THE FRUIT OF PATIENCE IS SWEET
Pic.: Neerja Panchal
Some seven years ago, Neerja had done a PD course with us. Those
days, she was doing her graduation. Though endowed with a short-and-lean frame,
she was filled with energy and life… always surrounded by dozens of friends,
she was a classic extrovert-girl. After our PD course, I totally lost contact
with Neerja. So, I had no idea as to what she did all these years…
Just a few minutes
back, Neerja called me… Yes, all from the blue!
Honestly, I took some
time to recollect. But, when I did, the picture was very clear before me… She
ended up speaking to me for about fifteen minutes. During the conversation, I
learnt that Neerja was, always, excited about photography. So, after her
graduation, she did a basic course in photography and pursed it, as a hobby, as
she did jobs at several places. But, photography was where her heart lay… and,
eventually, this fascination with the camera propelled her to quit everything
else and go after her heart’s calling.
“I am pursuing it
full-time, now, sir,” Neerja told me, “It is just the beginning… I have a long
way to go.”
“Yes, it is a long
way to go, Neerja,” I said to her gently, “To make a place for yourself by
promoting your talent has, always, been an uphill-task for every creative and
talented person in this world.” I continued, “Success and recognition don’t come
overnight… You have to slog it out, knock a hundred doors, get rejected… get
humiliated, hurt and scared, too… Face opposition and cynicism... and, yes, as
the famous phrase goes – you have to ‘Stay hungry and stay foolish’ as well!
Neerja was listening…
And, I knew she was
familiar with whatever I was talking about… That, I was not trying to pour some
cold water on her dream… Instead, I was trying to reinforce in her heart the truth: that
was the only way any creative, any talented person had to tread to reach his ‘Promised
Land’…
Finally, I told
Neerja that, last night, my wife and I were watching on YouTube a programme on Vidya
Balan’s struggle to glory: how much she had to absorb in order to break the
so-called ‘jinx’… Both, my wife and I, have been great fans of this amazing
actress – this ‘star’ – and, after watching this video, our admiration for her
shot up several notches higher…
Yes, I urged Neerja
to watch that video on Vidya Balan…
A long way to go?
If it is our talent
and creativity… honey, the long way is the only way... the best way. Trust me, it is, also, the ‘sweetest’ way…
"Sabr ka phal mitha hota hai."...
The fruit of patience is sweet!
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.. Rama V
-- Leo
.. Sheela