Gerald D'Cunha

  “The secret is discovered in what moves and touches us, in  what makes us tremble.” Sam Keen S ome days ago, I was invited to hold a session for the students of an Architecture college in Mumbai. The students belonged to 2 nd year to 5 th year. It was their fest week, and different kinds of Workshops – yes, anything other than Architecture – were being held by people from different fields. As I had held sessions many times before in this college, the Principal gave me a free hand: “Anything that can help bring the best out them.”… This was the brief. D oes anyone know what is ‘the best’ in him? I don’t know my own ‘best’… unless I am unusually driven… I don’t know my best potential… I don’t know how good I am… I don’t know how creative, how brilliant… how loving, caring, giving, brave etc. I can be… “The best”, as they say,   is, always, “yet to come.” We are busy just scratching the surface… while ‘the best’ is hidden deep inside. And, often, it...

Pic.: Nirmala Sundar F ive years ago, Raveena* had met me immediately after she got her SSC results. After congratulating her on her wonderful performance, I asked her the obvious question: “What next, beta ?” “Arts, sir,” Raveena said, without blinking. I did not blink, either. “Great,” I said, “But, why Arts, beta ?” “Sir, I love Psychology,” Raveena explained, “I have been dreaming about it for long.” “You will shine in it Raveena,” I told her, “do it with all your heart.” This was five years ago. A while ago, Raveena had come to see me on some important work; she just left my office. She would be completing her final-year in Psychology, now. So, instinctively, I asked her the obvious: “What next, beta ?” I feel happy when I meet many young-kids, like Raveena, who are not only head-strong, but heart-strong, as well. I was impressed about her plans and I advised her to start writing, too. Probably, Raveena  wasn't  prepared ...