HUMOUR OUT OF UNIFORM - PULLING RANK AFTER RETIREMENT

HUMOR OUT OF UNIFORM

Does Rank Have Its Privileges  - Even After Retirement ?

STATUS EGO RANK

A Naval Yarn and a Teaching Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

The other day I witnessed an amusing spectacle of a retired erstwhile senior army officer trying to pull rank and jump a queue for renewing a CSD Card despite the fact that he was now a “retired nobody”.

Of course, he was put in his place by those around him who told him to get into the queue and he beat a hasty retreat.

When I was in the Navy I observed that there were two types of officers.

1. There were the confident type who carried themselves with poise and dignity, were well-bred, polished, cultured and courteous, honest, transparent, fair and upright in their conduct and quite humble, modest and down-to-earth in their behaviour. 

These officers did not need the crutches of rank – in fact, by their exemplary demeanor they enhanced the dignity of the rank they held and they always put service before self.  

They truly epitomized the term: “An Officer and a Gentleman”.

2. Then there were the insecure type who were excessively rank conscious haughty show-offs who believed in the dictum: “Boot your juniors and Bootlick your seniors”. 

They were unabashed careerists who put self before service because for them their rank and status were everything (yes, for these insecure types rank, promotion and their naval career was the be-all and end-all of life).

They knew, in their hearts, that without the crutches of rank they were zeroes, so they went to any extent to get promoted at any cost. 

It is this insecure and ambitious type of careerist officers who often get involved in unethical acts and tarnish the good name of the service.    

Snobbish and pretentious behaviour is a sign of low self-esteem.

So, if you see any status-conscious, pompous, egoistical snobs around you, please tell them this story (maybe they will introspect, reflect and change for the better):

Keichu, the great Zen teacher of the Meiji era, was the head of Tofuku, a cathedral inKyoto.

One day the Governor of Kyoto called on him for the first time.

His attendant presented the visiting card of the Governor, which read:

Kitagaki

GOVERNOR OF KYOTO

“I have no business with such a fellow,” said Keichu to his attendant, “Tell him to get out of here.”

The attendant carried the card back to the Governor with apologies.

“That was my error,” said the Governor, and with a pencil he scratched out the words GOVERNOR OF KYOTO, gave the card back to the attendant and said to him, “Take this card to your teacher and ask him again if he would please give me an audience.”

“Oh, it’s that Kitagaki?” exclaimed the teacher when he saw the card, “I want to see that fellow. Send him in.”

So that’s the secret – just DROP YOUR EGO.

Why is everyone so obsessed with rank, status, power, wealth, fame and other egoistic trappings?

Your individual qualities matter much more than your rank. 

Your external rank will go away one day but your intrinsic worth will remain with you forever, and maybe even remembered as your legacy. 

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like this post?
I am sure you will like the 27 fiction short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL 
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

STATUS EGO RANK

STATUS EGO RANK

A Teaching Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

The other day I witnessed an amusing spectacle of a retired officer trying to pull rank and jump a queue despite the fact that he was now a retired nobody.

Of course, he was put in his place by those around him and he beat a hasty retreat.

When I was in the Navy I observed that there were two types of officers.

There were the confident type who carried themselves with poise and dignity, were well-bred, polished, cultured and courteous, honest, transparent, fair and upright in their conduct and quite humble, modest and down-to-earth in their behaviour. These officers did not need the crutches of rank – in fact, by their exemplary demeanour they enhanced the dignity of the rank they held and they always put service before self.  They truly epitomized the term: “An Officer and a Gentleman”.

Then there were the insecure type who were excessively rank conscious haughty show-offs who believed in the dictum: “Boot your juniors and Bootlick your seniors”. Unabashed careerists who put self before service because for them their rank and status were everything (the be-all and end-all of life) – they knew, in their hearts, that without the crutches of rank they were zeroes, so they went to any extent to get promoted. It is this type of officers who often get involved in unethical acts and tarnish the good name of the service.    

Snobbish and pretentious behaviour is a sign of low self-esteem.

So, if you see any status-conscious, pompous, egoistical snobs around you, please tell them this story (maybe they will introspect, reflect and change for the better):

Keichu, the great Zen teacher of the Meiji era, was the head of Tofuku, a cathedral in Kyoto.

One day the Governor of Kyoto called on him for the first time.

His attendant presented the visiting card of the Governor, which read:

Kitagaki

GOVERNOR OF KYOTO

“I have no business with such a fellow,” said Keichu to his attendant, “Tell him to get out of here.”

The attendant carried the card back to the Governor with apologies.

“That was my error,” said the Governor, and with a pencil he scratched out the words GOVERNOR OF KYOTO, gave the card back to the attendant and said to him, “Take this card to your teacher and ask him again if he would please give me an audience.”

“Oh, it’s that Kitagaki?” exclaimed the teacher when he saw the card, “I want to see that fellow. Send him in.”

So that’s the secret – just DROP YOUR EGO.

Why is everyone so obsessed with rank, status, power, wealth, fame and other egoistic trappings?

Your individual qualities matter much more than your rank. Your external rank will go away one day but your intrinsic worth will remain with you forever, and maybe even remembered as your legacy. 

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like this post?
I am sure you will like the 27 fiction short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL 
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

IT IS BEST TO BE A NOBODY

IT IS BEST TO BE A NOBODY

A Mulla Nasrudin Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Nowadays, thanks to the name dropping and VIP culture,  everybody wants to be a “somebody”. 

Little do they realize that it is best to be a “nobody” as this Mulla Nasrudin story illustrates:

Mulla Nasrudin decided to attend a grand reception given by the King to which he had not been invited.

He pompously entered the VIP area and seated himself at the foremost elegant chair. 

The Chief Usher approached Mulla Nasrudin and said: “Sir, this is the VIP enclosure and those places are reserved for Guests of Honour.”

“Oh, I am more than a mere guest,” replied Nasrudin confidently.

“Oh, so are you a diplomat…?”

“Far more than that…” replied Nasrudin haughtily.

“Really…? So you are a Minister, perhaps…?”

“No, bigger than that too….” Nasrudin said pretentiously.

“Oho…! So you must be the King himself, Sir…” said the Chief Usher sarcastically.

“Higher than that…” Nasrudin said ostentatiously.

“What…? Are you higher than the King…? Nobody is higher than the King…!”

“Now you’ve got it right. I am nobody…!” said Nasrudin.

Dear Reader, think about it. 

What is the moral of the story? 

Why is it that a nobody is higher than a King, higher than all so-called VIPs? 

This is because real Elevation of the Self comes through the Abandonment of Ego.

That's the message of this story - Just drop your Ego and see how you truly rise. 

Yes, if you try to be a “somebody” you can always fall, but if you are a “nobody” you will always rise.

Let this wisdom perambulate in your mind and have a nice day.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2011
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like reading this story?
I am sure you will like the 27 stories in COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 14 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com     vikramkarve@hotmail.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

MICE and MOTIVATION

Use MICE for MOTIVATION
Musings on Human Resource Management
By
VIKRAM KARVE

Numerous theories of motivation have been formulated, tomes and tomes written, and Management Gurus pontificate to their hearts’ content, on the subject of Motivation, but to put it simply, I feel that, in a nutshell, all the motivators, or motivating factors, can be encapsulated in the acronym “MICE”.

Let’s expand MICE – Money, Insecurity, Cause, Ego.

M:  MONEY

I:    INSECURITY

C:   CAUSE

E:   EGO

In  today’s world Money is probably the primary motivating factor. Need I say more?

Fear and Insecurity have always been most powerful motivators for ages. Though negative in nature, these are used very often by many organizations and bosses.

Many idealistic persons are motivated for a Cause, ideology, belief, passion, love, ambition, or to realize one’s “life-mission”. This is the highest quality of self-actualization type motivation.

The role of Ego, pride, self-importance, self-respect [“izzat”] and self-esteem as a motivator is significant in some cases. This is a high quality “self-esteem” type of motivation.

MICE and Motivation – they are inextricably linked, aren’t they?

And isn't this motivation theory so breathtaking in its simplicity?

The art of motivation is so easy, isn’t it?

I wonder why we have all those high falutin, esoteric motivational management theories taught at B-Schools, when all you need  is MICE for motivation!

 

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU, Lawrence School Lovedale, and Bishop's School Pune, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/default.htm

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.com

Professional Profile of Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve 

Foodie Book APPETITE FOR A STROLL :  http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

 

Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

EGO AMBITION CREATIVITY

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

An Egoistic Person lives in the Past

An Ambitious Person lives in the Future

A Creative Person lives in the Present

EGO

EGO

A Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

If you see any status-conscious, pompous, egoistic snobs around you, please tell them this story:

Keichu, the great Zen teacher of the Meiji era, was the head of Tofuku, a cathedral in Kyoto.

One day the Governor of Kyoto called on him for the first time.

His attendant presented the visiting card of the Governor, which read:

Kitagaki

GOVERNOR OF KYOTO

“I have no business with such a fellow,” said Keichu to his attendant, “Tell him to get out of here.”

The attendant carried the card back to the Governor with apologies.

“That was my error,” said the Governor, and with a pencil he scratched out the words GOVERNOR OF KYOTO, gave the card back to the attendant and said to him, “Take this card to your teacher and ask him again if he would please give me an audience.”

“Oh, it’s that Kitagaki?” exclaimed the teacher when he saw the card, “I want to see that fellow. Send him in.”

So that’s the secret – just DROP YOUR EGO.

Why is everyone so obsessed with rank, status, wealth and other egoistic trappings?

Just imagine, when everyone drops their ego, the world will become such a wonderful and friendly place to live in.

VIKRAM KARVE

 

http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com

 

http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve

vikramkarve@sify.com

On Life and Love

Miscellaneous QUOTES

Here are some quotes from Raghava, a senior blogger who I respect. Do read them - I am sure you will find some meaning in these quotes.

 

It is better to lose your Ego to the one you Love, than to lose the one you love because of your Ego.

The greatest suggestion for “love" is don't love the one who is beautiful for the world, but love the one who makes your world beautiful 

Every tear is a sign of commitment.

Every silence is a sign of compromise.

Every smile is a sign of attachment.

Every message is a sign of remembrance.

Life never leaves you empty, it always replaces everything you lost. 

If it asks you to put something down, it is because it wants you to pick up something greater. 

No voice in this world can be louder than silence. If any one can understand your silence, they can never misunderstand your words.

Life it self has no intrinsic value, you have to add value to it.

Can Mice Motivate - Mice Motivation - Musings of Human Resource Management

Use MICE for MOTIVATION
Musings on Human Resource Management
By
VIKRAM KARVE

Numerous theories of motivation have been formulated, tomes and tomes written, and Management Gurus pontificate to their hearts’ content, on the subject of Motivation, but to put it simply, I feel that, in a nutshell, all the motivators, or motivating factors, can be encapsulated in the acronym “MICE”.

Let’s expand MICE – Money, Insecurity, Cause, Ego.

M:  MONEY

I:    INSECURITY

C:   CAUSE

E:   EGO

In  today’s world Money is probably the primary motivating factor. Need I say more?

Fear and Insecurity have always been most powerful motivators for ages. Though negative in nature, these are used very often by many organizations and bosses.

Many idealistic persons are motivated for a Cause, ideology, belief, passion, love, ambition, or to realize one’s “life-mission”. This is the highest quality of self-actualization type motivation.

The role of Ego, pride, self-importance, self-respect [“izzat”] and self-esteem as a motivator is significant in some cases. This is a high quality “self-esteem” type of motivation.

MICE and Motivation – they are inextricably linked, aren’t they?

And isn't this motivation theory so breathtaking in its simplicity?

The art of motivation is so easy, isn’t it?

I wonder why we have all those high falutin, esoteric motivational management theories taught at B-Schools...!

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU, Lawrence School Lovedale, and Bishop's School Pune, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com  

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.com

Professional Profile of Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve 

Foodie Book APPETITE FOR A STROLL :  http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.