MANU SKRIPT

  M ountains have never truly captivated me. While I have always admired their vastness and mystery, I often find their solitude isolating, as if they disconnect me from the pulse of the world. So, when my wife, Mohita, and I set off for the mountains to visit a friend’s home in Dhanachuli, Uttarakhand , it was with a sense of measured excitement rather than unbridled enthusiasm. What we anticipated as a simple retreat to soak in the crisp mountain air and breathtaking views soon transformed into an extraordinary journey through history and spirituality. As is my habit before any trip, I began researching the region. A casual scroll through Google led me to a name I had barely encountered before— Jageshwar Jyotirlinga . Descriptions of it were filled with quiet reverence, portraying it as an ancient and sacred abode of Lord Shiva , hidden deep within a dense deodar forest . The very idea of a forgotten Jyotirlinga piqued my curiosity. How could a temple of such immense spiritual...

Every year, millions of students graduate from college, stepping into the workforce with high hopes. But many find themselves stuck, wondering, "Why am I not ready for this?" The truth is, a college degree is no longer a guaranteed ticket to success. Employers don’t just want knowledge; they want applicability . The gap between education and industry expectations is wider than ever, leaving graduates feeling lost. For me, this realization was personal. Having pursued engineering at BITS Pilani and an MBA at IIM Bangalore, my early career in finance consulting seemed like the perfect launchpad. Yet, my entrepreneurial journey—from starting a yarn manufacturing business with no prior industry experience to navigating the complexities of scaling 612 League into a national brand—made me confront a stark reality: formal education had not prepared me for the real world. Over three decades of building businesses, facing financial crises, and adapting to changing industries, I’...

  A few days earlier while chatting with my girls during a car ride, I was told that I belong to ‘Gen X’. How cool was that? Having heard of Gen Z, I thought, wow, I am still in the vicinity of the youngest generation around.   My newly found glory didn’t last too long as it was duly pointed out that Gen X are people born between years 1965-1980. Well, that makes Gen X to be people in their 50s now. Cool enough! I grew up in Mumbai in the 70s when Amitabh Bachchan was the only super star around.   What great joy we discovered in little things like the pineapple pastry that we could lay our hands on every once in a while or when the first black and white EC TV reached our home. ‘Chitrahaar’ was as interesting as it would get. Of course, we even found ‘krishi darshan’ exciting. Mumbai offered such a melting pot of cultures. From firecrackers at Diwali to the Dahi handi on Janmashtmi, from Ganesh visarjan to the Christmas party, we celebrated them all. Holidays meant going...

Passenger assaults Indigo pilot announcing delay in flight due to fog (TOI 15-01-24) Passengers fight on Vande Bharat train over luggage space (NDTV 18-01-24) Man shot in hip after his car brushes against a bike (Indian Express 18-01-24) Haven’t we grown up hearing of such incidents as everyday occurrences? What is it with us that makes us so impatient and volatile? Why do we have this constant sense of urgency? Visit any public space – be it markets, train stations, airports. People are always trying to rush in and move ahead. Queues are generally treated as mere suggestions. Road rage is one of the most visible manifestations of impatience and stress of daily commuting.   On any international trip to first world countries, courtesy in public places, respect for personal space and willingness to yield are so glaringly evident. And what a welcome change that is! One wonders why our country is so different. There are many views. The impatience stems from lack of confiden...

19 th January 2024 marks 16 years since the idea of 612league, a kidswear brand for the modern Indian parents was born. As I look back to that day, I wonder what it was that pushed us into taking a plunge in a business that was unknown to us. There were many reasons that come to mind, but the reason which stays forever is – our belief in the need for a clothing line for children based on sorted and clean designs with an international tone and design language. A business based on creativity and imagination. In an era characterized by rapid technological advancements, the importance of creative skills in business is becoming increasingly evident. The traditional notion that success is solely tied to technical proficiency is being challenged, as businesses and industries recognize the invaluable contribution of creative thinking. Creativity, often associated with fields like art and design, is emerging as a critical asset across diverse sectors. Take, for example, the tech giant Appl...