ONLY A GOLDSMITH KNOWS THE VALUE OF GOLD

 

“Values aren’t buses.

They’re not supposed to get you anywhere...

They’re supposed to define who you are.”

Jennifer Crusie

 

In his last episode of KBC, I saw Amitabh Bachchan calling on stage his loyal hair-stylist, Deepak Sawant, and speaking about him (Deepak Sawant) very emotionally. It was, most probably, Amitabh Bachchan’s last KBC episode. Considering his age (83), I don’t think, he might take up a high-pressure assignment like KBC anymore. But, who knows about tomorrow?

During more than half-a-century of his career – from acting to hosting, from voiceovers, commercials to trying his hand in politics and business – I have seen, more than once, Amitabh ‘stepping aside’... calling it a day... only to reinvent himself – and make a triumphant come back!

And, through it all, there was one man in his life who stood behind him, like his constant shadow – and, that man was Deepak Sawant... Yes, though thick and thin, as it’s said.

In professional life, Loyalty is a priceless Value. In Amitabh Bachchan’s case, there are other Values, too... commitment, punctuality, adaptability, humility and many more. If he has survived superbly for so many decades in an industry ridden with cut-throat competition, I think, it’s only because of the rock-solid values upon which he had founded his professional career...

That holds true to Bachchan and Sawant, both... They both are Legends in that sense.

Today, despite the best phones and gadgets people around us possess, so many of them do not possess a simple value called – honest communication. I am referring to a very simple thing in communication... How do we feel when people do not respond to our calls? Ok, they are busy at present... But, do they call back or message us? How do we feel when they don’t respond to our messages even if they have read them?

Rings bell?

Kartik spent many years studying and working in Germany and, presently, he has settled in Bangalore with his wife. Some weeks ago, I had called him and made a certain request. “Sir, can I get back to you on this after a week?” he had asked. Exactly a week after that, Kartik reverted and communicated how he would fulfill my request.

I was impressed and wrote: “I really admire you for keeping your word, with such honesty.”

“Sir, I leant that from the Germans,” Kartik told me.

I googled and found out, that Germans loved to be straight forward in their communication. Even though, I have never been to Germany, I have reason to believe in Kartik, who has lived there for many years, particularly when he was very young.

Then, there are these little children from Japan, whose videos I, often, watch. I see them crossing through the zebra lines... but, when they pause to bow their heads down to thank the traffickers, my heart feels overwhelmed with joy – “What a fine Value that is! What a culture!”... Yes, I find myself saying in my heart.

We take Values very lightly. Let me tell you this: The quality of our personal or professional lives totally depends on the Values on which we shape them. Believe it or not, whether it’s Amitabh Bachchan or his hairstylist, Deepak Sawant – yes, both needed to place their careers on a robust foundation called – Loyalty.

I am not an Amitabh Bachchan, not even a Deepak Sawant. Still, the daughter of an elderly woman (a Legend in the eyes of many of us who knew her closely), who recently passed away, was telling me this. “My mom, always, spoke high about you; I am glad to be connected to you through her. The only thing I want to say, in conclusion, is this: Only a goldsmith knows the value of gold.”

Though this family traditionally were goldsmiths, the young lady was using an old adage only to prove the point, that what makes you pure gold are - purely your  Values.

And, I am not talking about me, here, you see...

 

GERALD D’CUNHA

Pic’s: 1. depositphotos.com  2. 

Video: 1. BollywoodTidBits  2. @FACTASTICS2050