing the right novel is very important. Bingers must take a novel of around 300 pages with a language which is neither very formal nor very much full of slang's or words of foreign language. Rest of the method is same as that followed for a newspaper.



Speaking in front of an audience is something many people would avoid at all Costs. Not because it is a difficult tark in itself, but because with it is associated the fear of failure. Mary good Communicators at interpersonal level – fail as public speakers. Hear are some tips for all who event to either excel in public speaking or overcome fear and shyness in order to start speaking.

Just like charity, public speaking should also begin at home or in class. One who wants to learn the art of public speaking or to home ones skills in it, must practice a lot. In fact, one must always look for opportunities to speak to an audience, even it the audience is of one. Beginners should try to prove points or discuss things openly with their family and friends. They should make their family and friends partners in the process of development. They should share their goals, fears etc. with their partners and state their commitment firmly, so that they are found to their words and to work.

Once a beginning is made, the four must be on the topic in hand. Ideally, one must choose to speak only when one has knowledge and enthrones, but the ideal state is not always possible. Therefore, once a person decides to speak before an audience, one ought to ask few questions, whose airier will show how and what to speak. Question to be asked before one starts preparing the script of one's speech are–

1) Who is my audience?
2) Whey do they choose to listen to me?
3) What can I do to maximize their benefit?
4) How best can I arrange my thoughts to leave a lasting impact?
5) What is the exact response desired from the audience?
6) How can I get a lot of material on the topic?
7) How much material is required (based on time)?

Points 4,6 and 7 are related directly to the content of the speech, whereas, points 1,2,3 and 5 are about the audience analysis and response.

As it is said, “An example of ten words teachers better than mere theory of hundred”, lets take an example. Imagine yourself to be a great speaker. You were chosen for delivering the inaugural speech of the celebration of Gandhi Jayanti. You don't know much about the Mahatma, neither do you care for it. Still, speak you must. So ask yourself the seven questions one by one, and note down their answers. Some example answers follow-

Ans. 1) My audience is composed of the students of the PG College, and its staff.

Ans. 2) They dove not, in general, “Chosen” to listen, they “have” to.

Ans. 3) To Maximize their benefit, I must give them something that helps them in their
day to day life.

Ans. 4) I must catch their attention in the beginning, hoed it throughout the speech,
Drive home the message forcibly.

Ans. 5) I must know whether I want to pass information on Bapu, or to bring about
Some behavioral change in the audience.

Ans. 6) Internet, books and discussion with seniors and teachers will give abundant
Amount of material. At least five times the amount of information delivered
Must be collected.

Ans. 7) After a lot of data is collected, it should be arranged according to priority based
on the need of the audience and aim of the speaker.

At the end of the above process, you have your first draft in hand. Ask somebody who is good in grammar, to go through the first draft and mark it. Prepare the second draft, and it not satisfied rewrite even that. Fir ally, when your speech satisfies you, drop the idea of learning it by heart for delivery. You don't need to do that. After having worked so long and well on it, you are ready to rehearse for a delivery without the full script in hand. After collecting material, writing your speech, and improving it, you must rehearse its delivery without any need of learning by heart. Make a cue-card instead. Arrange your ideas into heads and sub-heads, and write there on cue-cards that you carry to the stage. This paper is only for you to see, don't let your audience know that you are carrying any such thing. Don't depend on it a lot it will help only when you forget the basic structure of your speech. You must rehearse delivering the content without looking at any kind of written material. Practice mock speeches before a partner, or even before a mirror. Practice not only makes you perfect, but also confident. With each practice session you know more about your heights and weaknesses. This will improve your final delivery. While practicing, always keep your audience in mind. One handy trick is to visualize one person to whom you are passing on your knowledge. In your minds eyes, see the reactions of that person while you speak, change pitch or tone, give illustrations etc. tell yourself every day that you will be great on the D day, that you will definitely help your audience achieve what benefits them. Have faith in yourself and keep rehearsing till the very lark day.

Finally, the day has arrived on which you will speak before 100 people. You prepared yourself for this day throughout the preceding fortnight. You are anxious, excited, frightened, and full of joy and anticipation. You have become a live time-bomb and you think it is unique. Wrong. This happens to all speakers. Yes, even those geniuses who simply and effortlessly captivate millions of viewers on TV. Ask them, and they will tell you how hard they worked to hide from you any sign of their hard word. How much did they train themselves to appear untrained, natural and effortless. Well, you have a great company it you have the stage fright. Have confidence in the hard work that is the foundation on which you will raise your success.

Concentrate on your speech, fill your mind with the positive response your audience will give, think how you are going to help your audience and use your stress for your successful speech delivery, not against it. Keep a small card, with the structure of speech and hints on it, in your pocket. Double check the content before you leaves your room after one final rehearsal.

Reach the venue at least ten minutes before your scheduled time. It possible, sit among the audience for some time and absorb your miler immediately around. Look at the audience and pick up those you will target from the podium. These are the people whose first impression has been favorable. Trust your sixth secure but be ready to improvise. Once you are called on stage, walk confidently and keep positive thoughts in your mind. Place your cue-card on the lectern in a manner that does not draw attention of the audience. Come out from behind the lectern.

Look at the audience and smile. Yes, the first action of your speech is a smile – unless, of course, you want your audience and yourself very serious and somber throughout the speech. This smile sets the tone for the minters to follow it is sincere and confident. Of course, butterflies in your stomach are fluttering. Still you can't let yourself underperforms after so much of research on material and so many rehearsals. Take a deep breath and start. What you do now is just the tip of the preparation time you put into your work. Remember, only you have an exact, word-by-word detail of your speech. Audience will neither notice, nor mind it you drop, forget or alter something so, deliver your good, bow gracefully to the applaud and leave.


“Know thyself”, said Aristotle who knows how small is the number of people who have looked within themselves. Self awareness is the first step development. There is a simple and nearly cause and effect relationship between self awareness and development. Introspection, and deep and precise analysis of data thus gathered, result into knowledge of ones self wince, the first step towards self development is introspection.

Introspection is a process that finally reaches “nirvana”. On there pages, we are going to just start the process. Many of us have experienced that our mind has immense capacity and has, at least, two tracks of thoughts or actions running at any given time e.g. while writing on a page, we are also able to hear what is being said all around, and while thinking about something, one section of our mind is fully aware that another section is thinking. Introspection is just being consciously aware of the capacity of some sections of mind to watch over the processes of some other sections, and then, of consciously looking at ones mind and thought. Ability to introspect is not inherited, it is an outcome of either destiny or habit. During, it is said, is not in our hands. Habits are let's trying and make introspection a habit. It is not at all difficult if one decides to do it. Here are the steps to be followed-

Try to analyses yourself by first creating silence around yourself. Silence is the mother of introspection. As a beginner you need silence, later on it will not be essential for you. Choose any place and time when you will not hear any noise or be disturbed. Try not to do this exercise when tired. Sit if any suitably comfortable position. Think freely. Try to watch and not control your thoughts. You may feel disturbed by what you think, but don't worry. Your objective is to introspect. Do not judge. Just is an observer. Increase the time span from around 10 minutes to 30 minutes in one month. Finally, it will be possible for you to introspect even at the times of emotional upheavals. You will also be able to analyze and understand motive behind your actions and ways of controlling yourself.



After you start knowing yourself, you will know your weaknesses and strengths very honesty. Then will be the time for you to remove your weaknesses and successful way of self improvement is cultivation of mind through reading widely and deeply. Use books, newspapers and magazines, internet etc. for reading and gaining knowledge. But life is short and knowledge infinite.



These are the intangible skills, traditionally left unmeasured, and are generally difficult to mention or prove on a C.V. There are the interpersonal and intrapersonal skills that are very important for success in career. Few important soft skills are listed below.

Empathy, emotional intelligence, Integrity, knowledge of the world around us and our relation with it, team building and team work, Ability to speak before an audience and to convey messages, willingness to learn, capacity to introspects, logical and creative thinking capacity, knowledge of language and its grammar etc.

Just a look at the list given above makes it clear that learning soft skills is not an easy thing. In fact, there is no short cut to learning these essential skills, one has to work persistently and diligently for a long time on their development. For those interested here a plan for developing soft skills. The first core skills to be developed is the ability to explore ones our inner self. I call it the most important soft skill because it taker a person to the centre of his existence and enables him to see all his strengths and weaknesses. It takes honesty, humility and a lot of hard work to know ones own self. To begin introspection choose a place which is quiet, peaceful and free of any kind of disturbance or danger. Remember, this place is going to be your gym for training min, so choose it carefully. After deciding on the place of exercise, decide the time period that you will devote to introspection daily. Try to be regular, because this exercise, like any other exercise, produces the best result on being regular.

Sit in a relaxed posture and let thoughts come into your mind. This method is called watching thoughts, and is taken from Raja yoga. What you have to do while these thoughts come into your mind is to look at them. It is difficult to do so because these thoughts may be frightening at times keep watching anyway. Gradually you will be able to discern clearly that apart from an actively involved thinking part, your mind has a huge part reserved for observing and many other activities. You only consciously control those portions hitherto untamed. You will achieve two things by doing so you will be able to understand your actions and motives and you will gain some control over your own thought processes. You don't have to stop this exercise after leaving the pre-decided place for the same. Carry on watch yourself thinking and acting as an observer impartially and objectively.


Human beings come together to form groups at various levels, and the means through which they understand one another is very important for group cohesion. Communication is the glue that binds various units of an organization at any level. It is through words, signs or symbols only that ideas are transferred from sender to receiver. This results into an understanding and also brings forth desirable or planned change. Thus, communication is the key to both understanding and control. Any individual who wishes to improve his personality - as you, the reader, definitely do - must concentrate on communicating well. What, actually, is communication when we look at its practical aspect, it is a transfer of ideas with a definite objective as its end.

Soft skills are a set of skills that are intangible and largely immeasurable. These are the skills that come in use when a person deals with another person. These are the skills that determine ones success in life and career. These skills have a very high weight age in interview success rate. Few important soft skills are integrity, personal grooming, command over language, ability to work in team etc. time and again, the interviewer looks for a person with well developed soft skills set.

Communication and soft skills are best learnt practically. Although a little background preparation will not harm the process. What follows is a practical application oriented overview of them.



Time is scarce. Nobody will read long pages it they don't get something in return. These pages, I assure you, will be a great help to you. My confidence comes from my faith in human nature. We all like to improve, to progress, to develop and to excel – and our subject matter is about the fulfillment of that wish we have. We want people to listen to us, to admire us, to get influenced by us, and to let us lead them. It you read carefully, and utilize the information provided here, you will definitely add value to your present personality level. But before we begin, remember while reading these pages that this is not a book, but a practical manual, and it must be followed to produce the desired results.

As a book must focus on its target audience, I must define my target audience first. My target audience is an average student of the age group 18-25, with an average level of intelligence and of psycho-social cravings. I will consistently use he for my target audience, which will mean both he and she. The chapters cover various aspects of personality development in a practical and easy manner. So, happy reading and grow on.



Speaking a language which is not your monthertongue is not easy, especially when you do not have an environment conducive for it. We are going to work on the environment, so that learning and improving language become easier. People who live at home, and people who live in rented rooms, will have to adopt slightly different strategies. At home one has a TV with cable connection, a DVD player, and a walkman. Those who live in a rented room generally do not have all those things available at home. They must have at least a 2 in 1 which has bosh transistor and cassette player. All these audio-visual or audio aids are required to create a conducive environment for learning English language. One more essential supply is a good English to English dictionary with pronunciation and word usage details. Such a dictionary is a valuable aid and must be possessed by all learners.

Once the mind is made, and the resources assembled, the time is just right to start. Get any good newspaper in English and read it for at least 1 hour actively. By active reading I mean taking notes and utilizing the same later. Note down the full sentence when you find a word or a couple of words that you do not understand. Encircle the difficult words and guess their meaning before you search their meaning from the dictionary. Compare the guessed and dictionary meanings and mark the words you missed guessing correctly. Here's a step by step demonstration.
You copied down the following sentence –

1) “I was never so glib”, said he.

The difficult word for you is “glib”, as you have encircled it. Now, guess its meaning with help of the words around it. Say, you guessed “happy”. Now look into the dictionary and match this to the dictionary meaning. It both the meanings are similar, let a tick mark () indicate the word, otherwise put a cross mark (), e.g.

1) “I was never so glib”, said he.

Repeat the process for one hour; by the end of that time you will have written many sentences in your notebook. Close the newspaper and read the full list. This list must be revised the next morning, and on the morning of the next Sunday too. Use these sentences in conversation now.

It you honestly follow this method, then at the end of the fourth month you will have hundreds of new sentences on your tongues tip. But then, knowing a word is not owning it, until you can use it in all the ranger of meanings it offers. Hence consciously look for different ways in which you can use these newly learnt words. The method applied on newspaper can be used equally well on novels, but with a little different purpose. Newspaper notes provide an exhaustive word/sentence list. Whereas, novel notes, although are of similar nature, cover different type of sentences. These sentences use slang's and common words, hence, can be used very easily in the form picked up from the pages. Therefore, novels are a prompt help for those who wish to speak English. Choosing the right novel is very important. Beginners must take a novel of around three hundred pages with a language that is neither very formal nor very much full of slang's or words of foreign languages. Rest of the method is same as that followed for a newspaper.

How big a bully this life has been!
It pushed you, slapped you, pinched you:
To make you dance on its tunes new
Took props away-all- lest you lean.

How big a con, without a blindfold
It made you trust its lays.
Snatched all your years, all nights and days,
It shackled; poisoned, kept you in hold.

The ground below and wide sky blue,
It'll make you run and take em away.
If you breathe still, it'll say,
“Now give me all sweet, small things too -
That hold you when I've taken all.